4 Pros and Cons of Cooked Meals Delivered to Home for Seniors

Are you considering getting cooked meals delivered to the home for seniors? It's probably a great idea if you and your parents live outside the city.

Signing up for a meal delivery service is a big help for the elderly, disabled, and busy individuals. Prepared meals are often fuss-free.

But before you decide to commit to elderly meal delivery services, take the time to understand key advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

How Do Ready-Made Meals for Seniors Work?

Seniors should have easy access to nutrient-rich foods. This is especially hard if they lack the mobility to go to the grocery store or prepare their own meals.

Elderly meal delivery providers allow you to choose the dishes from their daily rotating menus. You can do this using a tablet, computer, or mobile phone. Then, it's only a matter of waiting for your tasty fully-prepared meals to arrive at your doorstep. Same-day delivery is also possible.

Some providers, such as Meal Village, only work with local chefs and use fresh ingredients that fine dining restaurants in Chicago also use. That's why it's one of the healthiest and tastiest premade delivery services you'll find in the area. All you have to do is heat up these gourmet senior meals when you're hungry.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ready meals?

Unsure if opting for cooked meals delivered to home for seniors is a smart move? Find out what the pros and cons are.

Pros

1. It's convenient

When you sign up for prepared meals delivered to seniors, most of the communication takes place online. Even rural residents can place delivery orders.

Meals delivered to your home for seniors are usually freezer-friendly and can be kept for up to a week. For lunch and dinner, just pop one of the dishes in the microwave. It's that easy.

2. It's healthy

Nutritional frailty is a common problem among the elderly, especially since it's harder to prepare and maintain a nutrient-rich diet. For older individuals who have no difficulty shopping for food, convenience food tends to top their shopping list.

If you don't want your loved ones to consume frozen dinners and fast food, cooked meals delivered to home for seniors are often more nutritious. You can even choose meals that adhere to your dietary restrictions.

3. It can promote weight loss

Meal delivery services improve calorie and nutrient intake. Each meal shows you how many calories and what nutrients are in it. Meal Village mentions that their dishes often have 600 to 800 calories. The ingredients are also listed on their website and mobile app (IoS or Android) for each meal they make.

Since each meal comes as a complete serving, you won't have to worry about meal planning and portion control. Your meals are already in front of you, so you won't be tempted to grab junk food.

4. It reduces food waste

We're all guilty of buying too much when shopping for food. And sometimes, most of what we buy goes to waste, especially if you or your parents don't enjoy cooking.

Cooked meals delivered to seniors can minimize food waste. You only get what you need in individual portions. This is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly in the long run.

Cons

1. It lacks variety

Sure, meal delivery services have various dishes to offer. However, the selection will be limited. This allows the providers to maintain a high level of food quality.

Some days, you may find the menu uninteresting. Eventually, you might experience menu fatigue. Meal Village is good at introducing tasty new menu items to surprise clients.

2. It's not as eco-friendly

Each portion is packed individually, increasing convenience. But at the same time, the package includes vacuum-sealed plastic to protect your food, which contributes to environmental pollution. Keeping these foods as fresh as possible during delivery isn't eco-friendly either.

3. It's expensive upfront

Making your own food means only having to spend money on groceries. But when you order ready made meals for seniors, you also need to consider the labor of love that goes into the cooking process. Ingredients are also fresher and better quality, which increases their cost.

Elderly Meal Delivery FAQs

Got more questions about cooked meals delivered to home for seniors? We might have the answers here.

Is it worth buying prepared meals?

Yes. If you want to save time and effort on grocery shopping and cooking, this is the most convenient option.

What are the negatives of meal kit delivery services for seniors?

Meal kit delivery companies will send you raw ingredients and cooking instructions rather than prepared dishes. So you won't have to plan meals and shop for groceries. However, cooking will still be your responsibility.

What are the benefits of home-cooked meals?

While cooking your own meals can be tiresome, it gives you more control over what you eat. With discipline, you can stick to your dietary requirements, hit your health goals, and spend less on food.

What is the healthiest premade meal delivery service?

Meal Village uses the freshest ingredients and delivers healthy meals. Reach out to us to place an order.