No matter your dietary needs and preferences, almost everyone has found themselves at some point struggling to decide what to put on the table and then find the time to get the ingredients and prepare the meal. Often one falls victim to making makeshift “meals” out of whatever is available or, worse yet, snacking uncontrollably while trying to decide and make something more substantial. Meal prepping is a trend that has grown in popularity, but even that takes an immense amount of time. With people becoming increasingly busier, it has not taken long for this $1.5 billion industry to sky-rocket in popularity.
There is such a variety of offerings and delivery services, there is truly something for everyone. Empire Today recently did a study on the most popular subscription boxes and according to their study, Plated is the most popular in the US overall, though a total of 13 different services topped the charts across different states.
Most services offered flexible plans (e.g. if you’re going out of town for a week you can cancel that week’s delivery and resume the following week) and free shipping, but beyond that, every company had different aspects that made them unique and suitable for different types of diets. Plated is a great option for busy people who want simple, easy and healthy meals. They cater to your average joe who wants good and good-for-you meals. They put fun twists on classics, such as a turkey and spinach burger with a side of carrot fries and aioli sauce. Whereas Plated catered to someone with a standard diet, Purple Carrot specifies to vegans. They have three plans to choose from: quick and easy, high protein, and chef’s choice. Though these plans give suggestions, your delivery is customizable and you can switch out meals for ones that you would prefer.
Other companies cater to a variety of dietary restrictions. Terra’s Kitchen, for example, offers plans that cater to gluten-free, low-calorie, low-carb, vegetarian, weight-loss, paleo, vegan, and pescatarian needs. They also offer a wider variety of products, in addition to meals they have snacks, desserts and beverages and through their partnership with Grapefriend, you can have wine and beer pairings delivered with your meals.
If you love baking but hate the guilt that comes with eating baked-goods, Foodstirs is for you. This organic baking delivery service has a wide variety of products, from pancake art kits to cupcakes.
In addition to these services, Degustabox, Home Chef, Butcher Box, Dinnerly, Blue Apron, VineOh!, HelloFresh, Freshly, and Sun Basket all were found to be incredibly popular services. Check them out and see which is the best for your diet and meal prep needs.