You may have heard co-workers chatting about them, or perhaps you’ve seen them advertised. Meal delivery services like Blue Apron have become increasingly popular in recent years and for good reason. They offer the opportunity to have a fresh, quick meals made from all-natural-ingredients right in the comfort of your own home.
What is a Meal Delivery Service?
A meal delivery service is a service that delivers fresh ingredients or prepared meals to your home. While some services allow for a one-time a la carte purchase, most meal delivery kits are set-up as a weekly subscription. These meal kits generally contain all pre-measured ingredients needed to make a set number of meals. Others contain fully-prepared food that is ready to heat-and-eat. People love meal deliveries because they make dinnertime easier by eliminating meal planning and trips to the grocery store. Here are some additional reasons to give meal delivery kits a try:
Meal Deliveries Make Mealtime Healthier
Today’s busy couples and parents don’t always have time to plan meals, which leaves many fighting the urge to run through the closest fast-food line after a long day at the office. With a meal delivery service, all the ingredients needed to throw together a hearty meal are delivered straight to your door. By eliminating the need to plan and shop, meal subscriptions allow you to eat healthy without a lot of effort.
Additionally, meal delivery companies employ chefs and nutritionists that specialize in making food both tasty and healthy. These professionals create meals designed to be satisfying, delicious, and nutritious. Swap greasy hamburgers and fries for a well-balanced feast of proteins, fresh produce, and whole grains. Meals are also pre-portioned to ensure you don’t overeat.
Meals Kits Encourage Family Time
Additionally, meals are designed to be cooked at home and most offer family-friendly plans. This allows families to spend time together making a meal. Cook-and-eat meal services act like a cooking lesson, with detailed instructions and videos to explain each step of the process. This is perfect for allowing every member of the family to take part in the creation of the finished product. Family-friendly meal kits allow little ones to learn the fundamentals of cooking while allowing older family members to brush up on their skills.
It’s Cheaper Than Eating Out
Dining out and picking up take-out gets expensive. A single dinner out with the family can easily cost upwards of fifty dollars. Meal delivery services provide a more cost-effective solution, with many services offering family options that ring up for under $10/plate. Here’s a run-down of some of the most affordable meal delivery services for families:
- Blue Apron: $8.74/serving (see full breakdown of Blue Apron cost here)
- Marley Spoon: $9.50/serving
- Hello Fresh: $8.74/serving
- Home Chef: $9.95/serving
- Sun Basket: $9.99/serving
Change Up Dinner Time!
Most meal delivery services offer a wide variety of menu options each week. Many allow you to select from a variety of proteins including chicken, beef, pork, fish, and lamb, while others include vegan and vegetarian options. With menus that constantly change, you’ll have to chance to try new foods and flavors, making mealtime fun again!