Look, I’m Gonna Be Honest
I hate meal prepping. There, I said it. It’s not that I don’t get the hype. I do. The idea of having healthy, home-cooked meals ready to go sounds amazing. But honestly, I’m just not that person. Let me tell you why.
About three months ago, I decided to give it a shot. My friend Lisa—let’s call her Lisa—had been raving about how meal prepping changed her life. She looked great, she felt great, and she was saving money. So, I thought, why not? I bought all the containers, I planned out my meals, and I spent an entire Sunday chopping, cooking, and portioning. It was a disaster.
First of all, I’m not a chef. I’m not even a good cook. I burn toast. I once set off the smoke alarm making scrambled eggs. So, the idea that I could spend hours in the kitchen prepping meals for the week was laughable. But I tried. And I failed. Miserably.
But here’s the thing: I learned a lot from that failure. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a way to make meal prepping work for people like me—people who aren’t naturally inclined to spend their Sundays in the kitchen.
Why Meal Prepping Feels Like a Chore
Let’s start with the obvious: meal prepping takes time. A lot of time. And not just any time—quality time. Time that I could be spending doing things I actually enjoy, like reading, watching TV, or, you know, sleeping. I don’t know about you, but my Sundays are sacred. They’re my day to relax, to recharge, to do nothing. Spending that time chopping vegetables and cooking chicken breasts? No thanks.
And then there’s the cost. Sure, meal prepping can save you money in the long run, but the initial investment is steep. You need containers, you need ingredients, you need time. And let’s not forget the hidden costs—like the cost of your sanity when you realize you’ve spent $87 on groceries and still don’t have a single meal prepped.
But the biggest issue for me? The monotony. Eating the same thing day after day? It’s boring. It’s tedious. It’s soul-crushing. I get it—consistency is key to success. But come on, there’s a reason variety is the spice of life.
What I Did Wrong
So, what went wrong? Well, for starters, I didn’t plan ahead. I didn’t think about what I actually like to eat, what I could realistically cook, or how much time I was willing to spend in the kitchen. I just dove in, thinking that I could figure it out as I went along. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t.
I also didn’t do my research. I didn’t look up recipes, I didn’t watch tutorials, I didn’t ask for advice. I just winged it. And winging it, as it turns out, is not a good strategy when it comes to meal prepping.
And finally, I didn’t have a backup plan. When I realized that I couldn’t stick to my meal prep schedule, I didn’t have a plan B. I didn’t have any quick, easy meals to fall back on. I didn’t have a return policy comparison guide for my meal prep fails. I was stuck.
A Tangent: The Time I Tried to Make Sushi
Speaking of fails, let me tell you about the time I tried to make sushi. It was a disaster. I bought all the ingredients, I watched a tutorial, I even bought a sushi mat. But when it came down to it, I just couldn’t do it. The rice was too sticky, the fish was too slippery, and the whole thing was a mess. I ended up ordering takeout and eating sushi that actually tasted good. But I digress.
What I Learned
So, what did I learn from my meal prepping failure? A lot, actually. For starters, I learned that meal prepping isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to healthy eating. What works for Lisa might not work for me, and that’s fine.
I also learned that it’s okay to ask for help. I should have reached out to Lisa, asked for her advice, maybe even asked her to show me how she does it. But I didn’t. And I suffered for it.
And finally, I learned that it’s okay to fail. It’s okay to try something and realize that it’s not for you. It’s okay to admit defeat and move on. Life’s too short to spend it doing things you hate.
What I’m Doing Now
So, what am I doing now? Well, I’m not meal prepping. But I am trying to eat healthier. I’m cooking more, I’m eating out less, and I’m making an effort to eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.
And you know what? I’m happier. I’m not stressed out about meal prepping, I’m not spending hours in the kitchen, and I’m not eating the same thing day after day. I’m just eating healthier, one meal at a time.
So, if you’re thinking about meal prepping, do it. But don’t feel bad if it doesn’t work out. There are other ways to eat healthy, to save money, and to take care of yourself. You just have to find what works for you.
About the Author
Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience writing feature articles for major publications. She’s a self-proclaimed foodie, a self-diagnosed caffeine addict, and a self-taught chef. When she’s not writing, she’s probably eating, drinking coffee, or burning something in the kitchen.