Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional meal prep means cooking identical complete meals in batches. Ingredient prep means preparing versatile components (proteins, grains, vegetables, sauces) that combine into different dishes over 2-5 days. More variety, less boredom.

Most apps give you recipes. We give you a system. The ingredient-based approach creates variety without repetition and teaches you the combination logic, so that later you can build your own menus in our menu constructor (in development) while the app takes over the boring parts: the shopping list, the timers and the plate balance.

No prior experience required. The app provides step-by-step instructions, grocery lists, and prep timelines. Most users start improvising after 2–3 meal preps.

Most meal preps take 1.5–2.5 hours for the initial prep, then 5–10 minutes daily for assembly. Parallel cooking techniques reduce time significantly compared to cooking every evening. Add 15–20 minutes if you're a beginner.

Everything in our menus is cooked in a regular home kitchen, not a restaurant and not a test lab. You need what most kitchens already have: a couple of cutting boards, a sharp knife, one or two pots, a pan and a baking sheet. A food processor speeds up chopping and an instant-read thermometer removes guesswork from proteins, but neither is required. Special containers are not needed to test the system either: for your first one to three trial meal preps for your household, what you already have at home is enough. If you decide to follow the system regularly, we recommend buying good airtight containers.

One menu, the groceries from its list, and things you already have instead of a stack of boxes: zip bags, foil, parchment paper and ordinary bowls. You prepare the components in one session.

No. To try meal prep you do not need to buy dozens of containers. If you decide to follow the system regularly, we recommend buying good storage containers.

Zip bags, foil, parchment paper and ordinary bowls. The video «Мілпреп 40» shows how to store the components, from 10:45. Watch the video from 10:45 (in Ukrainian)

With one menu for a few days. One menu is free every month, so start with it, buy the groceries from the list and prepare the components in one session.

One meal prep is free every month, and it changes every month. All the other meal preps are available with a subscription.

Each plan includes a complete grocery list, nutritional breakdown, step-by-step cooking instructions, daily plate combination ideas, storage guidelines, and realistic prep time estimates.

iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, and web. Your account syncs across all devices.

Offline mode is currently in development. For now, an internet connection is required.

No. The same components combine into different meals. Monday's grilled chicken becomes Tuesday's salad, Wednesday's wrap, Thursday's bowl, Friday's pasta.

The system is flexible. Modify combinations freely or skip suggestions. After a few meal preps you'll know exactly which combinations work for you.

Balance is built over the long run, not in every single plate. All the dishes of a menu together make a balanced day: in the morning you may get less of one component and in the evening more, and on average across the day you get a balance of protein, carbs, fats and vegetables. No calorie counting or macro tracking.

The app doesn't design specific diet plans, but the ingredient-based approach makes customization straightforward — swap proteins, skip dairy, or use alternative grains.

For now the app adjusts only the ingredient quantities for your household size: 1, 3, 4 or more people from the default two-person setting.

Only in Ukraine for now. In the app (version 1.18.0 or later), accounts in Ukraine can have a cart filled in Silpo, a grocery chain in Ukraine.

3–4 days maximum for most ingredients with proper storage, provided your fridge holds the recommended low temperature of 3–4°C. Some items last five days; leafy greens and herbs are best within 2–3 days.

Glass containers are best — oven and microwave safe. BPA-free plastic works too. Use 1–2 cup containers for proteins and grains, 3–4 cup for vegetables, and small ½ cup containers for sauces.

Our menus are planned for the fridge, without freezing. We have not yet tested how prepped food tastes after freezing, so we cannot promise it.

The tastiest result comes from reheating in a frying pan. Microwave: 1–2 minutes covered. Stovetop: 3–5 minutes over medium heat. Oven: 10–15 minutes at 175°C. Reheat to 74°C internal temperature. Many ingredient-based meals taste great cold or at room temperature.

Email us at info@mealpreper.guide. Include the meal prep name, the step where you're stuck, and a screenshot if helpful. We respond within 24 hours on weekdays.

Yes — no commitment, no penalties, no explanation needed. Cancel via app settings or email. The free monthly meal prep remains accessible after cancellation.

Please do. Send suggestions to info@mealpreper.guide. Include cuisine preferences, dietary needs, and any time constraints. We consider every suggestion.