Montse Melendez, food engineer: "If you cook for the whole week on Sunday and put everything in the refrigerator, you're doing it wrong."

More and more people are turning to weekly menu planning as a solution to save time in the kitchen. However, this strategy can backfire if not done correctly. Food engineer Montse Meléndez issues a clear warning on her TikTok account: "If you cook for the whole week on Sunday and put everything in the refrigerator, you're doing it wrong." The reason is that prepared food shouldn't be kept in the refrigerator for more than four consecutive days .

According to Meléndez, refrigerating dishes cooked on Sundays for seven days is a risky practice . Although the cold slows spoilage, it doesn't completely stop it . Therefore, the expert advises dividing meals into portions , labeling them with the day of consumption, and using a combined refrigeration and freezing system. Food intended for consumption between Monday and Wednesday can stay in the refrigerator, but food intended for the following days should be frozen from the beginning to prevent spoilage.

How and when to defrost to avoid problems

Freezing isn't enough; it's also essential to defrost properly . Meléndez recommends refrigerating individual portions 24 hours in advance , and 48 hours in advance for larger portions. For example, to eat a dish on Thursday, it's best to take it out of the freezer on Tuesday or Wednesday. Once defrosted, it should be consumed within two days . He also warns that no food should be left in the freezer for more than three months , as it will lose quality and safety.

With this methodology, the expert affirms that it is possible to cook even once a month , as long as these recommendations are followed. Organizing effective meal prep involves portioning, labeling, refrigerating immediate meals, and freezing what will be eaten later. This approach not only improves food safety , but also saves time, reduces waste, and maintains a healthy diet throughout the week. The key is to plan wisely and store food properly .