Did you know you can reclaim up to 7 hours a week simply by changing the way you approach food? That’s time you could be spending on rest, work, or literally anything other than peeling, chopping or washing up. Swapping daily cooking and meal prep for quick, ready-to-eat options from a meal prep delivery service like Frive makes it easy to reclaim your time and still eat well.
Even if you’re not batch cooking on Sundays, the daily juggle of meals still adds up. On average, Brits spend around 31 minutes cooking each evening, which is over 3.5 hours a week on dinner alone. Add breakfast, lunch and the clean-up, and it’s easy to see where the time goes.
In a world where we’re always connected and life feels nonstop, time has become a rare luxury. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at how much time everyday food habits really take and sharing ways to save those precious minutes without giving up on good nutrition, so you can make the most of yours.
How much time do people typically spend on food each week?
The average person in the UK spends over seven hours a week preparing food, but with Frive, it’s possible to reclaim much of that time and still eat well.
That includes a full 7–8 hours a week devoted to food-related tasks such as cooking, prepping and cleaning just to keep meals on the table. Swapping even a few of these steps for quick food ideas or healthy ready-made options can make a real difference to your week, giving you back your time without compromising on health or flavour.
The food habits that waste the most time
Some food habits quietly eat up your time each week, without you even realising. The biggest time-drainers and most common culprits tend to be:
Shopping little and often
Nipping to the shop every day might feel convenient, but it adds up in time and money. A quick visit often turns into 30 or more minutes spent wandering the aisles, queuing and picking up things you don’t actually need or aren’t good for you.
Overthinking what to eat
Scrolling recipes, wondering what’s in the fridge, changing your mind all result in a high mental load. Meal decisions can take longer than the cooking itself, which is why having a plan, or meals that arrive ready to eat, can make a real difference.
Choosing complicated recipes
Multi-step recipes can be fun once in a while, but they’re rarely time-friendly. Ingredients you don’t have, techniques you have to Google and prep that drags on can easily steal your evening.
Cooking too much, too often
You might think that making more than you need is efficient, but it often leads to leftovers that go uneaten or overeating out of habit. The 20-minute rule (it takes roughly 20 minutes for the stomach to send a signal to the brain to let it know that it’s full) can help as well as pre-portioned meals like Frive’s, which are designed to satisfy without going overboard.
Cleaning up after every meal
More cooking means more washing up, including chopping pots, pans, boards, utensils, containers, the hob, and counters. The list goes on. A ready-to-eat meal can eliminate all of that.
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How can changing your food habits save you time each week?
Small shifts in the way you approach meals can lead to hours of saved time. Let’s take a look at two habits that make the biggest difference:
Plan your meals the smart way
Better food planning really can free up hours each week, meaning you don’t have to choose between eating well and saving time.
Here’s how to make meal planning more efficient:
- - Create a weekly food outline: Jot down 3–4 easy meals that can be repeated or mixed throughout the week.
- - Batch cook once, eat multiple times: Make double portions of easy meals like stir fries or soups and freeze the rest.
- - Stick to easy staples: Eggs, wholegrain wraps, pre-washed greens and frozen vegetables make last-minute meals quicker to pull together.
- - Prep ingredients, not full meals: Chopping veggies or cooking grains in advance means you can mix and match when needed.
Choose quick, healthy food options
Quick, easy food habits like grabbing a wrap or assembling a yoghurt bowl can help reduce the time you spend in the kitchen.
Popular go-to options include:
- - Overnight oats with chia, nut butter and fruit
- - Pre-packed protein snack boxes
- - Smoothies made in batches
- - 5-ingredient bowls using tinned legumes, grains and greens
- - Frive meals like Chicken Shawarma with Spiced Quinoa or Fragrant Coconut Chickpea Curry are ready in minutes and macro-balanced
How do you reset your eating habits?
Resetting your eating habits starts with small, realistic changes that are easy to stick to.
Here’s a simple 7-day reset plan that doesn’t feel like a full-time job:
Day 1: Clear out expired food and anything you won’t eat to create space for fresh, healthy options.
Day 2: Plan 3 go-to meals you like. Keep it simple with quick food recipes using 5 ingredients or less.
Day 3: Do one healthy swap. Swap out refined snacks for nuts, fruit or yoghurt.
Day 4: Focus on hydration by adding herbal teas, water-rich foods or a hydration reminder in your phone.
Day 5: Choose easy, quick food ideas. Smoothies, wraps, or Frive meals keep it stress-free.
Day 6: Organise your fridge so healthy choices are visible and ready to grab.
Day 7: Make time for a proper sit-down meal without rushing and with no screens to encourage slower and mindful eating that makes food feel enjoyable again.
Frive makes it even easier
DIY resets can work, but they often need time and prep. The UK’s best meal prep delivery services, like Frive, make it easier to build better food habits by giving you:
- - Ready-to-eat meals that feel homemade but take no effort
- - Quick healthy food with balanced macros and whole ingredients
- - A consistent way to eat well, even when your week gets busy
- - Catering to those requiring different meal plans i.e. high protein, low calorie, weight loss, low carb, vegetarian, vegan and more.
How much time can meal prep actually save?
Meal prepping can save you a lot of time each week. For instance, a study found that UK households could reclaim up to 2.5 days annually by reducing food waste and optimising meal preparation. While that’s not all from meal prep alone, it shows how a bit of planning can go a long way.
Spending a couple of hours prepping meals means fewer dishes to wash and less time spent thinking about what to eat each day. It adds up fast and gives you more space in your week for the things you actually enjoy.
To find out more about meal prepping, have a read of our guides “How to meal prep like a pro” and “How long does meal prep really last”.
Is meal prep delivery a good way to save time on food?
Yes, meal prep delivery provides a great solution to saving time whilst still ensuring that you enjoy healthy, nutritious meals.
Benefits of meal delivery:
- - Time-saving: Meals arrive ready to eat or require minimal preparation, saving you hours on cooking and cleaning.
- - Consistency: Regular deliveries help maintain healthy eating habits without last-minute decisions.
- - Variety: Many services offer diverse menus catering to different dietary needs.
- - Less waste: Pre-portioned meals reduce food waste compared to bulk shopping.
Points to consider:
- - Cost: Meal delivery can be pricier than cooking from scratch, though it often balances out when factoring in time saved. Read our guide ‘How Much Does Meal Prep Really Save’ to find out more
- - Flexibility: Some services may have limited customisation or menu options.
- - Packaging: Delivered meals can generate more packaging waste, though many brands are improving sustainability efforts.
By delivering freshly made, healthy meals designed by expert nutritionists, Frive stands out as one of the top-rated (4.5 star rating on Trustpilot from over 8,500 reviews) meal prep delivery services in the UK.
Perfect for busy professionals and families juggling packed schedules who want to eat well, Frive takes the stress out of mealtimes, letting you enjoy good food while freeing up valuable time.
Key takeaways
- - The average person spends over 7 hours a week on food-related tasks like shopping, cooking and cleaning.
- - Common time-wasting habits include daily shopping, over-complicated recipes and overcooking.
- - Smart meal planning and choosing quick, healthy food options can free up several hours weekly.
- - Small, consistent changes to eating habits work best for a sustainable reset.
- - Meal prep can save time, but meal delivery services like Frive offer an even easier, no-fuss solution.
- - Frive delivers fresh, nutritionist-approved meals that help busy people save time and reduce weeknight and weekend stress.
Unlock extra hours every week with smarter food habits
Reclaiming hours each week starts with simple changes to your food habits. Frive takes the inconvenience out of meal prep completely by delivering fresh, ready-to-eat meals that keep your nutrition on track and create more time for the things that matter to you. So stop stressing over complicated cooking or last-minute food decisions, and let Frive help you enjoy healthy, delicious food without the usual fuss.
Reclaim your time and try Frive today to see how much time you can save while still eating well. For a limited time, try Frive at a promotional rate across your first 3 weeks.
FAQs
How do meal prep habits affect gut health?
Your gut thrives on consistency and variety in plant-based, high-fibre foods. Time-saving meal prep services like Frive make it easier to eat more gut-friendly ingredients, like legumes, fermented foods, and whole grains, without the stress of daily cooking. By eliminating last-minute meals or ultra-processed convenience food, you support better digestion and overall wellbeing.
Can saving time on food prep help you build muscle more effectively?
Yes. When meals are prepped in advance or delivered ready-to-eat, it’s easier to stick to consistent eating schedules and hit protein targets, both of which are key for muscle growth. Frive’s high-protein meals are portioned to fuel recovery and muscle repair without needing hours in the kitchen.
How can meal prep delivery support weight loss goals?
Meal prep delivery makes weight loss easier by removing guesswork and portion control stress. Frive’s meals are calorie-counted, macro-balanced, and designed to help you feel full without overeating. Plus, spending less time in the kitchen means fewer opportunities for snack temptations. Have a read of our 7-day weight loss meal plan guide for more inspiration.
What is the fastest way to save time on meals during a busy week?
The fastest way is to swap daily cooking and clean-up for ready-made meals that fit your goals. Services like Frive offer pre-cooked, nutritious options you can eat in minutes, saving up to 7 hours a week across shopping, cooking, and cleaning.
How do food decisions impact mental load and productivity?
Constantly deciding what to cook creates decision fatigue, which drains your focus for other tasks. Simplifying your meals with a weekly plan or using meal prep delivery reduces this mental load, freeing up energy for work, family or relaxation.
What’s the easiest way to reset your food habits without getting overwhelmed?
Start with small, manageable changes: plan 3–4 repeatable meals, prep ingredients not full meals, and keep quick, healthy options on hand. Or shortcut the entire process with Frive’s ready-to-eat meals tailored to your diet.
Is it better to shop for meals daily or prep in advance?
Shopping daily feels flexible but adds hours each week. Prepping meals in advance or choosing ready-made options like Frive dramatically reduces time spent shopping, thinking, and cooking, without sacrificing quality or flavour.
How much time can you save each day by changing your food routine?
Even saving just 30 minutes a day on cooking, planning, and cleaning adds up to 3.5+ hours a week. With delivery options, that number can double, freeing up time for work, rest, or hobbies.
Are meal prep delivery services worth the cost?
When factoring in the time saved on shopping, cooking, and cleaning, many people find meal delivery cost-effective. Services like Frive offer high-quality, nutritionist-designed meals that save you hours while supporting your health.
What daily food habits waste the most time?
Common time-wasters include daily grocery trips, overthinking meals, cooking complex recipes, and constant clean-up. Choosing simpler routines or subscribing to a delivery service removes these hidden time drains from your schedule.
