Preparing meals in advance to save time, eat healthier, and meet dietary goals is becoming more popular. Although it’s not an entirely new concept, home cooking increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as people spent more time at home.
During the lockdown, 51% of people began cooking more meals, and 82% intend to keep up the habit of cooking healthier foods. This shift highlights the many benefits of meal preparation, including the potential for significant cost savings.
Choosing the proper packaging is essential in making meal preparation more economical. With the correct “wholesale food containers near me” supply, you can maximize the cost-effectiveness of food prepping.
What is Meal Prepping and How It Saves Money
Dish prep involves planning, preparing, and cooking components in advance to simplify preparation and consumption throughout the week. Various methods offer different levels of preparation:
- Full Meal Prep. Preparing meals in individual containers to be reheated and eaten throughout the week.
- Ingredient Prep. Prepping ingredients like chopping vegetables, cooking grains, and marinating proteins for quick assembly.
- Batch Cooking. Making large amounts of a dish to freeze for later meals.
- Grab-and-Go Prep. Making quick snacks or meals like overnight oats, smoothies, or salads in jars for on-the-go.
The underlying principle of meal prepping is time optimization. This saves time and helps you stick to dietary goals, manage portion sizes, and avoid unhealthy last-minute choices.
Cost-Saving Benefits of Dish Prepping
Reduced Food Remains
In many households, food waste causes unnecessary costs. According to the USDA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, mainly at the household level.
- Dish prepping solves this by making purchases and consumption more precise.
- This reduces the risk of overbuying perishables that may spoil.
Grocery Shopping Efficiency
The week's dishes and shopping list can help you avoid impulse buying. This focused strategy cuts wasteful spending by ensuring every item you buy has a purpose.
- Rice, pasta, beans, and frozen vegetables are cheaper in bulk.
- When stored properly, bulk items can be used for weeks, reducing shopping trips and saving money.
Healthier Eating Habits
When you cook at home, you can control the ingredients, portion sizes, and cooking methods to make courses that meet your dietary goals. A healthier diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which are expensive to treat.
Avoiding Dining Out
Frequent dining out or takeout can become one of many households' most significant discretionary expenses. Restaurant menus cost more due to ingredients, labour, tax, and tip markups. On average, eating out costs more than cooking at home, which can strain your budget.
The Importance of Packaging in Meal Prepping
Portion Control
Proper packaging helps dish preppers control portion sizes. This helps monitor:
- Calorie intake
- Maintain nutritional balance
- Avoid overeating and undereating
You can pre-measure meals and snacks with desired portion cups to meet your dietary goals.
- Health Benefits. Essential for controlling weight, blood sugar, and general health. For low-carb or high-protein diets, portion control helps track macronutrients.
- Convenience. It simplifies the preparation by grabbing a pre-portioned meal without measuring ingredients.
Airtight Storage
Airtight storage keeps prepped meals fresh and prevents spoilage. Secure packaging keeps air, moisture, and contaminants out, preserving quality.
- Preservation of Freshness. Prevents oxidation, which causes spoilage, discolouration, and nutrient loss.
- Flavour Retention. A properly sealed container preserves flavours and aromas, keeping them tasting as good as when first prepared.
- Hygiene and Safety. Bacteria grow in air and moisture, so airtight storage prevents it. In doing so, you aid in maintaining the content’s safety and lessen the likelihood of poisoning.
Leftover Storage
Another benefit of prep food packaging is efficient leftover storage. By using leftovers, you can stretch your budget and reduce waste.
- Cost Savings. Keeping leftovers in the proper container extends their shelf life and reduces waste.
- Convenience. Having leftovers in ready-to-eat portions lets you reheat and eat without cooking.
- Reduced Waste. Efficient packaging keeps leftovers safe and edible, making them less likely to be thrown out.
Exploring Plastic Packaging Options for Dish Prepping
Plastic packaging is famous for prepping due to its affordability, versatility, and durability. This is a dependable way to keep food items fresh and extend its shelf life, whether you are storing whole meals, snacks, or individual ingredients.
- Cost-Effectiveness. It is cheaper than glass or stainless steel. A good choice for budget planning.
- Versatility. Available in various shapes, sizes, and designs. This adaptability makes them suitable for different supplies and portions.
- Durability. These breakproof containers are ideal for transporting meals to work, school, or on the go. Many are also leakproof.
- Ease of Reuse and Cleaning. High-quality polymer boxes are reusable and cleanable. They last long and can be reused for multiple meals, saving you money on single-use packaging.
Types of Plastic Packaging for Prepping
- Stackable. These containers nest securely on top of one another to maximize fridge or freezer space. Ideal for multi-meal preppers who must organize and access their consumables.
- Freezer-safe. For bulk dish prep and storage, freezer-safe containers are essential. Designed to withstand freezing temperatures without cracking and to reduce freezer burn.
- Microwave-Safe. These takeout containers are made to resist the extreme heat of a microwave, so you can reheat them without removing them from the container.
Common Materials Used
|
Type |
Properties |
Common Uses |
|
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) |
Clear, strong, lightweight, impact-resistant |
Beverages, ready-to-eat meals, salad carriers |
|
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
Durable, resistant to impact and moisture, opaque |
Milk jugs, juice vessels, grocery bags |
|
Polypropylene (PP) |
Flexible, heat-resistant, translucent |
Microwaveable units, yogurt cups, cold cups |
|
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) |
Flexible, impact-resistant, translucent or opaque |
Squeeze bottles, bread bags, wraps |
Best Food Containers for Meal Prepping
Clamshell Containers
This is perfect for preppers who need reliable, ready-to-eat storage. Single- and multi-compartment clamshell boxes are great for portioning out meals.
- They are leak-proof and stackable, maximizing refrigerator or freezer space.
- The recyclable nature of polymer makes them eco-friendly.
Ideal Uses: Salads, sandwiches, and entrees. For portable meal prep, their hinged lid keeps products safe for food delivery service applications.
Plastic Cups and Portion Cups
For storing smaller portions or condiments, cups hold a few ounces for dressings and dips, fruits, nuts, and yogurt. Condiment-specific cups are available to get just the right consistency of certain foods. They also have respective lids to prevent leaks in food delivery applications.
- Complementing Meal Prepping. Great for portion control and separating ingredients until the main dish. Their size suits lunchboxes and snacks.
- Durability. Stock portion cups are freezer, microwave, and crack-resistant. Reusing these durable items saves money.
Paper Food Boxes
Sustainable consumers prefer biodegradable and compostable paper boxes. These sturdy, lightweight paper takeaway containers can hold various cuisines without leaking or collapsing. Though less durable than plastic and foam takeout containers, their environmental benefits reduce carbon emissions.
- When to Use Paper Boxes. Great for one-day meals or storage. These are ideal for sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, and other dishes.
- Varieties and Features. These boxes come in various sizes. They are versatile meal prep tools as they resist grease and moderate moisture.
Rely on These Products For Your Next Dish Prep
|
Type |
Product |
Price/Pack |
|
Container with Lid |
$60.13 / 150 sets |
|
|
$59.95 / 150 sets |
||
|
Clamshell |
$45.95 / 200 sets |
|
|
$53.95 / 200 sets |
||
|
Microwaveable |
$62.95 / 150 sets |
|
|
$30.95 / 150 sets |
||
|
Portion Cups |
$39.95 / 2500 pcs |
|
|
$73.95 / 2500 pcs |
Patek Packaging For a Cost-Effective Meal Prep
Proper plastic packaging ensures meals stay fresh, safe, and well-portioned. Choosing the right container solutions helps minimize expenses. Discover how the right containers can enhance efficiency, streamline planning, and save you money.
Purchase Patek Packaging’s high-quality products for financial and practical benefits. Paper soup bowls, plastic clamshells, and aluminum takeout containers are just a few of the home goods and restaurant takeaway needs that we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plastic container works best for storing foods in the freezer?
Products made of freezer-safe material are resistant to breaking under freezing conditions. If you need units that can withstand low temperatures, choose ones made of polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Here at Patek, we have a diverse range of freezer-safe products for business owners, food service managers, and meal prep enthusiasts.
How can I ensure that food stored in plastic units stays fresh?
Pick storage carriers with tight lids to keep produce fresh and contaminant-free.
- Watch out for damage or cracks in; they can be breeding grounds for bacteria that could put your goods at risk.
- It is also essential to clean and sanitize tubs properly before each use to keep things clean.
- Avoid using products not designed for your dish or storage conditions, and follow manufacturer instructions for safe use.
Can I use plastic packaging for long-term food storage?
Yes, specifically designed plastic products can be used for long-term storerooms. Choose long-lasting, sturdy units that can be sealed tightly to keep stocks fresh longer.
Freezer-safe and vacuum-sealed solutions prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness when storing dishes long-term. These carriers can keep ingredients fresh for months if sealed and stored correctly.