The idea of meal kits is easy to love; you can have a variety of delicious, restaurant-worthy meals made right in your own kitchen.
Meal kit services send pre-portioned ingredients to make easy and delicious home-cooked meals that are ready in just 15 minutes or less.
They’re a great way to save time and money, try new cuisines, cut down on dining out and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. But which one is best for you?
Time-Saving
If you love cooking but don’t have the time to make meals from scratch, meal kits may be for you. These kits contain everything you need to cook a delicious meal and are delivered right to your doorstep.
While meal kits are usually more expensive than buying ingredients yourself, they can save you a lot of time. They also take the guesswork out of preparing meals, which can be helpful for people who are new to cooking.
Some meal kit services even include instructions on how to use each ingredient in the recipe, which can help a novice feel more comfortable in the kitchen. These meal kits also save you from food waste by sending pre-portioned ingredients in the exact amount needed for each recipe.
Another way meal kits can save you time is by making it easier to shop for ingredients. You won’t have to worry about rushing to the grocery store to get the items you need, and you can save on impulse buys because you won’t be out in the aisles for as long.
In addition, meal kits can be a great way to try new foods without investing too much money. They can also help you to stay on track with your diet because you know exactly how much you’re eating.
Many meal kit services offer a variety of recipes that you can choose from, including a wide selection of vegetarian options and dishes with gluten-free ingredients. This can be especially helpful if you have any food allergies or restrictions, and these options can be extremely convenient.
Meal kits are a great option for busy families because they allow you to create healthy, delicious meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. They can also be a good choice for individuals who are trying to lose weight or who need to stick to a strict budget.
The main market for meal kits is the heat and eat segment, which is expected to hold a majority of revenue share in 2021. This segment is dominated by consumers who are interested in experimenting with different recipes and gourmet meals. This segment is also growing fast in the U.S., as more and more meal delivery services are offering this service.
Variety
One of the most compelling features of meal kits is their variety. The offerings range from fancy-pants, gourmet chef penned meals to budget-friendly smorgasboards that look as if they could be picked up at your favorite fast casual spot. Some even offer perks like delivery and pick-up options, so you don’t have to be stuck in the kitchen during prime suppertime. Several of these juggernauts also offer multi-person options for the more ambitious cooks in the know. A good meal kit can make for an enviable work schedule and a well-nourished home. In fact, the company’s most recent survey found that a whopping 88% of its members rely on meal prep to make it through the week without going hungry. The aforementioned 80% of those respondents also reported that meal prep saves them money on groceries, as opposed to eating out or ordering in.
Healthier Options
One of the best things about meal delivery services is that they can be tailored to your specific dietary needs and tastes. For example, if you’re looking to drop a few pounds or you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for a low-calorie meal plan that incorporates fresh produce and lean proteins. Likewise, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, there are a number of companies that can deliver meals to your door that contain only your allergen of choice. For instance, helloFresh is renowned for their gluten-free offerings. Similarly, many of their vegetarian and vegan options are made from scratch using organic ingredients sourced from local farmers and purveyors.
Convenience
The food industry has responded to consumers’ demands for convenience by offering meal kit services. These companies advertise compelling images of dishes on social media and websites, then deliver complete kits to customers’ doorsteps.
These meal kits are a convenient option for people who don’t want to spend time cooking but need a healthy, quick and easy way to prepare meals. Meal kits also help reduce food waste by providing pre-portioned ingredients.
Meal kits can be a great solution for busy families. Many of them provide a variety of meal options, including vegetarian and gluten-free recipes. They can also help you save money on groceries and eat healthier foods by providing fresh, preservative-free ingredients.
Most meals are ready to eat in just minutes, which makes them perfect for people with busy schedules. Moreover, many of these services have customer service representatives who can answer questions and assist you with ordering.
They can also be a great way to try new types of food and explore different cuisines. Some meal kits even come with a recipe book so you can make sure your meals taste great!
The cost of these kits varies, but they’re generally much cheaper than eating out or purchasing takeout. Plus, most of these meal kits offer significant discounts on your first delivery.
You can use these discounts to test out different meal kits before making a decision. Some even give you discounts for buying multiple boxes.
While the amount of plastic used by these services is higher than if you buy your own groceries, some companies have taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment. EveryPlate, for example, puts all its produce and other ingredients in a single cardboard box that’s completely recyclable.
Another way to cut down on packaging is to buy the ingredients you need online, rather than in a store. This will save you time and money, but it’ll also reduce the amount of waste produced by shipping your order.
Convenience is defined as “suited to personal comfort or to easy performance”. It refers to a process, item or substance that makes life easier, faster and less stressful by increasing ease of accessibility, saving resources or reducing frustration.