CAN MEAL DELIVERY SERVICES BE HEALTHY?

INTRODUCTION

Meal delivery services are?everywhere?these days and the options seem endless–Hello Fresh, Sunbasket, Blue Apron, Home Chef just to name a few. But can they really be a healthy option for you? Yes, they’re convenient and a time-saver for sure. This article will review both the pros and cons of these services and I’ll go over a few of my favorites. Read on for all the details…

PROS

BETTER THAN TAKEOUT

When you’re super busy and strapped for time it’s so easy to just get takeout from your favorite Mexican restaurant or grab some fast food from McDonald’s. But, these meals aren’t always healthy now are they?

Meal kits can be a bridge to better eating habits if you tend to eat out a lot. They can help you transition to eating more meals at home which can translate into eating a more healthy, balanced diet. Many kits contain healthy, fresh ingredients with no additives or preservatives.

If you’re someone who struggles with getting in a variety of fruits, veggies, and grains on a daily basis, these may be a good option as they help ensure you’re eating a better assortment of these foods.

TIME-SAVER

If you’re a busy mom or work a 9-5, you know the demand on your time once you get home is?enormous! What about if you have a chronic illness like RA or come down with the flu? Who feels like cooking a healthy meal every night?

Meal Prep kits can seem like a gift from God if you’re doing a juggling act. They can save valuable time on meal planning, shopping, and preparation. Many are ready in 30 minutes or less freeing up your time to do something fun for a change!

IMPROVE YOUR COOKING SKILLS

If you’re not exactly Julia Child in the kitchen, meal kits can help improve your culinary skills. Many come with recipe cards with step-by-step guidance to help novice chefs hone their cooking ability. They even come with pictures to show you what the finished product should look like.

Even if you already know how to cook, these kits can expose you to recipes you’re not familiar with and even introduce new cooking techniques. Then, if you find a recipe love, you can replicate it on your own later without the meal kit.

REDUCE OVERWHELM

Grocery shopping can sometimes be overwhelming since it seems like you can get anything you want there — too many choices are not always a good thing! If you struggle with making decisions, unlimited choices can often be way too much to process.

Meal kits may offer many kits to choose from, but the choices within each kit are finite. It’s much easier to choose 3 meals from a list of 10 choices versus cooking a meal from scratch.

LESS FOOD WASTE

Meal kits are designed to feed a specific number of people which means you only get enough ingredients to feed the number of people you choose. This results in less food waste. About 21% of the?food waste?in the United States comes from shoppers that buy too much food.

For example, instead of having to buy a whole bag of carrots you only get the exact amount you’ll be using in the recipe. This is good for not only your refrigerator but the environment too!

SPECIAL DIETS

If you follow a special diet like gluten-free or vegan or paleo, then meals kits can make your life a little easier. Many meal delivery services include options for special diets that take into account your unique needs and preferences simplifying meal planning and shopping.

CONS

EXCESS PACKAGING

To keep your food fresh and pretty, each item needs to be vacuum-packed and sealed along with the ice packs, padding, and insulation to keep things fresh as many items are perishable. While a lot of packaging is recyclable, these kits produce more waste than if you shop on your own with reusable grocery bags.

Plus, you have more trash and recyclables to deal with. Whether reduced food wastes offsets this increase is still up for debate — only you can decide what works best for your household.

COSTS MORE THAN YOU THINK

Compared to takeout or dining in a restaurant, meal delivery kits are usually less expensive; however, grocery shopping the old-fashioned way in a grocery store may cost you less. On the flip side, grocery shopping can leave you with a lot of extra food you don’t use in your recipe leading to extra meal prep and cooking.

Many companies offer specials when you sign up and special promos, but regular prices can be costly. Something to keep in mind when you’re considering these services.

STILL NEED GROCERIES

Meal kits may help replace your main meals and even a few snacks but you still need to make a trip to the store for essentials like toilet paper or order from Amazon. They can supplement your grocery shopping but are definitely not a replacement

PLAN AHEAD

You need to keep tabs on your account delivery set up to avoid getting a box delivered when you’re on vacation or just don’t need one that week. If you forget or miss the deadline for changing your order, you’ll be charged and be shipped the default meals for that week. Make sure your deliveries line up with your specific needs so there’s no food waste.

MY FAVORITES

Though I haven’t tried every meal delivery service, I have tried quite a few, and below are 3 favorites that I recommend if you’re interested in trying these services.

SUNBASKET

Sunbasket* is a great option whether you like to do the cooking or have a meal with the prep work already done so you can just pop it in the oven or microwave. They use 100% organic produce in their meals, are sustainably sourced, and state that most of their packaging is recyclable or compostable.

Their classic meal kits have the edge over the fresh and ready as far as taste is concerned. As for timely delivery, it was normally prompt. There was only one instance when the box was late but I received a credit on my next box without any problem.

They have a variety of meal options including paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and diabetes-friendly. However, if you have a serious food allergy or intolerance, keep in mind all their recipes are prepared in the same facility that handles all major food allergens so this may not be the best option for you.

SPLENDID SPOON

Splendid Spoon has all plant-based non-GMO meals that are dairy and gluten-free with all the prep work already done Their packaging is 100% recyclable and all their plastic is BPA – free. The hot meals are microwave friendly and very convenient.

My favs were their soups — I really like the Lentil and Kale soup and Beans and Greens soup. Their smoothies are a really great on-the-go option — I enjoyed the Raspberry Cacao and the Dragon Fruit Berry Smoothies the best.

DAILY HARVEST

Daily Harvest* provides all organic, whole fruits and veggie meals with no gluten, gums, fillers, or artificial ingredients. The produce is frozen the day of harvest to lock in freshness and flavor and only takes minutes to prepare.

Their meal kits are pretty tasty too- some of my favorites are their Strawberry + Peach Smoothie, Lentil + Mesquite Chili, and Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash Harvest Bowl. If you’re searching for ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your life on a daily basis, this makes it easier on you.?

CONCLUSION

While meal delivery services have their pros and cons, overall they are a way to eat healthier and make your day a little less stressful. If you’re someone that doesn’t like to cook or are super busy, eating healthy can really be a challenge. Meal kits can give you one less thing to worry about. What are your favorite meal delivery services? Leave a comment below and let me know!