Meal Prep Containers

Fitblkorchid

Do any of you use meal prep containers to plan you meals during the week. If so. Do you get tired of eating the same meals each day? Do you alternate between days? I am thinking about purchasing meal prep containers and prep my food during the week. Any advice? or suggestions?

kommodevaran

I plan my meals in virtual containers - in a spreadsheet. I certainly don't eat the same meals each day; I cook from fresh, after thawing/soaking, if necessary, overnight in the fridge. The only "prepping" I need to do, is cutting and boxing large fruits like melons and pineapples and hard vegetables like carrots and beets, and portioning and freezing fish and meat.

cheryldumais

I don't meal prep in the usual way. I cook in lots tho. I'll cook up a big pan of lean ground beef for example then through the week use it in different meals eg: spaghetti, tacos, low fat sloppy Joes. I do the same thing with store bought roast chicken. eg: fried cauliflower rice, better butter chicken, chef's salad. I do however eat the same thing for lunches and breakfasts and don't mind that at all. If you are concerned then freeze several different things and you will have a variety.

KickboxFanatic

When I know I'm going to have a crazy week I will meal prep all 3 meals and a snack and have them in containers so I can just grab and go. If my week is going to be not so crazy I will meal prep breakfast, lunch and snacks and fresh make dinners. If my evenings are really flexible then I'll pre-prep breakfasts and snacks and then plan my dinners to make fresh each night and prepare an extra portion for the next days lunch (also helps if you've been eating the same thing each week for a few weeks and need a break from that).

It took a while to get used to eating the same thing every day but you can switch it up by making snacks different or just pre-shredding the chicken and changing up the seasonings each day. It's also nice to make a fresh salad to have with a meal and those can change out daily for variety.

When I go off of meal prep, those are the days that I end up having chips and salsa for dinner.

MegaMooseEsq

I meal prep my lunches only, so if you're looking for advice on dinners and things, just ignore me! For lunches though, I use ziplock's divided rectangle containers - they're a lot cheaper than the fancy "bento" containers (which don't always stack well either), but are genuinely sturdy and seal very well. I don't like to cook so I stick with five items per meal: fruit, veggie, cheese, meat, cracker. I also regularly rotate out one of the non-fruit or veggie options for a pasta salad or quinoa or something like that, and often add nuts or dried fruit or olives if I'm still hungry. I rotate between two to three options for each "slot" during the week for variety, and when I run out of something try to replace it with something different. Some weeks I prep everything but the crackers on Sunday, but at this point it only takes about five minutes to build and log a lunch in the morning so I've been doing that in an attempt to integrate leftovers into my meals more. In any case, maybe that wasn't responsive to your question, but I am always happy to talk about lunches at the slightest prompting.

ETA: My husband cooks 3-4 nights a week, and when he doesn't I often just graze from my lunch drawer since it's filled with foods I genuinely like and are easy to log and portion control.

kshama2001

This is Amazon's first result for "meal prep containers". I get them for free when I order Chinese.

https://www.amazon.com/Fitpacker-Containers-BPA-Free-Storage-Portion/dp/B00VWJHFTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1501099834&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=meal+prep+containers&psc=1



I get sectioned containers with meals from other restaurants.

Psychgrrl

Fitblkorchid wrote: »

Do any of you use meal prep containers to plan you meals during the week. If so. Do you get tired of eating the same meals each day? Do you alternate between days? I am thinking about purchasing meal prep containers and prep my food during the week. Any advice? or suggestions?

I use plain old Pyrex. (Glass dishes, plastic lids, various sizes.) I do eat a lot of the same things, but the combos vary. I typically toss in frozen veggies and a protein (chicken or fish). Sometimes quinoa, a few Trader Joe's mashed potato nuggets, Carba-Nada noodles, or beans. Lots of options. A couple days I bring a massive container of mixed greens (I keep a low-cal balsamic vinaigrette here at work) and eat that with my protein or throw some tuna in there. I eat a lot of egg whites and home and love to saute shrimp. I do try not to eat "work" food at home too much so I don't get tired of it.

kshama2001

When I worked in an office I found batch cooking lunches and dinners on the weekends tremendously helpful.

I only stopped that because I started working remotely.

EHollander89

I grocery shop and meal prep every Sunday. I always make a shopping list so I make sure I get all the needed ingredients. I have a couple of different sizes of containers I use depending on what I make for the week. I usually prep lunches and some snacks to take to work. For dinner I usually have more time so I tend to make something instead of eating a prepped meal. If there are leftovers, that becomes another option for a work lunch.

court_alacarte

I usually prep two meals for the week, lunch and dinner... but this week I was complaining that I was already tired of what I made, LOL. However if I make more than that, I feel I will have too much food. Being single and having to eat the meals by yourself takes it toll on a woman that likes variety my freezer is a graveyard of leftovers from what I haven't finished, but don't want to throw away.

I personally weigh out my portions and pack away in a bento box that I wash and use every day. However there was a time when I would frequent My Fit Foods when it was still in business and it was super nice to have everything ready to grab and go (AND the variety!). It's all a matter of personal preference and what you have the energy for.

nowine4me

You don't need to order anything fancy, just get several different sizes (1// cup, 1 cup, 2 cup, 5 cup) by stackable containers by Hefty or Ziplock and a lunch bags that's large enough to hold several. Then weigh everything for a month or two. For example, a 50g serving of blueberries fill a 1/2 cup container. Have 2-3 options for breakfast, lunch and snacks (all pre-made) and put together a combo of what sounds good each morning. No need to eat the same thing every day.

jjohnson990

I normally grocery shop and meal prep on Sunday's for the week! I typically do the sane thing for lunch for all 5 days and yes it does get boring by Friday but tbh its worth it to not have to worry about cooking for your lunches throughout the week, or getting lazy and eating processed stuff. I just used rubbermaid containers from walmart that have 2 compartments separated by a divider, I typically do my protien & veggies in that then have a separate small container for my fruit! I normally like to heat up my veggies and protien so that set up works for me! ☺

timtam163

I use glassware with a plastic lid because I don't like microwaving stuff in plastic. If I were to invest in something new I'd invest in a bento box. There are also some very cute lunch containers and bags on Etsy.

WeAreTheMassacre

I only meal prep 2 different meals,to last for 2 days. I must suck at cooking, because I cannot stand leftovers. My chicken breast will be dry in a day. I've never frozen a cooked meal and then heated it back up 4 days later; what are the results like?

I also dont use meal prep containers. I throw it all in tupperware... who cares if food touches food?! Don't need a divided plastic brittle meal prep container.

Queenmunchy

I cook, portion and freeze. Then I have plenty of time to eat it, and many different choices.

marisap2010

I cook 3 different meals on Sunday and put in meal prep containers for lunch and dinner to last through the work week. I don't get really bored with eating the same meals, and it makes it much easier time wise during the week. I mix things up with different breakfasts and snacks.

ezekielsherrard205735

I like Pyrex

kshama2001

WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »

I only meal prep 2 different meals,to last for 2 days. I must suck at cooking, because I cannot stand leftovers. My chicken breast will be dry in a day. I've never frozen a cooked meal and then heated it back up 4 days later; what are the results like?...

Chicken thighs don't dry as easily and white meat and they are cheaper too. However, I buy chicken tenders when they are on sale, toss them in a little salad dressing, and grill them. I don't find the leftovers dry. I also don't have an issue with white meat used in stir fries being dry.

Some meals freeze better than others. Stews and soups freeze quite well. I guess the higher liquid content is protective.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/nov/23/what-food-freezes-well-and-what-doesn-t-freeze-well

kshama2001

ezekielsherrard205735 wrote: »

I like Pyrex

Ya, I mostly store in glass, especially if I'm going to be microwaving it.

I used plastic to send meals home for my OH's mother, when we lived separately, before she went into the nursing home. I didn't trust him to not put my Pyrex's lids in the dishwasher

Fitblkorchid

kommodevaran wrote: »

I plan my meals in virtual containers - in a spreadsheet. I certainly don't eat the same meals each day; I cook from fresh, after thawing/soaking, if necessary, overnight in the fridge. The only "prepping" I need to do, is cutting and boxing large fruits like melons and pineapples and hard vegetables like carrots and beets, and portioning and freezing fish and meat.

I will take note. Freezing is helpful and saves room in the fridge. Thank you.

Fitblkorchid

WeAreTheMassacre wrote: »

I only meal prep 2 different meals,to last for 2 days. I must suck at cooking, because I cannot stand leftovers. My chicken breast will be dry in a day. I've never frozen a cooked meal and then heated it back up 4 days later; what are the results like?

I also dont use meal prep containers. I throw it all in tupperware... who cares if food touches food?! Don't need a divided plastic brittle meal prep container.

lol I was more so talking about the asain food containers. We normally get them for free.

Fitblkorchid

marisap2010 wrote: »

I cook 3 different meals on Sunday and put in meal prep containers for lunch and dinner to last through the work week. I don't get really bored with eating the same meals, and it makes it much easier time wise during the week. I mix things up with different breakfasts and snacks.

very insightful. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Fitblkorchid

court_alacarte wrote: »

I usually prep two meals for the week, lunch and dinner... but this week I was complaining that I was already tired of what I made, LOL. However if I make more than that, I feel I will have too much food. Being single and having to eat the meals by yourself takes it toll on a woman that likes variety my freezer is a graveyard of leftovers from what I haven't finished, but don't want to throw away.

I personally weigh out my portions and pack away in a bento box that I wash and use every day. However there was a time when I would frequent My Fit Foods when it was still in business and it was super nice to have everything ready to grab and go (AND the variety!). It's all a matter of personal preference and what you have the energy for.

Its the lunch and dinner. Because I am vegan and the rest of my family is not. I have to prep their food each night. We don't eat the same foods. It just makes it easier for me if i can take a day a prep my foods for the week. It makes it easier for me. Thank you for your help.

Fitblkorchid

Queenmunchy wrote: »

I cook, portion and freeze. Then I have plenty of time to eat it, and many different choices.

That is smart I never thought of that.

Fitblkorchid

You guys are all awesome. Thank you for sharing some of your ideas you all have been really helpful.

Bianca42

I use a combination of Rubbermaid LunchBlox containers and Pyrex glass containers. (If it gets warmed up, it goes in glass...otherwise plastic.)

My snacks are typically the same for the whole week. I generally pick 2 lunches and do one MWF and the other TT.

I prep everything that goes into everyone's lunchbox on Sunday. That way mornings I can grab everything and throw it in the lunchboxes.

I plan out my dinners in advance, although I only prep some things...like for nights when have less than an hour to be in the door after work and back out for kids activities.

kristinak48

I meal prep my lunches on Sundays, I have to otherwise I set myself up for failure. I plan quick healthy food for breakfast as well. I don't mind eating the same thing for lunch because I have a fruit or something else with it to make it different each day and dinner is always different but I also plan out those recipes before I go shopping. It's very helpful!

Ironandwine69

Prep my lunches on Sunday. Every day it's the same thing.

ISweat4This

I meal prep all my lunches. Clean and season meat once a week then freeze in portions so I can cook it a few different ways.

JennJ323

I also prep my weekday breakfasts & lunches on the weekend. To make my life easier I just stick with the same thing every day - though I do have a different dinner every day. Maybe towards Thursday or Friday I'm getting tired of it, but it's just easier for me to prep & log each day, so I stick with. It's been working for me for months, so I don't think I'll be changing anytime soon. (I don't do the same thing every week, but it's the same thing for that whole week).