Meal kits are all the rage right now and for many reasons. Read below to understand the considerations that go into picking the right meal kit for you. We'll walk you through choosing, ordering, and fine-tuning meal kits to fit your health needs and lifestyle.
1. Identify Your Specific Health Needs
One of the positive aspects of meal kits is that you can find options that support your goal of improving your health, which might help meet a special diet's requirements. Food choices that are low on the glycemic index is an excellent example for people who have diabetes. Low sodium and low cholesterol foods are an example for those who have heart disease. Maybe a preexisting condition such as Type II diabetes runs in your family, and you want to try meal kits that help you change your lifestyle so you can avoid type II diabetes. There are even meal kits with options for gluten-free foods or following a popular diet/intake program such as Keto. Meal kits that support healthy lifestyles are very much available, and it is easy to choose options that support weight loss, an improved diets, and socially conscious ways of eating.
2. Outline the Goals You Have for Meal Kit Delivery
Many people love meal kits because they make it very convenient to match meals to health goals. Take going vegan for example – vegan meal kits make it easy to cook vegan food. You can check with each company to see how they source their ingredients. Other plans may include weight loss, eating healthy, or even teaching children to cook. The options are almost endless, and the convenience helps save time and effort, all while making it easier by supporting each family member's goals.
3. Focus on Your Budget
Ordering meal kits does not need to break the bank. Start by establishing a budget. Part of the meal kits cost comes out of your weekly grocery budget since you are replacing many of the food items you'd typically buy from the grocery store with food kits. An excellent place to start is by determining how many meal kits you need per week. Be sure to cross-check the prices for food kits across several brands. Delivery charges are another place where you can save some money. Some brands may offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money with them. Others might have less expensive shipping costs. Another fantastic tip is to supplement the meal kit with local produce or groceries. Doing so helps you can get more servings per meal. A good tip for understanding the cost of a meal kit is to compare the price per serving. Don't forget to include the delivery costs, which reduce when you add more meal kits to each delivery. If you are looking for specific meal kits, there may be apps that can help you track the cost, including shipping across many brands.
4. Be Sure to Check the Menu Options
Meal Kit companies offer weekly menus. If you sign up for a service, make sure what's on the menu is something you or your family will love. A little research up front can save a lot of hassles later. A good option is to look for ala carte options to help stretch meals or make it easier to substitute food options. Match up meal kits with your lifestyles and goals. If you love to cook, then look for meal kits and menu options that fit your lifestyle.
5. Read the Fine Print
Not all meal kit contracts are the same. One tip is to make sure that the process is comfortable and pain-free if you need to cancel your subscription. Some brands may offer a trial period so that you can check the quality of the meal kits, taste, and convenience. Another tip is to check out a few different brands to find the one you like best.
6. Does the Brand Fit Your Social Lifestyle
Many people shop for products based on non-food-related goals. Does the company have an excellent environmental profile, and do they use sustainable ingredients? Are they a green company? How do they define organic? Does the meat they use come from humane-certified producers? How much of the packaging is recyclable or comes from post-recycled materials? A good tip is to weigh your options and choose a brand that in addition to producing excellent meal kits also social expectations.
These six tips make it easy to find a meal kit company that supports your food goals, health objectives, and social lifestyle goals while providing convenient and quality food for you and your family.
