By Christina Ross – Accredited Practising Dietitian

Do you enjoy healthy eating, but struggle to find the time to shop for groceries? Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of having to come up with a week’s worth of meal ideas?  

If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might find meal delivery services quite helpful. Whether you use them regularly to supply a couple of meals each week or just when you need a little help or new inspiration, they are worth considering if they make healthy eating easier for you. 

 MEAL KITS

Meal kits are great for those who enjoy cooking, but don’t enjoy or have the time to grocery shop. The meal planning step is also taken care of, as all you need to do is select the meals you’d like to cook for the week, from the selection offered. Meal kit companies also promote their product as helping to reduce food waste, as you are only provided with the exact quantities you require to make the meals. 

Marley Spoon 

Features: 

  • Select your preferred meals from 27 different recipes each week 
  • Vegetarian, vegan, family-friendly, healthy, fast, no added gluten and meat & fish recipes available 
  • Flexible subscription, can pause or cancel at any time 

 Price: 2-Person Box, provides 3 meals per week for 2 people, for $67.50 (+$8.95 postage) 

Hello Fresh 

Features: 

  • Select your preferred meals from the weekly offering 
  • Flexible subscription, no lock in plans 
  • Vegetarian boxes available 
  • ‘Gourmet’ meals available – customers can opt for premium quality proteins and exotic ingredients, for an additional fee charged per person 
  • ‘Fast & Fresh’ meals available – for an additional charge 
  • Dinner 2 Lunch™ feature – this lets customers choose to upgrade recipes that include additional ingredients for two deliciously packed lunches 

 Price: Classic Plan provides 3 meals per week for 2 people, for $59.85 (+ delivery fee)  

Dinnerly 

Features: 

  • Recipes are basic, with fewer ingredients (also recipe cards are digital) 
  • Select your preferred meals from the weekly offering 
  • Flexible subscription, no lock in plans 

Price: 2-Person Box, provides 3 meals per week for 2 people, for $43.50 (+$8.95 postage) 

Pepper Leaf 

Features: 

  • Select preferred meals from 8 recipe choices each week 
  • Vegetarian boxes available 
  • Meals for one option 
  • Meals can be prepared in 20 minutes 

Price: 2-Person Box, provides 3 meals per week for 2 people, for $77.90 

 READY TO EAT MEALS 

These pre-made meals are delivered to your door – no preparation or cooking involved on your part. They can make for a handy ‘plan B’, a healthy back-up meal of sorts on those days where you run out of time to cook yourself. 

YouFoodz 

Features: 

  • Option to purchase individual meals or meal plans 
  • Meals are delivered fresh, and will last 9 days in the fridge 
  • Meals can be frozen for up to 3 months 
  • Vegetarian meals available 

Price: ‘Clean & Lean’ meal plan provides 5 dinner meals for $49.75 

My Muscle Chef 

Features: 

  • Can purchase individual meals from a selection of 50 meals  
  • Meals are vacuum sealed so will last 10 days in the fridge 
  • Meals can be frozen for up to 3 months 
  • Fixed sets include Clean Meals, Keto Friendly, Vegan Booster and Low Carb 

Price: individual meals range from $9.55-$12.95 per meal 

Note: prices may vary with each meal kit and delivery service from the date this article was written