The current urban lifestyle is marked by busy schedules, high mobility, and an increased awareness of the importance of a balanced diet. This shift in lifestyle trends has ushered in a revolution in the way we perceive and consume food. It’s no shocker that premade meals delivery services are experiencing a significant upturn in popularity. According to a survey by The NPD Group, pre made meal delivery services are growing 10 times faster than traditional dining.
When choosing a meal delivery service, several factors come into play. As every individual’s dietary restriction or preference can vary significantly, the choice will also differ. But some elements stand out – the variety of meals available, dietary restriction options, budgeting, plans, and packaging, to name a few. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive review of some of the best meal delivery services and guide you in your choice.
Benefits of Meal Delivery Services
Convenience and Saves Time
In the fast-paced world, every second counts, and meal prep can take a sizeable chunk of your time. This is where premade meals delivery services step in. You can order a variety of healthy meal choices from your phone or computer and have them delivered to your doorstep – saving you time and skipping the hassle of grocery shopping, meal prep, and cleaning afterward.
Portion Control and Healthier Choices
Obesity has become a global epidemic, with the World Health Organization classifying it as a public health problem. The problem often lies in serving size. When you order from a prepared meal service, meals come with pre portioned ingredients, reducing the risk of overeating. Moreover, many meal delivery services offer nutritious and healthy meal options with quality ingredients, making it easier to maintain a well-balanced diet.
Diverse Menu options
A prepared meal service generally offers a wide array of dishes, from gourmet meals to comfort foods. They provide an opportunity to try out different cuisines from around the world–right at your home.
Best Meal Delivery Services
HelloFresh
HelloFresh offers a menu of 20+ recipes every week, designed by their team of chefs in collaboration with dietitians – assuring both taste and nutrition.
HelloFresh’s meal plans cater to various dietary need options, like low carbs, calories, pescatarian, and vegetarian. Their step-by-step recipe card with each delicious meal makes cooking simpler and more enjoyable.
The meal plans start at $7.49 per serving. The packaging is recyclable and consists of insulating liners, ice packs, and containers for ingredients.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron, a meal kit service, focuses on transforming home cooking. They offer a curated, nutritious meal kit of fresh, seasonal, high quality ingredients, and recipes that are easy to whip up.
They have a partnership with Weight Watchers, thus offering meals that align with the Weight Watchers’ guidelines. They also provide mix-and-match wine pairing options.
Blue Apron’s pricing starts at $7.49 per serving. Their packaging aims to reduce environmental impact with ice packs and cushion liners made with recyclable materials for their healthy meal kit service.
Home Chef
Home Chef offers up to 38 meal choices per week, including protein packs, vegetarian meals, and calorie-conscious options.
Home Chef offers customization options on their meals for dietary preference and they also offer ready-to-cook meals for those short on time.
Pricing starts at $6.99 per serving. The ingredients come in a recyclable cardboard box with each ingredient individually packed and labeled.
SunBasket
SunBasket aims to support healthy eating habits with organic produce and clean ingredients. They offer quick, easy recipes and pre-prepped options.
SunBasket caters to a wide variety of dietary preference options including Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, and more.
The pricing starts at $10.99 per serving. They pay special attention to eco-friendly packaging with compostable and recyclable materials.
How to Choose the Best Meal Delivery Service
Here are four key factors for identifying the best meal kit delivery service for you:
Personal Dietary Restrictions or Preferences
Everyone has unique dietary considerations which come from health conditions, personal beliefs, and lifestyle choices. Some meal delivery services cater to specific dietary preferences or restrictions, so be sure to identify those that match your dietary requirements.
Budget
Meal delivery services can be a cost-effective solution for some, while for others it might seem costly. The cost per meal can vary greatly among different services, so it’s important to set a budget that suits your lifestyle.
Delivery Schedule
Some meal delivery services offer one delivery per week, while others provide multiple deliveries. Evaluate your schedule and consider a service that fits with your lifestyle.
Meal Variety
For someone who loves experimenting with different types of cuisines, a service with a diverse menu would be an ideal choice. If you prefer comfort food, seek out a service that provides those options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meal Delivery Services
Q: Are meal delivery services worth it?
A: It depends on your lifestyle. If you’re busy, hate grocery shopping, or want to avoid poor food choices, it might be worth it.
Q: How fresh are the ingredients?
A: Many services source fresh ingredients, some even using organic produce. However, it may vary from one service to another.
Q: Can I customize my orders?
A: Most services offer some degree of customization. Check the service’s website for details.
Q: Is the packaging recyclable?
A: Many meal delivery services are committed to sustainability and provide recyclable packaging. Be sure to check this aspect.
Conclusion
In this ever-evolving urban lifestyle, meal delivery services provide an important bridge, enabling people to eat healthy, balanced meals without sacrificing time or convenience. Services such as HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, and SunBasket are leading the way by providing diverse, healthy, and tasty meals. Choosing the best meal delivery service can be based on factors like dietary restrictions, budget, delivery schedule, and meal variety. Keep these crucial factors in mind while opting for a service.
Meal delivery services may not be for everyone, but they certainly offer a beneficial solution for many urban dwellers.
Call To Action
We encourage you to try out a meal delivery service that suits your needs and share your experience. Explore the exciting world of easy, convenient, and healthy eating right at your doorstep. Cheers to a healthier lifestyle!
