Whether it is losing weight or gaining muscles, meal preparation can be beneficial in more ways than one. It gives you the complete control to customize your meals depending on your body’s requirements and personal preferences. With this, you will also need to invest in the right container, providing your food with a safe storage space.
What are the best meal-prep containers that are available in the market today? If you are wondering about the answer, we got you covered in the rest of this post. We will list down some of the most important things that you need to consider, as well as the top products that can provide the best value for your money.
Benefits of Meal Preparation
Before anything else, let u first talk about some of the reasons why meal preparation can be a good thing. Here are some of the things that can convince you to give it a shot:
- It Is Good for the Health: One of the best things about meal prepping is that you can eat heathy meals anywhere, even in the office. You do not have to settle with food laden with MSG and other artificial flavorings. You can prepare your own meal and eat in on the go. You will have complete control on what goes into your food.
- Eat the Right Portions: Another good thing about meal preparation is that you will learn the art of controlling your food. Whether your goal is to lose weight or build muscle, preparing your meals in advance will allow you to eat the right measurements based on what your body needs.
- Save Money: Let us say that you have a corporate job five days in a week. A big chunk of your budget will most probably go to food. Buying lunch outside can be expensive. With this, meal prepping can be better.
- Save Time: More than being able to save money, you can also save a lot of your time with meal preparation. You can do it during the weekend. You can store your meals in the fridge and just reheat them when you are ready to eat. This is perfect for people who often have busy schedules.
Choosing the Best Meal Prep Containers
To help you narrow down the options that are available, here are some of the most important factors to consider:
- Lid: One of the most important parts of the container is the lid. Make sure that it is air-tight and leak-proof. This will prevent mess in your bag, especially if you are preparing foods with sauces.
- Compartments: A good meal-prep container must contain two to three compartments. The latter will make it easy to divide your foods and separate them on portions based on what you require.
- Materials: Plastic, glass, and stainless steel are some of the most common materials for food prep containers. Plastic is highly-recommended because they are lightweight and portable.
- Size: The right size all boils down to a matter of personal preference. You need a larger one if you eat more or if you prefer food items that are bulky. For portability, however, choose those that are small but make sure that there is enough space for your food.
- No Chemicals: See to it as well that you will choose meal-prep containers that are made from non-toxic materials. It should be free from BPA and lead, among other toxic components that could possibly contaminate your food.
- Satisfaction Guarantee: What if the manufacturer fails to deliver its promise? What if you are unhappy in your purchase? You must be able to return the product and the manufacturer must provide you with an unconditional refund.
Tips for Meal Preparation
Having the right container for meal preparation is just one of the key components for success. Below are other important tips that you have to keep in mind:
- One of the most important things is to know your goal. Are you interested in losing weight? Do you want to build muscles? Is there any health problem that you would like to address? By being clear with these things, you can easily decide on what meals to prepare ahead of time.
- Set a time wherein you will prepare your food. Ideally, it should be a Saturday or Sunday, especially if you have a job during the weekdays. Cook all the foods at one so that you can save time.
- Make sure that it is freezer-friendly. Search for recipes that will not easily spoil. Remember, you are preparing meals ahead of time, so it must not be easily perishable.
- Plan a well-balanced meal. Make sure that you have the sources of the essential nutrients that your body needs. Opt for one source of protein, one of health carbs, and one fiber. It must provide you with the energy that you need without causing a rise in your blood sugar.
- Do not be afraid to experiment. If you go online, you will see tons of videos and tutorials for meal preparation. Your food does not have to be boring. In the same way, it does not need to be junk. There are many ways to add flavor in a way that is natural and healthy.
The short video below will give you an idea on how to prepare meals in advance, especially if your goal is to lose weight:
Top Picks for the Best Meal-Prep Containers
If you have no idea on which product will make the best choice, this section will provide the enlightenment that you need. We will discuss some of the best options that are available in the market, as well as a few things that make them notable.
Evolutionize LIFT Certified BPA-Free Reusable Microwavable Meal-Prep Containers with Lids
Safety – this is one of the main reasons why this is an option that ranks on the top of our list. Aside from being made in Canada, it uses materials that are safe and non-toxic. The materials are approved by CFIA and FDA. They are also eco-friendly.
In terms of the materials that are used, there are some who might find it to be too thin. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that it is built in such a way that it will be leak-proof. Even if your meals have sauce or soup, you can be confident that there will be no leaks.
If you are a novice in meal prepping, there is also no need to worry. The manufacturer provides a free e-book. There are detailed steps on how to prepare healthy and delicious meals, perfect for those who are transitioning into a healthier and fitter lifestyle.
Lastly, if you want to have peace of mind, you have another good reason to consider purchasing this above other alternatives in the market. If you are unhappy in any way, get in touch with the manufacturer and they will do what it takes to make you satisfied.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Lids are leak-proof
- Has single and double compartments
Cons
- Thin plastic cover
- Can easily crack
All-Green Products 21-day Portion Control Containers
For budget-conscious buyers who are looking for products with top-notch quality, this is one product that can prove to be promising. Despite its cheap price, it is long-lasting, allowing it to offer the best bang for the buck.
It is not only affordable, but it is also inclusive of several add-ons. As a bonus, you will also receive a planner, mobile stand, and e-books. You can access easy-to-follow meal plans and other tips that will allow you to achieve your weight goal.
The set is inclusive of seven containers. All of these containers have pre-measured portions, making sure that you will eat only the right amount of food. It is also a good thing that they are available in different colors, making it easy to determine which one contains food for a specific meal.
Lastly, the manufacturer is offering full money-back guarantee, which will provide an assurance of your satisfaction. There is no need to hesitate in giving it a shot. If you are unhappy, let the manufacturer know and they will issue an unconditional refund.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Comes with an easy to follow meal plan
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Too small for some users
- Can be prone to leaking
Misc Home 20-pack 3-Compartment Meal Prep Containers
If you are into portion control, this set of meal prep containers will prove to be an excellent investment. It comes in a set of 20 covers and 20 containers. Each container has three different portions, providing you with different ways to divide your meals.
The food-grade materials that are used in the containers is also worth noting. With this, there is no need to worry about safety. There are some containers that are made using toxic materials, which can harm your health when they mix with food.
The clear lid is also a plus. This means that it will be easy for you to see what is inside the container. There is no need to open the top just to see what food you have in the container.
Lastly, if you still have doubts, one thing that can convince you is the fact that the company has stringent quality control, which is their way of making sure that they have top-notch products. If you believe that the products are inferior, get in touch with the manufacturer and they will refund what you have paid.
Pros
- Stackable
- Dishwasher and microwave-safe
- Excellent insulation
Cons
- Prone to leaking
- Can easily crack
Fitpacker Meal Prep Containers BPA-Free Food Storage and Portion Control
If you are looking for high-quality product, this is another option that should definitely be part of your list. It may be quite more expensive compared to most of the options that we have mentioned in this post, but such should not be an issue given its exceptional quality.
The versatility of the meal-prep containers is another thing that makes this an exceptional pick. They can be used in more ways than one. Plus, you can use them in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer.
The durability of the containers in this set is also commendable. In the case of others, they are made from flimsy plastic that can be easily prone to cracks and external damages. With this set, on the other hand, you can expect the containers to be long-lasting.
Like in the case of the products that we have earlier mentioned in this post, the manufacturer is also offering 100% satisfaction guarantee. The manufacturer vows to issue an unconditional refund if you are unhappy with your purchase.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Food-safe materials
- Freezer, microwave, and dishwasher-safe
Cons
- No compartments
- Lids may be hard to take off
Mealcon Meal Prep Containers 3-Compartment Lunch Boxes
This is another option that comes with an affordable price, yet quality is not inferior. The first thing that you will notice about it is that it comes with a thick plastic, even the lid. This is the reason why you can expect it to be long-lasting.
It is also a good thing that there are three compartments in each container. This will make it easy to divide your food in different portions. This makes meal preparation more convenient on your end.
The materials that are used in the containers are free from BPA, lead, and other materials that can possibly be toxic. Even when it is placed in the microwave or freezer, there is no need to worry that it will be toxic for your food.
Lastly, it is also a good thing that they are dishwasher-safe. With this, cleaning it will be a lot easier. Also, overtime, it will not develop foul odor.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Made from thick material
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lids can be hard to close
- Can be prone to liquid
Conclusion
With the best meal-prep containers, it is easier for you to transition into a healthier lifestyle. You can create meals in advance and have them portioned according to the size that is desired. Best of all, you can put them in the freezer or microwave.
From the five products that have been mentioned above, if there is one that I can personally recommend, it would be Evolutionize LIFT Certified BPA-Free Reusable Microwavable Meal-Prep Containers with Lids. It has an affordable price, making it perfect for budget-conscious buyers.
