Prepping your meals in advance has very many benefits, not least in helping you to stick to a healthy diet with just the right balance of ingredients to see you through the week.
Of course, preparing your meals will also often mean saving time in the kitchen. It also helps to ensure that you end up with a varied number of meals rather than always sticking to the same sort of dishes, the sort of thing that tends to occur if you only cook what happens to be available in your fridge. However, there is something you need to consider whatever sort of dietary intake you have. This is how your meals will be stored until you’re ready to eat them.
There are two main options for storing prepared meals when using container tubs, glass or plastic. Both have pros and cons, so it is worth considering the relative merits of each. Many people have a mixture of both types of container for different purpose and this may well suit you, too. The question is, when is plastic preferable to glass and vice versa? Read on to find out.
The Pros and Cons of Plastic Meal Prep Tubs
Firstly, there is no single type of plastic. Meal prep tubs come in polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and even polystyrene. However, whichever type you use, you should avoid those with bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates in their make up since these can be harmful to health.
Plastic Tubs – PRO’s
- They are inexpensive
- They are durable
- They can be sealed with purpose-made lids effectively
- They can (mostly) go in the dishwasher and the microwave
- They come in a variety of sizes for different portions
- They can hold liquids, such as juices and smoothies, as well as solids
Plastic Tubs – CON’s
- Leaching may occur with some acidic foods
- Staining will happen from tomato-based dishes and certain spices, such as turmeric
- Re-heating in a convection oven is not possible
- Plastic will often wear over time leading to worsening seals
- Not all plastic food tubs are recyclable when they come to the end of their life.
The Pros and Cons of Glass Meal Prep Tubs
Glass food containers offer different properties which make them preferable in some, but not all, situations. Among their benefits are the fact that they:
Glass Tubs – PRO’s
- Do not stain even with repeated use
- Are see-through, allowing you to identify the meal inside easily
- Look attractive when you place them on the table to dine from
- Are fully recyclable
- Can be microwaved or placed into the oven
- Have no known negative health impacts
- Will not absorb microbes or smells from food if washed properly
Glass Tubs – CON’s
- Don’t always have the best-fitting lids
- Can smash if they are knocked into or dropped
- Are not as light or portable as plastic containers
- Tend to cost more than other food tubs
Conslusion
To conclude, it is best to have plastic tubs for lunches you want to take to work with you while glass containers are often ideal for meals you have prepared and want to store for consumption at home.
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