How You Can Save Money By Using a Meal Kit

Did you know that a whopping 93% of consumers said that they want to eat more healthy food? This means that almost everyone wants constant access to healthy and nutritious food. Not only is a healthy diet crucial to your body, but it can also have a significant impact on your mental processes. Even if it can be difficult for many, it’s always wise to be mindful of what you’re eating. (1)

Unfortunately, eating healthy is easier said than done. There can be times when you just don’t have the needed time to buy healthy ingredients or cooking. This is the main reason most people resort to eating out or buying takeout. However, did you know that eating out constantly isn’t only good for your wallet, but it can also have adverse effects on your health? A study shows that restaurant food has more sodium, calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to home-cooked meals. Financially, on average, a USD$22 meal from a restaurant will only cost around USD$12 if you make it at home. (2)

With that said, how can you combine the convenience that restaurant food brings while still ensuring you’re eating healthy food? Fortunately, food preparation has never been easier than today, especially with the rise of meal kit delivery services.

What is a meal kit?

As mentioned earlier, people are now becoming more health-conscious than ever. They’re now interested in consuming a balanced diet. But to achieve this, you need to make some time cooking, shopping, and preparing the ingredients. Additionally, you also have to plan and learn various healthy recipes in advance, so you can even save whatever little time you have left. And this is where meal kits come in.

Meal kit providers are in the service of delivering prepped ingredients so your preparation will only require around 30 minutes. For one, these providers prepare ingredients beforehand, so you won’t have to spend 10 to 20 minutes with a knife. Also, you avoid the time you spend on planning and shopping. Some meal kits even have ingredients that are difficult to come by, allowing you to have a taste of exotic yet healthy meals. (3)

Since these providers have already prepped and portioned healthy ingredients, you can still make a scrumptious meal regardless of your cooking skills. Lastly, meal kits usually come with a breakdown of every meal’s nutritional value, so you can rest assured that you won’t fail your diet. (3)

Even if it was invented and popularized around 2007 in Sweden, the concept behind meal kits goes far beyond the 21st century. There are now over 150 companies that provide meal kit services in the United States alone. With its steady rise, the meal kit service industry is estimated to be a USD$2.2 billion industry globally. (3)

How meal kits help you save money

There’s always the prejudice that convenience will always be exchanged with a hefty price tag. Since meal kits promise a hassle-free and healthy way of preparing food, one can wonder if it’s expensive or worth their money.

This question is the first thing that pops into your mind. This is especially true if you’re looking for many ways to save money or an avid follower of websites that are dedicated to helping people save some cash like MoneyUnder30. To clear your doubts, here are some reasons meal kits can help you save money:

Fewer trips to the grocery store

If you have the tendency to buy something at the grocery store out of impulse, you know how difficult it can be to save money while shopping. Fortunately, by availing of a meal kit service, you eliminate the need to go to the grocery store, ensuring you’re only using the money budgeted for your meals. However, subscribing to a meal kit doesn’t really mean that you’ll definitely say goodbye to a grocery store. You eliminate the need to go there, which can also help you save on gas money. (4)

To remain relevant in the industry, meal kit providers will give you the assurance that every ingredient you receive is fresh and of the highest quality. They can even give you many options regarding the meal portions that you want. However, the problem is knowing the right meal kit provider that suits your needs. And to help you out on this task, you can compare reputable companies with this guide https://www.moneyunder30.com/meal-delivery-comparison and other online guides. This way, you get to decide which company offers the best deals that are suitable to your budget.

Avoid wasting ingredients

Speaking of impulse buying, there’s always a tendency that you fail to portion your food properly when you go grocery shopping. These leftovers can put a hole in your pocket over time. But if you get a meal kit subscription, for example, you can save money as you no longer have to spend money on produce that you’re not going to use. Since providers portion meal kits properly, you’re going to use every ingredient. Not only can this help you save money, but you also get to reduce food waste and save the environment, given that there are millions of tons of food wasted every year. (5)

Has great discounts

Since it’s a continually growing industry, meal kit companies are slowly becoming crowded, which is good news for customers. To remain competitive in the field, most meal kit providers will offer some discounts on your first purchase. Occasionally, they’ll even have holiday discounts like Fourth of July deals or even offer you a 50% discount during your first week. You get to enjoy a healthy meal every day without breaking the bank!

You get to cook at home

The one significant way meal kits can help you save money ultimately boils down to the fact that you’re cooking your meals at home. Since you’ll lessen your time or completely eliminate the need to dine out, you can use the money you’ve spent on a restaurant on other important things or put it in your savings account. Also, by availing of meal kits, you get to hone your cooking skills, which is an important skill to have.

Other benefits of meal kits

As you can see, meal kits are actually better for your pocket as you can save money on dining out or eating at the restaurant. But the financial aspect isn’t the only good thing about meal kits. In fact, here are some of the benefits you can gain when you avail of meal kits:

Convenient preparation: Convenience is the main selling point of meal kits. As mentioned earlier, the ingredient of every meal is already prepped, labeled, cleaned, and ready to use. This means that there’s only a little work required on your part. What’s left for you to do is simply unpack the package, follow the instruction, and start cooking.
Healthy meals each time: Cooking healthy meals isn’t easy, especially if you have a tight schedule. Even if you’re inspired to cook healthy meals from now on, you might be too tired to go shopping or prepare the ingredients. Thankfully, meal kits eliminate the hassle in healthy cooking, ensuring you get to cook healthy meals each time.

Explore different food: Since human beings are creatures of habit, everyone’s grocery lists tend to be too repetitive. So if you regularly eat your favorite food, you’ll get tired of it soon, forcing you to think of a new meal. Fortunately, meal kits are an excellent way to introduce a little variety to your meals––with food options from all over the world.

Better nutrition: Meal kits use ingredients with no additives or preservatives, making them healthier than most takeout restaurants. Also, since they’ve already prepped the meals, you don’t have to worry about how you can integrate leafy greens into your diet or whether the meal you’re about to eat is nutritionally balanced.

Final words

As you can see, if you want to have nutritious and healthy meals despite not having the luxury of time on your side, the best course of action to take is to avail of meal kits. In addition to being convenient, meal kits are also good for your pocket since you get to cook at home, which is reportedly way cheaper than constantly dining out. Moreover, not only will it help you easily achieve your diet goals and save money, but you’ll also get to improve your cooking skills, ultimately making you feel good about yourself.

With the benefits mentioned in this blog post, all that’s left for you to do is to find a meal kit service provider suited for your budget and preferences. Make sure that you conduct proper research when choosing a meal kit provider, especially since there are already plenty of companies in the market. Choose a company that’s doesn’t only provide healthy and affordable meals and one that has a good reputation in the industry.

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