As someone who barely has any time to cook a proper healthy meal for themselves every single day, meal subscriptions are a saving grace. I don't have to worry about thawing my protein the night before; the box gets delivered straight to my door, they pack all the ingredients I will need, and I can pick and choose different recipes depending on my dietary restrictions.
But how do you pick the perfect meal subscription that's right for YOU? Well, I tried four of the most popular brands out there – Home Chef, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, and Sunbasket – and I'm here to help you decide on the best one for you. Whether you're looking for one that will cater to your dietary preferences or one that's more affordable than the rest, there's definitely something out there for you.
If you want one box that provides both oven-ready meals and meals that need more preparation: Home Chef
Like I said, sometimes I just don't have the time or the energy to prepare myself a full diner. We've all been there. So instead of whipping up boxed mac and cheese (that there's nothing wrong with either) or ordering out, I can simply opt for Home Chef to send me oven-ready meals, which require low to no preparation. Not only that, but I can also choose unprepared meals for when I have some time in the evenings or the weekends. The part that I love the most is that even when I choose a specific meal and dietary restriction, I still have full access to their menu if I change my mind at any moment.
If you want organic products: Sunbasket
Not saying that the other subscription don't do this, but Sunbasket heavily focuses on sustainability and quality. They claim that their standards meet or exceed those of most natural grocery stores. Produce is organic whenever possible, meats are raised responsibly (and free of antibiotics and added hormones), and seafood is all wild-caught and sustainably sourced.
If you want a name brand: Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh is one of the most popular meal subscriptions out there. They spend plenty of money on advertisements as you can find ads in subway cars, bus stops, and they even send coupons to your home constantly (at least they send them to me). And with good reason, Hello Fresh has established itself as one of the top brands for being relatively affordable, easy to navigate, and delicious. However, there are a few cons that might make you change your mind such as their lack of keto, gluten-free, and organic recipes.
If you want substitutions: Home Chef
Every time I get Home Chef delivered, they make sure to include ideas and instructions for substitution. This is a huge plus for me because I'm a picky eater and sometimes there are some veggies I'm not willing to try. Or if I do like something and I don't have it on hand, I can simply replace it responsibly. But it also works for the times I might have forgotten to swap out an ingredient on the website.
The Ultimate Winner: Home Chef
Everyone has different needs and requirements they want to check off when it comes to their meals, but for me, Home Chef is the winner. Their website is easy to navigate and they always have meals I know I'll love. I can also pick between oven-ready meals or unprepared ones and I get to keep their recipes stashed in a little binder that they provide with each box. Not only that, but it fits into my budget and if I have to skip, it's super easy to do. What more could a busy girl want?
