Say “Hello” to Ello Containers: 7 Reasons You Should Never Meal Prep Without Them

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.

In October 2019, healthful eating became a major priority in my life and Ello containers quickly became the ultimate tool in implementing it… not right away though.

I started seeing a health coach, meeting twice a month. Who better than a certified health coach to know what to eat and when? I turned to Pinterest for recipes. Whom better than the masses to find what tastes good without first having to make what tastes bad? And I trusted myself with figuring out what to store my food in each week. Because who better to research and purchase the cutest (and most functional) meal prep storage system than a Type-A, organization lover?

When searching for the perfect “Meal Prep bowls,” I was met with a slue of glass or plastic varieties of the same color and size. All good and well, but I needed a clear, dividing detail to separate just another Manic Monday meal from Wednesday’s post-gym protein bowl.

My Initial Criteria For the Perfect Meal Prep Bowl

• Individual Pops of Color
• Made of Glass
• Leak – Proof

You can imagine my surprise when all 3 “Must Have” criteria turned into 7 “How Would I Have Lived Without” upon searching and purchasing Ello brand containers. Sunday Meal Prepping has never been the same & neither will yours.

It is Time to Say Ello to Your New Best Friend(s)

These are the 7 reasons you should never meal prep, or compartmentalizing food, without a proper “Ello” again

1. Different Sizes

The first 6 piece set I bought included their 3 most practical sizes for portioning out a work day’s meals. It came with a 3.4 cup, 1.75 cup, & 1 cup container (each with their own respective lid). At that time, I would use only these 3 sizes, portioning out my meals for the following day the night before. Here are some portioning ideas for your next meal prep with these sizes. Mix & match to make your perfect lunch:

• 

• 

• 

• 3.4 Cup
  • Mushroom, tomato, & kale salad w/ 1 cut orange
  • Mango salsa & pita chip crouton salad
• 1.75 Cup
  • Cherry tomatoes & Cut, whole carrots (Wholly Guacamole (affiliate link) on the side)
  • Mango and Greek yogurt
  • 2 Pineapple rings
• 1 Cup
  • 2 Breakfast egg cups, Pre-heat oven to 350, bake for 20-25 minutes & fill with whatever you want
  • Barbecue salmon
  • Blueberries and cottage cheese

Once I was sold on the 3 sizes I started with, I ventured into purchasing their other 3 sizes (as well as other colors in the same sizes I already owned).

• 5 Cups Food Storage Container: Perfect for storing bakes that will be separated into daily portions to bring to work or pack for kid’s lunches
• Glass Baking Dish: Perfect for both baking desserts and dinners since it is more focused on flattened length then deepness.

2. Different Colors

I cannot tell you how many compliments I get within a few feet radius of the work mini fridge because of these little, glass powerhouses:

Those containers you bring are so cute.

The 3 colors you stacked today match so well.

I never saw that purple one. It is so bright.

It is so fun bringing a pop of color to their days.

As of right now, there are 6 colors you can buy individually, varying in size, (while also making appearances throughout the meal prep sets)

• Apricot – Orange (1 Cup)
• Spring Green (1.7 Cups)
• Antigua – Blue (3.4 Cups)
• Red (3.4 Cups)
• Midnight (5 Cups)
• Glacier Blue (5 Cups)

Some containers don’t have individual color names due to the fact that the 6 to 10 piece set itself was named with a theme in mind. In which case they name the entire set based on the colors that are in it. I have a comprehensive list of their available sets and singles at the bottom of this page.

By purchasing these sets you are able to get a larger array of colors to organize the week into. By purchasing these sets you may also have doubles of some colors. For some, this may not bother them, but I was very sure of my desire to have all different colors with no repeats. Because of this, I came up with an “Act of Kindness” associated with the purchase of new color sets whenever they came out.

Act of (Color) Kindness

Upon opening my new containers, I keep the colors from the set that I don’t have in my collection and think of any of my friends or family who could benefit from having one or two containers (whether for just a salad at work) or to kick start their obsession with taking care of their eating habits and conscious decision making. Then, do the act. Try to make that person’s day.

I drove to one of my girlfriend’s while she was at work and told her I thought she would appreciate this for packing her lunches. It was a win-win situation for both Hailey and me. I was able to keep my collection functional to my needs, we were happy to see each other (even if only briefly) during the work week, and she was eager to try a new tool in getting healthy.

---

3. “Everything Tastes Better in Glass”

Glass doesn’t “leach.” A term I’ve never known in regards to chemicals before looking for a good meal prep option. It means that, because glass is made out of natural materials, there is no fear of inorganic chemicals getting pulled into the liquids in your container when it is heated or cooled.

These 3 Meal Prep Ideas are no exception to that rule; everything really does taste better in glass:

• Mahi Mahi, quinoa, & roasted brocolli
• Cod, quinoa, & goat cheese taco bowls
• Rosemary quinoa w/ lsauuteed onion and peppers, green beans, & lemon sockeye salmon

• 

• 

• 

When food is heated or cooled in metal or plastic forms of storage, the most common complaint is food tasting like chemicals or tin afterwards. The beauty of glass is that you are tasting only the food you prepared.

An addition to the benefits of glass is that it doesn’t smell or stain. So load up on your heart (and taste bud’s) desire of red tomato sauce when packing your protein pasta.

4. Ello Containers are Leak (& Lose)-Proof

If this wasn’t a criteria for your container search, it’s probably because you thought it was a given. However, with Ello products it is a priority and an art. I say this because not only do they do the job of keeping the contents in it the container (not in the bottom of your lunch bag), it looks so good while doing it. The 4 locking tabs and rubber sealing band both match the color of the silicone sleeve on the base. This makes it easy to keep track of your collection’s matches.

The leak-proof capabilities also aid in stuffing your container wherever it can fit in the company fridge without fear of dressing Karen’s 6 pack of Dr. Pepper in your spicy red beans and basmati rice. “Nobody likes a lunch bag leak.” Whether placing it on its side or upside down, you can close the door knowing your lunch (and the Dr. P’s) are safe from intermingling.

5. Ello Containers Double as Baking Dishes

These products are both oven & microwave safe with the silicone sleeve (without the lid). These dishes (big or small) can withstand recipes that call for up to a 425 degree preheat.

6. Silicone Sleeve

This might be the single-handed, most defining feature of Ello containers for these reasons listed below:

• Easy to pair color match lids
• Doesn’t have to be taken off for any reason whatsoever: microwaving, cleaning, dish washing, or baking
• Protects the glass from chips, scratches, and breaks
• Allows for transfer directly from oven or microwave to a tabletop without fear of damage to receiving surface
• Provides a no-slip grip

7. Ello Containers are Storage-Friendly

Every size container had storage functionality built right in. For example, if you have the 6 piece set with the three individual sizes; they perfectly within themselves. Then, just place each lid on top of the stacked pile from smallest to largest.

Sharing a More Organized, Intentional, Healthful Lifestyle

I have been asked multiple times throughout my meal prep journey, whether in person or on social media, what containers I am using for organizing my week’s meals.

It took me no time to decide that I wanted to share a very in-dept review of my most used item when meal prepping on Saturdays or Sundays. These may be the first step in starting your healthful living jourey.

I am in love with these products and I know you will be too!

Comprehensive List of All The Ello Container Links Throughout this Post

• 3 Pack, “Mixed Berry”
• 3 Pack, “Multicolor”
• Apricot – Orange (1 Cup)
• Spring Green (1.7 Cups)
• Antigua – Blue (3.4 Cups)
• Red (3.4 Cups)
• Midnight (5 Cups)
• Glacier Blue (5 Cups)
• 5.5 Cup Lunch Bowl Container
• Quarts Bakeware Container