Best UK Meal Kit Delivery Companies 

The rise of the healthy meal kit delivery service has been fast. The market for these kits has exploded in recent years - no doubt fuelled even further by the Coronavirus pandemic forcing us all to spend more time indoors in our homes. Many of us have cooked more meals in the last year than we ever have before - with restaurants and cafes forced to shut.

But what exactly is a meal kit delivery service? And how do they work? Here, we look at answering all those questions, highlighting the advantages of using one, and giving you a quick run down of the best meal delivery services, plus a brief description of each one and the types of meals they offer.

What is a Meal Kit Delivery Service?

A meal kit delivery service is a convenient and fresh meal solution for busy people. It provides everything you need to create delicious and diverse meals at home without spending hours shopping for ingredients or prepping for meal time.. Meal kits include pre-portioned ingredients that are measured out, with recipes and delicious meal ideas from professional chefs tailored to your taste and preference. They come delivered straight to your door, so all you need to do is order, shop, unpack and cook.

All ingredients are fresh, and accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions that are tailored to each meal box.Meal kits are personalised and provide a great variety of meal options that cater to even the pickiest eaters. With meal kit delivery service, you can now cook restaurant-worthy dishes right in your own kitchen. All companies use teams of nutritionists and dieticians, who work in unison with experienced culinary personnel ensure quality recipes in all meal kits delivered. It's worth remembering that none of these companies is a prepared meal delivery service, or ready meal service.

They do not send you frozen meals, but ingredients (some of which may be frozen) with which you can cook your masterpiece.

What are the Benefits of Meal Delivery Services in the UK?

At first glance, you may think that using a meal delivery service is going to be expensive, a bit wasteful, and a bit of a luxury. But when you dig a little deeper, we think you'll be surprised to find that - actually - they can make sense for a lot of people. The main advantages that most customers enjoy are:

Time saving

Meal delivery services make it possible for busy individuals to save time on tedious tasks such as going to a supermarket or the grocery store and meal planning. Many services offer a diverse selection of pre-made meals that you can customise to fit your tastes and nutritional requirements.

This reduces your meal prep times, eliminating the need to shop for groceries, reading labels, or scanning endless recipes – everything you would have spent hours doing for your meal plan is done in just a few clicks. With meal delivery services, anyone can become an instant expert chef without having to worry about cooking basic dishes or wasting too much time downloading recipes online or buying ingredients at the store.

Reduces food waste

One of the problems with buying food from a supermarket is that getting through the amount they sell a particular item in can be difficult. For example, big bunches of grapes, punnets of strawberries or boxes of tomatoes - they rarely come in a size that a customer needs. It’s worse when it comes to buying a particular herb or spice for just one recipe, never to be used again. As a nation, the UK throws away 9.5 million tonnes of food waste each year - at a time when 8.4m of us are in food poverty.

Meal kit delivery services help stop that from happening. They send you pre portioned ingredients, so you always get the right amount for your recipe - meaning that you can easily add variety to what you eat in one week as you don’t have to use up a huge bag of spinach, or an enormous cabbage that is about to go off, but you only needed for a roast one day that week.

That having been said, when your recipe box arrives at your door, it does sometimes feel like there's an overwhelming amount of packaging! Cardboard, paper bags, plastic bags, foam, cooling ice. The list goes on. And while you may get exactly the right amount of - say - English mustard, it shouldn't have to come in four separate sachets! We feel that more work needs to be done on the packaging front to ensure more waste is avoided.

Dietary variety

Many of us have a repertoire or meals plans that we make, and rarely diverge from them. We tend to stick to what we know - especially during the week when we are short on time. However, the top 10 best healthy meal delivery services take the pain out of creating a varied diet, here you can opt for weekly meal boxes . You are sent the right ingredients and you don’t have to worry about following a complicated recipe. Many healthy meal delivery services outline easy-to-follow guides on how to prepare food - and rarely use complicated equipment other than a saucepan, roasting dish and a knife.

Impress your friends with your new-found culinary skills

When a recipe box arrives at your front door, it contains everything you need to create a beautiful meal. It could be a meal you've never created before, or an old favourite that you're going to have to prepare in a new way. Either way, through this process you learn new skills. Which flavours work well together, new foods, spices and flavourings, recipe options, and of course, how to put them together! All these tasty meals come with a printed recipe card, detailing the exact ingredients you need and quantities, along with preparation instructions.

Restaurant Quality Experience

The truth is that whether or not a meal you order from a meal delivery service is restaurant quality really depends on the quality of the ingredients used, the talent of the chef and how the meal is prepared. All services showcased here utilise fresh ingredients bought from local farmers markets, experienced chefs and cooks that specialise in high-end cuisine, and strict preparation practices to guarantee their customers receive meals that are close to restaurant-quality.

What Diets Do Meal Kit Delivery Companies Cater For?

Meal kit delivery companies offer a great variety of delicious and nutritious meals to suit whatever dietary guidelines you are following. Far from being a one-size-fits-all approach, whatever your diet you're following, there's a meal kit company that you'll love.

Healthy Meal Kits

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for maintaining overall wellness. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins such as fish or poultry, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, nuts, and sufficient water intake. Foods high in saturated fat or added sugar should be consumed in moderation or eliminated altogether. Breakfast is an important part of any healthy diet – it provides the body with essential nutrients that help to support brain function throughout the day. Nutritious snacks between meals help to keep energy levels up and provide essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in less nutrient-dense foods like processed meats and refined carbohydrates. A well-rounded diet promotes good health physically and mentally while reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease later on in life.

Vegan Meal Kits

A vegan diet is a lifestyle that focuses on consuming plant-based foods and cutting out all animal products. This includes avoiding meat, eggs, dairy and any other product derived from animals. It's important to note however, that simply cutting out these food sources do not constitute an actual vegan diet. People who follow this lifestyle must also ensure they are receiving enough vitamins and minerals in order to maintain a healthy body and mind. Successful vegan recipe boxes include an abundance of leafy greens, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. When done properly,  vegan meals can provide just as many—if not more—nutrients than those inclusive of animal products, allowing for optimal wellness. Choosing prepared meals or ingredients and recipes from a company such as HelloFresh is a sensible way of introducing yourself to a more plant-based diet. All companies showcased on Best10MealDeliveries.com provide at least one vegan option.

Vegetarian Recipe Boxes

Many people are increasingly turning to a vegetarian diet for its many health benefits. A vegetarian diet is plant-based and typically excludes all animal products such as meat, fish and poultry, but can include dairy and eggs. This type of diet includes a variety of vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, grains, and healthy fats. Benefits of the vegetarian diet include reduced risk of chronic diseases, lower cholesterol levels, improved gut health thanks to the consumption of dietary fibre, and improved weight management due to increased intake of nutrient-dense plant foods. Research shows that vegetarians tend to observe their diets more closely than someone with an omnivorous (meat-eating) diet which therefore helps reduce health risks in comparison with other dietary patterns. Therefore, whether for ethical reasons or for health benefits, following a vegetarian diet has its advantages.

Pescatarian Meal Boxes

A pescatarian diet is a vegetarian-style of eating that includes fish, along with fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and other plant-based foods. By removing land animals such as poultry and beef from their diet, pescatarians may receive health benefits such as reducing risks associated with coronary heart disease. While they still limit consumption of animal proteins, incorporating minimal amounts of seafood can provide a source of proteins like omega-3 fatty acids – an especially important nutrient for brain health. Despite being rooted in the principles of a vegetarian diet, which typically excludes dairy, most pescatarians will include eggs and dairy into their diets in order to ensure all daily nutrient needs are met. In general, this type of diet encourages mindful eating that focuses on varieties of seasonal produce and indigenous ingredients to create filling meals and snacks.

Keto Recipes

Going on a keto diet is all the rage these days, and for good reason! This diet aims to reduce the amount of carbohydrates consumed in favor of foods that are much higher in fat and protein. Eating mostly low-carb vegetables, high quality proteins, healthy fats, and nuts is emphasized on this diet. Rather than counting calories, a keto diet focuses on having healthy meals made with fresh ingredients. With its emphasis on reducing carbs while increasing healthy fats - which can help improve energy levels, control blood sugar levels and even aid weight loss - it's no wonder why so many people have jumped onboard with this way of eating. With proper planning and mindful recipe choices, the right combination of food can be quite filling and satisfying even if one has taken out bread items such as rice or pasta from their regular diet.

Gluten Free Meals

A gluten free diet is a lifestyle that focuses on eating food without the protein gluten, which is found in many grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For some people, such as those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this diet is medically necessary. While it may seem like a dietary restriction at first, there are actually plenty of delicious options to choose from when following a gluten free lifestyle. Non-gluten grains such as quinoa and amaranth are excellent sources of protein and other nutrients, while fresh fruits and vegetables provide powerful antioxidants. Other beneficial additions to a gluten free diet include legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy (for those who can tolerate it). With a little effort, anyone dealing with gluten intolerance can create an exciting and nutritious culinary experience every day.

Weight Loss Meal Kits

Effective weight loss diets can have a variety of components, but usually revolve around eating nutritious, whole foods that help promote slow and steady weight loss. Healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates should be eaten in moderation. Fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes are typically at the core of a healthy diet, and help you feel fuller longer while providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, reducing simple sugars like refined sweets or processed carbs can improve health and reduce calorie intake. Lastly, incorporating some form of light exercise into your routine can help greatly as well. Following these tips can be a great way to begin on your journey to healthier eating habits.

Whatever you're looking for, the great thing about meal kit service companies is not just that they provide this food for you. It's that they employ the top nutritionists, dieticians and chefs to bring you exceptionally healthy food, 7 days a week! Where else can you find such extensive meal variety tailored to your dietary requirements with an unbelievable level of convenience?

The 6 Best Meal Kit Delivery Companies in the UK

1. HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a very popular meal delivery service in the UK. It offers a wide variety of weekly recipes to choose from, ranging from vegan and vegetarian options to healthy, low calorie meals and classic comfort food. You can choose between three different meal plan sizes depending on your needs, and all ingredients are clearly labeled and portioned for your convenience. They also offer the ability to customize your meal plan with extra ingredients or special dietary requirements, as well as a variety of add-ons such as snacks, desserts, and wine.

2. Gousto

Gousto is another popular meal kit delivery company in the UK. They offer over 50 weekly recipes to choose from and all of their ingredients are sustainably sourced and ethically produced. Meals can be tailored to different dietary requirements, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, low calorie and more. Gousto also offers the ability to customize your meal plan with extra ingredients or special dietary requirements.

3. Mindful Chef

Mindful Chef is a UK-based meal kit delivery company that focuses on healthy and nutrient-rich recipes. All of their ingredients are 100% natural and free from refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods. They offer over 20 weekly recipes that can be tailored to different dietary requirements such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and paleo. They also have a range of add-ons such as snacks, desserts, and breakfast options. If ethically sourced ingredients are important to you, then Mindful Chef is a must for you to try out. 

4.Green Chef

Green Chef is a meal kit delivery company that offers an incredible selection of delicious, home-cooked meals. With an extensive variety of options, including vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and keto dishes, Green Chef caters to different dietary preferences and lifestyles. Each meal is made with fresh ingredients that are responsibly sourced and delivered right to your door. The recipes are easy to follow and the portions are just right, making it easier than ever to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home. Plus, Green Chef offers meal plans that can be customized according to personal needs and tastes, so customers can create unique meals each week based on their diet and lifestyle.

5.Simply Cook

Simply Cook is a revolutionary meal kit delivery service that takes the hassle out of cooking. Unlike their competitors, Simply Cook provides pre-measured ingredients and easy to follow recipes with minimal prep time and fuss. With over 100 delicious recipes from around the world, they make it easy to enjoy restaurant quality meals in your own home without breaking the bank.

Plus, they offer flexible subscription plans so you can choose how often you receive your boxes of fresh ingredients - perfect for those who want to cook more but don't have a lot of extra time or money to spend on groceries each week. So if you're looking for an easier way to create amazing meals at home, then Simply Cook is definitely worth trying!

6.Keto Cycle

Keto Cycle is a popular diet and fitness program that combines the principles of ketogenic eating with cycling. This combination can help to accelerate weight loss, improve overall health, and increase athletic performance. The Keto Cycle program focuses on limiting carbohydrates while increasing healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil in order to put your body into a state of “ketosis” where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Additionally, regular exercise through cycling helps to burn off excess calories, build muscle mass, and increase endurance. With this two-pronged approach to losing weight and becoming healthier, Keto Cycle has become an increasingly popular way to reach fitness goals quickly and effectively.

(Other high quality meal kit delivery companies include Blue Apron, Home Chef and Feast Box, but we haven't had time to cover them here. Instead click on the links provided to read more about them.)

Conclusion

Healthy meal delivery services may sound like a luxury, but when it comes to totting up how much you spend on eating out each week as well as how much food you buy but don’t use, they do become a pretty competitive way of buying food. Plus, it’s a great way to learn new skills and dishes that you can return to time and time again with confidence. So, what are you waiting for? Start reading our in-depth reviews of the best recipe box providers, choose one you want to try, and receive healthy meal delivery services to your door.