Meal prep has become a lifestyle trend. Social media is full of perfect containers, Sunday cooking sessions, and promises of better health, savings, and control. But does it actually deliver? Is it worth the time and effort?
The honest answer: it depends on you.
The Pros and Cons
Potential Benefits
- Saves time during busy weekdays
- Reduces food waste (planned shopping)
- Can save money vs takeaways/eating out
- Removes daily decision fatigue
- Makes healthy eating more consistent
- Portion control built in
- Know exactly what you're eating
Potential Downsides
- Requires upfront time investment (1-3 hours)
- Can become boring if not varied
- Meals don't taste as fresh by day 4-5
- Requires storage space and containers
- Doesn't suit all lifestyles
- High abandonment rate (boredom, life changes)
- Initial learning curve
Who Meal Prep Works For
People With Predictable Schedules
If you know you'll be eating lunch at work Mon-Fri, meal prep makes sense. Unpredictable schedules with last-minute meetings, travel, or social plans make prep difficult.
Those With Specific Goals
Weight loss, muscle gain, specific diets - meal prep helps when you need precise control over what you eat. It removes the variables of restaurant meals or impulsive choices.
Budget-Conscious Eaters
If you're currently spending £8-15 daily on lunches, meal prep can save significant money. The maths doesn't work as well if you're already cooking cheaply.
People Who Don't Mind Repetition
Some people are fine eating similar meals for days. Others find it soul-crushing by Wednesday. Know yourself before committing.
The Honest Reality
Most people who start meal prepping don't maintain it long-term. Life gets in the way. It's not a character flaw - it's a sign that rigid meal prep doesn't fit everyone's life. Partial approaches or alternatives often work better.
Who Meal Prep Doesn't Work For
- People who hate cooking - If cooking feels like punishment, spending hours on Sunday won't feel better than cooking daily
- Those who value variety - Eating the same thing repeatedly kills motivation for some people
- Unpredictable lifestyles - Frequent travel, irregular schedules, or lots of social eating
- Small households - Batch cooking for one person often leads to waste or extreme repetition
Alternatives to Full Meal Prep
All-or-nothing isn't the only approach:
- Component prep - Prep ingredients (chopped veg, cooked grains, marinated protein) but assemble meals fresh
- Prep some meals, not all - Prep lunches but cook dinners fresh
- Strategic batch cooking - Make double portions when cooking and freeze half
- Hybrid approach - Use ready meals or meal delivery for some meals, cook others
- Assembly meals - Buy pre-prepped components (rotisserie chicken, pre-washed salad) and combine
Making It Work If You Try
If you decide meal prep is worth trying:
- Start small - Prep 3 lunches, not 15 meals. Test before committing
- Build in variety - Different sauces, fresh additions, 2-3 different meals per week
- Use freezer - Freeze half to prevent boredom and food waste
- Keep it simple - Complex recipes fail. Simple, tasty meals win
- Accept imperfection - Miss a week? That's fine. It's a tool, not a religion
The Bottom Line
Meal prep is worth it for some people in some situations - not for everyone, not always. Be honest about your lifestyle, preferences, and what you'll actually sustain. There's no shame in deciding meal prep isn't for you, or in using it partially, or in outsourcing it entirely to meal delivery services. The goal is eating well, not perfecting a system.