Meal Planning vs. Meal Prepping: Which is Better and Why?

When I talk about meal planning, many people think of meal prepping. These are two different things; one does not automatically follow the other.

If you do meal prepping, there is also meal planning that goes with it for efficient meal prepping.

Now meal planning doesn’t mean you also have to do meal prepping.

What is the difference? And which is better?

Meal Planning: The Master of Strategy

Planning ahead doesn’t always mean cooking ahead.

First up: meal planning. Meal planning is about mapping out your meals for a specified period—a week, a month, or even longer. It involves considering your dietary needs, taste preferences, and your schedule. If you have soccer practice on Tuesday - what is quick to make? Fitness class on Thursday - a slow cooker meal? Dinner with friends on Friday means no worries about what to prepare that night.

Pros of Meal Planning:

Cost Savings: With meal planning, you can save money by avoiding impulsive grocery shopping trips and takeout orders. Plus, you’ll waste fewer ingredients because you know what you need.
Less Food Waste: Raise your hand if you’ve ever discovered a moldy mystery meal at the back of your fridge. With meal planning, you can bid farewell to that slimy mess and say hello to an organized fridge full of fresh ingredients you will use.
Variety and Balance: Meal planning allows you to incorporate various flavors and cuisines into your menu. From Italian pasta nights to taco Tuesdays, you’ll never be stuck in a food rut again.

Cons of Meal Planning:

Flexibility? What’s that? Meal planning can be rigid - but it doesn't have to be. Once you’ve decided on your meals, you might feel trapped by your choices, unable to sway with the cravings of the moment. It is okay to shift things around - so is this a negative?
Life happens and plans change. Unexpected events, like sudden overtime at work or an impromptu night out with friends, can throw a wrench into your meticulously planned meals. Adapting on the fly becomes a skill you’ll need to master. So, again, is this a bad thing? Do you now have an extra meal to carry over to next week? As long as the ingredients are still there.

At its core, meal planning is like crafting a roadmap for your week ahead. It’s all about strategizing your meals, making a shopping list, and ensuring you have a balanced assortment of ingredients at your fingertips. This approach saves you from dinnertime dilemmas, prevents impulsive takeout decisions, and helps you stick to your nutritional goals.

Meal Prepping: The Champion of Convenience

Now, let’s move on to meal prepping – work more at the start of the week, with less work during the week. Meal prepping involves dedicating a chunk of time (usually once a week) to prepare and portion out your meals in advance. It’s like assembling an army of ready-to-eat dishes, all waiting in your fridge or freezer to save the day (or dinner, in this case).

Pros of Meal Prepping:

Time is on your side. With meal prepping, you can front-load your effort and save time during the week. No more kitchen chaos every night—grab and go!
Portion control. If you’re watching your waistline or tracking nutrients, meal prepping allows you to portion your meals perfectly.
Consistency. Preparing your meals in advance makes you less likely to succumb to temptation and stray from your healthy eating goals. No more mid-week takeout!

Cons of Meal Prepping:

Prepare for the assembly line. Meal prepping can be time-consuming and monotonous. Spending hours chopping, cooking, and storing may differ from everyone’s idea of a fun Sunday afternoon.
Beware the texture trap. Certain foods don’t hold up well after being cooked and stored for several days. That crispy chicken skin? It might end up soggy and sad. So, choose your prepped ingredients wisely. And keep in mind that food safety may be an issue. We don’t like to have leftovers for more than four days, so you need to freeze ahead too strategically.

Meal prepping is what happens after you’ve planned your meals. It’s the weekend ritual where you cook and prepare in advance, assembling ready-to-go meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner - any or all of these). Think of it as a way to minimize weekday chaos. With pre-prepared ingredients and dishes, you can easily go through your week knowing that a homemade meal is just a microwave reheat rather than a whole preparation and cooking routine each day.

Finding Your Flavor: What Works for You

While meal planning and prepping might seem like they must go together, it’s crucial to remember that one size does not fit all. It is like how you take your coffee or eggs - it is personal, so your mealtime strategy should reflect your preferences and lifestyle.

The Freedom of Choice: Meal Planning

Meal planning offers flexibility. It’s your chance to mix and match recipes, cater to dietary needs, and adjust your menu according to the season. Whether you’re busy professional juggling meetings or a parent herding a bunch of hungry kiddos (or both), meal planning keeps your options open and lets you prepare and cook whatever suits you best.

The Power of Prep: Meal Prepping

Conversely, meal prepping is the solution for those who want structure and to save time (during the week). Imagine going through your week without thinking about what is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and knowing it is ready. Meal prepping allows you to focus on other things.

If you want more variety and freedom, meal planning might be your flavor. But if convenience and timesaving are your top priorities, meal prepping may be more up your alley.

So, whether you’re a master planner or a prep enthusiast, the most important thing is to find a method that works for you. After all, the kitchen should be a place to feed you, not a source of mealtime stress.

Real World Meal Planning Course

As I mentioned, meal planning is essential for knowing what you are having this coming week, whether you plan to cook it all in one day or at night.

The Real World Meal Planning Course is currently in pre-sell/pre-enrollment, with the course launch scheduled for October. Whether a kitchen novice or a cooking connoisseur, this course empowers you with practical tips, tricks, and strategies that fit seamlessly into your real-world routine.

The pre-enrollment is ongoing through September 4 – and you will be in the course when it launches on October 17.

Why enroll now? You get the course at a deep discount for pre-enrolling, you can access a Bonus Bundle of helpful resources right away, and you will be enrolled as soon as the course opens.

Learn more and pre-enroll now, saving time and money already.