Diet Delivery
by Shira Levine
From Men's Fitness magazine
For some reason when we're
paying someone to tell us what to do, it's A-OK
to take it with little argument. Our trainer can
yell at us to stop complaining, run faster and
do another set. Our financial adviser can shout:
Buy! Sell! Or hold your horses - in just a
moment's notice.
It only seems natural that we
would also desire to pay someone else to tell
us: what to eat, how to eat it, how much we can
eat, and then prepare and deliver it to us at
our convenience. Hell, Oprah isn't the only
person who can afford a personal chef! (OK, she
is one of the only ones who can afford her
personal chef.) Thanks to busy schedules and a
hunger for high quality and healthy foods --
lickety split -- a number of diet programs have
created affordable food delivery services aiming
to nourish busy on-the-go customer shoping to
drops a few LBs without sacrificing their
palates. (Don't hold your breath - Batali and
Ducasse likely won't join the ranks of diet
delivery services but some of these chefs
certainly aim to emulate their
tastiness.)
The Race to Be a Big
Loser
We always treat weight loss like it has to be
done in X amount of time by X date.
Nutritionists maintain it is a gradual process
and commitment that melts the weight off, not a
crash two-week course. These programs suggest
long-term commitment with meals delivered daily.
Of course the best results happen when healthy
eating is combined with portion control and
exercise.
The Importance of Eating
Earnestly
We sampled the food from three different diet
delivery meal plans: Zone Chefs, 5
Square Meals and Nutrisystem. A
variety of factors were considered when sampling
the fruits (vegetables, proteins and carbs) of
each program. With a week dedicated to each plan
we looked at the tastiness, freshness,
convenience, what kind of vegetarian option
there was, whether it was filling and what kind
of versatility existed in each meal throughout
the week. We also determined what kind of person
might prefer one plan versus the other.
Grandma's Eating 5xs a
Day Plan Confirmed!
With 5 Squares, the boutique operation
delivers three meals and two snacks so you
easily fill up without feeling compelled to add
other foods or meals. Following the requisite
fist size portions you can enjoy meals like the
steak and eggs with homemade salsa for breakfast
and the
pork stuffed with apples and
walnuts served with asparagus and whipped sweet
potatoes. The fresh and vegetarian options are
notable. The company accommodates those who want
low-carb and gluten free eating with dishes like
the wheat-free waffles with turkey sausage and
sugar-free maple syrup for breakfast.
Ultimately, 5 Square Meals are
ideal for people with specific eating
restrictions who don't want to sacrifice taste.
The delivery process is convenient with large
canvas bags and ice packs. Because many of the
meals are cooked meals they are not fresh, but
fresh ingredients were initially used when
preparing. They require reheating, but can also
be enjoyed cold. 5 Square advises you read their
personalized cookbook and they provide each
customer with a welcome packet.
(www.5squares.com)
Note: These programs work
best if you are incorporating weekly cardio
activity and weight training into your schedule.
The meal services are also ideal if you have a
doorman in your building although they will
accommodate those without. Keep in mind you
might have to answer the door for the before 6am
deliveries otherwise!
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