Have you been to the supermarket lately? Can you believe how prices have gone up this year?
Seriously, by the time it takes me to write this article, I’m afraid the cost of groceries will have gone up again!
We all know that eating out can drain our bank accounts, but with inflation driving up our daily grocery expenses, home-cooked meals feel just as expensive.
But they don’t have to be.
I’m going to show you the secrets of smart shopping and meal prep that will help you eat comfortably and healthily – AND SAVE YOU MONEY.
Below we answer these questions:
- How much does weekly meal prep save?
- How much does the meal prep service cost?
So if you’re ready to make some kitchen changes but don’t want to break the bank in the process, consider the following options and tips for fitting healthy eating into your budget and schedule.
How much money does it cost to prepare meals weekly?
First off, what is meal prep?
Meal prepping is simply preparing food in advance.
You can:
- prep individual ingredients to make an easy meal all week long
- Prepare a complete recipe or dish
- Prepare a whole meal and portion the meal into individual take-out containers
Whether you’re preparing a single ingredient or pulling through an entire meal, all of these options qualify as meal prep. A prepared meal can be stored in the fridge all week or in the freezer for long-term storage.
And why do people prepare meals?
Meal prep has many benefits. Some people use meal prepping to take advantage of the health benefits it can provide, while others prefer the convenience of a weekday ready meal. And yes, some are even betting on cost savings!
If you’re wondering if meal prep is right for you, you can learn more about how meal prep can help you here:
- save time and money
- reduce food waste and
- improve your health
How much does meal prep cost?
Since we all have different food preferences and body types, there is no set cost for the entire meal preparation process. But if you create a meal plan and prepare and store your groceries ahead of time, you’ll reduce your grocery expenses by following these simple tips.
And if you currently eat out or order a lot, you’ll see even more savings on your dining budget by preparing meals ahead of time!
Here are five ways to save money with meal prepping:
1. Buy in bulk.
The larger options in the store are almost always cheaper per unit. It might be a penny saving, but that difference adds up over time. If you’re preparing an ingredient or an entire meal in batches, you can buy in bulk and pocket the extra cash. Living near a grocery wholesaler like Costco can save you even more on your bulk purchases.
2. Reduce food waste.
How often do you buy groceries you don’t need? How many times have you thrown away spoiled ingredients or leftovers because you couldn’t get to them fast enough? About 40% of all food in America is wasted. Ouch! It’s hard to estimate how much money you’ve thrown away on food waste over the years, but it’s easy to say that you’d rather have that money in your pocket. When preparing meals, not only are you more conscious of the ingredients you buy, but by preparing and storing them right away, you avoid significant food loss. Cha-ching! That’s money in the bank!
3. Shop the sales.
Like shopping in bulk, meal prep allows you to buy larger quantities of discounted food because you can use everything right away. Whether you’re on the lookout for deals or becoming a savvy coupon clipper, buying a few extra packs of something and cooking up when it’s at rock-bottom prices is the way to go. Check out apps and websites like MyGroceryDeals for bargain hunting. Remember that the store you are shopping from plays a role in your hunt for the best price, so you might want to shop around.
4. Avoid overeating.
When we think of nutritious meals served in portion sizes, we think of the health and weight loss benefits of meal prepping. But even pre-portioned meals can go a long way in managing your grocery expenses. Overeating can drive our daily food bill up to double or sometimes triple what is necessary. When we focus on making delicious, healthy, and filling meals, we can be happier when we eat the right portion size and reduce the total amount of food we eat during the week.
5. Avoid eating out.
If you’ve created grocery budgets, you know that eating out or cooking yourself can make a big difference in your credit card bill. If your goal is to tighten your dining budget, start planning your takeout days. Whether you choose fast food because it’s quick and easy or because cooking isn’t your forte, meal prep can help you stay ahead of your schedule and feel more comfortable in your kitchen. By making one weekend meal in one go and freezing portions for later, you can use your days off to prepare for busy days with meals you can already cook. Breaking the fast food habit is great for making cost savings in your grocery budget.
When you’re ready to save money by prepping meals, start with a bulk bag of chicken and these simple chicken prep steps.
So how much does meal prep cost?
- Less than eating out.
- Less than takeout.
- Less than preparing meals every night.
Answer: Meal prep is cheaper than…whatever else you do!
If you want to prepare a meal but are intimidated by the cost of buying a lot of groceries upfront, remember that over time these upfront costs will prove to be cheaper than making multiple trips to the grocery store for smaller portions.
How much is a meal kit service?
If you’re not ready to become the next home cook but are passionate about home-cooked meals, food delivery might be for you.
Now I know we just talked about the cost of restaurants and takeaway options. Still, a meal prep company can offer much cheaper prices per meal than a typical restaurant – and they’re often significantly healthier!
Let’s take a look at Meal Prep Delivery and Meal Kit Delivery services to see if this is right for your diet, convenience and budget.
What is a food delivery service?
With a meal delivery service, you can usually choose the portion size, number of meals, and type of meals you want delivered to your home each week. These meal packs contain either ready-to-eat meals or the ingredients and instructions to prepare the meal yourself.
What are the advantages of a food delivery service?
You can enjoy many of the same benefits of preparing meals yourself through a meal delivery service, such as: B. Saving time, reducing food waste or having a healthy meal ready conveniently. But a big advantage of a delivery service is that a lot of the work is done for you. Choosing a meal from a menu can take the stress out of meal planning. And the instruction sets will help you build confidence and skill in the kitchen.
Sounds great right? So the big question…
How much does a meal prep service cost?
If you look at grocery delivery companies, the average meal package will cost you about $10 per meal. While frugal shoppers can certainly shop for cheaper and cook their own meals, a $10 healthy meal can mean huge cost savings if your current lifestyle consists of eating a lot. And as the service introduces you to new ingredients and skills, you can use them in the future to save even more by making your own meal.
Watch how to prepare your own meal or outsource the service to a delivery company. Both could mean healthier, cheaper meals for you! Enjoy the benefits of a perfectly cooked meal straight from the fridge today. Once you get started, it’s hard to come up with a dinner plan every night. You’ll love the ease, time and cost savings, and health benefits of meal prep!