Overall, the meals had a good nutrient profile. The vegan meals had the least amount of protein, ranging from 6g-17g. This appears to be a consistent theme amongst some vegan and vegetarian readymade meals such as Herbidoor and We Feed You. Interestingly, a couple of the meals that were labelled a ‘good source of protein’ contained as little as 10g. As Dineamic’s meals are designed for athletes, and evidence suggests individuals engaging in high levels of exercise should be consuming up to 2.0g/kg body weight protein per day, I do not agree that these meals contain an adequate source of protein.1 However, like We Feed You, Dineamic offers high-protein meals, which contain up to 30g of protein per serve.
There was a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates included in each meal. Simple carbohydrates are more refined or processed (such as white pasta and rice). These sources contain less fibre and provide a quicker release of energy, compared to complex carbohydrates (quinoa, brown rice and legumes) which are higher in fibre and provide a steady release of energy. Despite the inclusion of some simple carbohydrates, the overall carbohydrate content was adequate and is suitable as part of a balanced diet.
The main sources of fat included in each meal were dairy-based (milk, cheese and yoghurt). Whilst these ingredients provide an additional source of protein, they may not be suitable for those who have trouble digesting lactose (Dineamic does offer low dairy options). There were limited amounts of nuts and seeds which are a healthy source of fats and micronutrients. Olive oil was used in most meals which is a high-quality oil.
At least four different types of vegetables were included in each meal, however, they were in small amounts, equalling at most one and a half serves. In comparison, We Feed You contained more vegetables per serve.