You may have noticed the popularity of meal delivery services. There are variations between what they offer, but for the most part, they provide easy-to-prepare or heat-up meals that are delivered to your door weekly. For a person in recovery from an eating disorder, this could be a helpful tool in healing their relationship with food for a variety of reasons.
If someone is struggling to break out of rigid food rules or just feeling stuck in a rut with their meal choices, signing up for a meal delivery service can help provide some variety to their routine as well as exposure to new foods, spices, and seasonings.
Also, for those who struggle with disordered eating, this service can help decrease the anxiety around making meal decisions and foster great flexibility when choosing from a limited menu.
It can also help minimize costs, guilt, or anxiety around food waste as you don’t have to buy special ingredients for certain recipes or when cooking for just one or two people. And for those who work long hours, balancing family responsibilities and other obligations leaves less time for all that goes into meal prep, i.e. grocery shopping, planning, and cooking.
If the service offers already-prepared meals, this can help someone with a busy lifestyle have nutrient-dense meals easily accessible versus relying on last-minute decisions that may trigger a binge or an unsatisfying meal.
Additionally, trying this service could also be beneficial for those who are not super confident in the kitchen and would like a gentle introduction to cooking as well as exposure to different ingredients like sauces, spices, etc.
How to choose which company to try
If you are ready to try a service, we recommend choosing one that offers adequate portions from all different macronutrient groups. The company should be promoting the adequacy of meals more so than restriction or weight loss benefits.
Keep an eye out for messaging that feels inclusive of all different types of foods, food groups, and cultural foods. Try to aim for services that do not promote weight loss or demonize certain nutrient groups.
For those who like a lot of choices, seek out a company with a larger amount of options. Alternatively, for those who want to simplify the process, seek out companies with a limited menu where most of the decision-making process, after answering a few questions regarding your likes and dislikes, is made for you.
Choosing to try a meal delivery company can be a helpful stepping stone to having a more balanced and adequate nutrition intake. It can open the door to someone feeling more empowered and capable in the kitchen. We recommend taking advantage of the great promotions most of these companies offer to try them out in order to discover the right fit for you.
If you would like to learn more about nutrition or meet with one of our registered dietitians, reach out for a free intake!
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