Experts share tips to save money by meal-prepping – home-cooked meals five times cheaper

If you’re overwhelmed at the thought of meal-prepping, there are different kinds of cooking tools you can use, such as food containers, appliances, gadgets, and more, that will make the process more breezy and less daunting.
Shop TODAY spoke to registered dietitians and nutritionists to understand exactly how meal-prepping can help you save money.
Theresa Shank, MS, RD, LDN, and the owner of Philly Dietitian, says that meal prepping “places a little bit more intention behind the purchases versus reactionary shopping.”
It involves buying food in bulk which can in turn help you cut costs in the long run.
“By buying food in larger quantities, you will often find discounts, which can lead to overall savings,” says Gabrielle Kishner, MS, RD, CDN.
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A study, which was conducted by MagnifyMoney, says that it’s possible to save up to 25 percent when buying in bulk, depending on the type of products you’re purchasing.
Consumer analyst Julie Ramhold once spoke to Shop TODAY about the monetary advantages of purchasing items in bulk.
She said, “If you were to purchase from a wholesale supplier in bulk, nine times out of 10, the unit price is going to be much lower than if you were to purchase just one of the things you need from the grocery store or a big box store.”
Additionally, “you can take inexpensive items and make them into something that agrees with your taste,” says Jennifer Weis, RD, LDN.
Finally, it’s typically cheaper than ordering for delivery. Nicole Sohayegh, MS, RDN, CDN of New York City Nutrition, says, “Compared to doing takeout, making your own food is way more affordable.”
According to data compiled by Forbes, creating home-cooked meals is five times more inexpensive than dining out.