SKIP TO: Are healthy food delivery services worth it? | How much are food delivery services? | What food delivery service is best for weight loss? | How we test healthy food delivery services
Are healthy food delivery services worth it?
Owing to the fact that very few people keep a dedicated spreadsheet tracking the ever-fluctuating price of garlic from supermarket to supermarket, healthy meal delivery services are worth it in almost every case. Since you’ll be bulk buying your meals, this is immediately a more frugal option than flitting to your local Tesco Express every other day to top up on ingredients…and the more people you’re buying for, the more financial sense it makes. If you’re a family of four getting four meals delivered per week, for example, you should be able to get each portion for less than £3 per person. What’s more, the convenience of having each and every vegetable, protein, carbohydrate (if you’re partaking) and spice is carefully weighed makes things even simpler — as well as less wasteful.
Time wealth is also worth considering in these things. Like we said, you should be spending far less time trekking to the supermarket for last-minute additions you forgot, while the preparation time for most of the examples we’ve tried was 45 minutes or less. Even for those without a budget, it’s a no-brainer switch to make. Time is money and money doesn’t grow on trees, after all.
How much are food delivery services?
There is a dramatic spread of pricing options to be found in the following list, from the HelloFreshes and Goustos of the world to the bespoke packages of Fresh Fitness Food. While having third-party kitchens filled with dedicated nutritionists and chefs such as in the latter’s case doesn’t come cheap, there is absolutely a way to make things affordable. Many recipes on offer — particularly those selected in larger boxes and for bigger groups of people — come to a couple of quid each. Plan ahead to save even more dosh: three to five meals will set you back much less than single-meal selections, for example. Opting for a full-on subscription? Don’t go mad buying extras at Sainsbury’s Local and you’ll be saving even more.
For meals from brands with personalised plans and vitamin-rich organic ingredients, you’re looking at a lot more money…but you might be surprised by the relative affordability of some, particularly when you combine it with the time wealth you will be acquiring. Across the entire remit of options, you’re looking at a cost somewhere between £30 and £150 per week, depending on how many people you’re feeding.
What food delivery service is best for weight loss?
While there are some services that preach their own weight-managing benefits, all of the following healthy meal delivery services can help you lose weight because they are fundamentally rooted in healthy eating. Getting your miles in on the treadmill will certainly burn those calories, but it’s your diet that is key when you’re seeking a permanent weight loss solution. Experts recommend an 80:20 split in your eating lifestyle, prioritising a balanced diet over treats and cheats.
Healthy meal delivery services work by making sure you’re getting everything you need from your food, whether you’re omitting certain ingredients from your diet or not. These boxes also have the benefit of taking away from the stress of designing, sourcing and cooking interesting and balanced meals, meaning you have far more time for healthy pursuits like exercising, stretching, mindfulness and getting quality sleep.
How we test healthy food delivery services
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. And so GQ has solemnly determined to eat its way through the healthy food delivery market in order to sort the proverbial wheat from the chaff. How did we do it? With empty stomachs, broad palettes and (for some of us) a newfound familiarity with our kitchens. Of course, taste is paramount when it comes to both the pre-prepared and cook-yourself meals we’ve tested here, but we’ve also been sure to consider convenience, complexity and the nutrition of these dishes as well. Ultimately, everything meal plan we’ve picked out below is about helping you to make healthier choices when it comes to lunch or dinnertime.
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