Are any meal services worth it? (2023)

Are meal planners worth it?

Saves time.

Once you get in the habit, meal planning takes about 30 minutes a week, maybe a bit more if you've got a really complicated schedule. Spending 30 minutes once a week is a lot better than wasting 30 minutes a night trying to figure out what to make, then searching to see if you have the ingredients.

They're also flexible and don't require that much of a commitment. And while the packaging can be overwhelming, especially if you do a lot of online shopping, the service is actually beneficial to the environment. So, in a word, yes, we think meal kit delivery services are totally worth it.

Right now, Dinnerly is the cheapest meal delivery service. Costing only $4.99 per serving, it's affordable compared to other services where they may charge double the amount per serving.

Cons of Having a Meal Plan

You might not actually cook all the food you bought at the grocery store. You might not want to cook dinner after work. The recipes you thought would be great, could end up tasting terrible. It takes planning and discipline to meal plan, that you might not have.

Cost: Meal prep services and meal kit services are more expensive than cooking yourself. Prices vary, though on average you'll probably pay about $10-12 dollars per serving.

If you are dining out several times a week, then a meal delivery service can offer significant savings. Not only will you save money each week, but you'll also build better habits. Over time, you may become more accustomed to cooking at home and save dinners out for special occasions.

If cost is your biggest concern, the best HelloFresh alternative to consider is Dinnerly. Both Dinnerly and EveryPlate have options that can bring the per-plate cost down to under $5 plus shipping, but Dinnerly has more options so we felt it edged out EveryPlate.

But inflation hasn't affected the price of meal kits much, making these easy subscription services as good a deal as ever. While typical grocery costs are up as much as 23% versus two years ago, most meal kit service consumer prices are only up about 5% or 10% since 2020.

One of the major reasons meal kits are so loved is because they are thought to be cheaper and more convenient than groceries, but buying groceries is slightly more affordable if you compare the two on a one-to-one basis. However, the convenience and time saved by meal kits may overcome the cost difference.

Is it worth it to do Hello fresh?

Whether you're trying to catch up on that new show and avoid the hassle of the grocery store, cut back on more expensive takeout and restaurant meals, or just looking for some easy, new recipes to add to your repertoire, HelloFresh is worth a shot.

Most meal prep meals will last between three to five days in the fridge. If you want to prep meals for the whole week, you'll want to schedule two days a week to do so (such as Sunday and Wednesday) to keep food as fresh as possible.

Though HelloFresh meal kits focus on couples, they're actually perfect for single people too. Recipes with two servings means you'll have plenty of delicious leftovers for the next day. Take them to work, reheat them for dinner, or share them with friends at a summer picnic.

The reason EveryPlate meals are cheaper isn't related to the freshness of ingredients. Instead, the lower price comes courtesy of its use of less packaging. This packaging is also some of the most eco-friendly in the game (round of applause, please!). All your ingredients for the week come in a single cardboard box.

Meal plans fail for many reasons, including:

Meal plans don't teach how to make healthy choices. Meal plans do not teach how to listen to your body and cues. Following a meal plan can reduce satisfaction in meals. Following a meal plan often leads to cravings and overeating of restricted foods.

The average commercially-prepared meal costs around $13. Even if you rarely spend this much money at one time when you eat out, consider frequency. Two meals for $6.50 will add up to the same price. By contrast, the average meal prepared at home costs around $4 for groceries – a $9 savings per person per meal.

Single adults: $59 – $91 per week, or $236 – $364 per month.

Who should pay for the first meal?

Whoever initiated the date is the one who should pay. According to the etiquette guide Emily Post, that is the true answer, and it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

Using a meal kit delivery service can also help you expand your cooking skills and try new foods and cooking methods. Additionally, Blue Apron offers a healthier and less expensive alternative to dining out regularly for people who are too busy to shop for groceries and plan meals each day of the week.

There's a combination of hidden fees and variable pricing across delivery platforms that keep the cost of food delivery high as a percentage of the meal cost. While some consumers are willing to pay for the convenience factor, it's unlikely that the current cost structure yields mass adoption.

There is a decreased chance of leftover ingredients going to waste. Rare or hard-to-find ingredients are more accessible. Meal kit services make healthy eating more convenient. Finally, the hassle of going to the grocery store and physically shopping for the right ingredients is just too inconvenient for some people.

HelloFresh's competitors and similar companies include DoorDash, Home Chef, Green Chef, Sun Basket and Blue Apron. HelloFresh is a meal kit company that delivers pre-portioned ingredients.