Every Sunday the same story: you open the fridge, see nothing prepared, and think "this week I'll definitely batch cook." Three hours later you're surrounded by containers, the kitchen is a disaster, and you're swearing you'll order food next week.
The real question isn't which is "cheaper" — it's which makes more sense when you put all costs on the table. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), time dedicated to food consumes an average of 8.2 hours per week in households that cook daily.
Let's do the real math. With updated Madrid supermarket prices, measured times, and no tricks.
The real cost of cooking at home (batch cooking)
Quick answer: About 4 euros per meal in ingredients, but 13.90 euros per meal when you include the value of your time.
Ingredient cost: a standard fitness menu
Weekly fitness menu for one person (10 meals). Prices from Mercadona, Carrefour, and Lidl Madrid (March 2026):
| Ingredient | Weekly quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 2 kg | 13.80 euros |
| Fresh salmon | 500g | 7.50 euros |
| Eggs (dozen) | 12 units | 2.90 euros |
| Basmati rice | 1 kg | 2.40 euros |
| Sweet potato | 1 kg | 2.80 euros |
| Mixed vegetables | 2 kg | 5.60 euros |
| EVOO | 250ml | 3.20 euros |
| Spices and seasonings | Various | 2.00 euros |
| WEEKLY TOTAL | 40.20 euros |
Average cost: 4.02 euros per meal. Seems cheap. But the most important factor is missing.
The cost of time: what nobody counts
According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2019), weekly batch cooking consumes 6.5 hours:
- Menu planning: 30 minutes
- Supermarket shopping: 60 minutes (including travel)
- Preparation (washing, peeling, cutting): 45 minutes
- Cooking: 120 minutes
- Packaging and labeling: 30 minutes
- Kitchen cleaning: 45 minutes
- Daily reheating and cleanup: 20 min x 5 days = 100 minutes
Average Madrid salary (2025): 15.20 euros/hour per INE. Those 6.5 hours valued: 98.80 euros/week in time.
Real batch cooking cost: 40.20 (ingredients) + 98.80 (time) = 139.00 euros/week. That's 13.90 euros per meal when you include your time.
"But I enjoy cooking" — perfect, then the math differs. But a study in Appetite (2021) revealed 71% of batch cookers consider it an obligation, not a pleasure.
The hidden cost: food waste
According to Spain's Ministry of Agriculture (2025), Spanish households waste 28.2 kg of food per person per year, valued at about 250 euros. A Too Good To Go (2024) report estimated batch cooking waste at 15-20%, versus 3-5% for on-demand prepared food services.
The real cost of meal delivery
Quick answer: 7.90-10.90 euros per plate with Makroa, but 0 hours of your time. Real total cost lower than batch cooking.
Makroa costs 7.90-10.90 euros per plate. For 10 weekly meals: 79.00-109.00 euros/week. Time invested: literally zero.
Direct comparison
| Concept | Batch cooking | Meal delivery (Makroa) |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient/meal cost | 40.20 euros/week | 79.00-109.00 euros/week |
| Time invested | 6.5 hours/week | ~25 min/week (reheating) |
| Value of time (15.20 euros/h) | 98.80 euros/week | 6.30 euros/week |
| Real total cost | 139.00 euros/week | 85.30-115.30 euros/week |
| Cost per meal | 13.90 euros | 8.53-11.53 euros |
| Food waste | 15-20% | 3-5% |
| Nutritional personalization | High (if you know how) | Total (by macros) |
The result surprises many: when you include time value, meal delivery is cheaper than cooking.
Your hour is worth money
According to the OECD (2024), Spain is one of the EU countries with most weekly domestic task hours: 17.4 hours average. A Harvard Business Review (2023) study showed people outsourcing domestic tasks report 23% higher life satisfaction and 18% lower perceived stress.
6.5 weekly hours is 312 hours per year — almost 13 full days reclaimed.
What about nutritional quality?
Quick answer: Home cooking gives ingredient control, but only 12% actually weigh everything. A macro-personalized service can be more precise.
According to MyFitnessPal (2024), only 12% of home cooks actively weigh all ingredients. The rest estimate — with 30-50% error per the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2018). Makroa prepares each dish with calculated macronutrients — same control, zero hours.
When does batch cooking make sense?
- You genuinely enjoy cooking — hobby, not obligation
- You have plenty of time — not sacrificing sleep, leisure, or work
- Very tight budget — 40 euros/week is all you can allocate
- No precise personalization needed — eating healthy "in general"
When does meal delivery make more sense?
- Your time is worth more than the price difference — almost always if you work
- Specific fitness goals — need controlled macros
- Batch cooking stresses you out — affects adherence
- Irregular schedules — consistency is difficult
According to the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2023), 67% abandon their nutrition plan within 8 weeks. Eliminating effort directly improves adherence.
And with Makroa, your meals are personalized by macros too
You don't just save time — every dish adapts to your macronutrients. Calculate yours in 60 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Is cooking at home healthier than ordering food?
Not necessarily. A macro-personalized service can be more nutritionally precise than cooking "by eye."
How much time do I save with meal delivery?
Average 6 hours per week: 312 hours per year, almost 13 full days.
Is meal delivery cost-effective?
If you value your time above 6 euros/hour (Madrid average: 15.20 euros/hour), yes.
Conclusion: the best investment is the one you sustain
The numbers are clear: including time, cooking isn't cheaper. And those 6 free weekly hours are priceless.
If batch cooking works for you, perfect. But if every Sunday is a struggle, stop forcing yourself.
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