Originally posted on https://leantasty.com/how-to-find-the-best-meal-delivery-service-near-you/

 

Getting hungry? Between work, school, family, and friends, it’s difficult to find the time to cook up a meal. That busy schedule can leave you scrounging for protein bars that leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Instead of chewing on a bland protein bar, order a delicious dish!

It’s forecasted that delivery sales could rise an annual average of more than 20%, reaching $365 billion worldwide by 2030.

More people are relying on delivery services to get a bite to eat. With this guide, you can discover how to find the best meal delivery service to satisfy all your cravings.

What Are You Looking For?

First things first: what are your priorities?

Some people struggle to find a meal delivery service that offers meals they actually want to eat. Before you start to search, know what you’re looking for.

The best meal delivery service is one that matches your appetite and dietary needs.

Are you on a paleo diet, vegan, or going low-carb? There are also meals designed to help you lose weight. If health is your main concern, search for meals that meet the nutritional requirements you need.

As you search, knowing what you’re looking for can help narrow down the options.

In order to get the best results out of your meal delivery, choose a service that meets your lifestyle. That way, the service benefits your overall diet (instead of helping you cheat).

Are the Ingredients High-Quality?

Many people prefer to buy locally-sourced and organic ingredients. Thankfully, many meal delivery companies are now catering to these requests.

If high-quality ingredients are important to you, keep an eye out for a service that prioritizes their ingredients. Make sure to do your research to find out where the ingredients for each meal comes from.

Some meal delivery companies only offer one or two organic ingredients in each meal.

Others make finding high-quality, organic ingredients a priority.

Are the ingredients fresh? Frozen ingredients can change the entire quality of your meal.

Knowing where the ingredients are sourced from can give you the peace of mind. That way, you know how the ingredients were handled and controlling what you’re putting into your body.

Do They Deliver to Your Area?

As you’re narrowing down your options to find the best meal delivery service, this one’s important.

Do they deliver to your location?

Unfortunately, not every company delivers to the entire country. In some cases, they might exclude Alaska and Hawaii to only deliver to the continental U.S.

How long it takes to transport your food is important.

The company might not deliver outside of the continental U.S. to ensure freshness.

Before you get attached to a specific meal delivery service, doublecheck. Make sure they deliver in your area. Does the price for delivery differ based on where you’re located?

If you live outside the continental U.S., focus on finding a delivery service in your area. That way, you can make sure you’re getting fresh ingredients from the best local meal delivery service.

How Much Food Do You Need?

Next, take into account how much food you plan to order each week.

Some food delivery services will only provide enough food for couples. If you have a big family to feed, on the other hand, you might need to look for a different option.

From there, decide how many meals you want each week.

Some meal delivery services don’t offer daily meals. In many cases, they might offer three meals a week instead. When you’re looking for the best meal delivery service that meets your needs, keep this in mind.

Then, consider which meals you need. While some companies only prepare dinners, others offer breakfast and lunch as well.

Determining these needs ahead of time can help you find the right service for you and your family.

Do They Offer Food You Want?

You obviously want to make sure you’re ordering food you want to eat.

As you explore different companies, take a look at their options. What type of food do they deliver? Is there a wide variety to choose from?

Not every food delivery service is the same. Some follow a theme while others get adventurous. During your search, keep your preferences (and your family’s) in mind.

If you have picky eaters, you might want to find foods you’re already familiar with.

If you’re looking to expand your palette, on the other hand, look for an option that goes outside of your comfort zone.

Don’t forget to consider your dietary needs during your search.

Then, take a look at the meals themselves. Do they get your mouth watering or do they leave you feeling bored? Make sure it’s a meal you’re excited to eat.

Otherwise, you’re wasting money.

The best part about a meal delivery service is you get to choose! The options are there at your fingertips, so you’re in control.

How Much Does It Cost?

People spend between $290 and $323 per month for groceries on average.

When you’re choosing a meal delivery service, make sure it fits your budget. The subscription prices range depending on the types of meals and how often you order.

Don’t forget to consider how much you spend on groceries for a meal. You might think the subscription is overpriced until you compare it with what you spend to make an entire meal yourself.

Plus, these subscription-based meal delivery services work with local farmers and suppliers. In many cases, you’re getting high-quality, fresh ingredients. That plays a part in what you’re paying for as well.

While a meal delivery service might seem more expensive, it’s important to evaluate everything that goes into the cost.

Chow Down: How to Find the Best Meal Delivery Service

Stomach rumbling? The meal delivery service market is exploding with options right now! As you search for the best meal delivery service in your area, make sure to keep these questions in mind.

Ready to place your first order? Check out our menu and chow down!