Grocery delivery is an amazing invention: Order your groceries online or through an app on your smartphone and bags of food are delivered to your doorstep, sometimes within an hour of ordering.
Beyond the convenience of streamlining your grocery shopping, when used effectively, grocery delivery services can even help you eat better. Here’s how:
1. SAVE YOURSELF FROM IMPULSE BUYS
Whether it’s the kiddos begging for snack foods that get tossed into your cart because you don’t want to hear the whining, or you’re hangerly putting food in your cart because everything sounds delicious when you’re ravenous, impulse buys are a reality for most shoppers. Shopping online with your grocery list can curb the thoughtless, often unhealthy, purchases. It is often more purposeful, keeping you on-track with your health goals.
2. MAKE MEAL PREP EASIER
Make a list and shop your list. It’s easier to do when you just type the ingredients into the search bar versus running up and down the aisles looking for them. Grocery delivery can make meal prep easier because of the time savings and organization. Many grocery delivery apps and websites have a function to purchase ingredients from healthy recipes on their site, which makes meal prep so much easier and keeps you organized in your shopping. Shop online so you can spend your time in the kitchen cooking instead of getting burnt out at the grocery store. The convenience of grocery delivery makes meal prep easier so you can eat better.
READ MORE > A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MEAL PLANNING
3. CREATE TIME FOR EXERCISE
Shop for groceries in your PJs before bed, on the sofa while browsing Netflix or even on your lunch break. Talk about efficiency! With no trip to the grocery store, you can use that time to fit your workouts into your crazy schedule. If you work a 9–5 like most of us, you likely shop during the busiest times of the week — Sunday afternoons or after work, which may add stress and take up more time. Take advantage of grocery delivery, say no to fighting the crowds during busy shopping times and improve your health. Exercise is often a motivator for healthy eating, too. After a big sweat sesh, putting nourishing foods in your body is much more rewarding. Eating better and exercising more go hand in hand.
4. HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Grocery delivery can help with weight loss, too. Most of the apps and websites allow you to shop from recent purchases and set up lists so you are more focused and disciplined in your buys. People who plan out their meals in advance and predetermine their food choices tend to make smarter decisions and may be more effective at long-term weight loss.
READ MORE > 5 TIPS TO MAKE GROCERY SHOPPING A BREEZE
Ready to get started with grocery delivery? Some of the big players in grocery delivery include Instacart, AmazonFresh, FreshDirect, PeaPod and Shipt. Many partner with local grocery stores including Costco, Target, Whole Foods and Publix. Major grocery chains such as Safeway and Walmart also have their own grocery delivery services directly on their websites. If you’re looking for local and organic grocers, specialty options such as Good Eggs and Farmbox support local and organic farms.
Most charge a premium for the service, with delivery fees and/or minimum orders, but for many, the convenience fee is worth it. Many services send promotions for free delivery, coupons and flag sale items, which can help with the bill.
Research the options in your area and try a few out to see which grocery delivery service works best for you.
