A Convenient Option for High-Quality Meals

Meal delivery services have quickly gained popularity over the past few years. Per Forbes, the meal kit industry will soon be a $200 billion market — and for good reason, since delivery kits give consumers convenient access to nutritious, delicious meals.

Most kits contain pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards, though prepared meal kits are also available for people who’d prefer not to cook. Either way, by opting for meal deliveries, you’ll simplify an important everyday task, saving time and money in the process.

Some of the advantages of meal kits:

• Convenience- The most obvious benefit to a meal delivery service is that it eliminates trips to the grocery store, giving you time to spend on hobbies, with family, or on anything else you’d like. Many services offer recipes that can be cooked in 15-30 minutes, and the pre-portioned ingredients make cooking much more enjoyable.

Prepared meal delivery services offer high-quality nutrition with an even simpler approach: These services deliver complete, pre-cooked meals, which simply need a few minutes in the microwave or oven.

• Nutrition- Delivery kits make portion control easy, and most services provide detailed nutritional information for each recipe. Since you can choose your recipes, you can easily tailor your plan to accommodate your dietary needs or substitute basic ingredients (for instance, olive oil for butter) to make your meals healthier.
• Plenty of Options- Meal services are available with organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and low-carb dishes. Whether you have a specific dietary need or you’d simply like to avoid certain ingredients, you can find an option that works for you.
• Price- While meal deliveries can seem like a luxury, an investigation by food blog Kitchn found that some meal kits offer ingredients for cheaper than what you’d pay at the grocery store. Add in the time you’d spend looking through the aisles, and delivery services can be a bargain.

Of course, some meal delivery services are better suited to certain people than others, and prices vary greatly. That’s why research is crucial — particularly if you’ve never purchased meal deliveries before.

How Seniors Benefit from Meal Delivery Services

For older adults, the benefits of meal kits are even clearer. Seniors can use meal kits to save time every day, and they can still enjoy cooking while avoiding most of the prep work.

Many meal services use hard-to-find ingredients, which can make each box an adventure — if you’ve never cooked with saffron, fairy tale eggplant, or lemongrass, you might find yourself exploring new culinary avenues after signing up. Pre-prepared meals can also provide exciting experiences, and they take even less time to cook.

And since seniors eat less than younger adults due to their lower caloric needs, a single meal kit can go much farther. Prepare half of a dish (or save the leftovers), and you can easily cut your per-meal costs without sacrificing nutrition. Older people should always speak with their doctors or nutritionists, particularly if they have dietary restrictions, but meal delivery kits can be a healthy part of most diets.

Cost of Meal Delivery Services

On average, meal delivery kits cost around $60 per week, with each box supplying about 10 servings. However, some kits are less expensive than others, and by researching online, you can often find deals.

Some things to keep in mind when researching meal delivery services:

• Many kits offer free meals for first-time subscribers.
• Some services don’t offer subscriptions, so you can try them without making a commitment.
• You can save by referring friends and family members.
• Make sure to watch for shipping costs and other fees.

A quick look online can give you detailed information on any meal delivery service. Read carefully, and when in doubt, look for user reviews. With a little work, you can determine whether a certain kit will work for you.

Eating Better Through Meal Delivery Services

Remember, no two meal kits are exactly the same, and some kits are better for certain types of people. Seniors should look for at least 3-4 options, comparing costs and sample recipes carefully before choosing one.

If you have a set budget or specific dietary needs, you may have to look at a number of kits before making a decision. That research pays off — meal kits can be a convenient, healthy, and fun way to upgrade your lifestyle.