Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It? Time & Cost Benefits

Meal delivery services are a convenient way to have fresh, healthy meals at home without all the hassle of shopping and extensive cooking. 

With a service like Gobble, you choose from a rotating menu of diverse options each week, and everything arrives straight to your door. 

That can definitely save you time, but you might be wondering: Are meal delivery services worth it?

Whether a service is worth the money depends on factors like your budget, health goals, time constraints, and the specific meal plan you choose. 

In this guide, we’ll walk through the benefits of meal delivery services, potential downsides, and how to decide if they’re right for you. By the end, you can answer the question, “Are meal delivery services worth it?” for yourself!

Benefits of Meal Delivery Services

Meal delivery services go beyond simple convenience. They can offer significant benefits for those looking to simplify their routine, prioritize their health, and free up more time in the day. 

Here are some of the biggest perks:

Less Time Recipe Hunting

Unless you’re okay eating the same meal every single day, figuring out what to cook can be a major mental drain—often referred to as the “mental load.” This planning typically falls to one person in the household, making it a daily chore. 

With a meal delivery service, you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through recipe sites or flipping through cookbooks. You simply pick from a curated menu each week, and voilà—delicious meals are on their way.

Less Time Meal Planning and Prepping

According to Pew Research, the average U.S. mom spends nearly eight hours per week on meal prep. Even people without kids often spend 30 minutes to an hour each day preparing meals. 

A service like Gobble simplifies this: most meals take 15 minutes or less to get on the table. That can add up to six or more hours saved each week—time you can spend with family, pursuing your passions, or simply relaxing.

Less Time at the Grocery Store

Research from Spend Me Not shows that the average American spends over an hour per week at the grocery store. That doesn’t even account for drive time, waiting in line, or those impulse buys that sneak into the cart. 

With meal delivery, the ingredients come right to your door, and each meal is pre-portioned and chef-crafted. You know exactly what you’re getting and don’t have to worry about overspending on items you don’t need.

You Can Customize Your Meals

Variety is key when it comes to staying excited about your meals. Meal delivery services often feature dozens of rotating options each week. You can choose different protein sources, cuisines from around the world, or specialty diets like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. 

Gobble, for example, offers customizable plans to fit your preferences. You can typically switch up your menu weekly, skip shipments when needed, and even adjust portions to suit your family size.

It’s Easier to Eat Healthy

If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of cooking fresh, balanced meals every night, meal delivery services can be a game-changer. They can simplify the path to better nutrition by:

• Providing balanced meal plans that are portion-controlled and include nutrient-dense ingredients.
• Helping you avoid takeout and overly processed “fast” options, which can be expensive and less healthy.
• Supporting portion control, since each meal is measured out to contain the right ratio of protein, carbs, and veggies.

Over time, better nutrition means you can lower your health risks and potentially save on future medical costs. Many services (like Gobble’s Lean & Clean plan) emphasize wholesome ingredients without sacrificing flavor, making it easier to stay on track with your health goals.

Do Meal Delivery Services Save You Money?

A common question is: Do meal delivery services save you money? 

The answer depends on how much you value your time and convenience, as well as your current eating habits.

On average, meal delivery services range from about $9 to $13 per serving. 

Yes, you could cook a homemade meal for around $5 per serving, but consider the bigger picture: If you’re dining out frequently (where meals can easily run $20 or more per person, according to Forbes), you’ll likely save money by switching to a meal delivery plan.

The bottom line is that you’ll save the precious hours you currently spend planning, shopping, and prepping. 

If your free time is limited—or if you value spending your weekends doing something you love instead of chopping vegetables—then the convenience factor alone can make a meal delivery service well worth the cost.

The Cost of “Cheap” Food

The average hourly wage in the U.S. is around $30, according to Indeed. If you’re spending 10 hours a week planning and prepping meals, that’s $300 a week (or $1,200 a month) of lost time in purely economic terms—never mind the impact on your work-life balance.

Eating cheap often means settling for less nutritious, highly processed foods, which can cost you in terms of health and energy. 

Harvard’s School of Public Health estimates that nearly 20% of all healthcare costs in the U.S. are linked to poor nutrition—a staggering figure. 

Meal delivery can help you get those healthier meals on the table without a major time commitment, potentially reducing your health risks in the long run.

Potential Downsides of Meal Delivery Services

While meal delivery services offer a lot of benefits, there are some considerations you should keep in mind before committing to a plan.

Scheduling Constraints

Most meal delivery services have set delivery windows. You might need to be home to receive and properly store your box. If your schedule is unpredictable, or if you travel frequently, it can be tricky to coordinate deliveries. 

Some services do allow you to adjust or skip weeks, so it’s worth checking how flexible each plan is before signing up.

Environmental Impact

Meal kits arrive with a fair amount of packaging to ensure ingredients stay fresh, and the logistics of shipping boxes around the country can leave a carbon footprint. 

While many materials are recyclable or reusable, these services are still more resource-intensive than walking into a grocery store. If you’re concerned about sustainability, look for companies that prioritize eco-friendly packaging or carbon offset programs.

Suitability for Larger Families or Tight Budgets

If you have a large family with diverse tastes, a meal delivery service may feel costly compared to buying in bulk and cooking at home. 

It’s also important to note that many services require a subscription, so if you prefer spontaneous meal plans or you’re unsure how long you’ll use the service, you may want to choose a plan that allows you to pause or cancel without penalty.

Takeaway: Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It?

Ultimately, the answer to the question “are meal delivery services worth it?” depends on your personal situation. 

If you’re short on time, want to eat healthier, and don’t mind paying a bit more than you would for raw ingredients at the store, a meal service might be a fantastic option.

You’ll likely save money compared to dining out, and you’ll cut down significantly on the stress of planning, prepping, and shopping.

On the flip side, if you have a large family or a strict budget, you’ll need to weigh the convenience against the total cost. 

Remember to compare each service’s menu variety, subscription flexibility, and overall value—what’s “worth it” really comes down to what fits best in your life.

Find the Best Meal Delivery Service for You

Ready to choose the right meal delivery service for your lifestyle and goals?

When comparing meal delivery services, consider factors like food quality, ingredient freshness, variety of options, and how well the service can accommodate dietary needs. 

Gobble offers a rotating weekly menu and meal plans for different lifestyles (from vegetarian to gluten-free), so you can find something to please everyone at the table.

Reclaim your time (and sanity!) with a flexible meal delivery service like Gobble. And if you want to share the joy of quick, tasty meals, consider sending friends or family a meal delivery gift card—it’s a gift that truly keeps on giving.