We know, we know… Cooking healthy feasts every night can be monotonous and expensive, especially when home-delivered cheesy pizza (and garlicky garlic bread) is only a phone call away. If only someone could home deliver tasty food combos that are good for you!
Turns out they can. So we asked dietician Caitlin Reid to trial Sydney’s food delivery services to find out which ones are the healthiest, best value and tastiest choice for you.
Youfoodz
Vacuum-sealed, fresh meals that can be kept in the fridge for 7-9 days
Youfoodz offers a pretty extensive range of meal plans to choose from (everything from weight loss to weight gain), and their website is easy to use. If you don’t go for one of the meal plans, the not-so-healthy options (BBQ wings with chips, anyone?) might distract you. While the vegetarian options are few and far between, a new meal is added to the menu every couple of weeks to stop you getting bored. Meals are delivered fresh and are oxygen-sealed, so if you work late you can save it for up to a week in the fridge. You can select pre-set meal plans and if it’s not exactly the way you like it, you can customise your order by adding and removing products. Our pick is the Muscle Gainer meal plan, as it has lots of protein, tasty snacks and is great for gym junkies.
How it arrives: In a polystyrene esky with ice. Meals are left at your front door (or work place) from 9am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Cost: There’s a minimum spend of $69, which will give you seven meals and free delivery (for a limited time). Five-day meal plans (10 meals) start from $99.50, while a 7-day meal plan (21 meals) will set you back $208.95.
Eat Fit Food
Fresh, ready-to-eat meals that may sometimes need heating up and cooking
The preprepared meals form Eat Fit Food are great for work lunches and weekday dinners. Some meals require you to cook the protein elements of the meal, but most just require 2-4 minutes in the microwave. There’s a big focus on weight loss and eating clean, and the menus are set with generally two-three options for each meal and each snack. This option might be a little more pricey than some others, but there’s no prep involved, all you have to do is put it in the microwave (or oven) and you’re done. If you’re interested, you can check out the Eat Fit Farm via their website to see where their organic produce is grown. We love the high-protein Clean + Lean five-day plan. It’s focus is on trying to help you create new healthy eating habits.
How it arrives: Meals arrive in an insulated cooler bag containing ice bricks on Monday, Wednesday and/or Fridays between 12am-7am (CBD deliveries are made between 8am-10.30am). Leave your empty cooler bags out for pick-up the night before your next order is due. You’ll need to give them a key or swipe card for secure buildings.
Cost: There’s a minimum order of $120 (five meals), with delivery costing $7 per day. Meal plans start from $375 (for five days). First time orders are also charged a non-refundable $35 for the cooler bag, ice brick, security tag and administration fees.
Dietlicious
Pre-made frozen and some fresh meals you can store for a later day if needed
Dietlicious offer kilojoule-controlled meal plans that include all three meals, snacks and smoothies. Choose from 1200, 1500 and 1800 calorie plans, including a ‘Cleanse’ option that hovers around 1100 calories. Meals are delivered frozen, which means that you can keep them for another day if you go out, and there are a range of programs and individual meal choices including vegetarian and gluten free. Place your frozen main meal in the fridge the night before so it defrosts prior to cooking as it tastes better that way. Our choice is the 1200 calorie vegetarian plan as it includes lots of smoothies, curries, soup and a burger.
How it arrives: Everything is packed in an insulated box. As the main meals are frozen, you’ll need to remember to put them in your freezer asap. Vegetables and salads arrive fresh and should be stored in your fridge.
Cost: There’s a minimum spend of $50 per order. You’ll also be charged a delivery fee, which varies depending on where you live and whether you require regular or express delivery. If you live near Brookvale you can also pick up your meals from their head office.
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