When you get home, do you have the desire to plan and prepare a meal? If you live alone, do you find it easier to just eat reconstituted noodles or cereal? You aren’t alone.
In the last half of 2018, about 14.3 million customers bought meal preparation kits. This represented an increase from 3.8 million in 2017.
If you are busy and don’t want to spend time planning, buying, and preparing meals, are meal kits financially wise? Keep reading to answer the question: are meal delivery services worth it?
What Is a Meal Delivery Service?
In 2007, the first meal kit delivery plans began in Europe. The business model soon spread across the ocean.
Most meal delivery services require customers to sign up for a subscription. The subscriber then receives meal kits delivered to their front door each week. These kits include the measured ingredients needed to prepare a meal.
Benefits of Meal Delivery Services
You can now choose from a variety of meal service companies. La Comida MTL, for example, offers healthy and nutritious gourmet meals.
Meals come with a nutrition label so you can track your nutritional intake. They also offer meal plans to meet dietary restrictions.
Many companies allow customers to try new dishes they have never eaten before. This allows individuals to learn about new foods and recipes. They can also learn about making healthier food choices.
Most services focus on dinners. Yet, some are now offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks.
Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It?
The big question that’s often asked when considering a meal delivery service, is whether it’s a financially smart idea. The size of your family and the amount of food wasted must be considered.
Also, how often do you eat out? Do you know how much you spend on food each month?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends $644 on food every month. Americans waste about one pound of food every day. With meal delivery services, there is little to no food waste.
When considering a meal service, the cost is based on the number and types of meals you order. Thus, there’s no direct answer to whether meal services save or cost more money across the board.
One article priced the ingredient in one company’s meal kit based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture averages. They found that the meal cost $7.15 more than store-bought ingredients.
So, the question becomes, is $7.15 worth your time and decreased stress? Do you want to avoid planning meals and going to the grocery store sometimes?
Remember, you still must cook the meals. Subscribers report that it usually takes between 35 and 45 minutes to prepare the meal.
Are You Interested in Getting a Meal Service?
Many people today wish to spend their time doing things other than planning and preparing meals. If this describes you, a meal delivery service may be right for you. Individuals must evaluate their family and financial situation.
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