Where to Buy Prepared Meals: 3 Convenient Options

Woman in Blue Tank Top Sitting on Chair in Front of Table With Food

Finding time to cook nutritious meals can be a challenge, especially if you’re juggling work, family, and other commitments. There are days when preparing a healthy dish from scratch seems impossible. But this is where prepared meals come to the rescue.

Prepared meals offer a practical solution for busy individuals who want to maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing quality or taste. They bridge the gap between fast food and home-cooked meals, providing a convenient alternative.

Need quick, nutritious meals to have on hand during those chaotic days? We’re about to share a few different types of prepared meals so you can choose the best one for your lifestyle. Keep reading to discover the benefits of meal delivery services and other kinds of prepared meals!

Order From Meal Kit Services

Wondering where to buy prepared meals in the first place? Meal kit services have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient solution.

These services provide you with pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to cook at home. They make it easy to eat healthy on a budget!

Let’s explore the pros, cons, and average costs of using meal kit services.

Pros

Meal kits offer easy preparation for everyone.
They simplify decision-making by providing curated weekly menus.
Meal kits contribute to reduced food waste through exact portioning.
These services promote better nutrition with balanced meals.
You can develop culinary skills by learning new recipes and techniques.
Want to send meals to someone you love? Meal kits are also wonderful gift options!

For example, Gobble is one of the best meal kit services that offers you both convenience and culinary excitement.

You’ll love the variety at your fingertips with Gobble. You can explore a rotating weekly menu that offers options to match your tastes, giving you the flexibility to try new dishes whenever you want. Time-saving magic is at the heart of Gobble’s service. You’ll be able to whip up delicious meals in just 15 minutes (or less!)

Gobble offers traditional meal kit plans with pre-portioned ingredients, or you can opt to try its new Prepared & Ready options. The prepared meals are flash frozen at peak freshness, so they taste as good as new when you reheat them at home. It’s a great service for meal delivery for busy professionals!

With Gobble, you can say goodbye to extensive meal planning and grocery shopping, freeing up your time for what matters most.

Cons

Honestly, there aren’t many! But potential drawbacks could include:

You have limited control over ingredient sourcing compared to grocery shopping.
Meals arrive on a set schedule, which means you need to plan around delivery dates to avoid waste.
There are deadlines for picking your meal options, so you need to stay on top of orders to avoid unwanted meals.

Average Costs

The cost of meal kit services can vary, but on average, they can cost between $10 and $20 per serving.

As an example, you can get Dinner for 2 (meaning 2 servings of each meal), 4 nights per week with Gobble for $12.99 per serving.

If you opt for plans with more meals per week, you can often find better deals. According to research from CNET, the cheapest meal kits can be about one-third of the cost of takeout on average and more than 75% less expensive than delivery.

Many services offer significant introductory discounts, allowing you to try out several options before committing long-term. Always check for special deals and promotions to get the best value.

Shop at Grocery Stores

Need another option for where to buy prepared meals? Your local grocery store might be the answer you’re seeking.

With the growing demand for convenient meal solutions, many supermarkets like Whole Foods now offer a wide range of ready-to-eat options.

But can these options really beat meal kits? Let’s investigate…

Pros

You save time and effort with grocery store prepared meals. No need to buy and prepare separate ingredients.
You get convenience at your fingertips! You can easily pick up meals while doing your weekly grocery shopping. These prepared meals are ready to heat and eat at home with minimal effort.
You have access to various options to suit different dietary preferences and nutritional needs. You can find prepared meals that are made with fresh, local ingredients, but it depends on the brand you buy.
Prepared meals are a better alternative to fast food or takeout.

Cons

The meals you choose matter! You might face health risks due to high levels of sodium, sugar, and saturated fats in some meals.
You might face limited meal options since grocery stores usually offer a limited variety of prepared meals. Menus don’t change frequently, which can lead to boredom. You’ll miss out on rotating menus, unlike meal kit services that offer frequently changing options.

Average Costs

The cost of grocery store prepared meals can vary widely depending on the type of meal and the store. You can expect to pay between $8 and $25 per serving.

However, you still need to factor in the cost of time spent driving to and from the grocery store!

To maximize savings, keep an eye out for sales and discounts. Many stores offer weekly specials on their prepared meals.

Additionally, buying in bulk or opting for family-size portions can often reduce the per-serving cost.

While grocery store prepared meals can be a convenient option, it’s important to balance them with home-cooked meals for optimal nutrition and cost-effectiveness.

Always read labels carefully and choose options with lower sodium, sugar, and saturated fat content for a healthier diet.

Hire a Personal Chef

If you have the budget, you could consider bringing a personal chef on board to take your nutrition to the next level!

With a personal chef, you’ll enjoy restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of your own home, tailored specifically to your tastes and health goals.

If you’re a picky eater, this could be a good option because you can give your chef personalized feedback to help them whip up meals you’ll love.

Here are the pros and cons of this approach:

Pros

You’ll save an incredible amount of time when you hire a personal chef. No more rushing to the grocery store after work or spending your weekends meal prepping!
Your chef will take care of everything, from planning your weekly menu to sourcing the freshest ingredients and preparing your meals.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, manage a health condition, or simply eat more balanced meals, your chef will craft dishes that nourish your body and satisfy your taste buds.
A great personal chef will introduce you to a world of new flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. You’ll have the opportunity to explore diverse cuisines from around the globe, all from the comfort of your own dining room.

These incredible benefits do come at a premium price, though. That leads us into the cons list…

Cons

Hiring a personal chef can be a significant expense, including the chef’s fees, grocery costs, and potential kitchen equipment upgrades.
Relying on a personal chef may leave you in a difficult situation when they’re unavailable due to illness or vacation, and you might lose your own cooking skills over time.

Average Costs

The cost of hiring a personal chef widely varies.

It’s important to note that there is a difference between having a personal chef and a private chef.

A personal chef often works with multiple clients and may not prepare all meals in real time, whereas a private chef works exclusively for you.

According to Yahoo! Finance, here are some realistic examples of costs for each:

Personal chef: Starting at $30 per hour
Private chef: Can cost a $60,000 per year salary or more (not including grocery expenses)

Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you may be able to find a personal chef who fits your budget.

But if not, don’t stress! You can still enjoy delicious dinners with other prepared meal options.

Prepared Meals Make Dinnertime Easy!

Are you tired of the daily dinner dilemma? At least now you know where to buy prepared meals! Deciding what to eat and finding time to cook can be draining, especially after a busy day. But don’t worry—Gobble’s prepared meals are here to save your sanity and make dinnertime a breeze!

Gobble’s convenient options allow you to enjoy home-cooked, nutritious meals without the hassle. In your first box, you can get 6 meals for $36 + free shipping! Ready to enjoy dinnertime again with Gobble?

Try Gobble Today