Healthy dinner, without the hassle
In the past 5 years, not only have the number of meal delivery services increased exponentially but the number of plant-based options continues to grow in line with the increased interest in a plant-based lifestyle.
Like all meal delivery services, there are vast differences in the meals available, so if you are wanting some healthy, ready-made plant-based meals, here are the most popular brands, and the pros and cons of each.
Catering to a slightly more boutique market, Feest is a bit more expensive per meal, with the average meals starting at $14 per serve but you are certainly paying for a meal made with top-quality ingredients.
There is a wide range of plant-based meals and snacks, but the carbohydrates generally tend to be on the high side (per the nutritionals and ingredients available). As such, if calorie and carb-controlled eating is a focus for you, you will need time to sift through and find the menu options that fit with your dietary requirements.
One of the oldest plant-based brands in Australia, operating for almost 40 years, Iku offers plant-based meal delivery across the Eastern seaboard, and has a wide range of plant-based and vegan macrobiotic meals to choose from.
All meals are on offer, including breakfast, and range from $9 to $13 per meal. The meal options are displayed clearly, with full ingredient lists and nutritional profiles easily accessible.
For those keen for a program approach, there are also a number of affordable meal bundles including a protein pack and gut health option. Nutritionally the meals are strong, with clean ingredient lists, although it does take some time to scroll through and find options that are higher in protein.
Dietitian designed, one of the best things about Soulara is that there is a lot of transparency in regards to all the different menu items, allowing users to target the nutritional requirements they have.
With high protein, calorie-controlled, plant-based and vegan options, as well as meals categorised according to cuisine type, it is exceptionally easy to plan out your meals on this website.
As is the case with many plant-based meals, the carbohydrate content of the meals does err on the higher size, and it takes some effort to find higher protein options. But on the whole, there is an exceptionally wide range of tasty-looking meals starting at just over $10 per meal.
Available in Melbourne and the Sydney Metro areas, Vege Me Up is one of the few 100 per cent vegan meal kit options. Founded by a qualified chef, and with over 100 different vegan meals to choose from, Vege Me Up works via a weekly meal plan in which you can choose the number of meals that suit your needs.
Whilst the ingredient and nutritional information is available, it is slightly tricky to decipher, and does not include the calories of macronutrient amounts per meal. Plus, for those who prefer plant-based rather than vegan, the menu may prove a little limiting.
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