When it comes to delivered meals and ready-made options, the question becomes: how healthy are they really? Nouveau spoke to a dietitian and nutrition expert Dafna Tsadok Hai to discover what these meals contain and what exactly you should pay attention to.
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Although some options seem healthier, many delivery meals contain too much salt and too little vegetables and fiber, research by the Consumers Association. But there are also positive exceptions. How do you distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ meals? Dafna provides clarity.
To what extent do delivered meals contain the promised nutritional values?
This depends greatly on the type of meal, Dafna explains. “Delivery meals, such as pizza and sushi, often lack clear nutritional values. This makes it difficult to assess how healthy they are.” It is often more transparent for ready-made meals (ready-to-eat).
“For example, with providers such as Factor you can see exactly what is in the meals, including nutritional values,” she continues.
Which ingredients often make delivery meals unhealthy?
“The culprits are mainly too much salt, too few vegetables and fiber, and a lack of whole grains,” says Dafna. The high salt content is often due to ingredients such as cheese, meats and processed bases (for pizza).
“The lack of vegetables and whole grain products means less fiber, which is not mandatory to include on labels, preventing consumers from making proper comparisons.”
Is there a difference in meal types, such as poke bowls versus pizza?
However, there is a lot of difference between the types of meals you order. “Poké bowls tend to contain more vegetables and healthy fats (think avocado and fish), while pizza is often high in salt and saturated fat. Other cuisines, such as Surinamese or Indonesian, often have similar challenges: high salt, sugar, white rice and little vegetables,” Dafna emphasizes.
Do you want to choose healthier? Then Thai dishes are often the best option, because they contain relatively more vegetables.
How do ready-made meals differ from delivered meals?
Certain guidelines are applied here. “Services such as HelloFresh and Factor have strict guidelines: a maximum of 2 grams of salt, a minimum of 150 grams of vegetables and a preference for whole grains and healthy fats. This makes these meals healthier and better balanced than many delivery options.”
And what about health claims?
“The term “healthy” is often used too easily, because there are no strict EU guidelines for it,” Dafna explains.
“HelloFresh, for example, follows the guidelines of the Nutrition Center, which makes their claims better substantiated. In addition, there are specific claims, such as low-calorie (max. 550 calories), high-protein (minimum 30 grams of protein) and keto (low in carbohydrates),” says the dietician.
Choosing healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated, even if you often have meals delivered. By looking critically at nutritional values and claims, you can make more conscious choices for healthier meals. Remember: every step towards healthier eating, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction!
Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! We’re diving into the deliciously questionable world of delivered meals—because why slave away in the kitchen when you can make your life easier by having a pizza delivered? Oh, pizza! The only thing that can truly unite us in our obsession with convenience—and self-sabotage.
So, let’s get into the meaty parts (pun fully intended) of this article by Nouveau. They’ve been chatting with the dietitian and nutrition guru, Dafna Tsadok Hai, evidently the Robin Hood of wholesome eating, stealing from the unhealthy and giving to the health-conscious!
Now, first things first, can we talk about the colorful characters on our plates? Our beloved delivery meals promise all sorts of nutritional values—like your ex promising to call you back—only for you to find they consist mostly of salt and regret. According to Dafna, while pizza and sushi sound fancy (and Instagram-worthy), they’re like the drama queens of the food world: all show and no substance!
Dafna elaborates that delivery meals often have the nutritional transparency of a brick wall. You’d think you could just whip out your magnifying glass and decipher whether you’re getting that hearty helping of veggies, but alas! There’s more salt than you’d find on an ocean-side holiday in a single slice of pizza. And if you think shouting ‘Health!’ at your delivery order will make it healthy, you’re about as misguided as that person who thinks putting their food on a salad plate makes it a salad.
Ah, but not all delivered meals are villains in this story! Enter the trusty heroes like HelloFresh and Factor, those meal kit services that make cooking almost too easy. They’ve got strict guidelines—like a teacher with a ruler at a school dance—keeping your meals at a maximum of 2 grams of salt, and a minimum of 150 grams of veggies. They are the health whisperers, saying, “Eat your greens or we’ll have to talk!”
And what’s the verdict on those trendy poke bowls? Dafna tells us they’re like that friend who always eats healthy and somehow looks fabulous—loaded with vegetables and healthy fats. Meanwhile, pizza lounges in the corner, swimming in cheese and saturated fats, living its best life. So, if you’re looking to impress your doctor—or just feel a little less guilty mid-binge—choose Thai for a last-minute option with actual goodness.
But let’s not forget the health claims splattered across these food options—such as “low-calorie” or “keto.” Dafna warns us that these terms are often used as loosely as a teenager at prom, without the solid EU guidelines guaranteeing their legitimacy. It’s like a misleading Tinder profile—girls, we know he’s not really six foot two.
The most alarming takeaway? You don’t have to throw a temper tantrum every time you want a meal delivered. Just put on your detective hat and scrutinize those nutritional labels. Even baby steps towards healthier eating can lead you to nirvana—or at least to a meal that won’t have you reaching for your blood pressure medication afterward.
So whether you can’t swipe your card fast enough for your favorite takeout or you’re measuring out the vegetables like a responsible adult, the essence of Dafna’s message rings true: make conscious choices, because every healthier meal is a tiny triumph against your growing waistline.
In short, folks, happy indulging, but let’s try to keep the “healthy” in our meals and not just on our wish list! Cheers! 🍕🥗
What are the nutritional differences between poke bowls and pizza, and how can I make healthier choices when ordering?
Th a ruler—ensuring their meals contain the right mix of nutrients, including limited salt and plenty of vegetables. It turns out that when it comes to ready-made meals, it pays to read the label and know what you’re actually eating! No more guessing games; these meals come with a nutritional roadmap that can help you make better choices.
Now, let’s talk about our favorite food drama: the ongoing battle between poke bowls and pizza. While poke bowls are often packed with colorful veggies and healthy fats—think avocados and fresh fish—pizza has been known to wage war on our waistlines with its high salt and saturated fat content. And don’t even get started on some of the other cuisines that can leave you feeling heavy and bloated, like certain Surinamese or Indonesian dishes, which may share the same pitfalls of excess salt and sugars, while skimping on the greens.
Dafna emphasizes that if you’re looking to eat healthier while still enjoying takeout, Thai food often wins this tasty race. With a plethora of veggies and lighter options, it’s a great way to satisfy your cravings without running afoul of your health goals.
But what about all those claims of being “healthy” that we see on our favorite food apps? Well, here’s where things get a bit murky. Many companies toss around the term “healthy” without any real definitions or standards backing them up. Fortunately, brands like HelloFresh aim to provide clearer guidelines that adhere to the Nutrition Center’s standards, giving their claims some much-needed credibility.
navigating the delicious world of food delivery doesn’t have to lead to doom and gloom for your diet. With a bit of knowledge and vigilance, you can savor the convenience of delivered meals without sacrificing your health. So the next time you’re ready to hit that “Order Now” button, take a moment to scan those nutritional values. Your body will thank you—one meal at a time! Every little choice can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, and sometimes, that can even mean indulging wisely. There’s no need for guilt when you’re armed with the right information!
