Are you spending too much time at the grocery store?
Making time to do the things you love can be difficult. Finding where you can free up time is often challenging, as most responsibilities are difficult to hand off. Eating healthy is important, as you gain energy. However, grocery shopping, cooking, and doing the dishes can be seen as some of the things that restrict our schedule, eating away the already precious time we have. Cooking can be fulfilling if you do it with those who you love, but who we surveyed said they would rather spend time relaxing, and doing other things with loved ones. Outsourcing meal preparing responsibilities can increase freedom and the quality of your life.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The average person spends over 2 hours a week in the grocery store.
- The average health conscious person can spend 2-4 hours per day cooking, cleaning, and eating.
- Leftovers are often boring and undesirable, and can often cost large expenses in food waste each month.
Eating Healthy, and preparing meals ahead of time is an investment. Investing time and money into yourself, so that you can hopefully gain time, energy, and productivity back into your week. However do we really have to invest that much to get back a great return?
In today’s busy world getting more done in less time helps us get ahead. When we get things done more efficiently, it gives us the freedom to do the things we love.
Too much time at the grocery store.
Based on a Survey we have launched, we have found that the number one reason people begin a healthy lifestyle is to feel great. To do this requires a consistent meal plan, regular grocery store trips, and preparing the right foods. Taking these measures, ensure you can be prepared for the week, and skip the drive through.
In doing so, we have surveyed how much time Calgarians spend at the grocery store. Our survey shows that Calgarians spend over 2 hours a week grocery shopping, and on average visit more than two stores. Speaking to our clients we have found that most people simply do not have the time. People have stated that they simply wanted to avoid the grocery store rush, long lineups, and wanted to spend time doing the things they love.
Too little choices, not enough much time.
When it comes to figuring out what to eat this poses another challenge. Our Chef Zach Plamondon has stated that on average, the average Canadian only knows around 4-5 recipes at the top of their head. To add, through surveying we have found that Calgarians spend on average between 30-45 minutes each week searching for recipes.
Planning out what to prepare for meals for the week can be quite a process. When it comes to preparing these meals, our research shows that on average the time spent preparing meals ranges from 1-4 hours per day.
If you like to prepare dinner each day this could amount to countless hours. If you optimize and meal prep for the week this could range your time from 2-8 hours per week. With the lack of time people have in their schedules this could be evolutionary.
Not boring leftovers again.
Perhaps one of the final considerations, when considering the return on investment of preparing meals and grocery shopping is food waste…or loss. Based on our research our studies show the average amount of food waste per week can range as high as 40%. (How much food Canadians waste each year)
This means that if we spend $500 a month on groceries, this can come close to $200 of food waste per month. The larger the grocery bill the more money wasted.
When it comes to preventing food waste, leftovers can be a common savior. Reducing the amount of weekly time we spend in the kitchen and food we throw out. However, leftovers are not exciting and can add to factors of high food waste.
The Solution
To Save time in the week consider reducing the amount of trips you take to the grocery store. Having an ongoing list, allows you to carefully consider which stores to go to. Preventing last minute trips back to the store because of something you may have forgotten.
To save more time you can also considering the use of a local grocery delivery service. These are great. They have Groceries delivered to your door saving a minimum of 2 hours per week. This allows you to skip the traffic, long lineups, and receive meals on any day you need opposed to only days off.
If you are looking to take things further consider utilizing a meal prep service such as Lean On Meals. With over 10 rotating Menu choices at any given time, and over 245 possible meal combinations you wont be short of variety. We also have breakfast, and delicious healthy snack options. We keep healthy eating delicious and fun, changing up our menu up to every two weeks. You can check out our menu here
Consider the savings in your time. Time is the most valuable resource we possess. There is no shortage of money in the world, however there is a shortage of time. Optimize your process, and think about all of the possible things you could do with your free time.
Financially speaking, consider the amount of money you are losing due to food waste.
Meal Prep services offer you convenience and portion control. We completely minimize food waste almost 100%. No longer, would you have to Grocery shop, Prepare meals, and do dishes.
With your new saved time, we hope you can get the most you can out of your new schedule.
Email us at info@leanonmeals.ca and let us know what you are doing with your free time now that you have optimized your Meal Prep.
