Order Now
Order Now
Countdown To The Next Order Deadline
CALL/TEXT 224-480-3700 TO
ORDER YOUR MEAL PLAN

Limited Time Offer 50% OFF with code TFP50 Order Cutoff @ 7PM Wednesday!

Order by:
Wednesday, August 21st 7:00 PM
—————————
To get delivery for:
Monday,  2024
  • 00Days
  • 00Hours
  • 00Minutes
  • 00Seconds
Order Now
Memorial Day Weekend Sale | 20% OFF All Orders | Sale Ending Soon

Author: The Freshplan

How to Eat Well When You’re Sick with Meal Prep Delivery Services

The Freshplan

It’s important to maintain proper nutrition when you’re sick. But for some people, it’s also the most challenging part of recovery.

Preparing food for the day takes more energy than it looks, especially when you’re not in good condition. That’s where meal prep delivery services come into the picture!

So, how does it help you be sure you eat well when you’re sick? Let’s dive into that.

Nutritional Value

Meal prep delivery services are popular for providing quality and nutritious meals with every kit. In most cases, this is because most meal prep companies use organic ingredients for each recipe.

At the same time, they usually create meals and recipes that follow the healthy eating plate. So, you can feel confident knowing you’re getting the right amount of nutrients.

Because of this, it also helps you develop better eating habits and learn to give yourself the proper nutritional balance with every meal.

Recipe Variety

Some people tend to eat the same things when they’re sick, mainly because they lack the energy to have anything else. But in doing so, it can also make you lose your appetite quicker.

With meal prep delivery services, you can enjoy a broad range of recipes that keep your anticipation for eating up every time! Moreover, you get to try dishes that are new to your palate, helping you build the confidence to eat different styles and cuisines even later.

Targeted Approaches

One of the best things about using meal prep delivery services when you’re sick is that you can target your approach. Although there’s not exactly an option for meals when you have the flu, some allow you to customize your plan according to your tastes.

For example, you can choose to add soups, yogurt, or greens. You can also have your plan made based on your diet, such as if you’re vegan or on a keto diet.

Through this, your meals can build a targeted approach that aims to help you feel better sooner without fail!

More Time to Rest

Meal prep delivery services primarily give you the benefit of convenience. Since the meals are fully prepared, you won’t have to worry about food prep within the day. It allows you to get as much rest as you need while you recover.

Additionally, with more time to rest, you won’t find yourself feeling too groggy to grab a bite. So, it’s safe to say it lets you take your time without compromising your health.

Enjoy Quick Recovery with Meal Prep Delivery Services

Meal prep delivery services contribute to your recovery in several ways. It provides the necessary nutrients to boost your immune system and health.

At the same time, it lets you enjoy the convenience of having meals ready to eat in your fridge. It allows you to focus on rest and recovery as much as possible, all while introducing you to a burst of new flavors that keep your appetite up!

Keep Fully Prepared Meals Fresh with Proper Freezer Meal Storage

The Freshplan

Fully prepared meals are great to have if you prefer convenience without sacrificing nutrition. But one thing about them is that you get your meals in batches.

So, you want to make sure you have fridge space all the time. Still, what should you do when you get several weeks’ worth of meal kits?

Proper freezer meal storage helps you keep everything efficient and fresh! Here’s what you need to know.

Freezer Meal Storage Options

Freezing is a popular way to slow down the growth and spread of bacteria in food. Because of this, lots of people consider this when keeping food for long periods or maintaining quality.

Note that the shelf life of frozen uncooked food differs from cooked options. Still, it can help keep the food good for a few weeks compared to simply leaving it in the fridge.

The following are a few storage options to consider:

Airtight Zip Bags

If you’re working with dry or full food, airtight bags are a great place to store them. While regular plastic zip bags work, you may want to consider food-grade silicon options for something sturdier.

These take up the least space since they usually follow the shape of the food. It keeps everything flat, if possible, allowing more room for stacking and storage.

Heavy Duty Wraps

Wrapping your meals in heavy-duty wraps, like aluminum foil or saran wrap, can help you keep food good for a while. It blocks off bacteria from coming through without feeling too bulky in the freezer.

Keep in mind that you can only store limited options in heavy-duty wraps. Usually, these work best with solid or whole foods compared to other meals.

Sealed Containers

If your meals consist of rice, soups, and other components, a sealed container is your best bet for storage. You want to choose freezer-safe and airtight options.

Unlike other options, these take up the most space, so it’s important to be smart with how you store your meals. This way, you can maximize your space accordingly.

Vacuum Sealed Packaging

You can consider vacuum sealing bags or containers if you want to be extra sure there’s no extra moisture inside. While it costs a lot, it’s proven to be effective.

However, you want to be careful with which meals you vacuum seal and how you do it since not everything works well with it.

What to Consider Before Storage

Fully prepared meals are an excellent solution to staying healthy when you’re busy. And with proper storage, you can enjoy it for even longer!

But aside from finding the right freezer meal storage choice, you should also consider a few things about your meal kits before moving them. It includes the following:

Note the Best Before Dates

If you’re taking the entire meal out of its packaging, you should note down the best-before date, if any. This way, you can be sure you consume them as fresh as possible. It also helps you arrange the food with the kits that came first at the front-most.

Consider the Ingredients

Some of your meal kits might contain ingredients that spoil fast or are better stored in a specific way. So, take your time to look into the ingredients based on these factors. Doing this allows you to keep them in the best condition for much longer!

The Bottomline

You can enjoy several benefits with fully prepared meals, but how much it’s worth all boils down to how you store them. With proper freezer meal storage, you can ensure they stay fresh for a long time, even if you get them in batches. Moreover, it lets you get the most out of your subscription while keeping things sustainable.

Are Meal Kits Worth It? How to Make the Most Out of Fully Prepared Meals

The Freshplan

Subscribing to a meal prep service is said to bring a multitude of benefits. It goes from saving you time to maintaining healthy eating.

But one common concern among many is the cost, despite being said to be money-saving. So, you might wonder, are meal kits worth it?

You can bring out the full potential of your meal prep service with the right tips. Here are a few ways to get started!

Maximize Value with More Servings

Most fully prepared meal services cost less per serving the more kits you add to your order. So, you get to enjoy excellent meals on more days for a lower cost.

You can also make the most out of introductory deals to try out as many recipes as you can. This way, you can determine whether you want to continue in the long run.

Despite this, you should still consider how much storage space you have at home. Since these come pre-cooked, it’s crucial to store them in the right conditions.

Start with First-to-Spoil Ingredients

Some subscriptions send kits every week, even if you order a month’s worth. This way, they can ensure all the food they send you is fresh.

But for others, you might get them all at once. In this case, you want to start with the meals that have ingredients that will spoil sooner. For example, seafood is more prone to spoilage than meat, so you want to have those first.

Although most meal kit services have their own meal plan, there’s no harm in mixing it up sometimes to ensure no food goes to waste.

Order Extras for Long-Lasting Ingredients

Some subscriptions allow you to add extra ingredients to your order. You can make the most of this by including them in different recipes. This way, you have a little extra of this and that to whip up something midday!

Doing this is also good if you want to start with only a few kits on your first time. Moreover, it’s convenient if you’re expecting visitors later in the day or week since it guarantees you can serve them the same dish.

Spice It Up Sometimes

You might come across meal prep services that offer a limited menu. You can always make alterations according to your taste, but it can defeat the purpose of having pre-cooked meals.

To make sure you still benefit from the convenience, you can consider adding a few spices of your preference from time to time. Although it’s something simple, it can make you feel like you’re having something new each time.

Choose Recipes with Pricier Ingredients

If you’re getting a subscription, you basically get all the recipes for the same price. To make the most out of it, consider adding meals that offer pricier or harder-to-access ingredients.

Note that most services will balance out the value of each meal. Even so, it’s one way you can feel like you’re getting the best value for your money!

The Bottomline: Are Meal Kits Worth It?

Before subscribing, you might ask, are meal kits worth it? If you’re time-strapped or have trouble cooking, it’s definitely worth every penny.

But for those who want to try something new, it helps to look into ways to make the most out of the subscription. This way, you can really bring out the best in every meal your provider has to offer!

Maximize Your Food Prep Subscription with Dinner Party Meals

The Freshplan

Are you throwing a big party soon but don’t have enough time to prepare a dish for everyone? A meal prep subscription might just be the solution you need.

A party can take hours to prepare, if not days or weeks, depending on the size. But while you think about decorating and setting up the house, you also have to consider food.

So, how do you make sure you have enough dinner party meals for everyone? Here’s how your food prep subscription comes in handy.

Cut Time on Food Prep

Preparing dinner party meals from scratch takes more time than it seems, even when you cook them in batches. The bigger the party you host, the more food you have to get ready.

Compared to buying them in bulk through a meal prep service, you only have to store them right and heat them before guests arrive. So, it saves you money, time, and energy compared to making everything yourself.

Order Bulk Meals

Instead of heading to the grocery store to purchase pounds of ingredients, consider buying meal kits. Since they are already pre-cooked, you won’t have to worry about how many servings your dish offers.

At the same time, it allows you to get the right amount of different recipes in the perfect portions per person. This way, you won’t have to worry about food waste, even with all the meals laid out.

Choose From Various Recipes

Meal prep services offer you lots of options, from classic American cuisine to internationally-infused choices. With a broad selection of recipes, you can pick out the ones that fit your party’s theme the best.

Moreover, you don’t have to spend hours deciding what to cook and how to make it extra special or ensure it fits everyone’s tastes.

Keep Them Healthy

One of the best things about fully prepared meals is that they follow a balanced diet. Sometimes, you can also get them in specific diets, like vegan or keto.

Because of this, it guarantees that your dinner party meals not only satisfy stomachs but also provide a good amount of nutritional value.

Evidence also finds that most meal prep services offer healthier food options with other nutritious ingredients. So, you get to expand the range of your and your guests’ palate while maintaining overall health.

Get Meals for Any Time of the Day

You can get meal prep services according to the time of the day, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some also offer options for snacks in between meals.

With this, you won’t have to filter which meals work best for a dinner party since you can just go over their recommended options. It also makes morning and noon parties easier to prepare for!

Set the Perfect Dinner Party Meals with a Food Prep Subscription

A meal prep service can help you get everything ready when you’re running out of time to prepare for a party. With this, you can focus on other necessary preparations, knowing you have all the dinner party meals ready for heating. So, you can enjoy the night just as much as your guests do!

Meal Prep Service for Weight Loss: How It Helps

The Freshplan

Working your way towards a healthier lifestyle takes more time than it looks, especially when you’re working on your weight. But aside from discipline, how can you maintain your progress?

One way around this is by subscribing to a meal prep service. It handles all the planning and preparing for you, so all you have to do is stick to it!

But how do you benefit from a meal prep service for weight loss? Here’s what you need to know.

How a Meal Prep Service Helps with Weight Loss

Several factors can affect your weight, from genetics to habits. But above all, your health and lifestyle play a key role in maintaining it. So, a common solution to weight loss is improving your diet.

A meal prep service offers exactly what you need in this case. It provides you with fully prepared meals that contain nutritious ingredients, usually following the healthy eating plate.

As a result, it can act as a tool to help you stay on track with your weight and encourage you to eat healthier daily. 

What to Expect with a Meal Prep Service for Weight Loss

The benefits of fully prepared meals can either have something to do with your time or health. When it comes to weight management, here are a few things you can keep in mind.

Maintains Portion Control

Lots of people have trouble controlling their portions with each meal. And when you have the freedom to make your own food, you can have as many seconds as you want.

With a meal prep service, each kit already comes pre-portioned. So, you can stick to having the proper serving size with every meal.

Reduces Mental Exhaustion

It can be tiring coming up with something to eat each day, which explains why some people prefer takeout instead. As a result, it could affect your eating habits and how your body takes in your consumption.

Meal prep services already have pre-set recipes you can choose from. So, you can easily enjoy a different meal for every day of the week!

Sustains Your Pace

Meal delivery kits are a great way to stay on track with your meals, from the time you eat to the portion and nutritional value.

Since they help you save time and money, you can stick to a specific pace when eating. With this, you can meet your goals sooner without risking your health.

Promotes Healthy Eating Habits

Generally, a meal prep service for weight loss or other reasons encourages you to eat mindfully. They create recipes with the perfect nutritional balance, helping you learn to regularly eat healthily.

It’s also great if you’re looking for meals that take up less time but provide more nutritious ingredients. So, it’s ideal for staying healthy on busy days.

Reduces Impulse Buying

Meal prep services can help keep you from impulse buying. It’s because you won’t have to visit the grocery or convenience store often when you have meal kits delivered.

Moreover, it can encourage you to eat among what you already have before they spoil. If this is the case, you are more likely to finish them before you stock up on more food.

Caters to Different Diets

When you work on weight management, you could follow a specific diet plan. But one thing about this is that you have to understand restrictions and portions better.

A meal prep service can handle the work for you, ensuring you get the right amount of nutrients and servings you need for your diet.

In Closing

Subscribing to a meal prep service for weight loss can benefit you more than you think – all while doing it healthily. With this, you can focus on better eating habits as much as you manage your weight. So, it helps you work your way towards a healthier lifestyle overall.

A Beginner’s Guide to Meal Delivery Kits for One

The Freshplan

You might have heard about meal delivery kits from lots of people, one way or another. But you might wonder, what makes it so popular?

For starters, meal delivery kits are fully prepared meals that you can get in bulk or as a subscription. This way, you can save time preparing food compared to the average meal prep time of an hour or more.

So, here’s what you should know about meal delivery kits for one!

What to Expect in Meal Delivery Kits for One

Getting a meal delivery kit can make a huge difference to your current lifestyle, so it takes a while to get used to. Still, it’s perfect for people who have less time to spare or are always out and about in their day.

The following are a few things you can expect when you subscribe to these services.

Ready-to-Heat

Compared to other similar services, meal delivery kits are pre-cooked. It means you would only need to store and heat it! This can cut down your meal prep to less than five minutes in total.

Perfect Portions

A great thing about fully prepared meals is that they come in the perfect portion for one. So, you won’t have to worry about leftovers or storing extra bites in the fridge.

Keep in mind that your regular serving size doesn’t always match the average. If this is the case, you want to look for options that allow customization or extra ingredients.

Custom Calorie Count

Likewise, you can adjust your serving size by selecting your preferred calorie count. It also makes them convenient for individuals who are working on weight management.

Specific Diets

Some meal delivery kits allow you to choose recipes based on your diet restrictions. It can go anywhere from high-protein to vegan. This also works when you’re allergic to certain ingredients, allowing you to enjoy a range of meals without worrying about reactions.

Why You Should Consider a Meal Kit

Getting meal delivery kits for one takes more consideration than it looks, especially when other food prep options are available. But among those, here are a few factors you want to consider when you get a meal kit subscription.

Recipe Variety

Meal prep subscriptions usually offer a broad range of recipes, including a few you have yet to try or make yourself. So, you won’t have to worry about having the same meals each day.

Convenience

Since these meals only require you to heat them, you won’t have to worry about the time you spend preparing them. This makes them perfect for busy individuals or if you don’t have much time in a day.

Healthy Eating

Meal delivery kits follow the healthy eating plate, which is usually the basis for a balanced diet. So, you can maintain a good eating lifestyle without spending too much time or money.

Sustainability

You want to go for a meal prep service that sources ingredients in sustainable ways. Moreover, you can contribute to reducing the amount of food waste since you can get them in the perfect serving size.

The Bottomline

Meal delivery kits for one offer just as many benefits as services for bigger families. Whether you’re time-strapped or trying to eat healthier, it’s a great way to maintain a balanced diet while saving time and money!

When to Order Home Delivery Meal Kits: Weekly or Monthly?

The Freshplan

Home delivery meal kits offer several benefits, from convenience to saving time. At the same time, it allows you to enjoy healthy and hearty meals.

But one thing most people overlook when ordering these kits is whether to get them weekly or monthly. With about 30% to 40% of food going to waste in the average household, you want to consider getting as much as you need without too much hassle.

So, here’s a quick guide on what to consider before deciding if you want to get meal kits delivered to you weekly or monthly.

Storage Space

The first thing you should look out for is the amount of storage space you have at home. Meal kits come in bulk, and even more so when you live with other people. So, it’s crucial to have enough fridge and pantry space for them.

Keep in mind that some fully prepared meals come cooked. While it’s the most convenient, it means you have to store them in the fridge to avoid spoilage. You can also look into the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain anything that would go bad too quickly.

If you aren’t sure about how much space you have, take your time to clean or clear up your space. This way, you can gauge how many kits it can handle.

Value for Money

When you look for the best meal prep service, one thing you want to look at is the cost. Some tend to offer a cheaper price per serving when you get a longer subscription or order additional kits, allowing you to boost your savings.

Even so, you want to consider whether their meals offer good value for money, especially when it comes to the portions and ingredients.

Recipe Variety

The meals you get from your provider may or may not be the same every time. While most services offer different options, it’s good to know how many recipes they have available. If you’re leaning towards a monthly subscription, check their menu to see if you might get duplicate meal kits on different days.

Most recommend a plan that offers a different meal for every day of the month to keep you interested. At the same time, it gives you more options to choose from when you decide to go for a weekly plan instead.

Household Servings

The amount of servings you need will determine how often you can place orders. It’s because more servings will take up more space in your home or affect what recipes you can get.

For example, if you live with five other people, you need at least 15 meal kits in a day. In this case, monthly delivery would be hard to handle due to the amount of kits to store and manage throughout.

Find Out When to Subscribe to Home Delivery Meal Kits

You can enjoy lots of benefits with home delivery meal kits. But beyond this, it’s important to know whether it’s best to subscribe to it weekly or monthly. By understanding this, you can prepare your space accordingly while reducing the amount of food that goes to waste!

Understanding Calories and How Many You Need

The Freshplan

When it comes to food, one of the first things you might think of is calories. You hear about it from almost everywhere food is involved- restaurants, nutrition labels, blogs, and even apps!

But when you pick a meal kit service plan, would you know how many calories you need for each meal? That’s what we’ll talk about in this article!

Keep reading to find out more about calories and learn how understanding calories helps you decide on fully prepared meals.

What are Calories?

Simply put, calories refer to the amount of energy you can get from food. These are locked in the food and break down once you eat it, later converting it into energy. The body requires this to function, whether you’re on a long run or just breathing.

Almost everything you consume has a calorie count, whether it’s as little as a single calorie to a hundred or thousands. When understanding calories, you should focus on your energy balance, wherein the calories you consume line up with the calories you burn.

Through this, you can determine what steps to take when managing weight while keeping up with a healthy diet.

Where Do Calories Come From?

Energy from food primarily comes from three major sources called macronutrients. Keep in mind that they offer a different number of calories per gram, so the amount of energy you receive will vary.

When you subscribe to a meal prep service, you can expect each meal to come with the necessary nutrients while following a consistent calorie amount. The following are the three macronutrients to look out for:

Carbohydrates

When focusing on weight loss, many people tend to distance themselves from carbohydrates. But contrary to popular belief, they play a bigger role in fueling your body.

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, or sugar, needed for your brain, nervous system, and red blood cells. Depending on the type of carbs you consume, it can provide long-lasting energy.

Moreover, they come from different sources aside from the typical idea of bread and rice. You can find carbs in whole fruits, vegetables, or simple table sugar.

Fat

Besides boosting energy, fats contribute to your health by providing vitamins that protect your vital organs and insulate the body. Compared to the carbs, these are packed tightly and stored in larger amounts. This way, they can offer long-term energy storage.

Because of this, fats offer the highest number of calories per gram. Additionally, it makes it ideal for prolonged activities, such as walking or riding a bike.

These can be found in lots of food, including dairy, fish, oil, and more. Keep in mind that healthy fats are different, so it’s best to evaluate the content before you consider them in your meal.

Protein

The body can gather energy from protein but generally uses this macronutrient to maintain muscles and repair tissues, among other effects. So, your body will likely use carbs and fats for fuel before moving to protein.

When you consume a good amount of carbohydrates and fats, you can spare protein from being used to fuel your body. A few foods with high protein content are meat, eggs, nuts, dairy, and more.

How Many Calories Do You Need?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that the recommended daily calorie intake ranges from 1,600 to 3,000 calories for adults between the ages of 19 to 59.

In most cases, fully prepared meals give you the option to pick your calorie amount and fit your meals accordingly. This way, the service helps you maintain your calorie intake.

However, it’s important to consider that the amount changes based on your age, weight, and height. It can also vary if you experience certain specific health conditions that require you to consume more or less of different nutrients.

Additionally, other factors can determine how many calories you would be best consuming per day based on how much your body burns. It includes your metabolism, physical activity, and body functions.

Understanding Calories for Fully Prepared Meals

Some fully prepared meal services allow you to choose a plan based on your daily calorie intake. This way, you can maintain your overall health and weight without feeling too restricted.

Moreover, understanding calories helps you get an idea of what works better for your meals, helping you select a meal prep service that fits your needs.

Understanding the Nutrition Plate Template: How Does It Work?

The Freshplan

A balanced diet goes beyond having a little bit of everything. For the best results, you also want to consider how much of everything you have on your plate.

One recommendation you might often get is to follow the nutrition plate template. But what exactly is it, and how can you comply?

Let’s look into what it’s about and how to make it work for you!

Defining the Nutrition Plate Template

Generally, the nutrition plate is a visual template that shows a healthy way to fill your plate for every meal, color-coded accordingly. While everyone’s recommended diet may differ, it represents a general guideline of the healthiest way to eat for anyone, regardless of other restrictions.

Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to look exactly the way it should on the plate. Rather, it emphasizes the portions you should consume for each food group. This way, you can pay better attention to the nutritional value you receive without worrying too much about the numbers.

Two popular nutrition plate templates used are MyPlate, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Healthy Eating Plate, created by experts at Harvard. There are debates about which model works best, but they showcase a similar idea of what you should consume.

Main Components of the Nutrition Plate Template

Knowing how the nutrition plate template looks gives you an idea of what to include in your meal. But for better results, you want to know what falls under each category. This way, you can incorporate it in your own way.

Here’s a look at its major components:

Fruits

On the first half of the plate, you might notice fruits taking up about a third of it. These provide you with vitamins and minerals in bigger amounts than what you can usually gain from other food groups.

Many recommend having whole fruit in this portion for higher nutritional value. At the same time, it gives more color to your plate and allows you to enhance or improve flavors accordingly.

Vegetables

Vegetables take up the remaining two-thirds of one-half of the plate. This makes it the largest section in the nutrition plate template.

Different kinds of veggies offer a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, they are naturally low in calories and high in fiber.

Experts suggest selecting veggies that each offer something different. Take your time to figure out which works best with each other and how to come up with the best balance.

Protein

The other half of the plate is divided into two sections, one of them dedicated to proteins. These help you build your body and maintain your muscles and tissues.

Note that protein doesn’t always have to be meat. It also includes seafood, eggs, tofu, nuts, and select veggies.

Grains

The last portion of the plate should be filled with grains. Experts usually recommend whole grains for higher nutrition and fiber content, improving your metabolic health. It can include whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, or quinoa.

Others

According to the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate, you want to add healthy fats and beverages on the side. Healthy fats include olive oil, avocado, or nuts, and should be consumed moderately.

Furthermore, your plate should always come with a good drink to maintain hydration. Some of the best options include water, tea, and sugar-free drinks.

On the other hand, the MyPlate structure requires dairy instead. You can add it to your meal, such as cheese, or take it as a side, like a milk drink or yogurt fruit smoothie.

How to Make It Work

Anyone can follow the nutrition plate template as long as they understand the proper portions for each food group. This way, you can get the best results while maintaining overall health.

Meal kit services are a great solution to this transition since it offers you fully prepared and balanced meals. So, you won’t have to worry about missing out on your intake.

A 2019 study finds that following the nutrition plate template contributes to weight loss and feeling fuller. Aside from this, it offers more health benefits by improving your consumption and eating habits.

With meal kits, you can easily keep up with this, without feeling too overwhelmed with the sudden change.

Follow the Nutrition Plate Template with Fully Prepared Meals

Fully prepared meals are one of the best ways to switch up your eating habits and follow a balance. The nutrition plate template is a great guideline to help you understand if you’re consuming healthy amounts. This way, you can focus on meal prep services that meet these requirements.

Your Guide to Keeping Fresh Meal Delivery Kits Safe

The Freshplan

One of the best things about meal prep services is that you can stock up on recipes in a single purchase. With some subscriptions, you can have meals prepared for an entire month!

But with all the food you have stocked, you might wonder how you can make them last. This way, you can enjoy them in their best quality and reduce the chances of food waste.

Keep reading to learn how to maintain fresh meal delivery kits, even after weeks or months!

Follow Proper Storage Guidelines

If you want to keep your meal kits safe to eat for a long time, the first step is to store them according to your provider’s guidelines. Some recommend putting them in the fridge, but others might require you to freeze them.

Fully prepared meals are made to last long, but other factors may cause it to go bad sooner. Be sure you go through these instructions carefully to prevent any major alterations to your meals.

Consider Ingredient Shelf Life

Food’s shelf life varies based on its condition and how you store it. The same principle applies to meal delivery kits.

Are you leaving it in the pantry or freezing it? Is it fresh or prepackaged? It’s important to identify these to help understand how long they can last and what you can do to extend it.

Here’s a brief look at ingredient shelf life under different circumstances.

Fresh

Leaving fresh ingredients or meals in the pantry or countertop doesn’t mean they will spoil instantly. They can usually last a few hours, while produce can stand up to a few days.

Most recommend against this for long-term storage due to the chances of quicker spoilage, especially with ingredients that can’t survive at room temperature.

Fridge

Keeping food in the fridge is one of the most common ways to store ingredients and meals. Doing this can help them last anywhere from a few days to weeks. You should also remember that your refrigerator’s temperature is crucial to get these results.

Produce will be good for up to a week while meat or seafood may only last a day or two unless they’re in a sealed bag. If you have dairy, you can expect them to last a week to two to six months.

Frozen

Several studies have shown the effectiveness of preserving food by freezing. It mainly happens because freezing can help slow down the process of aging.

Through this, it retains the original quality and taste longer. At most, you can expect food to last anywhere from a month to a year at the right freezer temperature.

Keep in mind that some meals or ingredients may change consistency when frozen and thawed. So, be sure you understand these effects before putting them in the freezer.

Cooked

According to the USDA, cooked food can last three to four days without spoiling. Refrigerating and freezing are a few ways to slow down the growth of bacteria.

Still, remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t go bad. You want to consider each ingredient and understand how soon it will take for them to spoil, as well as how much their consistency changes under different temperatures.

Move Prepared Meals Into Containers

Many recommend moving fresh meal delivery kits into airtight containers before refrigerating or freezing. This way, it maintains the condition of the food better. It also helps you preserve your meal if it comes in simple packaging during the initial delivery.

Enjoy Fresh Meal Delivery Kits Every Time with These Tips

Understanding shelf life and preservation processes is the key to maintaining fresh meal delivery kits. It’s a great way to get the most out of your meals and keep a large stock of them at home without worrying about quality or flavor changes. So, you can be ready for months to come or any surprise guests at home!