8 Best Meal Prep Containers
Between family, work, and other responsibilities, there are some days when cooking just isn’t an option. Especially during the later half of the week when it is easy to lose the motivation to prepare a healthy meal. I find that this is when fast food or other junk foods are the most tempting. That’s why we started to meal prep in our home as well as to support healthy food choices after daily morning workouts! Meal prepping is a great way to maintain those healthy eating habits that you’ve been working so hard to achieve. And when you have the proper tools, it can be super quick and easy! To help get you started, I checked out 8 of the Best Meal Prep Containers to share with you here.
If you want a meal plan that is for 3 meals per day then visit my article 7 Day Healthy Eating Meal Plan. It’s great for help with ideas for every meal and is gluten free focused.
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Are Plastic Containers Safe For Meal Prep?
In order to get the most out of meal prepping, it’s best if you start with the basics. While most people have that one cabinet in their kitchen dedicated to food containers, not all containers are made for consistent meal prepping. One important question circulating about meal prep containers is the issue of plastic and whether or not plastic is safe for meal prepping. Some people prefer plastic food containers because they are typically lighter and cheaper than glass.
However, with plastic containers, there is the concern of BPA. BPA (or Bisphenol A) is a chemical that is typically found in plastics and resins such as plastic food containers. And while the FDA has deemed BPA safe in low levels, mayoclinic.org tells us that BPA can leak into food or drinks and potentially cause harmful effects on the brain and prostate glands of fetuses and children. According to some studies, BPA might even be linked to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other serious or fatal health defects. It is because of these risks that many rigorous meal preppers opt for glass containers as their preferred option.
Is Plastic or Glass Better For Meal Prep?
So which is better for meal prep, Glass or Plastic?
Personally, I prefer glass meal prep containers and recommend them to anyone who wants to get serious about meal prep! Because glass does not contain BPA, you can heat your food in a microwave or dishwasher without the fear of contamination. Glass meal prep containers are also freezer safe and more durable than plastic containers, along with being eco-friendly.
On the flip side, however, plastic containers aren’t without their benefits. Plastic can be more kid-friendly and are often offered in more sizes and even shapes than glass containers. As I mentioned before, plastic also has the tendency to be less expensive than glass as well. The downside of these containers is mainly the fact that most are not microwave safe, which can make for more of a hassle when preparing meals. The heat from the food or microwave is what generally causes the BPA to seep into meals which makes them a bit more risky than glass.
Are BPA Free Meal Prep Containers Safe?
If you do tend to lean toward plastic containers, I strongly recommend getting ones that are BPA free. These are a safer option that still provide many of the same benefits that a regular plastic container would. Many popular brands are transitioning into producing more products that are BPA free as the market for meal prep appears to be growing. Nevertheless, the best way to stay away from harmful chemicals is simply by refraining from putting your plastic containers in the microwave altogether.
8 Best Meal Prep Containers
Healthy Foodie’s Top Picks of the Best Meal Prep Containers for 2021
When it comes down to meal prepping, everyone has their own set of needs that is specific to them! Maybe you work during the day and need to bring a small lunch to go or maybe you have a family to provide for. Whatever the case may be, I found the 8 Best Meal Prep Containers to help you find exactly what you need:
- Bayco 10 Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers
- Glass Meal Prep Containers with 2 Compartments
- Prep Naturals Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids
- Fit & Fresh Divided Glass Containers
- Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers
- Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Round Food Storage Containers
- Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Round Glass Food Storage Containers
- Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers
All of these are high quality glass containers specially made to help make your meal prepping experience quicker and easier. These products come in a range of sizes to best suit your needs!
1. Bayco 10 Pack Glass Meal Prep Containers
The Bayco meal prep containers come with 10, 2.7 cup rectangular glass containers that feature leak-proof lids with removable rubber sealing rings. Once the lids are removed, these glass meal prep containers are perfect for heating your food in the oven or microwave and are safe for easy cleaning in the dishwasher. These dishes allow you to store food in the refrigerator or freezer as well and pack away easily in lunch bags or suitcases.
- Pros: 10 Pack, Leak-proof Lids, Microwave/Dishwasher/Freezer/Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: One Shape/Size, Small, Lids Not Dishwasher Safe, No Compartments
2. Glass Meal Prep Containers with 2 Compartments
These 4.5 cup meal prep containers are equipped with an upgraded snap locking lid and two compartments to keep food separate. The glass is microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, while the spill-proof lid snaps in place for packing meals away into the freezer or refrigerator. The compartments of the container offer a special “portion control” feature, as the divider allows you to organize your meals to fit your specific diet.
- Pros: 5 Pack, 2 Compartments, Leak-proof Lids, Microwave/Dishwasher/Freezer/Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: One Shape/Size, Not Completely Divided
Check Best Price Here >>
3. Prep Naturals Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids
Prep Naturals glass meal prep containers offer 10, 24 ounce containers with smart locking leak-proof lids to keep your food fresh until you’re ready to eat it. These glass storage containers are microwave, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer safe also. The compact rectangular size makes them easily stackable and allows them to fit nicely on the shelves in your fridge or in a lunch bag so you can have your meals on the go.
- Pros: 10 Pack, Leak-proof Lid, Microwave/Dishwasher/Freezer/Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: One Shape/Size, No Compartments, Trouble with Lids
Check Best Price Here >>4. Fit & Fresh Divided Glass Containers
This 5 pack of glass dividers are each designed with two compartments to help you separate and organize your meals. The lids have four tabs that snap to secure onto the glass with an airtight, leak-proof seal. Once the lid is removed, these containers are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe and can fit around 27 ounces of your favorite healthy foods. The glass is thick and durable while the BPA-free locking lids have four tabs that lock into place.
- Pros: 5 Pack, 2 Compartments, Leak-proof Lids, Microwave/Dishwasher/Freezer/Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: One Shape/Size, Lids Not Dishwasher Safe, Not Completely Divided
Check Best Price Here >>5. Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers
This 18 piece set by Pyrex features 9 containers of various shapes and sizes with 9 corresponding lids. The glass set comes with 9 multicolored airtight lids and includes a 1 cup round, a 6 cup rectangular, a 7 cup round, two 2 cup round, two 4 cup round, and two 3 cup rectangular glass storage containers. Each dish is dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe (after being preheated). Remember to remove the lid before warming!
- Pros: 9 Pack, Variety of Shapes/Size, Dishwasher/Freezer/Microwave/Pre-heated Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: Not Leak-proof Lids, Lids Not Dishwasher Safe
Check Best Price Here >>6. Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Round Food Storage Containers
Similarly to the previous Pyrex product, this set offers 3 circular, glass containers of varying sizes. This set includes a 2 cup, a 4 cup, and a 7 cup glass storage container with corresponding lids. They are easily stored inside of each other to save cabinet or kitchen space. Made of high-quality tempered glass, these products are also dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and preheated oven safe as well.
- Pros: Variety of Sizes, Dishwasher/Freezer/Microwave/Preheated Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: Only 3 Containers, Not Leak-proof Lids, Lids Not Dishwasher Safe
Check Best Price Here >>7. Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Round Glass Food Storage Containers
These round glass containers from Anchor Hocking are offered in 3 sizes: 2 cup, 4 cup, and 7 cup. Each is made of durable glass that is perfect for storing food in the refrigerator or freezer, while giving you the option of heating meal prepped food in the microwave or oven as well. They are dishwasher safe, easy to clean and fit nicely inside of each other to keep your storage cabinet more organized.
- Pros: Variety of Sizes, Dishwasher/Freezer/Microwave/Preheated Oven Safe (not lids), Leak-proof Lids
- Cons: Only 3 Containers, Lids Not Dishwasher Safe
Check Best Price Here >>8. Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers
Anchor Hocking also offers a set of four rectangular glass containers with airtight lids, made or tempered glass that is durable enough to withstand the heat of a preheated oven or microwave. They are great for saving your meal prep food in the freezer or refrigerator as well, with BPA free lids to keep your food protected from chemicals.
- Pros: Leak-proof Lids, Dishwasher/Freezer/Microwave/Preheated Oven Safe (not lids)
- Cons: Only 4 Containers, No Compartments, One Size/Shape
All of these products came highly recommended with great ratings. I strongly suggest any of these glass 8 Best Meal Prep Containers to anyone who is giving meal prepping a try or even those who just need a few containers to save leftovers for the next day! Be sure to have on hand at least 5 days worth of glass containers per person to get started with meal prep.
If you decide meal prep isn’t for you, please check out my article on healthy home meal delivery for meals made for you and delivered home.
Learn more here about plastic, metal and glass containers:
Thanks for the information and your suggestions on containers!!
I’ve found that good prepping seems like it takes a lot of time but in the long run, it ends up saving a ton of time!!! Love it! Great article!!! Thanks for the great info!
Hi Billy! Yes I agree it does save tons of time.