Meal delivery services such as HelloFresh or Blue Apron are becoming increasingly popular, and the rise of these companies has been largely fuelled by the growing trend towards healthier lifestyles and the desire to eat well without having to spend too much time preparing meals.
A meal delivery service offers convenience and flexibility at a reasonable price. They also
provide recipes and ingredients tailored to each customer’s preferences. However, they come with some downsides, and we have put together the pros and cons of meal delivery services so that you can make an informed decision about whether this is right for you.
Pros
Some of the main pros of meal delivery services include:
1. Convenience
Meal delivery services allow customers to order their food online and receive it in the mail. This means that they don’t need to go out shopping or cook anything themselves. Instead, they just place their orders and wait for them to arrive. The service then delivers everything directly to their doorsteps.
2. Flexibility
Meal delivery services give customers more control over what they want to eat, offering a wide variety of cuisines, dishes, and culinary delights. For example, many services allow you to choose between different types of meat (such as chicken, beef, pork, and lamb) and vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach). Customers can also choose between different types of sauces, dressings, and spices.
Most delivery services provide a wide variety of dishes. In fact, they usually include many different options for every meal. Customers can choose between vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, and even paleo diets. They can also select between different cooking methods, including oven baking, grilling, steaming, and microwaving, allowing you to experiment with a range of cooking styles and types.
3. Recipes
Most meal delivery services provide customers with detailed instructions on how to prepare their meals. These instructions will tell them exactly what to do step-by-step. They will also show them which ingredients they should use and where they can find them.
4. Ingredients
Meal delivery services often provide customers with all the ingredients needed to create their meals. They may even send them free samples of certain products. This allows them to try new foods before committing to buying larger quantities.
5. Price
Meal delivery services charge customers a set fee per month. Depending on the company, this fee might be anywhere from $10 to $40 per person. This makes them affordable compared to other ways of eating healthy and ensures that you know exactly where you are when it comes to spending on groceries each month or week.
6. Portion size
Many meal delivery services provide customers with a portion size guide. This helps you to determine how much food they should consume during one sitting and can help with weight management, as there is less likely that you will overeat or enjoy a portion that is too large.
7. Nutrition information
Some meal delivery services provide customers access to nutrition information. This includes details such as calories, fat content, sugar levels, and protein content. It also shows them how many grams of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals they are consuming.
Cons
There are some downsides to meal prep services, and these include:
1. Lack of Flexibility
While meal delivery services offer plenty of benefits, they lack some important features. First, they only deliver pre-made meals. As a result, you may have little choice about what type of food you eat at any given time, and instead, simply have to enjoy whatever is available at the time your order arrives.
Second, most meal delivery services require customers to pay upfront. This means that if you don’t like the food you receive, you will need to cancel your subscription immediately – and you will typically still have to find at least a month’s subscription fee. If you decide to continue using the service after canceling, you will be charged again.
2. Can Be Expensive
Depending on the company, meal delivery services can quickly add up in terms of cost – especially if you have a larger family or large appetite. If you are on a tight budget, then you may find that the costs become prohibitive over time.
3. Not Available Everywhere
Not all cities have meal delivery services. This means that if your city doesn’t offer these services, you won’t be able to benefit from them.
4. No Variety
Not all meal delivery services offer the same selection of dishes. – if you want to try out a number of different cuisines, then you may not be able to do so through meal delivery services. While some companies allow customers to customize their orders, others limit the choices to just a few options.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a way to try something new and explore great-tasting food, then meal delivery services could be an option worth considering. However, keep in mind that they aren’t perfect. There are some drawbacks associated with them, including high prices and limited availability, and being aware of these can help you make a smart choice.
