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How to Choose a Meal Delivery Service
How to Choose a Meal Delivery Service
Meal delivery services and meal kit services have been growing in popularity in recent years, as more and more people are looking for ways to make meal preparation easier. But with so many different services to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the key factors you should consider when choosing a meal delivery service, and how to choose the best one for you.
What Is a Meal Delivery Service
A meal delivery service is a service that delivers prepared meals or meal kits to your doorstep. They typically offer a variety of meal options, including paleo, gluten-free, and vegetarian meal delivery. These prepared meal services vary in terms of price and quality.
When choosing a meal delivery service, it is important to consider the cost, the ingredients, and the dietary restrictions of the customer. Some companies, like Blue Apron, provide high-quality ingredients and recipes for gourmet meals at a premium price. Others, like Home Chef, offer a smaller variety of ingredients at a lower price.
Some meal plan companies have very high standards to which they hold their sources, which translates to higher prices for their subscriptions.
It is also important to read the reviews of meal delivery services before making a decision. We're proud to say that Kevin's reviews are outstanding wherever you find them!
The Benefits of Meal Delivery Services
Meal delivery services have several benefits that have contributed to their impressive 8% YOY gains in the pandemic/post-pandemic era.
Here are 5 you should know about:
Convenience
Meal services bring the meal to your doorstep, so you don't have to go grocery shopping or look up a recipe yourself. The ingredients are perfectly portioned for the number of people eating, so there is less food waste and no need for leftover storage.
It also cuts down on time spent researching and planning if you're trying to lose weight on paleo or keto for the first time (or even the second or third time!)
Variety
Meal plan services offer a variety of meal options, including keto, dairy-free,
vegetarian, and more. You can choose a meal subscription plan to fit your specific needs according to how many meals you want delivered each week. You can also select which fresh ingredients you want to be included in your recipes.
Cost-effective
Meal delivery services are often more cost-effective than eating out. You can get the best price for your meal subscription by ordering more meals per week.
Timesaving
Prepared meal delivery saves you time by providing recipes and ingredients for a set number of meals. Since the ingredients for meal kits are pre-portioned and often precooked, prep time is significantly reduced and most meals take very little time to prepare, even if they aren't oven ready meals or ready to eat meals.
Educational
Many meal plan services provide recipes and instructions for preparing the meal, so you can learn new cooking techniques. Exploring new skills and flavors is one of the most enticing things about trying meal kit services. Subscribers often love the experience of cooking tasty food with new weekly recipes from their meal delivery plans.
How to Choose the Best Meal Delivery Service for You
When it comes to choosing a meal service, there are a lot of options to choose from.
Which one is the best for you? That depends on a few factors, including cost, ingredients, and dietary preferences/restrictions.
Here are 5 things to consider:
Consider your budget
Meal delivery services vary in price, so it's important to consider your budget when choosing one. If you're looking for a meal plan service on a tight budget, we recommend Home Chef or Dinnerly.
Consider the quality of ingredients
When choosing a meal plan service, it is important to consider the ingredients and the dietary restrictions of the customer.
Some meal services, like Blue Apron, provide high-quality ingredients and recipes at a premium price. Others, like Hello Fresh and Kevin's, still offer quality ingredients but at a more reasonable price.
Consider your dietary restrictions
Some meal delivery services do not cater to strict dietary restrictions, while others do. It is important to read the offerings and reviews of the services you’re considering before making a decision.
Consider the time commitment
Meal delivery services save you time by providing recipes and ingredients for a set number of meals. However, most meal services still require some time to prepare the meal. If you're looking for a service that requires minimal time to prepare, we recommend Kevin's (meals can be ready in literally 5 minutes) or Dinnerly (some meals are ready in under 30 minutes).
Consider the learning curve
Complete meal services provide recipes and instructions for preparing the meal, so you can learn new cooking techniques. If you're looking for a meal service that is educational and provides tips for meal preparation, we recommend Blue Apron. If you're looking for simple instructions and quick and easy prepared meals, try Kevin's meal kits.
It all depends on what you're looking for. Choosing the best meal delivery service for you depends on your budget, the quality of ingredients, your dietary restrictions, the time commitment, and the learning curve. By considering these factors, you can choose the best service for you.
Check out our easy prepared Chicken Tikka Masala:
Tender chicken breast strips in a bright tomato curry made with coconut milk, ginger, and Indian spices.
Chicken Tikka Masala
The Best Meal Delivery Services Available
Here are the 5 best meal delivery services available:
Blue Apron
Blue Apron meal delivery service is a great choice for people who want high-quality ingredients and recipes and are willing to pay a premium to get it. Blue Apron offers meal service for people with dietary restrictions, including vegan and diabetes-friendly options. Blue Apron sources their products from suppliers that meet high standards of quality, including sustainability practices.
Blue Apron is a great choice for people who want to learn new cooking techniques. Blue Apron provides recipes and instructions for preparing the meal and they even have an app on which to review the recipes. Blue Apron is also a great choice for people who want a complete meal service with a low learning curve.
Kevin's Natural Foods
Kevin's Natural Foods meal kit service is a perfect choice for people who want healthy eating options. Kevin's Natural Foods meal kits offer nutritious meals for people with dietary restrictions and preferences, including what is keto diet friendly, gluten-free and paleo inclusive. Kevin's Natural Foods meal kits also offer a variety of entrée options, including beef, poultry, and vegetarian.
Kevin's offers a varied selection of precooked meals which are vacuum sealed in a hot water bath to lock in moisture and flavor. Your chicken and beef will always be tender and delicious.
Kevin's Natural Foods meal kit service is a great choice for people who want delicious meals that are simple to prepare. Kevin's Natural Foods meal kits provide instructions for preparing the meal, so you'll be eating in no time. Kevin's meal kits are available in stores and online.
Check out our Pulled chicken:
Tender pulled chicken paired with sweet and bold BBQ sauce made with crushed tomato, balsamic vinegar, and hints of smoked onion.
Pulled Chicken
Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh meal plan service is a great choice for those looking for healthy, fresh, and delicious meal options. The service offers meal plans that are tailored to fit your dietary needs, including kid-friendly, vegetarian, and low-calorie meals. All the ingredients are pre-measured and prepped so you can easily follow the recipe card.
Hello Fresh meal delivery is affordable and convenient - you can have your meals delivered right to your door.
Home Chef
Home Chef meal delivery service is a great option for anyone looking for a meal kit delivery service. They have a wide variety of meal options to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. Home Chef also offers a subscription without commitment - you can skip weeks or cancel anytime!
Dinnerly
Dinnerly is the most budget-friendly meal delivery plan. Meals start at just $4.99 per serving, use great ingredients and digital recipe cards, and are delivered right to your door as often as you like. You can also skip weeks when you want without any penalty.
Dinnerly also made Women's World 2022's list for "Best Starter Meal Delivery Service for Weight Loss."
FAQs About Meal Delivery Services
Is it cheaper to use a meal delivery service?
When it comes to meal delivery services, there is no clear answer as to whether or not it is cheaper to use them. This will depend on a variety of factors, such as the meal delivery service you choose, the amount of food you order, and your location.
That said, meal delivery services can be a great way to save money on groceries. Many meal delivery services offer discounts when you order in bulk, and they also typically include recipes that use only fresh, high-quality ingredients. This can help you save money by avoiding costly processed foods.
How much is HelloFresh per week?
Hello Fresh offers a lot of customization when it comes to their meal delivery service. Their meals range from a plan consisting of 2 recipes a week for 2 people, which costs $47.96 or $11.99 per serving (without the first box discount) to a plan for 6 recipes a week for 4 people, which costs $191.76 or $7.99 per serving.
What is the cheapest weight loss meal delivery service?
While Everyplate takes the prize for "cheapest meal delivery service," Dinnerly made this year's Women's World list of Best Meal Delivery Services for Weight Loss. Dinnerly's meal plans start at just $4.99 per serving.
Do food delivery services save you money?
That depends on how you're spending your food budget before trying meal delivery. If you're eating at restaurants or getting takeout frequently, then meal delivery services or meal kits can save you a significant sum each week. However, if you already prepare most of your meals at home, you're unlikely to see much of a savings.
Why are meal kit delivery services so expensive?
Meal delivery services can be pricey because they offer one of the most convenient ways to get high-quality meals without having to spend much time in the kitchen. Most meal delivery services use fresh, seasonal ingredients and include recipes with easy-to-follow instructions. They make delicious, healthy meals as easy as possible.
How can I pay less on food delivery?
Meal delivery services can be a great way to save time and money on food, but the cost of these services can add up over time. Here are a few tips for how to reduce the cost of meal delivery services:
- Choose a plan that fits your needs. Some meal delivery services offer a la carte meal plans, while others offer meal plans with pre-selected meals. If you know what kind of food you like, choosing a plan with pre-selected meals can be a great way to save money.
- Look for discounts. Many meal delivery services offer discounts for new customers or for signing up for a subscription plan.
- Order in bulk. Most meal delivery services offer discounts when you order more meals per week.
- Check the shipping fees. Some meal delivery services charge extra for shipping, so be sure to check the fees before you sign up.
What is a good monthly food budget?
A good monthly food budget is important to consider when looking for a meal delivery service. Meal delivery services can be a great way to save money on groceries, but they can also be expensive if you're not careful. When looking for a meal delivery service, be sure to compare prices and find one that fits into your budget.
Things to consider when determining your food budget are:
- foods you like to eat
- quality of the foods you buy
- where you shop
- how often you eat out/order takeout
How far in advance should you meal prep?
Doing meal prep instead of meal kits or meal delivery service is another good way to eat nutritious food, stay on budget, and save yourself time during the week. It's also a great way to prepare healthy food for picky eaters if you have those at home, too.
Meal prep meals will stay fresh in the fridge for between three and five days, so it's best to schedule two meal prep days each week to ensure that your meals stay fresh. For example, Sunday and Wednesday. That way, you always have fresh meals in the fridge.
Another option is to prep meals that you can freeze for later. Having some tasty, frozen meals to rely on when you're short on time can be a lifesaver!
Hopefully, this post has given you all the information you need to start your journey down the meal delivery service path. Whether you decide to try a meal delivery service, meal kits, meal prep services, or DIY meal prep, we hope you love your food and it brings you good health!
