Are meal delivery services and meal kits worth it? We all love a delicious, well-balanced meal – but sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to go to the grocery store, shop for all the ingredients, read a recipe and then actually cook them. Luckily, meal delivery services and kits have come to the rescue and become increasingly popular as of late. According to Nielsen, meal kit sales in Australia are growing at a rate of 40% compared to 2018.*. If you don’t have the time to cook everything from scratch, dedicated services deliver pre-made meals or meal kits straight to your door!
We’ve done all the work and researched both the pros and cons, plus investigated three top meal delivery services in Australia, so you don’t have to!
The pros and cons of ready-made meals
Pros:
It’s time to ditch the dishes! Ready-made meals offer a level of convenience that time-poor people crave. They can be bought in store for immediate consumption, kept in the fridge as meal options for busy days, late-night work scenarios or feeding hungry family members when you have your own commitments to attend to. They can also be frozen and used for emergencies, reducing the reliance on nutrient-poor takeaway options.
Do you ever commit to a weekly meal plan and shop for all your groceries – then never actually make any of it and end up throwing away the ingredients you so painstakingly bought? According to OzHarvest, Australia produces 7.6 million tonnes, or 312 kg per capita, of food waste every year – 2.46 million tonnes of this is from household food waste, which is approximately AUD$2,000-2,500 per household per year!
So, as well as saving time, money AND reducing food wastage, ready-made meals can also be a great way to ensure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients in your diet. Ready-made meals can be delivered to your front doorstep as a part of a weekly “meal plan” that matches your health and nutrition goals.
Cons:
While portion control can be a good thing, ready-made meals can be a little on the smaller side if you’re feeling extra hungry. Energy content can greatly differ between each meal, so having an understanding of your individual needs before purchasing is important.
Some ready-made meal services also offer nutritional information on their websites or through apps, which makes it easy to see exactly what nutrients your meal contains before purchasing it. You can use this information to make informed decisions about what foods you should be eating if you have specific dietary requirements, like gluten or lactose intolerances.
The verdict:
Ready-made meals can be tasty, convenient and healthy — if they’re chosen carefully!
The pros and cons of meal kits
Pros:
The meal kit delivery industry has been growing and evolving over the past decade. These services have gained popularity for their convenience, healthy meals, and ability to save money on groceries. But are they worth it? If you’re looking for fresh ingredients, quality food, and guidance from experts who know what they’re doing — yes! Meal delivery kits, also known as “food boxes”, can be a great investment for both your health and your wallet.
If you’re unfamiliar, the concept is simple: you sign up for a subscription with a meal kit company and they deliver all the ingredients you need to make your meals for a week or two at a time. You simply throw together the ingredients as per the cooking instructions for each meal, and voila! You’ve got yourself some delicious homemade food that’s easy on the budget and good for you too.
Cons:
With so many options available, it can still be hard to find one that fits all your dietary needs. For instance, there are limited options for stricter diets like keto, paleo, or vegan. Some meal delivery kits also charge extra fees for things like shipping and handling—which can add up quickly if you order often.
As with anything else you buy online, it’s important to do your research before signing up. You want to make sure you’re getting what you need at the right price so that you can enjoy the benefits without any of the drawbacks.
The verdict:
If you’re looking for a healthy way to cut down on time spent making dinner each night, meal delivery kits might be the answer! Just make sure you understand what’s included in them before buying.
The top players in the game
Hopefully, our pros and cons of meal delivery services will help you decide whether or not this emerging trend is right for you. If like millions of other Australians, you decide it is, the next step is to decide which meal delivery service to go with. There are plenty to choose from, but which ones are worth your time and money and suited to your needs?
HelloFresh
Fresh food boxes
Fresh, homemade meals are the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. HelloFresh delivers everything you need to create delicious dinners from scratch so you spend less time shopping and more time chef-ing! The HelloFresh menu is jam-packed with recipes that use fresh, seasonal ingredients and are categorised into Meat & Veggies, Vegetarian, Family-Friendly, Calorie Smart, Quick & Easy and Carb Smart – perfect for every household, appetite, and schedule. Meal kits are also perfect for anyone that likes to cook or is an aspiring cook – with the easy-to-follow instructions, you’re actually going to learn how to cook!
What we love about it: HelloFresh meal kits can be easily personalised, with subscribers able to adjust their meal plan settings based on dietary preference and desired number of meals. They even do special recipes for special occasions!
HelloFresh deals: Get up to $130 off your HelloFresh boxes, plus free shipping with Shopa Docket.
YouFoodz
Ready-made meals
YouFoodz Australia has disrupted the ready-made meal industry by offering a more convenient and healthier alternative to other brands. Their goal is to provide you with healthy and delicious options that will leave you feeling satisfied without sacrificing quality or taste. They offer a constantly-changing menu of fresh, pre-made meals, protein-packed snacks, and cold-pressed juices that are healthy, nutritious and delicious.
What we love about it: You can either select from the YouFoodz menu as a part of a healthy meal delivery service or they are conveniently available in most major supermarkets in Australia.
Youfoodz deals: Get ready made, fresh meals delivered free to your door with Shopa Docket.
My Muscle Chef
Ready-made meals
My Muscle Chef offers protein-packed and customised meal plans delivered to your door. The time you save in the kitchen is more time you can spend in the gym, on the pavement, in the pool or at the studio — wherever it is that gets your heart pumping, My Muscle Chef are there every step of the way.
What we love about it: My muscle Chef provides a selection of meal plans and pre-selected sets for different dietary requirements and goals.
My Muscle Chef deals: Get $20 off your first order with Shopa Docket.
*Nielsen: Meal Kits Increasingly Popular Amongst Australian Consumers, Up 40 Per Cent – B&T
