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If I would have known about half of these items on this list before I started to prep my meals, I would have been ahead of the game and would have seen better results from my diet quicker, right from the start of my fitness journey.
So please excuse the obviousness of some of these items mentioned below, as others might find the list to be very helpful.
Here Is The List Of 7 Must Have Items For Meal Prepping
1. Cooler / Travel Bags
My ISOBAG cooler bag has been an invaluable tool for me for years now. I travel a lot for work and having my prepped meals stored in a cooler bag to ensure that it doesn’t spoil is vital!
I have used cheap small ones and have always been disappointed. I invested in the ISOBAG which is a quality cooler bag about 2 years into my fitness journey and let me tell you…it was worth every penny!
It paid for itself many times over and if you are serious about staying on track with your meals, it’s a vital piece of equipment you need to store your prepped meals in while on the road.
2. Rice Cooker
Another great investment is a rice cooker. If it’s a cheap one or super expensive version…I don’t care and it's completely up to you.
I picked my AROMA rice cooker up on Amazon for $30 many years ago and it has served me very well ever since.
I was never great at cooking rice the “old fashioned” way on the stove and burned mine most of the time.
A rice cooker is simple... measure your rice, add water, turn it on and forget about it until it’s all done.
Perfect rice every time!
3. Chopping Boards And Knife
I think this goes without saying, but you need to have a chopping board and a good sharp knife to cut up all your food that you are prepping.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that any knife will do. Get a good set of sharp knives which will last you forever, if you take care of them. I bought myself the Linoroso 2 Piece Knife Set recently from Amazon and am very happy with them.
When it comes to a chopping board, don’t go crazy buying the most expensive or lavish ones…
Why? Because you will be buying new ones every 3-4 months. I use Aichoof ones I buy from Amazon whenever I need to replace the set I currently use.
They get stained and even the best wash with soapy hot water, or clean in the dishwasher will not save it after you have chopped away many chicken breasts and veggies on it.
4. Tupperware
Every athlete, bodybuilder, person in the fitness industry will tell you that Tupperware will become your new best friend.
You can get them in many shapes and sizes and help you carry your prepped meals anywhere you go.
Mine are simple looking plastic versions that I had for a few years now. You can find them on Amazon here and they come in many different shapes and sizes. They are microwave as well as dishwasher safe too.
I simply divide my meals out into my tupperware, pop them into the microwave until my meals are hot and I’m done.
However, make sure that you get the ones that say BPA free on them! VERY! VERY important.
Or get the more expensive glassware type ones. It makes no difference what type of Tupperware you buy, as long as they don’t leak!
Nothing worse than when your food leaks all over your cooler bag and the rest of your food!
5. Microwave
Most of you already have one of these...but if you don’t, get one as soon as your budget allows it.
A microwave will ensure that you can reheat your prepped food in a matter of minutes. Without one of these you can always eat your prepped food cold (which is what I do when I am on the road for work…and if it’s safe to eat cold of course).
The alternative to a microwave is that you simply reheat your food on the stove every time, which goes without saying, will not be as quick as using a microwave.
So if you don’t already have a microwave, I would consider buying one as in my opinion it’s a solid investment.
6. Weighing Scales
If you don’t want to rely on measuring your food with cups and want to be more accurate when portioning out your food, a food scale can be picked up for very little and is another great investment.
I just use the Amazon Basic Kitchen Scale which is a great investment for less then $10.
Simply measure your food in seconds and always be confident that you’re eating exactly the right amount each time.
7. Freezer Bags And Other
These bags are super cheap and can come in very handy when you want to bring anything extra with you while on the go, or simply need to store something that does not need to go into a Tupperware container.
I generally put my fresh nuts into a baggy and bring them with me. They are also very handy for bringing any protein powders or fruit with you.
As I do want to limit the amount of plastic I use, I have started to use reusable containers and would advise you to do the same where appropriate.
Summary
Yes, I know…I will say it for you…it’s a very obvious list of items most people would already have in their kitchen.
However, I was very green when it came to anything to do with food prep and wasn’t thinking about half of these items when I started to prep my food.
So keep in mind that there are people like me out there too that will find this list helpful.
If you’re on the fence about meal prepping you should read 5 Simple Reasons To Start Prepping Your Meals and if you need more advice on meal prepping, please check out my other articles 13 Pro Tips For Preparing Meals In Advance and 9 Helpful tips for eating healthy while on a budget.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase any product or service from our affiliate partners. These are products I’ve personally used, tested and can stand behind. This site is for entertainment only. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.
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