I saw this and was wondering if this would be a good idea?
by Capt2000_price
22 Comments
breath_ofthemild
If you want to spare the effort, sure. But saving money is one of the main reasons I do this, and $5.20 a meal is a tough pill to swallow, especially if it’s a long term plan
grokethedoge
Depends on why you meal prep. If your main goal is convenience and saving time, and finances aren’t an interest, then sure. If your main interest is saving money, then no.
TheCarnivorishCook
My meal prep yesterday was less than £9 for 8 portions, Chicken, Rice, Jars of sauce
“Cooking” was putting things in the Ninjapot and rice cooker
trooko13
Depends on your alternatives. Locally, I can get rotisserie chicken from grocery store and boil the veggie… probably 20 minutes total to be ready in trays at about $3 per meal. With that said, I would pay for the meal option if I don’t even have time to sleep…
anonymousosfed148
Not worth it.
Think_of_anything
No I would not microwave that plastic
Historical_Ad7669
Meat looks dry. Green beans look dumped from a can. You’re better off cooking yourself. There’s two racks in an oven. Roast some chicken and on a separate tray roast your veggies. Guarantee it would come out more flavorful. And fresher. Will you be eating this alone? 6,7, or 8 day old food from an outside source seems…not appealing.
When I buy meat to freeze I portions into gallon freezer bags and add spices, herbs, root vegetables or other vegetables that I don’t mind well done, add some oil. I remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, then massage it all together, then lay it as flat as possible and freeze. When I’m ready to cook, I just throw it in a hot pot, sauce everything for a couple of minutes, add water or broth, bring to a low boil then simmer. Super easy. I label the freezer bags so it’s not a mystery game.
UdonAndCroutons
I would gladly take 2-3 hours in the kitchen on my off day to avoid spending $5.25 for a meal. That adds up.
But, I’d just opt the easier route. And spend over 1-2 hours cutting up vegetables, and cooking it into ground meat for wraps.
MumboSquanch
Better plan than most. Go DoorDash for an hour then you don’t have to cook or clean. It’s a great idea.
Dogmom2013
I think it just depends. Personally I enjoy cooking, and pretty sure I can get all the ingredients for less.
However, if I was desperately short on time and I did not mind spending more money then yea, I can see how this could work.
I think it is more of a personal decision!
R3JEX
Def worth for me. No time or energy to cook and prep myself. Other meal services that I’ve looked into have been double this price.
LittleCeasarsFan
If your options are this or spending $12 a day for a burger and burrito, then this is better.
natziel
The family meals from chain restaurants are super underrated and are generally better and cheaper than the ones from meal prep services like factor
I really like the grilled chicken family meal from bonefish when I’m really busy irl and don’t have time to cook but I also don’t want to eat like crap
DIYdippy
I don’t know your dietary restrictions or want not but I get dark meat chicken bone in for 99cents/lb. Add in a 10lb bag of rice for $10. 20lbs of chicken thighs gives me a 13lb yield of pure meat. My biggest expense to prep for the week are veggies and I get those monster bags for $7.
Comes out to $1.28/meal.
Edit: quick disclaimer I’m a weirdo and i have no issue eating this for literally every meal. I do understand not many people are keen for this sort of monotony.
Cute-as-Duck21
Aren’t Cracker Barrel vegetables cooked in lard?
Truth_Frees_you
All depends.
If you live and work in San Francisco and need to save time this is a bargain.
If you live somewhere cheaper then it’s not.
According-Season-902
If you want to eat garbage food…
This is literally such an easy meal to cook lol why not just make it at home? Probably all cooked in unhealthy oils and veggies out of a can
Chiggadup
A whole tray of chicken breasts is like $20. That plus cheap rice and Brocolli could do this but better at half the cost.
All you’d have to do is season and bake the chicken and Brocolli. It’s not that labor intensive.
PabloJobb
chicken and broccoli like that is the easiest thing in the world to cook and can be done for at least half the cost.
DatBoyCody
If u want value for your money then no but if u just want a quick meal with no mess to clean up after then yes
CitronShine
for people who don’t like to cook or can’t cook, it’s always a good idea to keep up with your diet. I pay someone who makes these kinds of lunchboxes and I pay less for them because she knows I buy them often!
rach-mtl
Depends on your reasoning for meal prep.
To save money? Not the most cost efficient.
To save time/effort? Yes it’s a viable option.
To control your calories, nutrients, macros, etc? Not really.
22 Comments
If you want to spare the effort, sure. But saving money is one of the main reasons I do this, and $5.20 a meal is a tough pill to swallow, especially if it’s a long term plan
Depends on why you meal prep. If your main goal is convenience and saving time, and finances aren’t an interest, then sure. If your main interest is saving money, then no.
My meal prep yesterday was less than £9 for 8 portions, Chicken, Rice, Jars of sauce
“Cooking” was putting things in the Ninjapot and rice cooker
Depends on your alternatives. Locally, I can get rotisserie chicken from grocery store and boil the veggie… probably 20 minutes total to be ready in trays at about $3 per meal. With that said, I would pay for the meal option if I don’t even have time to sleep…
Not worth it.
No I would not microwave that plastic
Meat looks dry. Green beans look dumped from a can. You’re better off cooking yourself. There’s two racks in an oven. Roast some chicken and on a separate tray roast your veggies. Guarantee it would come out more flavorful. And fresher. Will you be eating this alone? 6,7, or 8 day old food from an outside source seems…not appealing.
When I buy meat to freeze I portions into gallon freezer bags and add spices, herbs, root vegetables or other vegetables that I don’t mind well done, add some oil. I remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, then massage it all together, then lay it as flat as possible and freeze. When I’m ready to cook, I just throw it in a hot pot, sauce everything for a couple of minutes, add water or broth, bring to a low boil then simmer. Super easy. I label the freezer bags so it’s not a mystery game.
I would gladly take 2-3 hours in the kitchen on my off day to avoid spending $5.25 for a meal. That adds up.
But, I’d just opt the easier route. And spend over 1-2 hours cutting up vegetables, and cooking it into ground meat for wraps.
Better plan than most. Go DoorDash for an hour then you don’t have to cook or clean. It’s a great idea.
I think it just depends. Personally I enjoy cooking, and pretty sure I can get all the ingredients for less.
However, if I was desperately short on time and I did not mind spending more money then yea, I can see how this could work.
I think it is more of a personal decision!
Def worth for me. No time or energy to cook and prep myself. Other meal services that I’ve looked into have been double this price.
If your options are this or spending $12 a day for a burger and burrito, then this is better.
The family meals from chain restaurants are super underrated and are generally better and cheaper than the ones from meal prep services like factor
I really like the grilled chicken family meal from bonefish when I’m really busy irl and don’t have time to cook but I also don’t want to eat like crap
I don’t know your dietary restrictions or want not but I get dark meat chicken bone in for 99cents/lb. Add in a 10lb bag of rice for $10. 20lbs of chicken thighs gives me a 13lb yield of pure meat. My biggest expense to prep for the week are veggies and I get those monster bags for $7.
Comes out to $1.28/meal.
Edit: quick disclaimer I’m a weirdo and i have no issue eating this for literally every meal. I do understand not many people are keen for this sort of monotony.
Aren’t Cracker Barrel vegetables cooked in lard?
All depends.
If you live and work in San Francisco and need to save time this is a bargain.
If you live somewhere cheaper then it’s not.
If you want to eat garbage food…
This is literally such an easy meal to cook lol why not just make it at home? Probably all cooked in unhealthy oils and veggies out of a can
A whole tray of chicken breasts is like $20. That plus cheap rice and Brocolli could do this but better at half the cost.
All you’d have to do is season and bake the chicken and Brocolli. It’s not that labor intensive.
chicken and broccoli like that is the easiest thing in the world to cook and can be done for at least half the cost.
If u want value for your money then no but if u just want a quick meal with no mess to clean up after then yes
for people who don’t like to cook or can’t cook, it’s always a good idea to keep up with your diet. I pay someone who makes these kinds of lunchboxes and I pay less for them because she knows I buy them often!
Depends on your reasoning for meal prep.
To save money? Not the most cost efficient.
To save time/effort? Yes it’s a viable option.
To control your calories, nutrients, macros, etc? Not really.