Is Meal Prep Delivery Worth It?

Have you ever wished you could have delicious and healthy meals delivered to your door, without having to spend hours in the kitchen? If so, you might be interested in meal prep delivery services. In this blog post, we’ll tell you all you need to know about meal prep delivery, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

What is Meal Prep Delivery?

Meal prep delivery services send you pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for a certain number of meals each week. All you have to do is assemble and cook the meals according to the instructions. They can be a great way to save time on meal planning and grocery shopping, and they can also help you eat healthier meals. Some examples of meal prep delivery services are HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Freshly.

Pros of Meal Prep Delivery

There are many benefits of using meal prep delivery services, such as:

Convenience

They can save you hours each week on meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. You don’t have to worry about what to cook for dinner each night, or whether you have the right ingredients in your fridge. You can choose meals that fit your dietary needs and preferences, and you can even customize your meals to your liking. Meal prep delivery services can be especially helpful for busy families, people with dietary restrictions, and people who don’t have the time or energy to cook.

Variety

Meal prep delivery services offer a wide variety of meals to choose from, so you’re sure to find something you like. You can try new cuisines and recipes that you might not have otherwise made, such as Thai curry, Moroccan tagine, or Mexican enchiladas. They can also help you expand your culinary horizons and learn new cooking skills, as they provide step-by-step instructions and tips for each meal.

Meal Prep Delivery Services Can Improve Your Health

The meals are typically well-balanced and portioned, and they often include fresh, whole ingredients. Meal prep delivery services can also help you reduce your intake of processed foods, unhealthy fats, and added sugar, which can have negative effects on your health. By using these services, you can improve your nutrition and wellness.

Portion control

Meal prep delivery services can help you practice portion control. The meals are typically portioned appropriately, so you can avoid overeating or under-eating. This can be especially helpful for people who are trying to lose weight or manage their weight, as portion control is one of the key factors for weight loss success..

New recipes

You can learn new recipes from the meals that get delivered to you. Each week, you’ll try new dishes that you might not have otherwise made, such as quinoa salad, mushroom risotto, or chicken pot pie. This can help you break out of your culinary rut and expand your repertoire of recipes. You can also impress your family and friends with your cooking skills by using meal prep delivery services.

Less food waste

Meal prep delivery services can help you reduce food waste. The ingredients are pre-measured and portioned, so you’re less likely to have leftovers that go to waste. This can save you money and help the environment, as food waste is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

Meal Prep Delivery Equals Less stress

You don’t have to worry about what to cook for dinner each night, and you don’t have to spend time grocery shopping or meal prepping. This can free up your time and energy to focus on other things that matter to you, such as work, hobbies, or family. You can simplify your life and reduce your stress levels.

Family-friendly

Many services offer family-sized meals that can be customized to meet the needs of everyone in your family. This can save you time and stress by not having to cook different meals for different people. It can also help you get everyone to eat a healthy meal together.

Meal Prep Delivery Services Are Flexible

You can choose how many meals you want to receive each week, and you can skip deliveries if needed. This makes it easy to fit meal prep delivery into your lifestyle and schedule.

Cons of Meal Prep Delivery

There are some potential disadvantages of using meal prep delivery services, such as:

Cost

It can be more expensive than cooking meals from scratch, especially if you’re on a tight budget. The cost of meal prep delivery services can also vary depending on the company, the meal plan you choose, and the number of meals you order each week. For example, according to a study by Money Under 30, the average cost per serving is $10.18, while the average cost per serving of a home-cooked meal is $4.31. That means you could be paying more than twice as much for a meal prep delivery service than for cooking yourself. It’s important to compare prices and choose a service that fits your budget.

Meal prep delivery services can generate a lot of waste

The packaging is often made of plastic and other non-recyclable materials that end up in landfills or oceans. This can be harmful to the environment and contribute to climate change. Some delivery services are working to reduce their environmental impact by using recyclable packaging or offering reusable containers. For example, Green Chef uses compostable packaging and offsets 100% of its carbon emissions. However, not all services are eco-friendly, and you may want to check their sustainability practices before ordering.

You don’t have as much control over the ingredients in your meals.

This can be a problem for people with food allergies or sensitivities, or people who prefer organic or local produce. Some meal prep delivery services may not disclose all the ingredients in their meals, or they may use ingredients that are not suitable for your dietary needs. It’s important to read the ingredient labels carefully before ordering meals from a meal prep delivery service. You may also want to contact the company to ask about their food safety procedures and sourcing policies.

Lack of Variety from some meal prep delivery services

Some services may not offer a wide enough variety of meals to choose from. This can be especially problematic for people with dietary restrictions or picky eaters who may get bored with the same meals every week. It’s important to read the meal plans carefully before choosing a meal prep delivery service. You may also want to contact the company to see if they offer any substitutions or customizations for your meals.

Delivery issues

Meal prep delivery services can be affected by delivery issues, such as delayed deliveries or spoiled food. This can be frustrating and inconvenient, as you may not receive your meals on time or have to deal with food that is not fresh or safe to eat. It’s important to choose a meal prep delivery service with a good reputation for customer service and reliability. You should also be prepared for the possibility of delivery issues and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

Tips for Choosing a Meal Prep Delivery Service

If you’re considering trying a meal prep delivery service, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one:

Consider your budget. These services can vary in price, so it’s important to find one that fits your budget. Compare the cost per serving and the shipping fees of different companies.
Think about your dietary needs. Some meal prep delivery services offer specialized meal plans for different dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo, etc. Make sure the company you choose can accommodate your needs.
Read reviews. Before you sign up for a subscription, read reviews from other customers to see what they think of the food quality, taste, variety, service, and price. You can also check out online ratings and rankings of different meal prep delivery services.
Try a trial. Many delivery services offer a trial or a discount for your first order. This can be a good way to test out the service and see if you like it before committing to a subscription.

Alternatives to Meal Prep Delivery

If meal prep delivery is not right for you, there are other ways to save time and eat healthier meals. Here are a few ideas:

Meal plan: Another way to save time and money on food is to plan your meals ahead of time. By knowing what you are going to eat for each day of the week, you can make a grocery list of the ingredients you need and avoid buying unnecessary items. You can also take advantage of sales and coupons to get the best deals on your groceries. Meal planning can help you eat healthier, more balanced, and more varied meals. You can find meal planning templates online or in cookbooks that can guide you through the process.

Use a slow cooker. If you want to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals without spending hours in the kitchen, you might want to try using a slow cooker. A slow cooker is a device that cooks food at a low temperature over a long period of time. All you have to do is add your ingredients to the slow cooker in the morning and let it do its magic. By the time you come home from work or school, you will have a hot and tasty meal waiting for you. You can find many slow cooker recipes online or in cookbooks that cater to different cuisines, preferences, and dietary needs.

Use a meal kit service: A meal kit service is a hybrid between a meal prep delivery service and cooking from scratch. A meal kit service sends you pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for a certain number of meals each week. However, unlike a meal prep delivery service, you still have to cook the meals yourself. This can be a good option for people who want to learn new cooking skills, try new recipes, or have more control over their ingredients. However, it can also be more time-consuming and costly than cooking from scratch. You can compare different meal kit services online and see which one offers the best value, quality, and variety for your budget and taste.

Use a grocery delivery service: A grocery delivery service can save you time and energy on grocery shopping. Instead of going to the grocery store yourself, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered to your door. This can be especially convenient for people who are busy, have mobility issues, or live far from the grocery store. You can choose from different grocery delivery services online and see which one offers the best selection, price, and delivery options for your location.

Eat out less: One of the simplest ways to save time and money on food is to eat out less often. When you eat out at restaurants, cafes, or fast-food places, you are paying not only for the food but also for the service, convenience, and atmosphere. Eating out can also be unhealthy, as restaurant food tends to be high in calories, fat, salt, and sugar. By eating out less frequently and cooking more meals at home, you can save money, eat healthier, and enjoy your food more.

As you can see, there are many alternatives to meal prep delivery that can help you eat well without breaking the bank or spending too much time on food preparation. You can try one or more of these ideas and see which one works best for you. Of course, if you still want to try a meal prep delivery service before you commit to a subscription, you can always look for free trials or discounts that some services offer for new customers.

What is the best meal prep delivery service?

There are many services out there but the most popular include:

Factor: Factor offers dietitian-designed meals for a wide range of diets, such as keto, vegan, and calorie smart. The meals are made with fresh, never frozen ingredients and can be reheated in the oven or microwave. Factor offers more than 35 meals each week and charges $10.99–$13.49 per serving.

Home Chef: Home Chef offers oven-ready meals that come with pre-portioned ingredients and oven-safe trays. The meals are easy to prepare and can be cooked in 15 minutes or less. Home Chef also offers other meal options, such as grill-ready, slow cooker, and classic. Home Chef charges $6.99–$12.95 per serving.

BistroMD: BistroMD is specializes in weight loss meals. The meals are designed by doctors and dietitians and are low in calories, carbs, and fat, and high in protein and fiber. BistroMD offers more than 150 meals each week and charges $9.50–$13.95 per serving.

Trifecta Nutrition: Trifecta Nutrition caters to fitness enthusiasts who want to eat healthy and optimize their performance. The meals are based on science-backed nutrition principles and follow various diet plans, such as keto, paleo, vegan, and clean eating. Trifecta Nutrition offers organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients and charges $9.97–$15.49 per serving.

Daily Harvest: Daily Harvest delivers organic, plant-based meals that are frozen and ready to eat. The meals include smoothies, bowls, soups, flatbreads, bites, and lattes. The meals are made with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains, and are free from added sugars and preservatives. Daily Harvest charges $5.99–$8.99 per serving.

Can I try a meal prep delivery service before I commit to a subscription?

If you are interested in trying a service before subscribing, you will be happy to know that many of them offer a free trial period, which means that you can sample some of their dishes without paying anything upfront. This is a great opportunity to see if the service matches your expectations, preferences, and dietary needs. You can also compare different services and see which one offers the best value, quality, and variety. By taking advantage of the free trial, you can enjoy delicious and healthy meals delivered to your door without committing to a long-term subscription. This way, you can make an informed decision before you sign up for a regular plan.

Finally, Is Meal Prep Delivery Worth It?

Whether or not it is worth it for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you’re looking for a convenient and healthy way to eat, meal prep delivery can be a great option. However, if you’re on a tight budget or have special dietary needs, you may want to consider cooking meals from scratch.

To help you decide, here are some questions to ask yourself:

How much time do you have to cook and shop?
How much money do you spend on groceries and eating out?
How often do you eat out or order takeout?
How important is variety and customization in your meals?
How concerned are you about the environmental impact of your food choices?
How comfortable are you with cooking new recipes?

Common Mistakes

Not reading the reviews: Before you sign up for a meal prep delivery service, it’s important to read reviews from other customers. This can give you an idea of the quality of the food, the service, and the price.
Not considering your dietary needs: Some meal prep delivery services specialize in specific diets, such as keto, vegan, or paleo. Others offer a wider variety of meals to choose from. It’s important to choose a service that offers the types of meals that you and your family will eat.
Not comparing prices: Meal prep delivery services can vary in price. It’s important to compare prices and choose a service that fits your budget.
Not considering the delivery area: Not all meal prep delivery services deliver to all areas. It’s important to choose a service that delivers to your area.
Not reading the fine print: Before you sign up for a meal prep delivery service, it’s important to read the fine print. This includes things like the cancellation policy, the shipping policy, and the refund policy.

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