How many freezer meals should you make before baby? - FreezerFit (2024)

FAQs

How many freezer meals should you make before baby? - FreezerFit? ›

If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 make-ahead freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.

A month before your due date is a good rule of thumb to start with – unless you have a history of babies coming early! When meal planning during pregnancy, do your shopping at Sam's Club, Costco, etc.!

If you're not planning on eating a meal before you pop it in the freezer, leave it a little 'al dente' so when you reheat the taste and texture will be perfect. For foods like lasagna or casseroles, don't bake the dish after assembly. Freeze raw and then you can cook fresh when you're ready.

Great news, according to the USDA, frozen meals are safe to eat indefinitely. However, after about three months, the quality (i.e. flavor and texture) of food can degrade. Therefore, we recommend eating foods within three months of stashing them in the freezer.

If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.

While you definitely want variety for your meal prep, you should limit your recipes to two or three per week, and for five days ahead of time max. Being prepared is great, but you also want to make sure you're eating meals with fresh ingredients even if prepared ahead of time.

Make a meal plan of about four days of safe storage in the fridge and about four months of safe storage in the freezer. Watch for changes (smell, color, texture, and mold) to your meal prep food as a sign that it's gone bad. If you're unsure if food has spoiled: when in doubt, throw it out.

Fridge vs Freezer Storage

This includes prepped soups, stews, chicken and rice, and salads. The main drawback of storing meal prep food in the fridge is that it can dry out easily. A freezer is an ace option for meal preps that will be eaten more than four days later. This includes pizza, pasta, meat, and veggies.

How long do homemade purees last in freezer? ›

How long can you freeze homemade baby food? You can store baby food in the freezer for up to six months. I recommend storing in an airtight container with minimal air or headspace. For optimal taste, quality and nutrient retention, consume frozen baby food within 1-3 months.

I have found that eating home-cooked vegetable-filled meals is not only healthier for me and my family, but also cheaper. Having a well-stocked freezer saves even more money by removing the temptation of takeout. It also saves prep, cooking, and cleanup time during the week so you can enjoy time with your family.

Do they have an expiration date? There's a short and a long answer here. The short answer is that foods will keep indefinitely in a frozen state. That's right — as long as your freezer is plugged in and functioning normally, frozen foods will never expire, go bad, or pose any health issues.

Ideally, you should start preparing at least 2-3 months before your due date to ensure you have enough time to complete everything on your list.

Store your baby food in the refrigerator or freezer in airtight containers. Unlike pre-packaged baby food you buy at the grocery store, homemade baby food can't be stored in the pantry. The rule of thumb is pureed homemade baby food can be stored up to 48 hours in the refrigerator.

By about 4 months old, your baby should be comfortable breastfeeding, drinking his or her bottle and slowly adjusting to a sleep schedule. As your baby grows and changes though, it's time to introduce new foods around the 4- to 6-month mark.

Your child can begin eating solid foods at about 6 months old. By the time he or she is 7 or 8 months old, your child can eat a variety of foods from different food groups. These foods include infant cereals, meat or other proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, yogurts and cheeses, and more.