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Author: The Freshplan

Storing Fresh Meal Kits: How to Keep Your Food Safe

Fresh meal kits are a convenient way to prepare daily meals. But when you buy them in bulk, it’s important to know how to properly store them for a longer lifespan.

Beyond trying to get the best value through costs, you want to maximize each kit instead of simply stacking them in the pantry. The question is, how can you do so?

Here’s how you can store fresh meal kits to make sure they’re safe to eat even after a while!

Check the Ingredients

One of the first things you should do after receiving your meal kit is to check the ingredients. You want to know if it contains anything that spoils quickly, especially when you get fully prepared meals.

The ingredients of your meal kits usually dictate how and when you should store them. So, it’s crucial to consider this before anything else, unless you decide to eat the meals on the same day you receive them.

Keep Them in the Fridge

Many recommend storing fresh meal kits in the fridge or freezer to lengthen their shelf life. It helps because it slows any changes that occur to the food.

A quick tip is to keep them on the shelf instead of the door. The temperatures in your fridge will differ from location to location. So, you want to keep highly perishable food where there’s less exposure to fluctuating temperatures.

Use Airtight Containers

You can keep fully prepared meals in the fridge with the original packaging. But to get the most out of it, consider moving the contents to airtight containers.

Doing so allows you to store the food in more places without worrying too much about the conditions around it. At the same time, it helps you save on space.

A few common options you can consider include glass jars, resealable bags, and containers with airtight lids.

Let Hot Food Cool

If you purchase fully prepared meals, they may arrive hot upon delivery. If this is the case, you should remember to give them time to cool before storing them in the fridge.

It’s one way to reduce the chances of condensation, which can make your food soggy and potentially spoil it faster. Since it requires you to open up every meal kit, you want to consider moving it to a different container as well.

Consider Expiration Dates

Note down the expiration or best-before dates written on every meal kit. Keep in mind that these give you an idea of how long you have before fresh meals spoil.

Although there are expiration dates, you should still consider what ingredients it contains or how the food is prepared. This way, you can determine the best way to extend their shelf life without damaging the quality or taste.

Learn How to Keep Fresh Meal Kits Safe

When you have a subscription for fresh meal kits, it’s important to consider how to store them to extend their shelf life. Keep in mind that it goes beyond how you store them but also considers how you handle them when they arrive. This way, you can be extra sure they’re safe to eat for a long time.

Can You Get Meal Kit Deliveries for Hotels?

You might have heard about people discussing the perks of meal kit deliveries. But if you travel often, you might wonder, do they work with hotels?

Versatility is one of the best things about the subscription. So, it can help you customize your lifestyle.

The question is, how does it work, and how can it benefit you? Here’s what you should know.

How Meal Kit Deliveries Work

Generally, a meal subscription service means you can order pre-portioned or cooked meals on a weekly or monthly basis. So, you can manage the cost you spend in total for food and ensure you reduce waste as much as possible.

Most providers offer these subscriptions following a specific time. But for individuals who want to order additional kits, they also include the price per serving.

In most cases, you can save more money when you order a longer subscription or buy more meals. However, remember that the effectiveness and benefits still vary based on your needs.

The subscription also allows you to receive your kits anywhere since there’s usually no limit to how you want to receive them. You can also pick them up from their stores!

Benefits of Having Meal Kits at a Hotel

Now that you understand how meal kit subscriptions work, it’s important to understand how it benefits you when you’re at a hotel. It includes the following:

Convenience

Getting meal kits delivered to your hotel is a convenient way to stay healthy while enjoying dishes you like.

At the same time, you won’t have to worry about the time you spend preparing meals yourself or finding a good restaurant. According to statistics, around 52% of U.S. meal kit users felt like the kits effectively save time.

Keep in mind that there are instances where you might not be able to do so, such as if the hotel doesn’t allow it. To avoid this, you want to ask your hotel if they allow external food entry before making an attempt.

Preparedness

Meal kits can boost your level of preparedness when you stay at a hotel. It assures you that you can enjoy specific dishes even when you’re away from home.

You can also plan your meal kit deliveries to be sent to the hotel beforehand. This way, you can keep everything organized at all times!

Cost-Effective

A hotel stay can cost a lot alone. For people who want to cut expenses or have a tight budget, meal kit deliveries are worth considering.

With these subscriptions, you can get quality and healthy meals cheaper than dining at a restaurant. So, you get to save on costs while making sure you get meals that you’re sure you like already or catered to your specific diet.

In Summary

Meal kit deliveries offer versatility and flexibility. So, you can have them basically anytime and anywhere.

Because of this, it makes it ideal to bring to a hotel. But in case you can’t carry them with you, it’s possible to have them sent directly to your room!

This way, you can enjoy meals that you like as much as your hotel stay. Additionally, it offers convenience, customization, and cost-effectiveness among other potential benefits!

Why You Should Have an Eating Schedule and How Prepared Meals Help

Consistency is one of the most important factors of a happy and healthy body. But aside from your habits and food preferences, did you know it includes your timing?

When you eat meals in a day affects what nutritional benefits you can get from them. At the same time, it impacts what your body decides to do with it.

Still, you might wonder why you should have an eating schedule and how fully prepared meals contribute. Let’s dive into it!

Prevents Meal Skipping

Generally, people rely on their body’s signals and hunger cues to decide when to eat in a day. But if you have inconsistent eating patterns, it reflects in the moments you find yourself hungry.

When you have a fixed eating schedule, you can ensure you look for food at a time you can surely provide it. If you have fully prepared meals at home, it becomes easier to adjust to the change without skipping meals.

You can also avoid meal skipping when you have meal delivery kits at home. It’s because they save you time and effort to prepare them, allowing you to address your hunger within a certain time without delay.

Maximizes Body Functions

Keep in mind that the body doesn’t always adjust to your habits and schedules. In most cases, they have their own patterns that remain consistent, even after making constant changes.

An eating schedule allows you to maximize your body functions by timing food consumption when it’s best for your body. This way, you can prevent disrupting natural processes and systems and potentially optimize them.

For example, you should avoid eating or drinking when your body expects to rest or sleep because it can compromise your metabolism.

Supplies Energy at the Right Time

Your body consumes energy even when at rest. Still, there are times in a day when you don’t necessarily need to supply yourself with fresh energy sources.

These usually come from carbs, fats, and protein content in food. So, it’s crucial to be wary of when and how often you consume these. With fully prepared meals, you won’t exactly have to worry about the availability of food or the time it takes to prepare them.

A regular eating schedule means supplying your body with enough energy throughout the day. Note that it doesn’t necessarily refer to the basic meals but can also include times of snacking in between.

If you don’t eat enough in a day, you might find yourself feeling tired or wanting to take a nap out of nowhere. It may be a result of failing to meet your energy and nutritional requirements.

Boosts Digestion

How you digest food plays a key role in ensuring the energy and nutrients go through your body properly. After all, this is when your body begins to break down the food.

A fixed eating schedule can promote better digestion and maintain healthy body functions. So, not only do you get to keep your systems within a cycle but also stabilize your metabolism.

Use Fully Prepared Meals When Following an Eating Schedule

Meal prep services can help you keep up the pace of an eating schedule. It does so by making food more accessible to you at different times of the day. So, you can work on sticking to a fixed schedule without worrying about the amount of time it would take for you to prep and consume it. This way, you can get effective results while improving your overall health!

Looking Into Meal Prep and Eating the Same Food Everyday

Most individuals consider recipe variety before subscribing to meal prep services. So, they usually pay close attention to the meals they usually prepare in a day, week, or month.

Despite this, some people end up eating the same food everyday, whether it’s recipes, cooking styles, or ingredients. But what does it have to do with meal prep?

Let’s look at how meal prep services can relate to eating the same food everyday.

Consistent Calorie Consumption

One of the main reasons lots of people consider meal prep services is because they can help with maintaining calorie consumption. It means you won’t end up overeating and ensure you have enough on your end.

Keep in mind that the results you get from this can be used as a prop for several things. You can use this as a time to focus on paying close attention to how you consume them.

Healthy Eating Habits

When you have trouble learning to eat better, it may be because you have the same food as the rest of the audience. This way, you won’t have to worry about what to eat on your own.

Moreover, it’s a lot easier to figure out which meals to prepare. In some cases, it allows you to snack on something each day without the constant stress of what it might contain or how it affects you.

Not only do they allow you to boost your health options, but they also contribute to building better eating habits. The more you practice this, the easier it will be to turn your conscious choice into a natural decision.

Decision Fatigue Reduction

Some say that having fewer choices makes it easier to make better decisions. Unlike other loads, those with a high cognitive load have more trouble choosing healthy food. It means the fewer choices you have, the clearer your decision will be.

By reducing decision fatigue, you can ensure people choose better food and ingredient options for their regular meals. Additionally, eating the same food everyday can make it easier to determine which food options to include and add for a better diet.

Nutritional Benefits

Evidence finds that adding more variety of healthy options to your meal prep contributes to weight loss and other similar goals. Otherwise, it can lead to increased risk or an increase in body fat.

So, you want to focus on building a meal plan that contributes to the nutritional benefits you receive. If you subscribe to the meal prep service, they usually do the work for you.

This way, even when you choose the same meals each time, you won’t have to worry about how much nutrition it offers you.

Learn How Eating the Same Food Everyday Relates to Meal Prep

Meal prep services play a role in eating the same food everyday. Some people may not be a big fan of the repetitive nature, but it can bring in more benefits than it looks.

Building the habit is one way to get a better grasp of what food can do to you. At the same time, it encourages you to focus on consuming food that offers high nutritional value and builds a better eating lifestyle.

How a Chicago Meal Prep Service Helps You Stick to Your Diet

Even on a regular day, sticking to your diet requires discipline. In fact, lots of people find it challenging to fulfill this when they have lots of preferences.

If you’re having trouble finding a place to start, you want to consider subscribing to meal delivery kits. But the real question is, how can they help you?

Here’s a look at how a Chicago meal prep service encourages you to stick to your diet while maintaining your health.

Reduces Temptation

One of the biggest challenges of having a specific diet plan is dealing with temptation. But rather than resisting it, you may want to remove it from your environment. This is possible when you have meal prep services!

With a meal delivery kit, it takes less time to prepare food, allowing you to receive the sustenance you need in no time. This way, you won’t spend too long thinking about food outside of your diet since you fill yourself up sooner.

Maintains Portions

Portion control is a great way to make sure you don’t eat beyond your needs too often. But, it can be challenging to figure out whether your current portions are the right one for you.

You can find meal prep services that offer fully prepared meals. So, each kit will be pre-portioned according to your diet goals or preferences.

Not only does it mean less food waste, but it also maximizes storage space and increases your total savings!

Regulates Calories

Some diets suggest you be wary of your calorie intake. Not only does it affect your weight but also your energy levels. Moreover, it helps you ensure you’re following a balanced diet.

Most meal prep services make calorie monitoring easier by giving you the option to choose plans based on your preferred intake. It means you won’t have to worry too much about how many calories you supply since you can keep it consistent.

Diversifies Recipes

Some people get tempted to lose track of their diet when they end up with the same meal every day. While it’s not much to worry about, it makes a big difference to your experience with food.

One of the best things about a meal delivery service is that you can personalize your meals, according to restrictions, allergies, and more. At the same time, the variety can encourage you to explore more options and maintain your interest in food.

Promotes Accountability

When you subscribe to a Chicago meal prep service, you want to make sure you get the most out of it. So, you might find yourself choosing to eat your meal kits among other options.

As a result, it promotes accountability and helps you create a regular eating schedule. Additionally, it allows you to build better long-term habits while maintaining your results.

Try a Chicago Meal Prep Service to Stick to Your Diet

Sticking to your diet takes time to get used to, especially when you have several temptations around you. But with a Chicago meal prep service, you can achieve this with ease while enjoying a broad range of benefits. So, you can improve your eating habits and enjoy every meal at the same time!

A Look Into Gluten-Free Meal Prep for Beginners

Going on a gluten-free diet isn’t something everyone does by choice. But aside from those who follow it due to medical conditions, it’s popular among most people even without a diagnosis.

The key to a gluten-free diet is knowing what you can and cannot include in each meal, especially if you’re dealing with a medical concern. So, if you’re new to it, how does it work?

Keep reading as we discuss some of the basics of gluten-free meal prep and how food prep services can help you.

Gluten-Free Friendly Ingredients

It’s crucial to properly plan out gluten-free meals to ensure they fit proper health standards. But before you move to choosing your recipes, you want to know what ingredients work best for this type of diet.
It includes the following:
  • Meat, fish, and poultry as long as it’s uncoated
  • Eggs and unflavored dairy products
  • Various fruits and vegetables
  • Grains as long as they’re labeled gluten-free
  • Different kinds of starches
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Regular spreads and oils
  • Various herbs and spices
  • Beverages and gluten-free beer
The key to making sure you pick the right ingredients is to check the nutrition label carefully. If you’re still unsure, you can look it up or consult a professional to get specific information on what terms to look after.

What Food to Avoid

Most people find it challenging to completely avoid gluten because of how common you can find it in different food and beverages. But generally, the main source is wheat.

So, you want to avoid ingredients and food that include wheat in the mix, regardless of what type it is. Other gluten sources include barley, rye, malt, and brewer’s yeast.

Because of this, you might have to completely avoid all types of bread, pasta, sauces, baked goods, and select snacks – all unless they state they’re gluten-free! You can look up alternatives for these or stick to the recommended ingredients to lower risks.

How Gluten-Free Meal Prep Services

Some people find the ingredients required for a gluten-free diet more expensive than regular options. Moreover, without proper preparation and planning, you can end up losing more nutrients than you think.

Because of this, most recommend getting gluten-free meal prep services to start. This way, you can ensure each meal caters to your restrictions while allowing you to get a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

Another great thing about meal prep services is that you won’t have to worry about what recipes work best with your specific ingredients. So, it can feel a lot like how you used to enjoy your meals. The key is to find the ideal meal prep service for your case!

Understanding Gluten-Free Meal Prep

Learning more about gluten-free meal prep gives you an idea of how the diet works and what recipe options you will likely have. For the average person, it cuts down more than you expect, so it’s good to have a starting point instead of making a sudden shift. Meal prep services work perfectly to help you transition into it without making you feel restricted!

Tips for Customizing Pre-Cooked Meals Delivered to Your Home

One of the best things about pre-cooked meals delivered to your home is the convenience it offers. It saves you time from preparing your meals and energy from picking stuff up at the store yourself!

These meals make it easier to go about your day while staying full. But you might wonder, what happens when you have specific cravings and no ingredients for it?

Here are a few tips on how you can customize your pre-cooked meals, even if it’s already delivered to your home.

Pick a Flavor Profile

To get started, you want to begin with a flavor profile. Try to consider what type of food you’re craving and identify what comes in the package of your pre-cooked meal.

Doing so allows you to identify what ingredients to add to achieve the taste you’re looking for. At the same time, it lets you know how you can adjust the package without ruining the flavors it originally offered.

Consider the Ingredients

It’s important to consider the ingredients that come in the package. The thing with pre-cooked meals is that it’s not always easy to tell what went in from a single bite.

So, take your time to go through the recipe or information it comes with. This way, you can get a clear look at what ingredients they used.

Knowing the ingredients can help you decide on what else you should add without causing a major clash of flavors. At the same time, it allows you to focus on customizing your meals based on what options work best together.

For example, if you’re working with a recipe that uses tomato sauce, consider adding cheese or meatballs to the mix.

Add Your Personal Preference

If you have ingredients you prefer more than others, you can consider adding them too. The key is to know how they would taste with the flavor profile of your existing meal.

For instance, if you’re looking for some spice but have a cream dish, you may be able to get away with adding some of your favorite spices to the sauce. On the other hand, it may not work the same if you add the same thing to a dish that already uses spices of its own.

It also helps to start with fully prepared meals that already fit your preferences or dietary needs. This way, you won’t have to make as many changes.

Keep Changes Within Close Range

While it’s good to experiment and try different combinations of ingredients, you may want to keep those changes within a close range of the original recipe.

It allows you to enjoy the meal as it is while still adding what you’re looking for. Moreover, it helps you ensure the combinations will work well.

Personalize Pre-Cooked Meals Delivered to Your Home

There are lots of ways to customize pre-cooked meals delivered to your home but where you begin sets the pace! You should consider flavor profiles, ingredients, and preferences to help you plan out what changes to make to each dish. This way, you can maximize your ready-made meals while satisfying your cravings.

Benefits of Healthy Breakfast Meals from a Meal Kit Subscription

Lots of people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But rather than act itself, what you eat for breakfast is just as valuable.

To celebrate Better Breakfast Month, you want to maintain consistent nutrition with each meal. That’s something a meal kit subscription can do for you!

So, here are some of the benefits of enjoying healthy breakfast meals from your subscription.

Better Diet Quality

Starting with a meal in the morning is said to improve the overall quality of your diet. With a meal kit subscription, you can get light to heavy breakfast recipes that offer the same amount of nutrition, allowing you to stay consistent.

Not only does it give your stomach a good start, but it also allows you to consume more important nutrients throughout the day.

Moreover, it gives you enough energy to go about your day. It’s also important to keep in mind that proper breakfast meals can improve your brain and heart’s health and function, as well as other physical aspects.

Proper Portion Control

One of the best things about meal kits is that they usually arrive pre-portioned. So, you won’t have to worry about wasting ingredients and food since you always get enough for one person.

If you have it for breakfast, it ensures you eat the right amount to get you going and feeling full for a while. Additionally, it helps you control your portions based on the appropriate amount for a single serving.

Adequate Nutritional Content

When you get a meal kit subscription, you can enjoy meals that provide you with the right amount of nutrients. It’s because they make sure to follow the healthy eating plate template or prepare them according to specific diets.

If you consistently eat these breakfast meals, you can maintain fixed nutritional content while making sure you get enough each time. At the same time, it teaches you how to keep your meals balanced.

Weight Management

Evidence shows that breakfast can affect your weight in different ways. It’s said that those who regularly eat breakfast usually have healthier weight. Moreover, they are less likely to overeat during other meals of the day.

As a result, it can help you focus on managing your weight by ensuring your body consumes the energy properly. A review also finds that those who skip breakfast have a higher risk of being overweight due to metabolism and calorie-burning levels.

Diverse Combinations

Getting healthy breakfast meals from a meal kit subscription can boost your morning appetite because of the diverse recipes. So, you can expect something new each time without sacrificing the nutritional value.

Not only does it allow you to enjoy different combinations, but it also introduces you to different ingredients or meals. This way, you can build a preference for specific meals and focus your future diet on those.

Enjoy Healthy Breakfast Meals with a Meal Kit Subscription

An easy way to enjoy healthy breakfast meals is by getting a meal kit subscription. It provides you with recipes that have a high nutritional value and balance. At the same time, it comes in adequate portions, making it great for weight management and improving your overall diet.

What Type of Meal Prep Subscription Services Should You Get?

These days, more people have been interested in trying out meal prep services. While statistics show the growing interest, some may still consider it a niche market.

Despite this, there’s no denying the increase of people trying it for the benefits they offer. But when you hear about a meal prep service, what exactly comes to mind?

Let’s explore the different types to help you find the perfect meal prep subscription services to start with!

What is a Meal Prep Service?

Generally, a meal prep service is a purchase or subscription-based food delivery service that takes away the need for separate food prep. They are often pre-portioned and contain all the ingredients necessary for a range of recipes.

In some cases, companies also offer them tailored to your dietary needs or eating preferences. This way, you can feel at ease knowing you’re getting the exact nutrients your body requires.

Other meal prep service benefits are as follows:

  • Saving time and energy
  • Cutting grocery and food expenses
  • Reducing food waste
  • Getting more recipe options

Types of Meal Prep Services

One of the best things about a meal prep service is that you can choose how to receive them based on your preference and lifestyle. Either way, they offer quality recipes and fresh ingredients that you can set up in less than 30 minutes!

They usually come in three different forms. These are as follows:

Pre-Portioned Meal Kit

With a pre-portioned meal kit, you get the ingredients and recipes for each meal to cook at home yourself. It’s often more convenient for long-term storage, keeps everything convenient, and allows more room for customization.

Since the ingredients arrive fresh, you can take advantage of what comes in the box and switch them out for other options. This way, you can add your own twist while setting some of them aside for later.

Fully Prepared Meal

If you don’t have as much time in the day to actually cook meals yourself, a fully prepared meal service is ideal for you. This subscription delivers you pre-cooked meals that only require heating to serve.

Because they already arrive pre-cooked, storage is the key to ensuring they last a while with you and reduce your worries about more food waste.

In-Home Cooking

Some meal prep services allow you to have in-home chefs prepare meals for you. You can think of it as a dining experience that takes away all the hassle of cooking and preparing!

It’s common to have these when you plan parties or have a bigger group of people arriving. However, it can also work if you’re on a simple date night and other smaller occasions.

Find Ideal Meal Prep Subscription Services

When you look for meal prep subscription services, the first thing you want to consider is what type to choose. This way, you can narrow down your options while still giving yourself enough leeway to look around for the best deal in the market!

Why You Should Choose Organic Meal Kits

When choosing meal prep services, lots of people recommend going for something organic, mainly because of its benefits.

Moreover, it’s important to pay close attention to your choice because it affects your lifestyle. But among other options, why should you choose organic meal kits?

Here are some of the benefits of choosing these types of meal prep services!

Extra Flavor

Most people tend to assume that healthy food lacks flavor, but it’s all about knowing how to bring out natural flavors. With fresh ingredients, you can experience a burst like no other!

Organic meal kits give you access to a different level of preparation and cooking. So, you can enjoy diverse tastes that introduce you to new cuisines while providing a good amount of nutrients.

Sustainable and Ethical

Organic meal kits are a great way to switch to eating more sustainably and ethically. It allows you to focus on food and ingredients that contribute to better causes.

Moreover, it’s one way to show how much you value the environment you’re a part of. It includes care for animal welfare and value for artisan producers who put heart and soul into each dish.

Since they usually come pre-portioned, it also allows you to contribute to reducing food waste. And so, you can be extra sure you’re getting the most out of every meal without worrying about losing ingredients.

No Additives

One of the best things about organic meal kits is that it uses pure, fresh ingredients. It means no additives or hormones were used to make improvements or changes.

Through this, you can feel at ease knowing the food is clean. Additionally, it assures that you get the natural benefits of every meal.

It also means that every flavor you experience with the dish reflects its natural capabilities, brought out through different techniques.

Local Farm Support

An organic meal prep service that sources and uses organic produce is one way to give back to the community you’re part of. Generally, it’s because it guarantees your support for local farms.

Note that supporting local farms also contributes to the price you pay for each serving. Although some people may find organic ingredients more expensive, meal prep services make them more worth it.

When considering this, be sure you keep in mind the amount of time and work meal delivery kits save you. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about the recipes since they also have got you covered!

Nutritional Value

Some evidence shows that eating meals made from organic ingredients can enjoy more nutrition, usually in small to moderate increases. While the results can still vary, it’s safe to say organic meal kits provide you with better nutrition overall.

Not only do they come in the recommended portions, but they also allow you to enjoy fresh whole foods in diverse recipes. With this, it helps you maximize the value of each meal kit.

Enjoy Several Benefits with Organic Meal Kits

Organic meal kits are popular for the benefits they offer, especially when it comes to sustainability and boosting flavors. At the same time, it allows you to enjoy quality and diverse recipes for a reasonable price. So, you get to save time and energy while getting great value for money!