Designed to simplify dieting for on-the-go individuals, food delivery diets make meal preparation convenient by delivering food to your door. In addition to meals, food delivery diet programs provide members with customized meals, online or phone customer service and weight loss resources for a monthly membership fee. When selecting a food delivery plan, look for one that delivers foods that meet your dietary needs, offers support tools for weight loss and fits into your budget.
History
Food delivery diets became part of the weight loss world in the 1990s as a way for busy people to lose weight through healthy, portion-controlled meals. Companies, including Jenny Craig, offered monthly meetings for members at a local center and customer support via phone. Jenny Craig continues to offer members the option of pickup meals from a delivery center, while food delivery programs offer the convenience of buying your meals online and having them shipped straight to your door. Once a small industry, food delivery diets have grown into a $1 billion dollar industry, shipping meals to millions of people around the United States, according to a February 2009 Marketdata study.
Types
More than 20 companies offer diet food delivery in the United States, including Biggest Loser Meal Plan, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and eDiets. Depending on your preferences, you have a number of options when selecting a food delivery diet plan. Most companies provide members with online support from other members, certified dietitians and personal trainers, while some provide a healthy range of fresh foods for busy individuals. Most members personalize and purchase menus online, making meals fast and convenient. Food is generally delivered on a weekly basis; however, some companies deliver food daily in select cities. Several companies offer customized plans for senior citizens, vegetarians, teenagers and diabetics.
Pricing
A monthly membership to a food delivery diet program features meals, resources for weight loss and online customer support. The price of your membership depends on your meal plan and preferences. Price per day ranges between $10 and $40 dollars as of October 2010. Meal plans with three full meals per day are more expensive than those with only two meals per day. The average monthly membership fee is $726, according to February 2009 research for a Marketdata study. Some companies offer discounts and promotions for new members or for ordering food for the whole month.
Benefits
Combined with regular exercise and low-calorie snacks, food delivery diets may lead to weight loss. Food delivered to your home makes planning your meals simple and quick. Most meals are come ready to reheat and eat. Most food delivery diet plans offer a variety of meals to choose from, making it easy to choose meals that meet your dietary needs or preferences. Portion-controlled food can be beneficial if you don't have the time to prepare healthy meals or monitor calories. A 2005 study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that individuals who ate portion-controlled, prepackaged entrees reduced their BMI more than those who ate self-selected meals based on the USDA Food Guide Pyramid.
Considerations
While food delivery diet programs provide you with convenient and time-saving meals, the services and tools can be costly after a few months. Eating the same meals several times throughout the month may lead to boredom and cause you to eat unhealthy or fast food. Choose a plan that offers a month-to-month subscription to avoid contracts or other binding issues. Several companies provide all the food you'll need for each meal, while companies, such as Nutrisystem, ask that you purchase additional servings of dairy and produce. Such plans may cost less, but have the added expense of a trip to the store for additional groceries.
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