Meal delivery kits, like HelloFresh and Home Chef are perfect for those seeking to make fresh meals at home versus dining out. Meal delivery services are also great for those new to home cooking as they provide the recipe choice and shop conveniently for all the ingredients needed to make a nutritious meal. Meal delivery kit services also range from diet-specific to family friendly to gourmet cooking, to suit your unique tastes and preferences.

When selecting a meal delivery kit service, it’s vital to think about your goals. For instance, do you wish to develop a new cooking skill set, save time at the supermarket, try new ingredients, or stick with a healthy eating regimen? Below, we cover six factors to keep in mind when considering a meal delivery kit service:

1. Know your budget
The prices on meal delivery kit services may range from $5/serving to $28+/ meal. Set up a budget that you’re at ease with.

2. Research the delivery process
Do not forget to check out delivery schedules! Some businesses deliver directly to your door, some companies deliver to a common space and some just deliver in certain cities. Some offer the choice to pick the date the box gets delivered, and other ones only deliver on specific days. What actually works better for you?

3. Choose based on selection and ingredients
Ask yourself if you’d like to pick your meals every week, or if you’d love to be surprised by what’s delivered. If there are any picky eaters in your home, selecting your meals is likely the way you should go! A big part of picking the best meal delivery kit service is being at ease with all of the ingredients that are sent. Are you searching for USDA-certified organic or locally sourced ingredients? There’s a box for that. Also, some boxes provide details about what farms their ingredients derive from and give notes from their chef.

4. Do you have allergens?
Locate a meal delivery kit service that works better for your allergies and food preferences. There’s a service available for everyone—kid friendly, non-GMO, plant-based, organic, gluten-free, no red meat, pescatarian, vegan/vegetarian, and paleo.

5. Nutrition
A high-quality meal is based upon a lot more than mere calories. Locate a meal delivery kit service which provides a complete nutrition panel for every recipe. That includes the quantity of fiver, saturated fat, sodium, carbohydrates, and much more. You might see that a few of the recipes included inside a meal delivery kit service box may have similar fat, calories, and sugar quantities to dining out at restaurants. Knowing the whole nutrition profile helps you make the best choice for your wellness and health goals.

6. Look at nutrition and preferences
Meal delivery kit services oftentimes require you to have specific ingredients available like pepper, salt, and olive oil. Read what a recipe requires versus what’s delivered. Also, make certain that you have the correct cooking utensils in your kitchen like the proper-sized pot, cutting board, knife, and frying pan. Some recipes additionally might call for ingredients requiring specific kitchen tools, like a zester.

Meal delivery kit services frequently may be a healthier option than going through the drive-through or dining out. If you’re considering a service, select a few to try and help discover the best choice for you, as well as your lifestyle.