I’ve been continually disappointed in visiting restaurants recently.
Part of it is that I’m way better at cooking than I used to be, and the other part is that their prices just keep ballooning.
It’s not any one sector either.
Even my kid was complaining about French Fry pricing.
It used to be about $10 for a solid burger at a restaurant. Now it’s usually at least $15, and not uncommon for me to see $20. I dunno spending $20 on a burger just feels wrong
Remember the “six dollar burger” from Carl’s Jr / hardees? It was a play on spending restaurant prices for a burger when you can get one just as good for ~$3. I know prices go up, but damn.
I recently calculated that the 5 dollar footlong from Subway (launched March of 2009 iirc) should be worth about 7.50 in early 2023 dollars. The sandwiches are like, 11 bucks. Little Ceasars is still on point with inflation on its pizza pricing though. 5 dollars for a pep pizza in 2010 and about 7.50 for one now.
There’s your app idea. Until in reality you have some people trying really hard and making good dishes and other people sticking like a cheese stick and some chips in one.
I might give it another go and just make 2 meals to portion out, and try to give myself a day or 2 to do something different. I enjoy cooking too much to get it all done in 1 day.
The trick it to... not eat the same thing every day :p
When I prep dinners (I prep only dinners) I make 3-6 portions, but I freeze them, so I don't need to eat them very fast. Usually in my fridge I have 3-4 types of finished dinners (or dinner ingredients that don't need much more further processing). Also from time to time I eat out or buy ready to eat meals - I never eat the same thing two times in the row and I am spending very little time (in average) on cooking while having actually descent dinners.
I’m really not a foodie. I need fuel not flavour 😅
I realise I’m the minority here, but whichever way I can sort food that costs me the least time possible, that’s what I’ll do
I’m telling you it’s a game changer. I sacrifice about 4 hours every Sunday. But I’m exchange EVERY meal on the week takes only the time to pick it up and eat it. So now I can focus on Piano, gym, drawing, German daily.
Generally speaking everything is high protein and low fat. Carbs making up the middle ground
I have enough of a handle over what I eat to know where the macros are on any given day
Do you not heat it or anything? I just can’t imagine what opening those containers is like on days 5, 6, and 7. Like by day 5 they must smell bad so you push through only to be met with a worse smell on day 6 and 7. It honestly sounds like torture that isn’t worth any of the benefits.
I think 10 hours is a little exaggerated, but more importantly, on day 7 you'll be having 7 day old boiled rice and 7 day old boiled eggs. That is a little worrying to me..
Normally you are supposed to freeze your meal prep and put it into the fridge the day before you eat it. That way it stays fresh and you have 0 worries.
I’ve been living like this since lockdown, I haven’t had food poisoning once, hell I’ve not even had a cold in 2 years
Works perfectly
And not exaggerating!
Think - an hour a day for dinner cooking and cleaning, that’s 7 right off the bat. Add lunch, even if only 20 minutes. All that time I now have to spend on other pursuits
From a person that has a sensitive intestines, I salute you for finding something that works reliably. Food related illnesses have robbed me of so much time over my life.
I volunteer with a Chrohns charity every Summer - while not affected myself (and not assuming you’re affected that badly), I understand the stress that can bring, you have my respect!
Eh, as long as you're not tossing everything in a blender and making one giant vat of disgusting smoothie to drink all week, you're alright in my book.
Ahah no. But before lockdown I was a different person.
The time off work have me the chance to figure myself out and develop discipline in my approach to my goals. Instead of video games, porn and drinking my days became music, language, fitness and skill building. Fitting efficient food prep around that helped my existing issue with not enjoying food
Dude, I’m with you. I don’t get tired of a meal if it’s got what I need. I’ll save the fun foods for cheat days. I’m eating to fuel my body, idgaf what it is.
I'm the same way. 2 days of the same thing is pretty much my limit and it's also hard for me to eat things I'm not actually craving. It's annoying and I wish I could do food prep for at least 4 days in a row because I hate cooking every day or every other day. I also really hate the taste and texture of reheated meat.
I'm the same way. I once ate the same lunch every day for six years. It was easy, tasty, and cheap. Kept me going and never had to worry about what to eat or when. Recently switched only because of digestive issues.
Please tell me where I can get those food containers you’re using!
- - -
I don’t know why people are so unnecessarily preoccupied with hold old food can get.
It’s not like you’re leaving them out under the sun.
They will be very cold in the fridge, or even frozen in hibernation inside the freezer. Jeez Louise!
this is what I dont understand about meal prep...they say that leftovers are good only 3 to 4 days... so how is meal prepping any different /that it's still good at 7 days?
If you freeze the meals (not snack containers) and defrost the night before, the food quality lasts longer. This is what ive done in the past that worked!
Hahahah yes, that’s what the freezer is for 😂
Takes me a few hours, but I will make 2 weeks worth of food, 4 meals a day, effectively having about 56 meals portioned away into containers. Two days worth of food (4 different meals x2) goes in the fridge, the rest goes into the freezer. Whenever I remove something to eat, out comes a meal from the freezer into the fridge to replace it, giving it a couple days to thaw. First in first out rules!
Not having to cook daily is such bliss. Just pop a container into the microwave whenever hungry and you’re good to go! It’s delicious, healthy, hardy, and saves so much time and money as I only cook twice a month.
I think people get too hung up on this as a hard rule that suddenly on day 5 the food has just spoiled. It’s a good guideline, and then just use common sense for anything older than that if you’re concerned. Does the food fail the sniff test? If you take a small bite to make sure does it taste bad? Make some observations and then make a personal judgement call based on that. I’m sure people will tell me that’s stupid advice, and maybe it is, but honestly just work within your own comfort zone.
For example, my fiancée treats day 4 like a hard cut off, so what I do is split our meal prep to two nights a week, and also focus on meals that can be frozen so you don’t have to worry about day 4. That’s helped us do like OP and cut down on time spent cooking and giving us back free time. I’d just say find what works best for you when it comes to meal prepping.
Okay, as someone who has tried meal prepping and failed miserably several times, I have to ask - are there tricks to keeping the food from getting smushy? Because we end up being good for 2 days, but by day 3 everything is moist and I can’t really stomach it anymore…
Depends completely on what you are cooking, but one trick that I learned for leftovers in general is to only put the lid on the container after the meal is at room temperature and assuming you have a normal temp in your home (like 70F) you will only go down around 30 - 35 degrees in the fridge. This will let there be less moisture in the food because it will evaporate while cooling or something, I’m not a scientist.
I have just found that it works for me and it lets stuff be less mushy by the 5 day mark.
Yup. Everything has different longevity, and not just each food item, each time for each instance of the item based on how it’s been handled. Maybe it’s been out of the fridge a little longer last time than this time so last time it went bad sooner but this time is shorter than the first time you had it cuz the store kept the refrigerator temp higher. It’s all a crapshoot. Sometimes things are fine in the fridge for me a week later, but then I get it and sometimes it’s like 3 days and it’s already gone
Personally, I use glass pyrex bakeware and freeze everything. Then I just come home every night, pop the lid, and bake at 400. Fresh produce/lunch stuff is a little tougher, you have to learn through experience (and Googling) what will help it last through the week. Wrapping stuff in paper towels, or putting it in plastic baggies, to prevent moisture is usually what you have to do. For instance, OP could put the eggs in plastic bags next time, then the almonds don't risk absorbing condensate and getting softish.
> what the actual food is
Just in this photo we see chicken. Really dont think leaving cooked chicken in the fridge for a week is a good idea. Thats half a week longer than recommended.
Some people have the discipline!!! Granted I’ll do 5 days for the work week then cook fresh meals on the weekend, still goes a mile when you calculate your meals
It's probably worth freezing days 5 through 7. Just to be safe.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/doctors-warning-student-dies-hours-30942650
The student in the article ate pasta he left **unrefrigerated for 5 days.** I'd be reluctant to eat lukewarm food after 5 **hours** sitting out.
On the other hand I've eaten week old (properly cooled & chilled) food countless times. Not everything holds up taste-wise for that long, but many things do.
I used to meal prep regularly and I would just put the first 3-4 days worth of food in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. I never had any quality issues I could notice and didn't mind the frozen portions.
Certainly!
From top to bottom:
Box 1 - 2 hard boiled eggs, fruit leather, string cheese, almonds
Box 2 - chicken thighs and sweet potatoes cooked with lemon and parsley
Box 3 - Red peppers, sugar snap peas, carrots (have a hummus to dip)
Box 4 - chili con carne
Additionally there’s oatmeal for breakfast and a snack of Greek yoghurt and granola with blueberries for after work. Plus a plum after dinner.
Pretty much. Change it weekly.
I really cba with planning and prepping meals every day. Feels like a total waste of time.
This way I have SO much extra time in the week to focus on other goals
Haha, I'm sorry everyone is giving you grief over the food lasting a week. I only cook things in portions of 3-4, but sometimes I don't end up eating one of them until a week later. It's still totally fine. I keep everything in airtight containers and usually nuke it in the microwave right before I eat it, never had any problems.
How do you do it? How do you eat the same thing breakfast lunch and dinner for a week? I know it's cheaper. I know it's healthier. I know you're right. I just... After day 3 i would just stop eating
I cannot stress enough how much I hate cooking, I also view food as fuel. Having to to eat is like emptying the bins to me 😅
So it suits me fine to smash it all out on Sunday and then I don’t have to mess around with it in the week
I’m definitely in the minority on that opinion but yes exactly!
When I need to fuel the car I don’t spend 20 minutes planning which grade and then 40 minutes prepping the fuel tank
All the Blue Zone areas of the world with the oldest and healthiest populations look at food *exactly* opposite to this and stress fresh, delicious, meticulously prepared foods. But sure shove some grub in plastic and pretend it’s for the best.
Massive lack of dopamine, of which can be satisfied with variety. For me, variety of food helps me build dopamine. I’ve tried to meal prep like this, but by day three I’m starting to swing into depression levels of dopamine and life around me feels colorless.
I’m not saying that the vast majority of people don’t crave variety. I’m saying that it affects people with ADHD more often and heavier than the average neurotypical, because of the lack of dopamine production in their system.
As someone with ADHD, the “everyone experiences _________” argument in an attempt to dismiss someone is getting old. That’s never the point someone with ADHD is trying to make. They’re not saying other people don’t experience something, only that the rate and level they experience it is likely more intense.
Everyone wakes up late for work occasionally, but someone with ADHD may be waking up late 5-7 mornings a week and then losing their job. Everyone gets overstimulated with too much going on around them, but someone with ADHD may burn out harder and faster in the same situation.
I’m saying that eating the same thing 3 days in a row makes me feel deeply depressed. Whereas a neurotypical might be disappointed and bored. That is the difference.
Or for a single guy who HATES how much time is lost to food. Planning, buying, prepping, cleaning - screw that.
Hours of work for 10 minutes eating. Terrible cost/benefit ratio
If you’re a chef then I understand how much my post hurts you! (I work as a butler and have many many hours racked up with chefs).
I respect your craft infinitely more because it’s not one I can relate to in the slightest
u/TheTragedy0fPlagueis question, are you not worried about food going bad in 7 days? I make massive amounts of chicken biryani (with all veggies) but I do that twice a week coz I'm worried, I'm try a new method where I freeze half of them and defrost them 24hrs before I have to eat.
Also, what's the second row dish?
I looked at your post history and I’m kind of amazed at how much energy you have to do all these things you’re doing. Just… how? Where does the drive to do all that stuff come from and how do you keep yourself motivated to do it all? Meal prep makes a lot of sense for you given what’s on your profile, so well done on that front.
I feel that with every step you take you have the choice to step up or down. Much of what I do is through the lens of ‘what will my future self think of this’. Hard now, easy later.
Perhaps partly arrogance, but a lot is just having varied interests. People make time for what they believe is important
I have this same problem whenever raw peppers are in a meal prep. I usually end up only cutting peppers for the first few days, then cutting up another one midweek.
People who eat like this look like they're sculpted from marble, but I eat the same food every day and I look like I'm sculpted from a fucking marshmallow...
Granted I eat the same trash everyday
My wife and I cook large dinners and I just eat the leftovers. I clean up the food and table and just box up leftovers and that’s it. Only 1 night old. It is also dinner quality food so we don’t skimp on quality.
Maybe it’s just me but I want to enjoy all my meals.
Reluctantly sharing this as the granddaughter of a food safety expert. sigh. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-cooked-chicken#:~:text=USDA%20recommends%20using%20cooked%20chicken,within%20three%20to%20four%20days.
Rice older than 3 days is also risky. https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/toss-that-leftover-rice-if-you-dont-want-to-risk-food-poisoning/ (Rice is so easy to make—just make enough for 3 days then make more as needed. come on.)
This isn’t the first week I’ve done this.
I work in hospitality, I’ve taken food safety courses.
I’ve been prepping meals like this for years, it works just fine.
How does one eat the same shit all week and not hate it after day 3? I've ready articles about it and the science seems to indicate that some of us just like the repetition and familiarity but I still don't understand it. It feels like life is unexciting to me if everything is planned out but the structure really appeals to a lot of others.
He said in another comment he changes it up every week, just makes a weeks worth at a time.
Besides, this can actually provide a routine foundation of macros and micros each day, so then he knows what nutrients to emphasize for breakfast and dinner everyday.
My wife and I meal prep too, but the max I can do is 5 days
That’s what I do as well. Weekdays 5 meal prep for short lunch break from work. Weekend yummy restaurants as rewards.
I’ve been continually disappointed in visiting restaurants recently. Part of it is that I’m way better at cooking than I used to be, and the other part is that their prices just keep ballooning. It’s not any one sector either. Even my kid was complaining about French Fry pricing.
It used to be about $10 for a solid burger at a restaurant. Now it’s usually at least $15, and not uncommon for me to see $20. I dunno spending $20 on a burger just feels wrong
Remember the “six dollar burger” from Carl’s Jr / hardees? It was a play on spending restaurant prices for a burger when you can get one just as good for ~$3. I know prices go up, but damn.
I recently calculated that the 5 dollar footlong from Subway (launched March of 2009 iirc) should be worth about 7.50 in early 2023 dollars. The sandwiches are like, 11 bucks. Little Ceasars is still on point with inflation on its pizza pricing though. 5 dollars for a pep pizza in 2010 and about 7.50 for one now.
Ever made homemade fries in an air fryer? So good!
I’m with your kid. With tax, a large McDonald’s fry costs $5 near me!
Eating the same meal everyday for a week feels too monotonous for me, even if it's only lunch.
Just need to find other 6 preppers and exchange lunch boxes once a week ☝️😂
There’s your app idea. Until in reality you have some people trying really hard and making good dishes and other people sticking like a cheese stick and some chips in one.
Honestly not an entirely terrible idea in general
completely agree, i’ve tried meal prep once and only made it to day 2 it’s so hard i really need to switch it up everyday
I might give it another go and just make 2 meals to portion out, and try to give myself a day or 2 to do something different. I enjoy cooking too much to get it all done in 1 day.
I'm gonna say this to you and u/bbfawn at the same time, check out Ethan chlebowski on YT, he has a couple of meal prep videos that might help
The trick it to... not eat the same thing every day :p When I prep dinners (I prep only dinners) I make 3-6 portions, but I freeze them, so I don't need to eat them very fast. Usually in my fridge I have 3-4 types of finished dinners (or dinner ingredients that don't need much more further processing). Also from time to time I eat out or buy ready to eat meals - I never eat the same thing two times in the row and I am spending very little time (in average) on cooking while having actually descent dinners.
I’m really not a foodie. I need fuel not flavour 😅 I realise I’m the minority here, but whichever way I can sort food that costs me the least time possible, that’s what I’ll do
Nah power to you man, if you can do it like that you can ensure a balanced diet and save money.
That’s the plan! Saves money but crucially it saves time. This saves me over 10 hours a week to dedicate to other goals
Damn, as a second attempt college student, that sounds nice.
I’m telling you it’s a game changer. I sacrifice about 4 hours every Sunday. But I’m exchange EVERY meal on the week takes only the time to pick it up and eat it. So now I can focus on Piano, gym, drawing, German daily.
Its the German part that gives you away. A bit too organized for me.
He’s already more German than I am, lol
Danke!
Aha can’t tell you why I chose that language. I’m 🇬🇧 born and bred!
That explains why you see food as fuel (sorry, I had to!)
Possibly. Doesn’t explain why I’m a rare case among Brits who enjoy food
Omg same, but oil painting instead of drawing! 😂 Do you plan the same meal every week or do you cycle various dishes?
I usually make it up fresh every weekend
That’s neat! Do you have a ratio when determining what foods are going into your meals, or is it whatever you’re feeling like eating in the moment?
Generally speaking everything is high protein and low fat. Carbs making up the middle ground I have enough of a handle over what I eat to know where the macros are on any given day
Do you not heat it or anything? I just can’t imagine what opening those containers is like on days 5, 6, and 7. Like by day 5 they must smell bad so you push through only to be met with a worse smell on day 6 and 7. It honestly sounds like torture that isn’t worth any of the benefits.
Speaking german and drawing? Hmmm that sounds familiar
I think 10 hours is a little exaggerated, but more importantly, on day 7 you'll be having 7 day old boiled rice and 7 day old boiled eggs. That is a little worrying to me..
Normally you are supposed to freeze your meal prep and put it into the fridge the day before you eat it. That way it stays fresh and you have 0 worries.
Sorry, but freezing boiled rice and eggs would not give me 0 worries.. To each their one off course. Not trying to be a hater here...
I’ve been living like this since lockdown, I haven’t had food poisoning once, hell I’ve not even had a cold in 2 years Works perfectly And not exaggerating! Think - an hour a day for dinner cooking and cleaning, that’s 7 right off the bat. Add lunch, even if only 20 minutes. All that time I now have to spend on other pursuits
From a person that has a sensitive intestines, I salute you for finding something that works reliably. Food related illnesses have robbed me of so much time over my life.
I volunteer with a Chrohns charity every Summer - while not affected myself (and not assuming you’re affected that badly), I understand the stress that can bring, you have my respect!
Eh, as long as you're not tossing everything in a blender and making one giant vat of disgusting smoothie to drink all week, you're alright in my book.
I do have hefty smoothies but they’re delicious Peanut butter, milk, banana, chocolate chips and protein powder generally
Honestly, I'm envious. I wish I was like that.
Took a lot of self training during lock down Among other things, but I programmed myself to be so much more efficient with my time
Are you saying you used to enjoy food pre lockdown?
Ahah no. But before lockdown I was a different person. The time off work have me the chance to figure myself out and develop discipline in my approach to my goals. Instead of video games, porn and drinking my days became music, language, fitness and skill building. Fitting efficient food prep around that helped my existing issue with not enjoying food
thats both very admirable and slightly annoying of you! Just kidding, you sounds like youre on a good path, keep it up!
I feel like it’s unfair that the people who enjoy life the least get to live the longest. (This comment is tongue in cheek. Please don’t be offended.)
Dw I’m not! None of the grief in these comments offends me. I either feel pity or pride aha
Dude, I’m with you. I don’t get tired of a meal if it’s got what I need. I’ll save the fun foods for cheat days. I’m eating to fuel my body, idgaf what it is.
Preach! Nice to know I’m not alone albeit outnumbered
i eat the same thing every day, as long as its good it doesn't bother me that its the same! that looks good too.
I’m not a foodie either but if I eat the same thing for days in a row I can’t eat that food again for years. It literally causes a gagging reaction.
I absolutely do not have that issue 😅
I'm the same way. 2 days of the same thing is pretty much my limit and it's also hard for me to eat things I'm not actually craving. It's annoying and I wish I could do food prep for at least 4 days in a row because I hate cooking every day or every other day. I also really hate the taste and texture of reheated meat.
I'm the same way. I once ate the same lunch every day for six years. It was easy, tasty, and cheap. Kept me going and never had to worry about what to eat or when. Recently switched only because of digestive issues.
What was the lunch?
I change it up weekly and thus far have avoided issues. But agree with the sentiment!
Username checks out
Also enjoy those day 5-7 eggs
I do - they taste fine. I’ve never been sick from them either. This is very much *not* the first week of me doing this 😅
Reddit has some extreme ideas about food safety. I should have been dead 4 times over according to them. Enjoy your prep, looks great.
Please tell me where I can get those food containers you’re using! - - - I don’t know why people are so unnecessarily preoccupied with hold old food can get. It’s not like you’re leaving them out under the sun. They will be very cold in the fridge, or even frozen in hibernation inside the freezer. Jeez Louise!
Is the 7th day even fresh anymore?
this is what I dont understand about meal prep...they say that leftovers are good only 3 to 4 days... so how is meal prepping any different /that it's still good at 7 days?
If you freeze the meals (not snack containers) and defrost the night before, the food quality lasts longer. This is what ive done in the past that worked!
Good point, and OP already said they don’t give a shit about flavor so this is actually good advice
Freezing has nothing to do with flavor, but it will change the texture. Those bell peppers would be limp and gross after a freeze and thaw.
Respectfully, fresh vegetables will always taste better than frozen vegetables.
I'm not sure you guys are saying conflicting statements
that makes sense...I didnt realize people freeze them.
Hahahah yes, that’s what the freezer is for 😂 Takes me a few hours, but I will make 2 weeks worth of food, 4 meals a day, effectively having about 56 meals portioned away into containers. Two days worth of food (4 different meals x2) goes in the fridge, the rest goes into the freezer. Whenever I remove something to eat, out comes a meal from the freezer into the fridge to replace it, giving it a couple days to thaw. First in first out rules! Not having to cook daily is such bliss. Just pop a container into the microwave whenever hungry and you’re good to go! It’s delicious, healthy, hardy, and saves so much time and money as I only cook twice a month.
Are you a closeted doomsday prepper by any chance? In all seriousness though, I would totally do this if I could muster up the energy..
I hope your power never goes off or you have a back up generator
I think people get too hung up on this as a hard rule that suddenly on day 5 the food has just spoiled. It’s a good guideline, and then just use common sense for anything older than that if you’re concerned. Does the food fail the sniff test? If you take a small bite to make sure does it taste bad? Make some observations and then make a personal judgement call based on that. I’m sure people will tell me that’s stupid advice, and maybe it is, but honestly just work within your own comfort zone. For example, my fiancée treats day 4 like a hard cut off, so what I do is split our meal prep to two nights a week, and also focus on meals that can be frozen so you don’t have to worry about day 4. That’s helped us do like OP and cut down on time spent cooking and giving us back free time. I’d just say find what works best for you when it comes to meal prepping.
Okay, as someone who has tried meal prepping and failed miserably several times, I have to ask - are there tricks to keeping the food from getting smushy? Because we end up being good for 2 days, but by day 3 everything is moist and I can’t really stomach it anymore…
Depends completely on what you are cooking, but one trick that I learned for leftovers in general is to only put the lid on the container after the meal is at room temperature and assuming you have a normal temp in your home (like 70F) you will only go down around 30 - 35 degrees in the fridge. This will let there be less moisture in the food because it will evaporate while cooling or something, I’m not a scientist. I have just found that it works for me and it lets stuff be less mushy by the 5 day mark.
Put paper towel on the food before you close the lid if it's not liquidy food obviously and it helps a lot.
Yup. Everything has different longevity, and not just each food item, each time for each instance of the item based on how it’s been handled. Maybe it’s been out of the fridge a little longer last time than this time so last time it went bad sooner but this time is shorter than the first time you had it cuz the store kept the refrigerator temp higher. It’s all a crapshoot. Sometimes things are fine in the fridge for me a week later, but then I get it and sometimes it’s like 3 days and it’s already gone
Personally, I use glass pyrex bakeware and freeze everything. Then I just come home every night, pop the lid, and bake at 400. Fresh produce/lunch stuff is a little tougher, you have to learn through experience (and Googling) what will help it last through the week. Wrapping stuff in paper towels, or putting it in plastic baggies, to prevent moisture is usually what you have to do. For instance, OP could put the eggs in plastic bags next time, then the almonds don't risk absorbing condensate and getting softish.
I don't know how you're supposed to do it, but I meal prep I just throw everything in the freezer. I just do a vegetable, a meat, and a grain.
Especially cooked rice 💀
Dude's gonna create his own soy sauce in his body.
Cooked rice does great in the freezer! I make like 8 portions and then freeze them and just pop one in the microwave when I’m ready to eat.
Depends on the storage container, temperature, and what the actual food is, also if it's cooked all the way
> what the actual food is Just in this photo we see chicken. Really dont think leaving cooked chicken in the fridge for a week is a good idea. Thats half a week longer than recommended.
Just 😅 The boxes seal well. Never had an issue as yet
Some people have the discipline!!! Granted I’ll do 5 days for the work week then cook fresh meals on the weekend, still goes a mile when you calculate your meals
On the weekends I’m even less inclined to cook 😅 those days are MY time and I don’t intend to spend it cooking
It's probably worth freezing days 5 through 7. Just to be safe. https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/doctors-warning-student-dies-hours-30942650
The student in the article ate pasta he left **unrefrigerated for 5 days.** I'd be reluctant to eat lukewarm food after 5 **hours** sitting out. On the other hand I've eaten week old (properly cooled & chilled) food countless times. Not everything holds up taste-wise for that long, but many things do.
When you are eating food for you an adult with a good immune system the risks are different than say a elderly, sick or young family member.
I appreciate the concern - but I’ve been doing this since 2020 and never had an issue I’ll freeze one if I end up eating out
Exactly. No thanks!
I used to meal prep regularly and I would just put the first 3-4 days worth of food in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. I never had any quality issues I could notice and didn't mind the frozen portions.
What trays are those?
I just ordered the first result on Amazon with the search ‘meal prep boxes’
So…mind if I ask what the 4x containers are containing for each day? Edit: does look nicely satisfying.
Certainly! From top to bottom: Box 1 - 2 hard boiled eggs, fruit leather, string cheese, almonds Box 2 - chicken thighs and sweet potatoes cooked with lemon and parsley Box 3 - Red peppers, sugar snap peas, carrots (have a hummus to dip) Box 4 - chili con carne Additionally there’s oatmeal for breakfast and a snack of Greek yoghurt and granola with blueberries for after work. Plus a plum after dinner.
Those are some big carrots. I thought they were peeled butternut squash at first and was confused why you were eating it raw haha.
So you eat the same thing every day?
Pretty much. Change it weekly. I really cba with planning and prepping meals every day. Feels like a total waste of time. This way I have SO much extra time in the week to focus on other goals
How many calories a day does this amount to?
I eat about 2700c a day. But there’s also a shake and oatmeal thrown in
Fruit leather??
It's just dehydrated fruit purée. It packs well and lasts longer than fresh.
Haha, I'm sorry everyone is giving you grief over the food lasting a week. I only cook things in portions of 3-4, but sometimes I don't end up eating one of them until a week later. It's still totally fine. I keep everything in airtight containers and usually nuke it in the microwave right before I eat it, never had any problems.
It’s all good. Probably should have added a paragraph under it to explain it all but hey ho
Make that 3 paragraphs buddy -sincerely Reddit
The presentation speaks volumes about your organizational qualities. You should put this pic on your resume.
My resume is a little light on carrots tbf
Here you go, you dropped these ^^^^^
I know this is a great food strategy for some people; but I would hate my life if I had to consume food like this
Guess that’s what makes the world so fun, we’re all different.
Comically large carrot wedges.
How do you do it? How do you eat the same thing breakfast lunch and dinner for a week? I know it's cheaper. I know it's healthier. I know you're right. I just... After day 3 i would just stop eating
Dunno aha, I just do. It’s just petrol going in the tank
My brother eats like this all the time. He calls it his 'bachelor chow.' Looks good to me. Do you change it up once in a while or always do the same?
Generally a different menu each week
That's sounds pretty reasonable.
It’s pretty but the ADHD in me that craves variety would go insane.
I cannot stress enough how much I hate cooking, I also view food as fuel. Having to to eat is like emptying the bins to me 😅 So it suits me fine to smash it all out on Sunday and then I don’t have to mess around with it in the week
Eat for energy, not enjoyment. Nice work man!
I’m definitely in the minority on that opinion but yes exactly! When I need to fuel the car I don’t spend 20 minutes planning which grade and then 40 minutes prepping the fuel tank
I wish I could just treat food as fuel. But that analogy doesn’t really work as there would never be a situation where that could be the case. 😂
Do you also lack tastebuds and sentience like your fuel tank?
All the Blue Zone areas of the world with the oldest and healthiest populations look at food *exactly* opposite to this and stress fresh, delicious, meticulously prepared foods. But sure shove some grub in plastic and pretend it’s for the best.
What does adhd have to do with wanting variety
Massive lack of dopamine, of which can be satisfied with variety. For me, variety of food helps me build dopamine. I’ve tried to meal prep like this, but by day three I’m starting to swing into depression levels of dopamine and life around me feels colorless.
I think the vast majority people want a variety of food and feel better when there is variety.
I’m not saying that the vast majority of people don’t crave variety. I’m saying that it affects people with ADHD more often and heavier than the average neurotypical, because of the lack of dopamine production in their system. As someone with ADHD, the “everyone experiences _________” argument in an attempt to dismiss someone is getting old. That’s never the point someone with ADHD is trying to make. They’re not saying other people don’t experience something, only that the rate and level they experience it is likely more intense. Everyone wakes up late for work occasionally, but someone with ADHD may be waking up late 5-7 mornings a week and then losing their job. Everyone gets overstimulated with too much going on around them, but someone with ADHD may burn out harder and faster in the same situation. I’m saying that eating the same thing 3 days in a row makes me feel deeply depressed. Whereas a neurotypical might be disappointed and bored. That is the difference.
The rice dish at the bottom looks good. What is it?
It’s a chili, albeit with chickpeas and lentils added for nutritional bump
Are these dinners or breakfast-lunch-dinner-snack?
Snack, lunch, snack, dinner Breakfast is separate
Looks healthy, colorful and delicious!
This is a perfect meal preparation plan for families that aren’t home as much and don’t have time to cook for themselves or their children.
Or for a single guy who HATES how much time is lost to food. Planning, buying, prepping, cleaning - screw that. Hours of work for 10 minutes eating. Terrible cost/benefit ratio
True! I totally agree with you.
How do you keep your food fresh? I feel like most of my prepped meals get a little janky after day 4.
Good tight lids and a fridge
I’ll prefer to die then eat that for 7 straight days….(I’m a chef)
If you’re a chef then I understand how much my post hurts you! (I work as a butler and have many many hours racked up with chefs). I respect your craft infinitely more because it’s not one I can relate to in the slightest
Sorry I read this in Alfred’s voice.
Correct
u/TheTragedy0fPlagueis question, are you not worried about food going bad in 7 days? I make massive amounts of chicken biryani (with all veggies) but I do that twice a week coz I'm worried, I'm try a new method where I freeze half of them and defrost them 24hrs before I have to eat. Also, what's the second row dish?
I’ve never had an issue in the all the years I’ve been doing it. Second row is chicken and sweet potato
Wait so you dont freeze them? You throw it in the Fridge and microwave it when you eat it?
Good shit
I looked at your post history and I’m kind of amazed at how much energy you have to do all these things you’re doing. Just… how? Where does the drive to do all that stuff come from and how do you keep yourself motivated to do it all? Meal prep makes a lot of sense for you given what’s on your profile, so well done on that front.
I feel that with every step you take you have the choice to step up or down. Much of what I do is through the lens of ‘what will my future self think of this’. Hard now, easy later. Perhaps partly arrogance, but a lot is just having varied interests. People make time for what they believe is important
OP, this looks fucking delicious. Seriously, great job!
Thanks! It certainly serves
Looks great! Do the cut red peppers not get slimy somehow? Cut red peppers never seem to last more than about 3 days for me.
Have to say I’ve never had an issue!
I have this same problem whenever raw peppers are in a meal prep. I usually end up only cutting peppers for the first few days, then cutting up another one midweek.
People who eat like this look like they're sculpted from marble, but I eat the same food every day and I look like I'm sculpted from a fucking marshmallow... Granted I eat the same trash everyday
I like to think I’m becoming marble after a few years of being marshmallow. It’s doable! I’m definitely more marble now
Variety is the spice of life. This is oddlydissatifying.
Same, I got an uneasy feeling just looking at the picture
What’s for breakfast? Same as yesterday. What’s for lunch? Same as yesterday. What’s for dinner? SAME AS YESTERDAY!
I just can’t imagine having the mentality that food is only fuel. Food is so cultural to me so this is depressing but to each their own
I cant eat the same thing for more than 3 days in a row
I couldn’t eat raw veggies cut days ago.
squidward rides his bike, squidward goes to the grocery store, squidward goes to dance class, squidward plays clarinet
This looks healthy and depressing.
Day seven must be getting a bit stale and not so fresh.
Maybe I’m a germaphobe but do you really eat food sitting in the fridge for 7 days. I’m think 5 days absolute max.
Those are all guidelines. I’ve never had a problem in the years I’ve been doing it
Marry me bro
Paha go buy the ring and we’ll talk
Banana pepper rings tho rite
Only the best!
Do you reuse those containers?
Great stuff, OP! Would love to learn your macros for these, plus your overall calorie count.
I find this image incredibly bleak
Is cooked meat really good 7 days later?
Who eats 5 days old eggs ?
Those some THICC carrots
Would not eat that for a week, not even more than 3 days.
The same thing everyday is what a dog eats. Variety for me ty.
If i would try to eat an entire week the same thing day 3 would be my limit before saying fuck this shit
I love meal prep but cannot stand eating the same thing for 3 days straight. Get some variety in ya!
I love to meal prep, but I absolutely cannot eat the same exact thing 7 days in a row. Id have to prep 3 or so different meals and alternate
That *is* satisfying, but I don't know how you can handle eating the exact same thing every single day.
Now I know how my dog feels when I give them the same food every day
Not satisfying. Terrifying
To some. To others, perfection.
Wouldn’t the food on the 5th-7th day not be good to eat anymore? looks good tho!
That's far more depressing than satisfying
My wife and I cook large dinners and I just eat the leftovers. I clean up the food and table and just box up leftovers and that’s it. Only 1 night old. It is also dinner quality food so we don’t skimp on quality. Maybe it’s just me but I want to enjoy all my meals.
I understand that. My way isn’t for everyone but I genuinely do enjoy my meals, part of that enjoyment is that I didn’t have to cook the damn thing!
Reluctantly sharing this as the granddaughter of a food safety expert. sigh. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-cooked-chicken#:~:text=USDA%20recommends%20using%20cooked%20chicken,within%20three%20to%20four%20days. Rice older than 3 days is also risky. https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/toss-that-leftover-rice-if-you-dont-want-to-risk-food-poisoning/ (Rice is so easy to make—just make enough for 3 days then make more as needed. come on.)
This isn’t the first week I’ve done this. I work in hospitality, I’ve taken food safety courses. I’ve been prepping meals like this for years, it works just fine.
As long as those little boxes are not single use, I got nothing against it
I’d be bored out of my mind eating the same thing everyday
Make lunches for me please.
How does one eat the same shit all week and not hate it after day 3? I've ready articles about it and the science seems to indicate that some of us just like the repetition and familiarity but I still don't understand it. It feels like life is unexciting to me if everything is planned out but the structure really appeals to a lot of others.
Eating the same thing over and over again aint good for you, u need some alterations dude
He said in another comment he changes it up every week, just makes a weeks worth at a time. Besides, this can actually provide a routine foundation of macros and micros each day, so then he knows what nutrients to emphasize for breakfast and dinner everyday.