Pros
- Convenient and simple solutions - Meal delivery kits are convenient, simple and flexible, allowing individuals access to healthy, fuss-free meals to support their lifestyle.
- Minimal food waste and easy preparation - Labeled pre-portioned ingredients in exact quantities means little to no food waste as well as quick and easy food preparation.
- Recipe cards with easy to follow steps - Step-by-step recipe cards are included in meal delivery kits for foolproof meal preparation and execution.
- Local ingredients & lot’s of options - Meal delivery providers aim to source ingredients that are fresh and local and endeavour to provide a variety of options for all taste and preferences.
- Time saver - A meal delivery provider means less shopping and less preparation when it comes to creating healthy meals at home.
- Learn new recipes, techniques and feel inspired - Meal delivery services provide easy to follow cooking instructions with each meal. This gives you the opportunity to cook new recipes, learn new cooking techniques and feel creative and inspired in the kitchen.
- Meals are more nutritious than take-away and convenience foods - Meal delivery services often combine the efforts and expertise of chefs and nutritionists/dietitians to create healthy nutritious meals aiming to adhere to Australian dietary guidelines. You’ll find they are more nutritious than take-away meals and store bought convenience foods.
- Portion control - Depending on your personalised health goals, meals may help individuals with portion control and overeating as meal delivery services provide the right amount of ingredients to meet your chosen number of meals per week.
- Save money by eating at home more often - Meal delivery services are a great way to save money on eating out and convenience foods by holding you accountable to cooking and eating at home more often.
Cons
- Lots of packaging - As each ingredient is pre portioned and individually wrapped this means an excess amount of packaging and differs between provider.
- Can be expensive depending on the service - Of course, price will vary depending on how many mouths you’re feeding (e.g. single or a family). Prices vary depending on the chosen provider and number of meals ordered each week.
- May not meet dietary preference - Meal delivery services aim to cover as many dietary preferences as possible yet some may not cover every preference. Check closely with the meal delivery provider to see if your preference has been met.
- Some providers may lack the desired amount of vegetables per serve - Meal kits are shown to be a source of vegetables and may include more than home cooking and take-away/convenience foods. Yet it is evident from studies that there is room for improvement and the average meal could do with more fibre.
- Meal sizes and satisfaction - Most meal delivery services make the same size meal for all and as we know no individual is the same when it comes to health. Portions may not leave you feeling satisfied and satiated, yet this will depend on a number of factors from your personal needs, the meal provider and proposed portions.
- Ingredients are perishable - When ordering from a meal delivery service you need the space to store your meals as ingredients are perishable.
- You will still spend time cooking - Of course meal delivery services aim to help you save time when it comes to preparation and cooking and this rings true with ready-made meals. It’s important to remember if you are choosing meal kit’s you will spend approx 30+mins cooking the meals.