Meal prepping is one of the best ways to make eating healthier, especially during busy weeks. Preparing your food ahead of time can also save you time and money.
Whether you’re preparing a week’s worth of meals on Sunday or just want to take your leftovers with you to work the next day, choosing the right meal prep containers is essential.
After all, how you store your food can mean the difference between delicious fresh food and unappetizing spoiled food.
Benefits of buying a meal prep container
With the food prep container you can:
- Prepare healthy meals and store in bulk
- keeps food fresher longer
- Maintain food portions and ready to eat or reheat
- Reduce waste from single-use containers
- Save money by skipping the drive
- Save time by preparing all your meals at once
When selecting the best food prep containers, we consider the following factors:
How to choose meal prep containers?
Durability: Choose those containers that are made of durable materials that can withstand regular use without cracking or breaking.
Leak Proof and spill proof: look for containers that are designed to prevent messiness during transport and storage.
Expert Picks: Ask nutrition experts to share their favorite products.
Easy to clean: Pick always those containers that are dishwasher safe and free of hard-to-clean cracks.
Utilities: It’s always good move to select containers to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you prefer 1, 2, or 3 compartments, or prefer round containers to rectangular ones, you’ll probably find one that works for you.
Pricing: Is also a deciding factor while choosing meal prep container.
How to buy meal prep containers
When choosing a food preparation container, you can consider the following factors:
Which meals will you store? Knowing what types of food you store in containers can help you choose the right foods. For example, bowls are great for soups and stews, while multi-compartment containers are better for salad boxes and snack boxes.
How do you want to use it? Are you going to prepare food then freeze it and cook it later? If so, consider purchasing a freezer, microwave, and oven safe container.
What size do you need? Large containers are best for storing leftovers or large portions, while small containers are better for single meals and small portions.
How will you store it? If your closet space is limited, choose collapsible or collapsible containers to save space.
How much time you want to consume in cleaning? If you don’t want to wash your dishes by hand, be sure to buy dishes that are dishwasher safe.
Which material do you want?
Glass is generally easier to clean and less likely to discolor or absorb odors. However, plastic and silicone are often lighter and more resistant to breaking, which is especially important for children’s lunch boxes. Make sure you choose products made of BPA-free food grade plastic.
Depending on the types of food and snacks you want to prepare, you may need several types of containers.
Quick tips for preparing food
Whether you’re new to meal prep or looking to up your game, here are some quick tips to set you up for success:
- Keep track of your favorite dishes so you always have a list of healthy meal ideas.
- Shop your pantry before you head to the grocery store to reduce food waste and save money.
- Make an organized shopping list – and stick to it!
- Start with a clean kitchen and all your gear.
- Cook in batches of food that can be used in multiple meals throughout the week.
- Use your freezer to store leftovers and extras so you always have food easily available.
- Portions of food before refrigeration or freezing.
Summary:
Meal prep can save you valuable time and money and help you reach your health goals. And when you’re preparing food ahead of time, you need the right containers to store it.
Food preparation containers come in all sizes and shapes, range in price and have different uses and shelf life levels. Choose a container that suits your cooking style and makes the most sense for your food preparation purposes.
