We are dizzy with the number of meal plan delivery services over the last few years. In fact we need a spreadsheet! We know that many of these subscriptions are designed to help you take the guesswork out of cooking during a diet by providing calorie controlled meals all made with nutritious ingredients. But come on…Let’s get real. Can meal plans help you achieve your weight loss goals though, or are they just another diet fad?
So we have roamed and tried a few of them. One lesser known offering is Chefgood. They offer an effective way of starting our weight loss journey, and we are all up for maintaining that weight loss further down the track! We are loving the low-calorie meals and snacks delivered to our home on a daily basis, so we are sure that we are only eating a specific number of calories per day, as long as we stick to the plan. (please dont ask questions – we will tell no lies! :).
While meal delivery services do work, there are a few caveats that you should watch out for when selecting a provider. There are also a few things you should know about as you progress on your weight loss journey.
Are all meal plans good?
Unfortunately, not all meal plan delivery services are created equal. Many of them use processed ingredients or preservatives and additives, or prepare their meals weeks ahead and deliver them frozen. Neither of these things are conducive to good health and if you’re going to cut your daily calorie load, you need fresh, healthy foods in order to gain as much nutrition as you can out of what you are eating.
What about the meals we receive?
Another issue is the tastiness of the meals you receive. Some are bland and have no taste, while others are delivered in portion sizes that are much too small to satisfy anyone’s hunger. C’mon think of us as a baby elephant! This sets us up for failure immediately because if we are not enjoying our meals, we are going to seek food elsewhere!
Think about Variety, is there choice?
Look for a meal plan provider who offers a number of plans with fresh, unfrozen wholefoods, and enough variety and choice to keep you interested. You should also look to ensure the provider has clear nutritional data displayed on their website or with their delivery. It’s always a good idea to check customer reviews to see what other people’s experiences were like before subscribing to a meal plan delivery. Finally, it’s so important to actually look at the types of meals that are available on the plan before buying, to ensure you’ll like them. If every meal is full of rice and you don’t like rice, for instance, you’ll be wasting your time and money.
Is weight loss from meal plans sustainable?
Yes. If you choose to stick to a good calorie controlled meal plan long-term, you’ll be very likely to maintain your weight loss and nutritional goals because these meal plans are designed to make you feel satisfied. It’s a good idea to think of meal plans as a stepping stone towards good health. Think of them like a behaviour modification tool that teaches you how to identify nutritious foods and correct portion sizes, as well as conditioning your body to be satisfied with a smaller calorie load. If you can sneak a bit of exercise into the mix too, you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
