The Low Down on Meal Kit Subscriptions
For today’s active individual, when it comes to sticking with a healthy meal plan, having enough time in the week to meal plan and prep adequately is a challenge. Throw in the demands of a family and this challenge becomes even more daunting.
So what’s one to do?
Enter the growing and booming market of meal subscription boxes.
Chances are you’ve heard of Blue Apron, Home Chef, and Hello Fresh. These are just a few of the myriad of companies offering this type of service. While all of these providers vary in their niche offerings, generally they all come with the same advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s break those down for you here:
Advantage #1: Eat well without leaving the house.
Hands down, one of the biggest—if not the biggest—selling points of meal kit subscription services is that they allow you to prepare restaurant quality meals in your own kitchen. If you like to dine out regularly, this type of service will very likely save you some money in the long run.
Advantage #2: Learn new recipes.
One of the most appealing perks of using a meal kit subscription plan is that you will be exposed to new foods, dishes, and takes on the old favorites, thus greatly expanding your culinary horizons and “chef mastery” skills. All meal kits include detailed recipe cards, meaning you’ll be able to recreate your favorite dishes on your own by simply purchasing the ingredients.
Advantage 3: Minimize food waste.
Nothing is worse than doing a week’s worth of shopping only to see a decent portion of what you bought end up going to waste because it got buried in the back of your refrigerator and forgotten. Food waste is not just frustrating, but it’s also unfortunate given the high rate of poverty in the world. Meal kits are meticulously portioned out so that you get exactly what you need and leave little or nothing to waste after.
Disadvantage #1: There is an expense.
Ok, let’s address the large elephant in the room: Meal kit subscription services are not cheap. Even at $7 per serving (which is a conservative figure), you are talking about $35 per meal for a family of five. Again, this is far less costly than going out, but more expensive than traditional meal planning and preparation.
Disadvantage #2: Not every meal will be a slam dunk.
Even though you get some say in the type of foods you get, there is a good chance that certain meals are not going to meet your complete satisfaction. Word of caution: you’ll get the most value and enjoyment from meal kit subscription services if you have few dietary restrictions and a sense of adventure when it comes to your palate.
Disadvantage #3: Portions may not be to your liking.
Similar to the previous point, one size does not fit all when it comes to portion allotment. Your idea of a “portion” may differ from that of the company sending you those delicious meals. Maybe they send you too much, maybe they send you not quite enough. Either way, there will be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to adjusting to your new way of meal planning.
The bottom line…
Meal kit subscriptions may not be for everyone and, in most cases, will not be a suitable replacement for all your meal preparation needs. However, they do offer some real nice advantages and can bring a bit of sizzle into the mundaneness of meal planning.
If you do decide to venture into the world of prepared meals and home delivery, take your time and go with a company that best suits your palate and needs. We believe that if you choose wisely, you’ll enjoy the investment.
Let us know how you make out on your meal planning ventures! And if you need further help on your personal health journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Bee Healthy Clinic nearest you.