If you’re new to meal prep or cooking, you probably have many questions about getting started. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve encountered. You should also check out The MBMK Guide for additional help.
Do you freeze or refrigerate your meals? How do you reheat your meals?
We recommend freezing your meals if they won’t be consumed within about 3 days. Check out our post on Freezing vs Refrigeration. Freezing your meals will ensure that they remain fresh for a longer period of time. On the night before consumption, move your meals from the freezer to refrigerator for thawing, then the next day reheat them in the microwave.
How long can food remain in the freezer or refrigerator?
The FDA has a very helpful chart (FDA Refrigerator and Freezer Storage Chart) which indicates how long certain foods can remain frozen or refrigerated without compromising the food’s safety.
Can I freeze all my meals?
Not all foods are freezer-friendly. Some foods like lettuce and other high water content fruits and vegetables become soggy after freezing; pastas may become mushy.
What size containers do you use for your meals?
We use the Gladware Entree containers which have a capacity of 25 ounce (3 1/8 cups).
How much does it cost to do meal prep?
Most of our weekly meals fall in a price range of $3 to $6 per meal. This cost is based on prices at a supermarket in Harlem, New York.
How much food should I prepare?
The amount of food you prepare depends on your daily caloric needs. Check out our posts Calories: How Many Do I Need? and Macronutrients: Calculating Your Proteins, Fats & Carbs to get an idea of how much food you’ll need on a daily basis.
Do you eat the same thing every day for an entire week? Don’t you get bored?
Although we make meals for 5 days, we don’t always eat the same thing for 5 consecutive days; even if we did, that would not be a problem because we love our food! We realize though that some people may have a difficult time eating the same thing all week, so here are some tips to help add variety:
– Skip one or two of your meal prep meals and eat out or cook something else instead; be sure that the meal substitute meals still satisfy your health and fitness goals.
– Plan to add different vegetables, other sides or sauces to you meal prep containers thoroughout the week.
– Instead of only making two different types of meals when you do meal prep, consider adding more variety. This option may lengthen your time in the kitchen.
Submit questions using our Contact page.