I get it, you're busy! You've jumped head first into the keto diet and have decided to follow a low-carb lifestyle but work, school, errands, and other obligations often make it hard to prep keto-approved meals. So now that you've committed to living a healthy, ketogenic WOE (way of eating), how do you ensure you'll get the daily nutrition you need with the proper macros?
We'd like to imagine ourselves as someone picking up fresh ingredients on a daily basis, grilling meat three times a day, and leading a sporty lifestyle most fitness buffs could only dream of.
But the truth is, just like anyone else, you still find yourself feeling tired or have too much going on to keep up with it all. The extra boost of energy offered by a ketogenic diet can't always compensate for busy schedules, exhausting workloads, meal prep times, and cooking skills that may be less than ideal.
If this is the case for you, it might be a smart idea to consider investing in a meal delivery service. Although different companies vary in price and options (as well as quality), there are many benefits to a meal delivery service that I'll go over below.
Why should you consider meal delivery services?
Of course, meal delivery services offer conveniently packaged nutrition that is ideal for those times when you are struggling with an overloaded schedule, as they cut down on meal prep times. They can also be helpful if you are new to the realm of cooking or want to explore new and exciting recipes for your lunch box that you may not yet have stumbled upon.
By purchasing a set amount of ingredients or fully prepared meals, many meal delivery services eliminate the guesswork, as well as the opportunity to indulge ourselves with new and exciting menu options.
It is true that most delivery services end up costing more than the average trip to the grocery store. However, if you are struggling to keep up with your meal plan for your lunch box every day, cooking, and buying food and have racked up bills from eating out, then you are likely to actually save money through a meal delivery service.
Our best advice is to identify your needs before you shop. Is affordability key here? Are you looking for a service that can cover for you on a stressful evening or a package you can rely on as your primary food source? Do you have any other dietary needs, like allergies or food sensitivities?
Another word of advice is to consider whether your partner, roommates or even friends and family members may be interested in embracing the benefits of a keto diet. If they are looking to join a meal delivery service with you, you can greatly cut down on costs for both of you. Many meal delivery services offer deals for packages catered to couples and even families. In fact, some services exclusively sell packages for multiple people.
Once you have figured out what you need from your meal delivery service, you can begin researching the many options available on the market.
If heat-and-eat is the model you are looking for, you could not find an option better than Keto Fridge.
As the name suggests, Keto Fridge is a brand 100% committed to ketogenic options. The meals come prepared and just requiring some heating. Better yet, you do not need to purchase a subscription—you can simply choose the meals you want, as often as you wish. This allows for flexibility, especially if you just want a service that can help you out in particularly stressful times. The only requirement is a $69.00 minimum on every order, which is easy when you see all their delicious options, from Buffalo Chicken Ranch Pizza (with keto-friendly dough, of course!) to chocolate frosted donuts for dessert.
Green Chef offers both a 2-person and family plan, allowing for additional savings. If you have a partner or a family willing to take the plunge and commit to keto with you, this is a great option to work together and enjoy healthy meals alongside one another.
If it is just you, you can always divide up portions, and extend the life of your weekly package. Green Chef meals are delicious but you do not need to just take our word for it: the service has received praise from the likes of Vogue, Self, and Forbes.
Ketoned Bodies offers a great selection, along with a slew of other perks. All their meals are organic and free from factory farming and grain-fed meat, making it the perfect choice for eco-conscious keto dieters.
You can order individual meals (most are under $15!) but the best deal is a monthly subscription. For $800, you can receive a whopping 82 meals—an amazing deal offering a month's supply of meals for under $10 each.
Every one of Factor 75's fully-prepared meals is free of gluten, soy, nuts, GMO, hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives and they have several dairy free options as well. Plus, all their meats are pasture-raised and grass-fed and their produce is organically grown. This is another great option for those with a truly hectic schedule as their meals just require heating and eating.
You can order anywhere from 4 to 18 meals per week with prices ranging from $60-$198. They will ask for your dietary and allergen preferences when you sign up so you can get a plan that's customized for any restrictions you have beyond keto.
The Canadian company, LiveFit, focuses on an area often underserved by popular American brands. The company offers meal packages that are catered to a diverse range of health-focused dietary needs. Some of their packages are focused on weight loss while others are focused on building muscle, going gluten-free or making a plant-based diet easier than ever.
They also have a keto option, which includes packages that range from 12–24 meals. If you are a Canadian keto dieter frustrated by the lack of delivery options, this is an ideal place to start.
Never let a stressful deadline or jam-packed weekend keep you from enjoying healthy, delicious meals ever again. With plenty of options available, every keto dieter can eat well and make meal prepping a little less time-consuming.