I like the idea of getting meal prep done for you.
As someone who trains hard, it can be a challenge to eat enough protein (plus being pre-menopausal, protein is even more important). I mean, what’s not to like? Someone else makes your meals, you just warm it through and eat.
But loads of them are focused on weight loss. Are restrictive on calories. Or promote juice cleanses. I’m not into any of those things. I’m a diet school graduate (did my time, got my eating disorder, fought through it, came out the other side and am learning to fix my relationship with food umpteen years later), so I don’t really want that word anywhere around it. Plus most of them are low fat or low carb. Let me be clear. Neither of these things are bad for you. They are delicious and should be enjoyed. Your body also kind of needs them.
And don’t even get me started on how pointless the juice cleanse bullshit is. I’ll be here listing reasons until we come out of lockdown completely.
But my god lockdown has challenged my lunch creativity. I cannot be bothered. I had sandwiches for a while. Varying it around cooked meats, cheeses and salads/coleslaw/pickles.
I got bored.
Then I moved onto toasted sandwiches. That didn’t last long either.
Pasta? Yawn.
Rice and chilli? Done it.
I’ve reached the point where it’s either ready meals from Aldi (I’d rather not), or I really do take the plunge with prepped food. There are enough challenges for my brain to face in this third lockdown, than being bored with my lunch.
So when Tweakd emailed me, I was intrigued. They do meal prep, but it’s focused in a positive way. No diet bullshit, just a focus on what you need. Rather than weight loss, the categories are immunity, endurance, building muscle, or recovery. Focusing on body need rather than restrictive calories. They also focus on flavour.
There are prepped meals that actually sound nice, rather than just ‘chicken and broccoli’ or ‘sweet potato and beef’. I’d rather have roasted cod, or Sri Lankan curry, or jerk chicken with macaroni cheese, thank you.
In fact, speaking of Sri Lankan curry, that’s exactly what I tried.
Everything arrives frozen so you can just chuck it in the freezer, or if you’re already hungry, just pop it in the microwave. You can, of course pick the amount of calories that suit you, if that’s your bag. There are veggie and vegan options. There are cold pressed juices to top up your vitamins.
And when they say they focus on taste, they’re not kidding.
Coconutty curry, fluffy rice, crisp broccoli (well done on not having that end up mushy) and a sprinkle of seeds for some proper crunch. Carbs, proteins and fats, all your vitamins and minerals, and it tastes bloody delish.
Of course, something like this comes at a price, it has to. The quality of the food they use is pretty obvious when you taste it. So, you can have 3 meals and cold-pressed juices for £29.95, 4 for £38.95 or 5 for £47.50. Change or cancel any time – so you’re not tied in.
I admit. I’m tempted. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and I don’t need to worry about making sure I have enough protein or veggies. But, it might just be a little on the rich side for me. Let’s just say I’m thinking about it.
But for good meals, ready in minutes, delicious, good for you, and zero effort? Dammit, it’s tempting.