FAQs

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FAQs *

Frequently Asked Questions About Ingredient Meal Prep

Getting Started with Meal Prep

What is ingredient prep? How is it different from meal prep?

Traditional meal prep: You cook complete meals and eat them repeatedly. Think: making 5 identical burrito bowls on Sunday, then eating the same bowl Monday through Friday.

Ingredient prep (our method): You prep versatile components—proteins, grains, vegetables, sauces—that combine into different dishes throughout the week. Same grilled chicken becomes Monday's salad, Tuesday's wrap, Wednesday's bowl, Thursday's pasta.

One prep session creates building blocks for 9 different meals. Zero boredom. Maximum variety.

How is this different from other meal prep apps?

Most apps give you recipes. We give you a system.

Our ingredient-based approach means you get variety without repetition. You learn the logic behind combinations so you can eventually adapt and improvise yourself.

Also: we test everything in real kitchens. Our time estimates are honest. If the app says 2 hours, it actually takes 2 hours—not the fantasy 45 minutes other apps promise.

Do I need cooking experience?

Nope. If you can follow instructions and use a knife without injury, you can do this.

Every meal prep includes step-by-step instructions, grocery lists, and prep timelines. We walk you through parallel cooking techniques that make you efficient even if you're a beginner.

After 2-3 meal preps, you'll have learned enough to start improvising. That's when you know it's working.

How long does meal prep take?

Most of our meal preps take 1.5 to 2.5 hours for the initial prep session. Then 5-10 minutes daily to assemble your plate.

We use parallel cooking techniques—prepping multiple things at once while something else is in the oven or on the stove. That's how we cut time in half compared to nightly cooking.

Our time estimates are tested in real kitchens. If you're new, add 15-20 minutes to the estimate while you learn. By your third meal prep, you'll be hitting our times consistently.

What equipment do I need?

Basic kitchen equipment only. You don't need fancy gadgets.

Essential: Cutting board, sharp knife, pots/pans, baking sheets, mixing bowls, storage containers.

Nice to have: Food processor (speeds up chopping), instant-read thermometer (for perfect proteins), good kitchen timer.

We don't require specialty equipment. If a recipe needs something unusual, we'll tell you upfront and provide alternatives.

About the Mealpreper Guide App

Is it really free?

Here's our deal: One free meal prep every month.

We rotate which one is free. This month it's 7. Next month it'll be something different. You can try it, cook it, see if ingredient-based meal prep actually works for you.

If you love the system and want access to all 15+ meal preps (plus new ones added monthly), subscribe for €15/month or €100/year. If you don't love it, keep using the free monthly one. No hard feelings.

We're not trying to trick you with "free trials" that auto-charge after 7 days. We'd rather deliver value first and earn your subscription.

How much does the premium subscription cost?

Monthly: €15/month
Annual: €100/year (saves €80)

Premium gives you access to all 15+ meal preps, new monthly additions, and priority support. Cancel anytime.

What's included in each meal prep plan?

Every meal prep includes:

Complete grocery list organized by store section
Nutritional breakdown (calories, macros) for every dish and ingredient
Step-by-step prep instructions with parallel cooking timeline
Daily plate combination ideas for 9 different meals
Storage guidelines to maximize freshness
Prep time estimate (tested, realistic, honest)

What platforms is the app available on?

iOS (iPhone, iPad) — Download from App Store
Android — Download from Google Play Web App — Limited functionality for now

Same features on both(Android/iOS) platforms. Your account syncs across devices.

Can I use the app offline?

Not yet, we working on this part

How the Meal Prep System Works

Will I eat the same thing every day?

Absolutely not. That's the whole point.

You prep components (proteins, vegetables, grains, sauces) that combine into different meals. Monday's grilled chicken becomes Tuesday's salad, Wednesday's wrap, Thursday's bowl, Friday's pasta—all from one prep.

If you're eating the same thing repeatedly, you're doing traditional meal prep. We don't do that here.

What if I don't like a suggested meal combination?

Skip it. Our system is flexible.

We give you daily plate ideas, but you can mix the components however you want. Hate wraps? Turn it into a bowl. Don't like salads? Make it a sandwich.

After a few meal preps, you'll learn which combinations you love and can repeat those. The app is a guide, not a rulebook.

How much money will I actually save?

Users report saving 30%+ on monthly food budgets.

Savings come from:

Less food waste — Grocery lists are designed so you use everything
Fewer impulse purchases — You have a plan, so you don't overbuy
No emergency takeout — You know what's for dinner, so no $40 DoorDash orders
Smart shopping — Buy ingredients once, create multiple meals

But we don't lead with cost savings. We focus on time savings. The money is a bonus.

Is this healthy? Will I get proper nutrition?

All meal preps are created by a certified nutritionist (Tanya) and built on Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate principles.

You get balanced nutrition by default—vegetables, proteins, whole grains, healthy fats—without counting calories or tracking macros (unless you want to; we provide the data).

But we don't position this as a "diet" or "weight loss" tool. It's a practical system for feeding yourself well without thinking about it.

Can I meal prep for dietary restrictions?

We don't design meal preps for specific diets (keto, paleo, vegan, etc.). Instead, every meal prep is built on Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate principles—balanced nutrition by default.

But here's the advantage of ingredient-based meal prep: you can easily adapt it yourself. Don't eat meat? Swap the protein for beans or tofu. Need dairy-free? Skip the cheese. Gluten-free? Use gluten-free grains or skip them entirely.

Because you're prepping components (not complete meals), you control what goes on your plate. The building blocks approach makes customization natural, not complicated.

What if I cook for one person? Or a family?

Every meal prep is scalable. The app adjusts:

Grocery list quantities based on servings
Prep instructions scale up or down
Storage guidelines adapt to portion sizes

Default is 2 people. You can adjust to 1, 3, 4, or more. The system recalculates everything automatically.

Food Safety & Storage Questions

How long does prepped food stay fresh?

3-4 days maximum for most ingredients when stored properly.

That's why most meal preps are designed for mid-week rhythm:

Sunday prep → meals Monday-Wednesday
Wednesday/Thursday prep → meals Thursday-Saturday

Some ingredients (like cooked grains or roasted vegetables) can last 5 days. Others (like leafy greens or fresh herbs) are best within 2-3 days. Each meal prep includes specific storage guidelines.

What containers should I use for storage?

Glass containers (best) — Oven-safe, microwave-safe, no odor absorption
BPA-free plastic (good) — Lightweight, stackable, affordable
Silicone bags (space-saving) — Good for marinated proteins or sauces

Size guide:

1-2 cup containers for individual proteins/grains
3-4 cup containers for vegetables
Small containers (½ cup) for sauces and dressings

We don't require specific brands. Use what you have. Just make sure they're airtight and fridge-safe.

Can I freeze prepped ingredients?

Yes, but selectively:

Freezes well: Cooked proteins (chicken, beef, fish), cooked grains, cooked beans, soups, sauces
Don't freeze: Leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, cooked pasta (gets mushy), dairy-based sauces

How do I reheat prepped food safely?

Microwave: 1-2 minutes on high, stirring halfway through. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying.
Stovetop: 3-5 minutes over medium heat with splash of water or broth.
Oven: 10-15 minutes at 350°F/175°C (best for crispy textures).

Food safety rule: Reheat to 165°F/74°C internal temperature. Use a food thermometer if unsure.

Note: Many ingredient-based meal preps don't require reheating—cold salads, cold wraps, cold bowls use room-temp or chilled components.

Getting Help & Support

I'm stuck. How do I get help?

Email us at hello@mealpreper.guide

We respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Include:

Which meal prep you're working on
What step you're stuck at
Screenshot if helpful

We're a small team, but we're real people who actually read and respond to every email.

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Yes. No commitment. No penalties. No questions asked.

Cancel directly in the app (Settings → Subscription → Cancel) or email us. You'll keep access until the end of your current billing period.

One free monthly meal preps remain free regardless of subscription status.

Do you have a community or social media?

Yes! Join us on:

Instagram: @mealpreper.guide
Daily meal prep tips, before/after prep photos, and real user kitchens (not the Pinterest-perfect kind). Behind-the-scenes of recipe testing, team updates, and quick cooking hacks in Stories. Tag us with #MealpreperGuide when you share your preps—we repost user content regularly.

Facebook: Mealpreper Guide
Same content as Instagram but optimized for Facebook's audience—longer posts, more detailed tips, and shareable meal prep content. Good for people who prefer Facebook over Instagram but want the same daily inspiration and updates. Comment with questions and we'll respond.

Threads: @mealpreper.guide
Quick tips, random kitchen thoughts, and casual conversations about meal prep. Think: "just realized you can prep X while Y is in the oven" kind of posts. Less formal than blog articles, more spontaneous than Instagram.

YouTube: @MealpreperGuide
Full meal prep walkthroughs filmed in real time, technique tutorials (parallel cooking, knife skills), and "cook with me" videos showing exactly how long each step actually takes. Subscribe for longer-form content you can follow along with while you prep.

TikTok: @mealpreper.guide
60-second meal prep hacks, "this vs that" ingredient comparisons, and quick recipe teasers. Fast-paced, visual content for people who want tips without the full tutorial. Also: occasional kitchen fails because not everything goes perfectly on the first try.

LinkedIn: Mealpreper Guide
Company updates, team insights, and the business side of building a meal prep app. Behind-the-scenes of customer development, product decisions, and what we're learning. For people interested in the startup journey, not just the recipes.

Tag us with @MealpreperGuide when you share your preps. We repost user content regularly.

Can I suggest new meal prep ideas?

Please do! We're always creating new meal preps based on user requests.

Email suggestions to info@mealpreper.guide with:

Cuisine type or flavor profile you want
Dietary preferences or restrictions
Specific ingredients you love (or hate)
Time constraints

We can't guarantee we'll make every suggestion, but we read and consider all of them.