Home delivery meals are prepared meals delivered directly to a consumer’s door, rather than requiring them to travel to an actual restaurant. These services often include meal kits or grocery deliveries, and many offer options geared towards different demographics, such as seniors, families, and vegetarians. Some also have specific menus designed to make it easier for people with food allergies or dietary restrictions to find meals they can enjoy.
Meal kit services generally send ingredients, recipes, and cooking instructions to a person’s home. They may be subscription-based and feature both full-meal plans and a la carte menu items. Many meal kit companies offer a number of different plan options, from family-friendly to omnivore or gluten-free, and provide in-depth nutritional information. Some even allow people to customize their order for a particular dietary preference, such as carb-conscious, keto, or paleo diets.
Pre-prepared meals, such as those provided by Factor, are another option for home delivery. The company offers ready-to-eat dishes that can be easily microwaved and are a more convenient alternative to eating out. Factor’s dishes include such entrees as Creamy Tomato Pork Chop and Garlic Herb Salmon. The service delivers to most of the continental United States.
Choosing the best home delivery meal for a person depends on a number of factors, including dietary preferences, time commitment, and budget. Those looking to make a healthier change to their diet should look for meal kit services that offer a variety of healthy options, such as those offered by HelloFresh and EveryPlate. Both of these meal kit companies provide a wide range of healthy choices, from low-calorie chicken dishes to cheesy pasta.
Other things to consider when choosing a meal kit or prepared meal delivery service are what type of food a person enjoys and whether they are willing to try new foods. Some services offer a range of dishes to suit all tastes, from comforting classics like lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce to exotic choices, such as a mango-cauliflower curry. A person may also want to prioritize a service that provides environmentally responsible packaging, such as recyclable and biodegradable boxes and carbon neutral shipping, or that sources its food locally when possible.
People with a limited budget can look for cost-effective options, such as the $5 per serving offerings from Plated and Sunbasket, or the all-in meal deals from Blue Apron and Home Chef. For those who are new to cooking, meal kit services that offer step-by-step recipe cards and clear, concise cooking instructions can be an excellent way to learn how to cook. Many meal kit services have options for different dietary needs, as well, such as those who are trying to lose weight or follow special dietary requirements, including gluten intolerance and diabetes. Some also have a special selection of vegetarian dishes. Some companies, such as Martha and Marley Spoon, also offer meal options based on popular cookbooks. home delivery meals