Order healthy ready meals online: How to save time and eat healthily

We've all been there: the day felt like it only had 20 hours, the fridge is empty, and your motivation to cook is somewhere between zero and deep sleep. This is exactly where healthy ready meals come in, which you can conveniently order online. Sounds like a compromise at first? Not necessarily.

8 min. reading time

Carolin Schmitt

25.11.2025

Let's take a look at what these meals are really like, how they differ from home-cooked meal prep, and which myths you can safely forget. We analyze the latest trends, compare ready meals with meal prep, and dispel the biggest myths surrounding ready meals.

Trend analysis 2026: The top 3 innovations in healthy ready meals

The market for healthy ready meals is booming - and not without reason. What used to be seen as a stopgap solution is now becoming a real alternative. There are three exciting developments on the horizon for 2026 that nutritionists and food technologists already have on their radar:

Organic ingredients as standard:

More and more suppliers are switching completely to organic. This not only means fewer pesticides and no genetic engineering, but also more sustainable production. If you look out for organic labels when ordering, you are in a much better position.

Increased protein content:

Protein is no longer just for gym junkies. Whether you're an athlete or not, many ready meals are available in protein variants that really pack a punch. Perfect if you want to cover your protein requirements without having to fry chicken every day.

Sustainable packaging and CO2-neutral delivery:

Compostable packaging, climate-neutral delivery - this is no longer a niche trend. Many manufacturers have understood that sustainability is not just an extra, but simply part of the package.

Healthy ready meals vs. meal prep: a detailed cost-benefit analysis

The big question is often: Is it even worth it, or should I cook for myself? Here is an honest comparison:

Aspect

Cost per meal

Time required per week

Time saving

Flexibility with ingredients

healthy

Ready meals

approx. 5-10 € depending on provider

approx. 30 minutes

Very high - no cooking, no shopping, no washing up

less flexible

Meal Prep (self-cooking)

approx. 6-20 € depending on ingredients

approx. 4-5 hours

Low - high effort for purchasing & preparation

Very flexible

The bottom line: cooking your own food may be cheaper depending on the dish - no question about it. But the time saved with ready meals is enormous. If you have a busy schedule, live in the gym or simply have other priorities, this is a damn practical solution.

The 5 Biggest Myths About Ready Meals: Micronutrient Loss, Preservation and Shelf Life

Ready meals have a reputation like thunder - and not a good one at that. Time to clear up a few stubborn prejudices:

Myth: Ready meals lose many micronutrients through shock freezing.

Truth: Modern freezing technology is pretty clever. Studies even show that frozen vegetables sometimes contain more vitamin C than the "fresh" stuff that has been on the supermarket shelf for days.

Myth: Ready meals are full of additives and preservatives.

Truth: It depends on who you ask. Reputable suppliers completely dispense with artificial additives and rely on natural ingredients. You just have to look!

Myth: Ready meals are always unhealthy.

Truth: Generalizing is useless. There are now plenty of dishes with reasonable nutritional values, decent portion sizes and no sugar bombs or cheap fats.

Myth: Ready meals do not keep for long or spoil quickly.

Truth: Frozen food can easily last for several months if stored correctly. So you can buy them in stock and take them out when you need them - pretty relaxed.

Myth: Ready meals are expensive and not worth it.

Truth: Compared to restaurant meals or delivery services, many ready meals are fairly priced. And if you factor in the value of time, the bill looks even better.

Conclusion: Ordering healthy ready meals online - a practical solution for busy people

Ordering healthy ready meals online is more than just a trend - it's a pragmatic answer to the question of how to eat sensibly without constantly being in the kitchen. With the right providers, you can get high-quality, nutritious meals that are often even better than quickly thrown-together home-cooked meals. Ready meals are a real relief, especially for people with busy schedules, athletes or anyone who simply has better things to do than stand at the stove every evening. The trick: keep an eye on the ingredients and nutritional values - then you'll be able to maintain a healthy diet.

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Questions and answers

Basically, yes. Shock freezing preserves most of the flavor and nutrients - sometimes even better than fresh vegetables that have been driven around for days.

You can recognize good dishes by: a short, easy-to-understand list of ingredients without any chemical laboratory content, a balanced macro distribution with plenty of protein, fresh ingredients or ingredients prepared just before freezing, transparent nutritional information - no secrecy.

Depending on the supplier, several months, often 6-12 months at -18 °C. With some suppliers, such as prepmymeal, the shelf life is around 6 months - without any preservatives.

Usually 5-12 minutes: pop it in the microwave or oven, done. No chopping, no washing up, no drama.

Absolutely. Many providers have dishes specifically for different dietary styles in their range: high protein, low carbohydrate, vegetarian, vegan, calorie-conscious - whatever your heart desires.

A box system saves a huge amount of time (no shopping, no cooking), reduces food waste thanks to portioned meals and offers predictability in terms of nutrition and nutritional values. Ideal for stressful weeks, everyday office life or when things get serious in the gym.

Some dishes just taste different to freshly cooked - that's just the way it is. Certain sauces or breaded foods can contain more calories or salt. And the choice of really good ready meals is not as huge as when you cook everything yourself.

Of course - for many people this is the best solution. Ready meals for hectic days, cooking for yourself when it's more relaxed. This keeps things flexible and varied.

You can buy high-quality frozen ready meals conveniently online from suppliers such as prepmymeal which offer a wide selection of healthy, quick-frozen meals. Delivery is made directly to your home, so you don't have to waste time shopping.