What is a Meal Delivery service?

A meal delivery service is a subscription-style service, which typically replace the usual meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking routine many of us do every week.

You can choose the meals you want to eat each week, and have them delivered directly to you, either as pre-portioned ingredients, or as a pre-made meal.

Benefits of a Meal Delivery service

A meal delivery service can save you plenty of time each week, as well as add variance to your weekly menu, reduce wastage, and allow you to eat healthier and more balanced portion sizes.

Many of us resort to takeout due to how accessible and easy it is. This is unhealthy and can quickly become very expensive. Meal delivery services give us the same ease and accessibility, but we can affordably be eating delicious meals at home.

How much does a Meal Delivery cost?

The cost of a meal delivery service varies based on the provider, the amount you are ordering, and where you are located.

Services such as EveryPlate and Dinnerly are on the cheaper side of the spectrum, with servings priced even as low as $5. HelloFresh is one of the best-rated meal delivery services, charging around $8 to $9 per serving and offering a wide variety of recipes and high-quality ingredients.

On the higher end of the spectrum are Freshly and Green Chef, where pricing per serving is more around the $11 to $12 mark.

All services charge delivery which is typically in the range of $8 to $11 per delivery. These can vary based on the size of your order and location.

Meal Delivery vs Meal Kits

Both meal delivery services and meal kits offer a simple way to get food on your table. Although they do it in slightly different ways. Depending on your lifestyle, and what you are looking for, one of these options is sure to suit you. It’s worthwhile to spell it out simply so you can decide which option it is that you should be looking for.

A meal delivery service is great for those of us who do not have the time, or cringe at the thought, of meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. You will receive completed meals, either fresh or frozen, delivered directly to your door. All you need to do is reheat and enjoy.

A meal kit service is great for those who love cooking, but just want to simplify it, or learn some great new recipes. You will select your recipes, and have your pre-portioned ingredients delivered directly to you. You can then prepare your meal, following specified directions, with minimal wastage.

How to choose the best Meal Delivery kit for me?

The first choice to make is whether you want a meal delivery service, or to have meal kits delivered. Other factors to then consider is cost, and whether you are wanting to lose weight, or have dietary or allergen restrictions.

A service such as Nutrisystem is designed for those who want to eat healthier and lose weight. They provide up to 6 fresh, preparation free meals each day, which are designed by dieticians to immediately improve your diet.

Blue Apron focuses on a very diverse menu, allowing you to prepare dished you would never have previously considered. It is also a great option for recipes that have unique ingredients you know you will not use again. So you don’t need to purchase a whole bottle or bag of an ingredient when the recipe only calls for a teaspoon.

Sunbasket provides meal kits that are sustainable and organic, and can cater to up to 13 different dietary and allergen restrictions.

Conclusion

Meal delivery services have really taken off in the last decade because of how affordable, simple and delicious they are. There are plenty of great options on the market, depending on what you are looking for.

So whether you are too busy, dislike cooking, have specific dietary restrictions, or even want to reduce your weekly grocery bills, a meal delivery service may be just what you are looking for.