Platform 2 Guide — This article applies to the new platform. Looking for classic platform docs? Browse the Platform 1 collection.
Why: Streamline meal planning and maximize food usage by integrating leftovers and prep sessions into your app. This feature helps your members enjoy meals without waste, making meal prep easier and more efficient.
Navigate: App Station > Content Library > Recipes > [Recipe] > Prep Ahead tab
Quick Start
In the App Station, go to the Content Library.
Select a recipe and navigate to the Prep Ahead tab.
Set the Make Extra option to specify total servings, including leftovers.
Add the recipe to a meal plan as a MEAL session.
Create a LEFTOVER session on another day to utilize the prepared food.
Understanding Leftovers
The leftovers system allows you to reuse food from one meal on another day. Any recipe in a MEAL session can serve as a source for leftovers without needing special settings. Here's how it works:
Leftover Source
Any recipe included in a MEAL session can be referenced as a leftover source.
Simply add the recipe to a meal, and it can be used in a LEFTOVER session on another day.
Make Extra Feature
The optional Make Extra feature allows you to specify the total quantity to prepare, including what will be eaten at the source meal.
For example, if a meal has 4 servings and you set Make Extra to 6, the total prepared will be 6 servings, with 2 available for leftovers.
Tip: Remember that extraServings is the total amount, not just the additional servings.
Yield-Based vs. Servings-Based Recipes
For recipes using yield mode (e.g., producing 500g), leftovers will use yield amounts instead of servings counts.
This means that when a recipe is set to yield mode, the leftovers will reflect the total yield prepared rather than the number of servings.
Prep Sessions
Prep sessions are used to organize and track prep work for recipes. They can be added to meal plans in two areas:
Prep Row: Located within the grid for same-day prep tasks.
Advance Prep: Positioned above the grid for prep done before the meal plan week starts.
Nutrition and Shopping Lists
Meals in the prep row and advance prep do not contribute to daily nutrition summaries because nothing is consumed during these sessions.
However, shopping lists will include ingredients from both the prep row and advance prep sessions to ensure members have everything they need.
Note: For detailed editing guidance, refer to the Meal Plan Prep and Leftovers article.
Conclusion
Integrating leftovers and prep sessions into your meal plans enhances the cooking experience for your members while minimizing food waste. By utilizing the Make Extra feature and understanding how leftovers work with both servings-based and yield-based recipes, you can offer a more efficient and enjoyable meal planning experience.