US-based Indian Woman Sparks Debate By Prepping Entire Week's Food All At Once: Is It Healthy Though? Expert Weighs In

US-Based Indian Woman Prepares Entire Week’s Food At Once: Internet Reacts

Madhavi’s meal prep video, where she cooked a week’s worth of food in little over an hour, brought mixed opinions.

Some asked why she could not prepare fresh food for her family, while others pointed out the many drawbacks of eating stale food. The other section of users supported her and even called out the misogyny with one Reddit user saying, “What's funny is most commenters are men who probably don't even know where the kitchen is. And some hateful women who are just waiting to be picked by these men.”

“Especially as someone who lives abroad, I know what a privilege it is to have home-cooked food and to have house help for it. Meal prep is the only option when you’re managing everything alone!” said another user.

“Everyone who wants fresh food, please go and learn to make your OWN FOOD. YouTube is your paradise,” a third person said.

Weekly meal prep sounds convenient, but is it healthy? To understand it better, we reached out to our expert Dr Archana Batra, a dietician and a certified diabetes educator.

Is Weekly Meal Prep Healthy?

Preparing meals at home has been largely recommended by dieticians and nutritionists for healthy eating and as a blueprint for mindful eating, which reduces the dependency and saves both time and money. But when it comes to preparing food for the entire week, whether it is healthy or not all depends on the hygiene and how it is stored or preserved.

“Cooking in advance can be a lifesaver for busy individuals. When done correctly, it supports portion control and balanced nutrition and prevents impulsive eating. But it’s important to focus on storage hygiene and food choices to preserve both taste and nutrition,” said Batra.

The Nutritional Concerns

Whenever we reheat the food, it loses its nutritional value, especially water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin B complex. Foods such as leafy greens and fish deteriorate faster, and it is less safe to store them for longer periods in the refrigerator.

“Some nutrients do degrade over time, especially if food is repeatedly heated. However, planning meals that reheat well—like dals, cooked legumes, grilled vegetables, brown rice, or baked dishes—can reduce nutrient loss. For salads or delicate items, it’s best to prepare ingredients separately and assemble fresh,” said our expert.

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Best Practices for Safe and Healthy Meal

Prep batch cooking can be safe and beneficial if they are prepared and stored properly. Here are a few healthy ways:

• Use airtight containers to avoid contamination and maintain freshness.
• Make sure the food gets cooled down completely before freezing.
• Avoid creamy sauces and seafood if planning to keep the food for longer than 2–3 days.
• Stick to a 3–4 day refrigerator limit for perishable foods; freeze anything meant for later.

Other options for those who dislike batch cooking:

The same prepped food is not enjoyed by everyone throughout the week. Some alternatives include:

• Ingredient prepping: Chop vegetables, marinate proteins, and pre-cook grains so they can be assembled into quick meals daily.
• Freeze in portions: Instead of refrigerating, freeze individual meals or curries to retain freshness and variety.
• Half-week prepping: Cook twice a week—once on Sunday and once mid-week—to balance freshness and convenience.
• One-pot meals: Quick and nutritious meals like khichdi, stir-fries, or soups that take minimal time and don’t require full-blown prep.

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Meal prepping is generally not unhealthy, but it largely depends on how it is prepared and stored. For working professionals, parents, or students, it can be a powerful tool to eat healthy while managing time effectively.

“Don’t let online opinions dictate your health habits. If batch cooking works for your lifestyle and you're doing it safely, it’s absolutely valid. Nutrition should support your life—not complicate it.”

So whether you're the team ‘fresh-cook-daily’ or ‘batch-cook-once-a-week’, the goal remains the same—eat mindfully, nourish your body, and do what works best for you.

Credits: freepik

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