Once upon a time, healthy eating included churning your own butter and picking your own vegetables. It can still be that way, but let's face it, most of us are living in a different time. We are busy, juggling goals of staying fit and eating healthy with the demands of a career, a family and a social life. Home cooking might be the gold standard, but it isn't the only option we have anymore thanks to companies that aim to bridge the gap and make healthy living easier .
If you're new to using a meal delivery service, shop around. Look for meals that fit your nutrient needs, check the portion sizes, ingredients, dietary compliance, delivery date, cost per meal and involvement (is there cooking to do or do you heat it and eat it?). Generally, expect to pay more per meal than you would if you shopped and cooked for yourself. However, that extra mark-up is worth it for those needing the convenience and helping hand to eat well. Having a meal, or ingredients for the meal, delivered to your door takes the stress out of shopping, cooking and even deciding what to eat. Start with the lowest commitment option, or fewest number of meals a week, to try it out. Most allow you to pause deliveries, making it possible to switch from one company to another until you find what works best for you—or keep switching it up for more variety.
During the pandemic, meal delivery can be even more valuable in helping you get nutritious meals when local grocery options are scarce and venturing to a public market can put your health at risk. While it is known that the virus can survive on surfaces such as cardboard, most data suggests this is a very low risk way to contract it, and simply washing your hands after handing the delivery box is your best line of defense.
Read on for a few options that will ease your effort in the kitchen and deliver healthy options right to your doorstep.
Green Chef
Green Chef delivers ingredients and recipes for you to easily cook your own nutritious meals. It is a great option for those wanting to be more involved in their food habits and develop the ability to cook at home in a healthful, creative way. Family meal plans are offered if you need larger servings or want to feed a few more mouths.
Trifecta
Trifecta offers many dietary options, such as classic, paleo and vegan. You can opt for ready-to-eat prepared meals or go a la cart; ingredients are sent packaged separately for you to combine as creatively as you'd like. These meals are good for those looking to have portion- and calorie-controlled options, with meals landing on the small size.
Sakara Life
Sakara Life is perfect for the wellness junkie looking for the ultimate clean eating experience with 100% plant based, exotic meals that are also colorful, creative and mostly raw. The brand focuses on using food as medicine to improve digestion, mood, reduce inflammatory, boost energy and improve skin appearance.
Factor Meals
Containing protein- and keto-forward ingredients, these heat-and-eat meals are simple, flavorful and filling. The company offers consultations with registered dietitians so you can chat with an expert about which options best fit your lifestyle.
Daily Harvest
This is the best option for those who want meals on hand but have varying schedules and might not use them immediately because the cups of smoothies, bowls and overnight oats come frozen and can be kept in the freezer for long periods of time.
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