Switch to a healthier life with meal delivery

Things you should know about meal delivery services

When you have the option of getting a meal easily after a tiresome day, would you still want to spend time in the kitchen making dinner? Prep work is time-consuming, right from the trip you take to the nearest grocery store to actually cooking a meal. Luckily, meal kit delivery services are here to save you both time and effort. These pre-prepped meals are healthy, easy to make, and delicious to eat. You get to experience the joy of cooking something delectable minus the hassle of cutting, portioning, and balancing the ratio of ingredients that will go into it.

What is a meal delivery service?

A meal delivery service brings fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to your doorstep. It is the ideal solution if you are pressed for time and cannot go grocery shopping, or do the required prep at home. A typical meal kit will feature fresh, pre-measured ingredients and a recipe according to the meal plan you have subscribed to. There are also certain meal delivery services which deliver pre-made meals to your doorstep based on the plan chosen.

How do meal delivery services work?

All meal delivery services have a different registration process and most of them are fairly easy to subscribe to. Once you have provided all the details, simply choose a meal plan. The ingredients in your meal box will vary depending on the meal plan and can include a combination of fresh and frozen produce. Alongside these, you will also get the recipe with easy-to-follow instructions. All that is left then, is to follow the steps and cook a delicious meal in a matter of minutes with minimal effort.

Is food from a meal delivery service healthy?

Meal kits are designed to cater to your dietary needs, be it simple or specific. Services create recipes that feature an ideal mix of essential nutrients while not compromising on the taste. Many services have meal plans catering to the fitness-conscious and include the nutritional value of ingredients per serving in each kit. Alternatively, they also have decadent dishes that you can indulge in whenever you want. You will find a wide variety of recipes ranging from creamy pastas to healthy keto and paleo friendly salads.

Pros and cons of meal delivery services

Pros

• Custom plans
  Meal delivery services feature custom plans that consider your lifestyle choices and specific dietary preferences to include and exclude certain foods. You can also browse their website and find custom recipes that avoid the use of allergens like nuts, dairy products, and gluten.
• Home delivery
  Have easy-to-prep, tasty meals delivered at your doorstep. All you have to do is provide your ZIP code and the service will arrange a meal delivery schedule that suits your daily routine.
• Online support
  You can change your selection, cancel meals, and even skip orders via the website or by using the mobile application. Most of the best meal delivery services feature a dedicated customer support section to manage your orders, payments, deliveries, and gift services.

Cons

• Limited snacks and desserts
  Most meal plans only feature a selection of savory recipes for the main course. You will have to make do with a limited number of options for snacks and sweets as not all meal delivery services provide them.
• Limited options for special diets
  If you follow a very specific diet, you may have limited meal plans to choose from. This can be a problem as it is not possible to keep eating the same dish regularly.

How much do meal delivery plans cost?

Meal kits are likely to cost you less than what you will pay for a dining experience outside. But you may end up paying a little more per serving when compared to home-cooked meals. For example, the top meal delivery services including Home Chef, Sun Basket, and HelloFresh can cost you anywhere between $7–$10 approximately per serving. Additionally, shipping charges can be applicable to your orders. While basic meal kits are easily affordable, kits catering to special diets can prove to be a pricey option over time.

Meal delivery vs. grocery shopping, which is a more suitable option?

Grocery shopping is a more economical option as staples and most ingredients are inexpensive and can be used for a long period of time. However, meal delivery kits are more environmentally friendly. According to a study, these proportioned meals leave a lower carbon footprint with eco-friendly packaging and a streamlined supply chain. Plastic grocery bags are mostly replaced with kits made from biodegradable and recyclable materials to minimize the accumulation of waste. Also, proportioned meals are intended to suffice for a limited number of people so there is very little food wastage. You have the option of ordering meal kits whenever you feel the need, thus eliminating the need for refrigeration of perishable items that eventually spoil and create more waste.

Which are the top meal delivery services in the country?

Home Chef, Sun Basket, HelloFresh, Martha & Marley Spoon, Green Chef, Plated, and BistroMD are among the best meal kit delivery services. Recipes are curated and modified on a regular basis to give you something new to try across multiple food categories. Home Chef, Sun Basket, and Hello Fresh rank highly among their competition.

Home Chef

Key features:

• Environmentally friendly packaging
• Optional add-ons for orders
• Swap, upgrade, and double protein ingredients

Read the Home Chef review here

Sun Basket

Key features:

• 99% of the produce is organic
• Sustainably sourced ingredients
• Custom Paleo and Vegan Plans

Read the Sun Basket review here

HelloFresh

Key features:

• Dairy and gluten-free options
• Kid-friendly Family Plans
• Online kitchenware shop

Read the HelloFresh review here

Is meal delivery worth it?

The best meal delivery services in the country now provide delightful culinary experiences in a handy box. If your daily schedule doesn’t allow you to eat healthy without considerable effort and time being spent, this option is definitely worth it.