We’re not talking about DoorDash, but a true service that delivers a set of pre-packaged meals to you every single month. They can range from plant based to heavy on the meat to focused more about sports nutrition.
It’s an area that has exploded in the last few years as more of us are looking for convenience that doesn’t come in a fast food bag.
We want easy, but also want to know we are fueling our bodies to feel great, run great and let’s be honest look great! My skin absolutely let’s me know when we’ve been traveling and I’ve had a serving too many of grease.
There are two major types of meal delivery services:
- a collection of ingredients with a recipe you can cook yourself
- already made and ready to heat and eat
Is one more valuable? Should you be spending on these services?
Take it from an ULTIMATE saver, I’m going to give you the true pros and cons of pros and cons of meal delivery services to decided whether they’re worth it and what’s best for you.
Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It?
The ultimate answer to this question is going to come down to your needs and your lifestyle.
For us, they have been a tool that’s been extremely valuable because I don’t love eating out where I’m not sure what’s in the food or know that it’s covered in tons of sauces that leave me feeling too full or bloated.
Based on a number of charts:
- average household of 2 people spends roughly $120-$140/week on groceries.
- family of 4 is spending $170-$250 depending on the age of the kids.
- we also spend an average of $50 per person/week on dining out.
Yup that’s an extra $200/month for each person that could be going towards healthier meals like a meal kit service, which often stretch to more than 1 meal and to the surprise of many saves time over going out to eat.
Pro’s
- Time savings on prep and grocery shopping
- Dollar savings over dining out frequently
- More fresh and whole food options
- Ability to eliminate any food sensitivities
- Variety in your weekly meals (this one is massive for me!)
Con’s
- You enjoy the whole process of cooking and prepping
- You love looking for new recipes
- More expensive that meal planning on your own
- Can receive complex to create meals
- Some service have a limited menu
- Plastic packaging and boxes adding to waste
One of the big things that scares most people (me included) is signing up to a subscription.
However, I have found that nearly all of them make it very easy to skip 1 month or put it on pause or change your order or simply to cancel after that first month.
Read the rules when signing up, but you shouldn’t be locked in to anything long term.
With all of these services note that they are usually in shipping for 1-2 days and then designed to stay cool on your doorstep for up to 12 hours. Ideally, you want to get things in the fridge as soon as possible upon delivery.
Top Meal Delivery Services
Previously, I shared a comparison of the prepared meal delivery services that I have used, breaking down menu items, my favorite foods and more of the specifics around each.
Here I am going to try to make a an easy to follow chart that breaks down the specific differences in service, cuisine, delivery, cost and minimum order.
✅Daily Harvest – Great for quick needs and breakfast
This is one of the primary services I use. I like that things are frozen, but ready to heat and eat.
This means I can use them on my schedule and not worry about anything going to waste.
Meal options: I would consider most side dishes to a protein: harvest bowls, flatbreads, smoothies, cacao bites
Cuisine: Vegan, gluten free
Portion Sizes: Single serving
Delivery: Great notification system, arrives in packaging that is 100% recyclable with some dry ice
How to order: Subscription where you can set how often it recurs
Minimum Order: Around $70
Shipping: Free
Will receive a notification before each box ships giving you the chance to cancel, skip or change.
Get access to my RUNTOTHEFINISH discount of up to $40 off.
Blue Apron – Best Meal Kit for home cooks
We have used this service a few times and always found the food delicious. I just made the decision that if I was going to spend, I wanted already prepared meals.
Home cooks, however, will find this option far more appealing.
Meal options: Full meal kit of all ingredients to cook yourself.
Cuisine: Standard American style meals with meat and side dishes, most are healthy meals
Portion Sizes: Can select between serves 2 and 4 with a minimum of 2 meals per week.
Delivery: Arrives in an insulated box, needs to be refrigerated immediately
How to order: Weekly subscription
Minimum Order: $40 + shipping
Shipping: $9.99
✅Splendid Spoon – Best Plant Based Meal Delivery
I was sold from the first bite and it just continued with each new item I tested!
They have a great On Demand option, which is perfect for someone like me who travels or goes through phases of needing more things and other times of being fine with what’s at home.
Their smoothies are different from DH with the inclusion of fats or protein and being pre-made. Their soups are hands down better, but they don’t offer flatbreads or the cacao nibs that DH does.
Meal options: Fully prepared items ready to eat, heat or freeze.
Cuisine: Plant based smoothies, soups, bowls and wellness shots
Portion Sizes: Can select between serves 2 and 4 with a minimum of 2 meals per week.
Delivery: Arrives in an insulated box, bowls can be frozen, everything needs to be refridgerated
How to order: Weekly subscription OR On Demand box!
Minimum Order: $65
Shipping: Free
Click here to get $60 off your first 3 boxes >>
Purple Carrot – Best Meal Kit Delivery for Plant Based Eaters
Plant based eaters rejoice in this great option. You’ll find a company that truly understand the needs of a vegan eater is so much more than some iceburg lettuce and fake meat.
Meal options: Full meal kit of all ingredients to cook yourself OR now prepared meals (wohoo)
Cuisine: Entirely plant based
Portion Sizes: Pre portioned for 2-4 people with a minimum of 2 meals per week in kit or 1 serving prepared with a minimum of 6 meals.
Delivery: Arrives in packaging that is almost fully recyclable with non toxic ice to then go in the fridge.
How to order: Weekly subscription
Minimum Order: $71
Shipping: Free shipping always
💲Purple Carrot discount code carrot30 for $30 off
Fresh n Lean – Best Meal Delivery for Macros
Finally we touch on another full prepared meal that simply needs to be heated to eat. And I think we know from the name, they’re focused on providing meals that fit your dietary style.
They are going to provide you a thorough macro and calorie breakdown to ensure you’re staying on goal.
Meal options: Ready to be heated in microwave or oven
Cuisine: Meals with a purpose: protein focused, keto, paleo, whole30 or vegan
Portion Sizes: Single serving meals, minimum 5 days – price per meal decreases the more you order
Delivery: Each meal is in a plastic tray and needs to be in the fridge upon arrival. You can freeze and re-heat later if you won’t get to the meals right away.
How to order: Weekly subscription OR A La Carte! Though foods are not guaranteed al carte.
Minimum Order: $76/week
Shipping: Free
100% believe they can do Vegan meals, but if that’s what you’re looking for I would recommend going with one of the options like Purple Carrot that focuses entirely on vegan meals.
Their entrees tend to have more variety and less Beyond Meat.
✅Freshly – Best Low Cost Prepared Meal Delivery Service
Often described as oven ready, their prepared meals are already assembled, but need to be cooked at home. Unlike others that arrive fresh to simply be reheated.
I think this feels like a great option for a home cooked meal or cough when you your in-laws to think you cooked the meal.
Meal options: Ready to eat and eat, no assembly required.
Cuisine: Healthy meals that are going to feel fairly traditional American
Portion Sizes: Serving size of 1 per tray
Delivery: Arrives packaging that is almost fully recyclable with non toxic ice to then go in the fridge.
How to order: Weekly subscription – cost per serving decreases with number ordered
Minimum Order: $47
Shipping: Free (could be a current special, listed as $9.99 normally)
Freshly Discount Code: Click here to get 30% off your first week!
Green Chef – Lowest Cost Meal Delivery Service
One of the meal kit delivery services that makes cooking and prep easy.
Everything is very well labeled and the recipe card will direct you through each step of the process.
Meal options: Full meal kit of all ingredients to cook yourself.
Cuisine: Focused on healthy meals that fall in to one of 3 categories: Paleo/Keto, Vegan, Balanced
Portion Sizes: Pre portioned for 2-4 people with a minimum of 3 meals per week.
Delivery: Arrives packaging that is again almost fully recyclable or compostable with dry ice to then go in the fridge.
How to order: Weekly subscription
Minimum Order: $37
Shipping: Free (could be a current special, listed as $9.99 normally)
With the discount codes offered, you can make meal delivery services even more worth it by testing out a few!
Once you decide what style you like, then set up your subscription and pay attention because they will keep sending you deals and offers.
Looking for additional running nutrition ideas?
- Meal Planning Tips
- How many calories do runners need
- Tips for transitioning to a plant based athlete
Other ways to connect with Amanda
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Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinish
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