Keeping five days worth of healthy workday lunches stocked in the fridge might seem like an impossible task (especially if you are used to just buying something from a vending machine or the cafeteria down the road) but over the past two years, I have learnt that its actually not that difficult to meal prep and you not only save money but will also be much healthier if you prepare your own lunch in advance. The key to efficient meal-prepping is having the proper supplies. Your healthy breakfast smoothie or thick vegetable soup won’t be of any use to you if you can’t get it out of the kitchen without leaking everywhere; nor will all the veggies you stocked up on over the weekend from the farmers market if it all goes bad before you have a chance to prepare it.
So first things first you need to stock up on these appropriate meal-prep containers to make your weekly meal prep as easy and organized as can be. Trust me, they’re worth the investment in the long run, especially if you want to spend one or max 2 days a week meal prepping and just grab your container on your way out to work in the morning.
So I themed up with the great people from Big Mat Malta to give you an overview of all the available containers you can use to meal prep. The good thing about all these is they are reusable so you are also being kind to the environment by taking your own lunches to work.
Big Mat Malta has a large array of containers that you can choose from but I have fallen in love with the Go eat range by Joseph Joseph brand and I want to introduce you to this brand. They are extremely efficient in saving space and sealable so you don’t end up with a bag full of food. They are all BPA free so you don’t need to worry about any pesky chemicals seeping into your food and reusable.
Dial™ Storage ContainersFood storage containers with datable lid
These Dial™ food storage containers, come with a clever rotating dial in the lid which allows you to clearly date the contents- either by date stored or use by date. All you need to do is turn the dial clockwise to set the month and anti-clockwise to set the day. So this way you can even meal prep and freeze and you know when your food was prepared. These containers are also great for leftovers and they are microwave and dishwasher safe so they will make our busy lives a little easier. As well as being BPA free.
Prices from Big Mat:
DIAL CONTAINER 0.7L – € 6.65
DIAL CONTAINER 0.9L – € 7.35
Dial™ Baby Storage Containers
Dial™ Baby food storage containers can also be used for adult food of course and that is why I am mentioning them here. It contains several smaller containers that you can use to store things separately like cherry tomatoes, nuts, some rice – so as to prevent your lunch getting all soggy. And for those of you out there who have kids, they can also carry their baby’s food with them thus making your life even easier.
Just like the Dial box mentioned about To use the dateable lid, decide what date you want to display then turn the dial clockwise to set the month and anti-clockwise to set the day.
The snack pots come in two sizes. Each comprises of portion-sized tubs with snap-shut lids that fit neatly inside the containers.
Prices from Big Mat Malta:
DIAL 10 PCS FOOD CONTAINER – € 11.20
DIAL 5 PCS FOOD CONTAINER – € 11.20
GoEat™ Salad box
This is one of my favourites. The GoEat Space-Saving Salad Box comes with a Salad Dressing Pot and has a large compartment for dry foods such as salad leaves and a smaller top compartment for wet food or snacks.
The container has a secure silicone lid and a locking collar to attach the two parts together.
The top compartment easily stores away into the larger compartment for space-saving.
Price from Big Mat Malta:
GOEAT SALAD BOX-TEAL – € 18.75
GOEAT SALAD BOX GREEN – € 17.75
GoEat™ Lunch box
This lunch box is perfect for packing healthy homemade lunches. This lunch box has a large compartment that can be used for wraps or larger lunch items and a top compartment with a divider for smaller food or healthy snacks. The lid has a locking collar to keep the food fresh and safe inside. The lunch box is microwave and dishwasher safe but the locking collar is not. Remove the locking collar and silicone lid before microwaving food.
GOEAT LUNCH BOX-TEAL – € 18.75
GOEAT LUNCH BOX-GREEN – € 17.75
GoEat™ Soup pot
This soup pot has 2 separate compartments that are separated by a leak-proof silicone lid, which is held tightly in place with a locking collar. Once the contents are finished, the smaller compartment fits neatly inside the larger one in order to save space in your bag.
Perfect for bringing your favourite homemade soup, stews, rice and even smoothies into work.
Price from Big Mat Malta:
GOEAT SOPU POT-GREY – € 12.50
GOEAT SOUP POT-GRN – € 12.50
Glass Lunch Containers
Big Mat also has Glass containers which I have been using for a couple of years now. They are more environmentally friendly since they last way longer than plastic, And I notice that many people are less likely to treat glass items as ‘disposable’.
I love how durable my glass meal prep containers are…I’ve put mine through the dishwasher, in the freezer, and in the microwave. Some glass meal prep containers are even oven-safe (not the lids), and some can even go directly from the freezer into the oven!
GLASS CONTAINER 720CC – € 2.30
GLASS CONTAINER 375CC – € 1.85
GLASS CONTAINER 400CC – € 1.85
Dot water bottle
The water bottle by Joseph Joseph has got to be one of my absolute favourites. It is great to help track your daily water intake goals with this cleverly designed water bottle. The lid will mark a new dot each time you refill so you can easily keep count of the number of bottles you drink. All my clients always complain that it’s hard for them to keep track of their intake and drink the recommended daily amount so this is the perfect addition to your work bag.
600ml bottle costs only 12.50 euro from Big Mat Malta
Eat healthily and feel good with no pressure:
It’s not a diet or a “lifestyle.” I don’t believe your entire lifestyle should revolve around food and exercise to be healthy. At Road to Belle, I help readers leave diet culture behind to pursue a sustainable approach to healthy eating that doesn’t take over their whole lives!
There’s a way to eat healthy without focusing so much on weight management — it’s called intuitive eating and you can learn about it by getting in touch with me for a course. I’d rather help people honour their body’s needs, reduce stress and learn how to enjoy their own cooking (without getting bored of it).
If you click on this link you will get some ideas of meal prep lunches I love to refer to myself. Please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information.
Keep following me on Instagram and Facebook for my upcoming meal prep lunch ideas for work in these lovely Joseph Joseph containers