Meal-box subscriptions have become quite popular, providing an easy alternative for busy professionals and entrepreneurs—or even people who just can’t cook well. Check out five cool options, from fully cooked meals to healthy snacks, that will keep you on top of your nutrition game:
Chef’d is a Los Angeles-based company that offers recipes curated by celebrity chefs, nutritionists, and foodie gurus (from TV personality Robert Irvine to clean eating expert Keri Glassman). You place your order via the Web and you’ll receive all the pre-portioned ingredients you need—most of them organic— to create the meals. Chef’d also has videos demonstrations and offers a range of recipes that are gluten-free, or Paleo-friendly. They’ve also teamed up with Tone It Up to provide weekly dinner meals.
Costs range from $19 to $39 for two-serving meals, and there’s no subscription or minimum required. Deliveries are usually between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., so you can even prep for the next day’s meals.
PlateJoy offers meals that align with the Mayo Clinic dietary recommendations of 10% to 35% fat, 10% to 25% protein and 45% to 65% carbohydrates and also offers meals that are Paleo-friendly. Their customization has been touted as the most personalized of any service, offering
options for those with dietary restrictions and even your choice of grocery provider. (You can get your ingredients from local retailers like Whole Foods.) Dinners are made to take no more than 40 minutes to prep, which is a great plus for busy entrepreneurs.Deliveries are done daily, within 36 hours of the completion of your online shopping. Prices vary for meals, but here’s a $79 minimum on each order.
Healthy Surprise provides a healthy alternative to chips, sweets, and other sugar-filled snacks. Their boxes are filled with all-natural, gluten-free, and (mostly) vegan treats. Three subscription boxes are available: the Classic Box
(15 snacks), Big Box (21 snacks) and the Paleo Box (17 snacks). Non-vegan options include snacks that have grass-fed/pasture-raised meat and wild caught fish, and they tout offering snacks with no refined sugars, grains, dairy or legumes. Subscriptions start at $49, and boxes are shipped up to 3 business days after ordering, depending on your location.Breakbox gives you an excuse to avoid those office vending machines, offering snacks that are not chocked full of preservatives and sugar. Each box includes items like organic teas, gourmet granola, and gluten-free crackers, and there are four different sizes. Boxes may also contain skincare or other personal care products. Subscriptions start at $39.95.
Freshly offers healthy meals that the company says should take two minutes or less to prepare.) Fully-cooked meals are delivered to you, so that all you have to do is reheat. The subscription service offers breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a weekly menu, and all meals are high in protein, low in carbs, and have no gluten, refined sugars, or hormones. Their Website offers information on ingredients and nutrition info. With meals insulated in biodegradable, recycled denim and non-toxic, water-soluble gel packs, Freshly ships to 17 states in the western U.S. Meal plans start at $69 per week.