Meal prepping has a bit of a reputation, and not always a fair one... You might picture rows of bland containers or assume it’s only for bodybuilders or super-organized people with color-coded planners. In this post, we’re busting 8 common myths to show you that meal prepping can actually be simple, flexible, and pretty fun.
Jump to:
- Myth 1: You have to eat the same thing every day
- Myth 2: Meal prepping is time-consuming
- Myth 3: Meal prepping is expensive
- Myth 4: You have to be a good cook to meal prep
- Myth 5: Meal prepping is boring and monotonous
- Myth 6: You need fancy equipment to meal prep effectively
- Shop my favorite meal prep equipment
- Myth 7: Meal prepping doesn't work for vegetarians or vegans
- 20+ Best Vegan Meal Prep Recipes
- Myth 8: Meal-prepped food isn't fresh
- So... Is meal prepping worth it?
I’ve been meal prepping in some way, shape, or form for over 10 years now (can't believe it's been a whole decade!), and I’ve heard some wild takes on it. But after seeing the benefits firsthand—and helping quite a few friends and clients embrace it, too—I can confidently say: it’s so worth it!✨
And honestly? Meal prep isn't just for the gym bros or the weight-loss girlies. It's for anyone who wants to eat well, save time, and make weekday life a little easier.
Myth 1: You have to eat the same thing every day
This is probably the biggest myth out there, and the most boring one too!
The truth? Meal prep doesn’t mean you're stuck eating the exact same meal over and over. You can prep a few key ingredients and sides and mix and match them into totally different meals.
Let me give you some examples:
- Got a grain like rice or quinoa? Pair it with different veggies and sauces to create fresh combos.
- Have a salad or bowl prepped? Turn it into a wrap with some hummus or a yogurt-based sauce.
- Made a big batch of lentil bolognese? Serve it with spaghetti one day, and spoon it over a baked sweet potato the next.
- Cooking chili? Eat it with rice and cilantro, with avocado and tortilla chips, or pile it into taco shells with quick pickled red cabbage.
Benefit: Meal prepping actually gives you more variety, not less. You can still enjoy different textures, flavors, and formats without spending extra time in the kitchen.
Myth 2: Meal prepping is time-consuming
⏱️ Let's do the math together! If you're cooking from scratch every day, you are probably cooking and doing the dishes for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is a total of almost 4-5 hours on a regular work week of 5 days.
Meal prepping takes about 1.5 to 2 hours from start to finish, including dishes. That means more time for your evening yoga class, quality time with your partner, or finally starting that book that’s been on your nightstand for 6 months.
Benefit: Meal prepping frees up to 4 evenings a week! No cooking, no cleanup, no stress. You just have to reheat what you prepped, eat, and relax.
And remember, you don't have to meal prep on Sundays. If Monday or Tuesday evenings work better for you, do it then!
Myth 3: Meal prepping is expensive
I get it, dropping $100+ at the grocery store in one go can feel like a lot if you're used to spreading your food expenses over several days instead of grocery shopping for an entire week. But once you break it down, meal prepping can actually save you so much money.
Here's why:
- You stop overspending. By having a concrete meal plan, you only buy foods you actually need for the week and avoid impulse buys.
- You’re less tempted to order takeout mid-week when dinner is already waiting for you in the fridge.
- You can stock up on staples in bulk (e.g., oats, lentils, pasta, coconut milk, canned tomatoes), which is way more budget-friendly.
Benefit: Meal prepping can save you money in the long run. Especially if you have a plant-first approach to eating and rely on budget-friendly plant-based staples (not the pricey mock meats, obviously).
+ Printable PDF!
The ultimate vegan pantry staples list
Stock your kitchen like a pro! Grab my go-to pantry staples list organized by category and filled with plant-based essentials.
Myth 4: You have to be a good cook to meal prep
Nope, not even close. Meal prepping can be as beginner-friendly as you need it to be—and truthfully, it can be the perfect way to become a better cook over time.
You don’t need fancy techniques or years of experience. One-pot dishes, dump-and-bake casseroles, and no-cook salads are all super simple ways to get started. And the more you prep, the more confident you’ll feel in the kitchen.
If you're feeling unsure where to begin, I’ve got you! Check out my blog post with beginner meal prep tips to help you find your rhythm and build a routine that actually works. 👩🍳
Benefit: Meal prepping can help you cook more consistently and feel more confident in the kitchen. You don’t have to go all in from day one—just start with one or two meals and build from there.
Join the live program!
I understand that meal prepping alone isn't always easy
That's why I created Meal Prep With Elo, a 5-week group program where I guide you through a meal prep session every Sunday live on Zoom to help you be more confident and stay consistent with meal prep!
Myth 5: Meal prepping is boring and monotonous
Sure, it can feel a little boring if you make the same thing every week.
But so can cooking from scratch every night, as most of us fall back on the same 5 recipes out of habit anyway. We often feel uninspired or experience decision fatigue, so we recreate the meals we already know how to make.
Benefit: Meal prepping reduces the mental load associated with cooking. No more asking yourself: "What am I going to make for dinner". You only have to establish a meal plan and a grocery list once.
Furthermore, since meal prepping forces us to plan ahead of time, it gives us the opportunity to include a larger diversity of foods on our plates. Think about different types of grains, vegetables, herbs, and protein sources.
As a result, meal prepping can be super varied and exciting. Ultimately, it may help us eat more balanced and nourishing meals.
Myth 6: You need fancy equipment to meal prep effectively
Don’t let social media fool you. You don’t need a high-speed blender or vacuum seal containers.
Kitchen tools such as a food processor or a food chopper, and a really good set of knives will certainly help you be more efficient in the kitchen and quicker at meal prepping.
Benefit: Basic equipment and standard food storage containers are enough to get started. You can always invest in "fancier" equipment once meal prepping has become a fundamental part of your routine.
Shop my favorite meal prep equipment
MCIRCO glass containers (29 oz)
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Weck jar start kit (250ml, 500ml, 750ml)
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Buy Now → Myth 7: Meal prepping doesn't work for vegetarians or vegans
This is probably my favorite myth to debunk since I have been meal-prepping exclusively plant-based for several years now.
The key is knowing which grains and plant-based proteins (e.g., tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils, quinoa, cashews, jackfruit) are great for meal prep. Then, combine those with veggies and condiments to create delicious meal-prep-friendly plant-based meals.
Benefit: Meal prepping is a great way to eat more plants and reduce your consumption of animal products (if that's something you want to do ofc). It pushes you to try out new recipes and plant-based alternatives several days of the week.
Round-up!
20+ Best Vegan Meal Prep Recipes
From make-ahead breakfasts to packable lunches to easy 1-pot dinner ideas, you'll find a bunch of new go-to recipes for your next meal prep session!
Myth 8: Meal-prepped food isn't fresh
With the right food containers and storage methods, most meals will last for 3 to 5 days. Some salad dressings and sauces can even last up to a week.
I personally like to use vacuum-seal meal prep containers. Removing the air out of the container creates a vacuum that reduces oxidation and helps keep your food fresh for longer.
And if you ever have spontaneous plans come up during the week, pop 1 or 2 meals in the freezer and enjoy them another time.
Benefit: With the right storage and a little planning, your food will stay fresh and delicious.
So... Is meal prepping worth it?
Big yesè ✅ When done right, meal prepping is:
- Flexible and full of variety
- A huge time-saver because you cook less often
- Kind to your wallet 💸
- Beginner-friendly
- A great way to eat more plants
- Less stressful, more intentional 🧘♀️
- Perfect for busy weeks, health goals, or simply avoiding the “what’s for dinner?” spiral at 6pm
Did you like this recipe? Let me know!