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If you’re trying to level up to a healthier lifestyle, you’ve likely heard the news: Just exercising doesn’t cut it. A good diet is just as important as cardio or daily workouts, and some research even says a bad diet can negate the positive effects of exercise.
But keeping a balanced diet and staying healthy can be a challenge. Sometimes you just want to steer clear of the kitchen and order takeout after a long day (we’ve all been there). One thing meal kit delivery services do is make it easy to stay consistent with your eating habits throughout the week.
If your doctor recommends weight loss for a certain condition, or you want to make the switch to fitness-friendly eating, then good news: There are plenty of meal kit companies that offer meals (and even entire plans) aimed at doctor-approved eating habits.
They also help you to avoid pitfalls like high levels of added sugars or high-sodium intake: two big drivers of unhealthy diets in 2023.
“Meal kits provide fresh ingredients that are usually locally sourced with healthier cooking methods and minimal environmental impact,” says Jennifer May, principle nutritionist and director of Sydney City Nutritionist Nutritionist and Food Intolerance of Australia.
You can typically find information on how different companies back up these claims in the “About Us” section on their website. Start here when looking for truly fitness-friendly meal kits, just like we did when putting together our list below.
Targeting weight loss through meal kits
Fitness-friendly eating is one thing, but what if you want to drill down and really commit? First off, your doctor is your best resource for planning lifestyle and dietary changes. Beyond that, we know that consistency is key when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off.
The average adult needs anywhere from 1,600 to 3,000 calories per day. Your personal limit is determined by a number of factors, from how old you are to how active your lifestyle is (the Mayo Clinic’s calorie counter can help you narrow it down).
“Meal kits give you more control over the seasoning and nutritional content of your food,” May says, “[which] is beneficial for those looking to tailor their diet to specific health needs.” Pre-measured seasoning packets, for example, can help you to avoid loading up on sugar