Meal Delivery Services 101

We love meal delivery services, because you can have fresh, healthy ingredients and/or meals delivered right to your door. But what do you need to know about them? We have you covered.

Meal Delivery Services 101

Meal delivery services have put a new twist on meals and cooking. Planning meals, making a list, going to the supermarket… all that is out. And fresh, delicious ingredients (or even full meals) delivered right to your door is in.

There’s no way around it – meal delivery services are here to stay, and they are loved by all age groups. On the go Millennials love picking their meals on their smartphone, while time crunched and health conscious Boomers and Gen X’ers have embraced the convenience and healthy options meal delivery services offer.

Add to this the fact that there is truly something for everyone, and every appetite or diet restriction. Read on for the facts you need to know about them so you can pick the best meal delivery service for you and your family.

The Big Question: To Cook Or Not to Cook

When choosing a meal delivery service, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to cook your meals or have them prepared for you. Brands like Hello Fresh and Home Chef provide pre-portioned ingredients along with recipes, allowing you to cook fresh meals at home. On the other hand, Factor Meals and Cook Unity offer fully prepared meals that you simply heat and eat, saving time while still enjoying nutritious food.

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How are They Delivered Fresh?

Meal delivery services prioritize freshness by shipping their meals in insulated packaging with ice packs to keep everything cool during transit. Home Chef and Hello Fresh use high-quality packaging to ensure that ingredients arrive fresh and ready to use. Similarly, Factor Meals and Cook Unity deliver meals that are refrigerated but not frozen, maintaining their freshness and quality until you're ready to heat them.

How do You Choose Your Meals?

Choosing your meals is a straightforward process with most meal delivery services. Brands like Hello Fresh and Home Chef offer weekly menus from which you can select your favorite dishes. Factor Meals and Cook Unity also allow you to choose from a variety of meals each week, often tailored to specific dietary preferences and nutritional needs. With Purple Carrot, you can enjoy plant-based meals, and Eat Clean offers a variety of healthy, ready-to-eat options.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Most meal delivery services cater to all meals of the day, not just dinner. Factor Meals and Cook Unity offer options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring that you have nutritious meals throughout the day. Hello Fresh and Home Chef primarily focus on lunch and dinner but sometimes include breakfast options. Eat Clean provides healthy meals that are suitable for any time of the day, while Purple Carrot offers a range of plant-based meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hold The Gluten (or the Meat!) – Special Diets

Catering to special diets is a key feature of many meal delivery services. Factor Meals offers plans for keto, calorie smart, and high-protein diets. Purple Carrot specializes in vegan meals, making it an excellent choice for plant-based eaters. Eat Clean provides meals that are free from gluten and other allergens. Cook Unity allows you to filter meals based on dietary preferences such as vegetarian, pescatarian, and low-carb.

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Costs

The cost of meal delivery services varies depending on the brand and the number of meals you order. Hello Fresh and Home Chef typically charge around $7-$10 per serving. Factor Meals starts at about $10.99 per meal, while Cook Unity ranges from $11-$13.50 per meal. Eat Clean and Purple Carrot offer competitive pricing, often with discounts for first-time subscribers.

In the End

We really liked these meal kit delivery services, and can heartily recommend them to individuals and families that want to spend more time enjoying each other’s company, and less time shopping and meal planning. Whether you prefer cooking your meals or having them prepared for you, these services provide a flexible and convenient way to enjoy nutritious food without the hassle of traditional meal prep. By choosing the right service for your lifestyle, you can simplify your meal planning and enjoy more time for the things you love.