MEAL PREPPING MADE EASY: HOW NRL STAR COREY WADDELL KEEPS HIS NUTRITION ON TRACK

As cost-of-living pressures continue to bite and more Australians seek ways to stretch their food budget, meal prepping has firmly stepped into the mainstream.

Once the domain of fitness fanatics and bodybuilders, the practice of planning, cooking, and portioning meals ahead of time has become a savvy strategy for households seeking to save money, reduce waste, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For Manly Sea Eagles player Corey Waddell, meal prep isn’t just a trend, it’s a weekly ritual that keeps him fuelled for both training and game day.

“For me, I meal prep on a Monday or Tuesday, which is the start of my week,” Corey says. “I play every weekend, so once my game comes around, I give myself a day to rest and recover, and then come Monday, I’m back into it, ready to meal prep for the week.”

Like many Aussies, Waddell has discovered the key to successful prep is not just the food, but the containers that keep it fresh.

“Pyrex keeps my food fresh and tasting just as good, sometimes better,” he says. “The containers are the perfect size for my portions and seal so well I can throw them in my footy bag worry-free.”

Glass has become his go-to. “It keeps food fresher and reheats perfectly. I use three to four Pyrex containers every week straight from training to the dishwasher,” Corey adds.

On his menu? Overnight protein oats with three topping variations for grab-and-go breakfasts, and teriyaki beef bowls portioned for quick midweek lunches. The combination means he avoids impulse takeaways, keeps his nutrition tight, and can focus on recovery.

For households watching their budgets, Corey’s routine is a reminder that meal prepping doesn’t need to be complicated — or boring. With the right containers and a little planning, it’s a habit that can pay off in health, convenience, and dollars saved.

3 Simple Meal Prep Tips Anyone Can Try

• Start small: You don’t need to prep every meal for the week. Begin with just breakfasts or lunches and build from there.

• Keep it simple: Choose two or three core dishes you can portion into containers and mix up with different toppings or sides.

• Choose the right storage: Airtight glass containers keep food fresher for longer and make it easy to go from fridge to microwave without extra dishes.