Thinking of using mail-order meal programs? Here’s a dietitian’s guide

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

By Lauren Cornay, registered dietitian with Avera Heart Hospital.

Whether you are looking for a way to avoid crowds at the grocery store or spend less time on meal planning and prep, mail-order meal kits might be the answer. There is no question this is a growing trend. But now with over 20 companies offering mail-order meal kits, you will need to do your homework before signing up.

Here are a few important questions to consider:

How much time do I want to spend in the kitchen?

There are options to fit every answer. Companies such as Freshly and Factor have meals that you simply heat and eat. Companies such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh often require more like 30 to 45 minutes of prep and cook time.

Are there important dietary restrictions I need to follow?

Not all mail-order meal kits are focused on health. Some are more focused on introducing unique and gourmet foods. If weight loss or weight management is your focus, make sure to check the nutrition facts on the offered meals.

You might consider going with a company such as Snap Kitchen, which provides specific dietary patterns such as keto, paleo or others within a specific calorie range of 1,200 to 1,800 per day. Many companies offer meals free of specific allergens or that follow common diets, including vegan, vegetarian, low-carbohydrate or others.

Am I comfortable with packaging waste?

It takes a lot of specialized packaging to ship perfectly portioned, temperature-sensitive foods across the nation. It just can’t be avoided. However, companies such as Sunbasket take pride in their 100 percent recyclable and compostable packaging. Check to see if there are options that fit your mindset on this part of the decision.

Do they offer something everyone in the house will eat?

Although I would be delighted to try the honey miso broccoli donburi from HelloFresh, I feel like it might not appeal to my children as much as, say, the cheesy broccoli and meatballs from the more kid-focused meal company Yumble. The size of the weekly or monthly menus really varies among the companies, too, so make sure you can find plenty of options that would work for your family.

A recent family dish created by Lisa Leuning, Avera Marketing, using a meal-order program. Her take on meal-order programs: “I always struggle with what to make my family for supper. Using a meal delivery service takes the stress out of meal planning. I also get to try new things and learn how to make amazing sauces that get my kids to try new things. I look at it like taking a cooking class at home!”

What is my budget?

A budget of $150 to $200 at the grocery store can pretty easily feed my four-person family their three meals a day for a week. A price tag of $100 to $150 for three meals designed to feed four people would be tough to fit into my budget. However, I could make $70 for three meals designed to feed four from EveryPlate, which is focused on tasty value and convenience, fit the budget. For many of the companies, the more meals you buy the better the deal.

Is there a subscription?

Make sure to read all the fine print. Can you pause meals if you are traveling? What happens if there are shipping delays? How long do I have to commit to get the sign-up deal? Can I vary the quantity and types of meals? Do your homework to avoid mistakes.

Read more by Lauren Cornay at Avera Balance.