For many adults, finding time to grocery shop, prepare meals and cook for a family can be daunting. You may not feel confident in your cooking skills, lack the time for meal planning and preparation, or just hate the idea of grocery shopping or cooking in general. Whether you are looking to eat healthier, or just want to save time there are some great options out there for you.
Grocery Delivery Services
Grocery delivery services are a great option for those who lack the time (or desire) to grocery shop. Services like Fresh Direct and Peapod are available online with the same fresh options you would have access to in the store. Your local grocery store may also have similar options as well.
Meal Delivery Services
Meal delivery services are available for those who would like to avoid cooking altogether or who want to have a healthier option than take-out. These services provide a prepared meal with fresh ingredients that you can heat and eat in under five minutes. Freshly and Munchery are two of the more well-known companies, but many more are available. Freshly provides gluten-free meals and there are also services (such as Bistro MD) that are able to provide calorie and nutrient controlled diets.
Meal-kits
There are many meal kit services to choose from so you can cook delicious recipes without doing the shopping or planning. You can often choose the frequency the ingredients are delivered and the amount of people you’re cooking for. The boxes contain all of the pre-measured ingredients (kept cool with icepacks) that you will need and detailed recipe instructions which are generally simple. This option is great for someone who still likes to cook, but lacks the time to plan and shop. Also, it may allow you to try new ingredients that you may not otherwise try. Some of the more popular meal-kit companies include Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Plated, Sun Basket, Peach Dish (for southern cooking), and Green Chef, but new ones are popping up regularly.
These meal solutions can vary in cost so compare before you choose. Also, while most companies use fresh, seasonal ingredients, they may vary in calorie, fat, and sugar content depending on what you select. So be sure to read the nutritional information and choose meals that are low in saturated fat and sodium. You could also try choosing leaner proteins such as fish and chicken and opt for veggies as sides.
Think outside the box (or inside, in this case) to enjoy healthy, wholesome meals anytime.
In good health,
Caroline
*This listing of the grocery delivery services, meal-kit and meal-services are for informational purposes only. Boston Heart does not endorse or promote the use of any service listed