Grocery Shopping vs. Meal Delivery: Keeping Up with a Teen’s Appetite
If you’ve got a teen at home, you know that keeping up with their appetite is a full-time job. It seems like they eat everything in sight—sometimes multiple times a day!
This can leave you wondering: Do you stick with traditional grocery shopping, or do you try meal delivery services to keep up?
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options to help you decide what’s best for your family.
Grocery Shopping: A Classic Approach
Grocery shopping has been the cornerstone of feeding families for decades.
Whether you’re planning meals for the week or grabbing essentials in between, there’s a lot to love about this option.
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Generally, grocery shopping offers a lower cost per meal than meal delivery services, especially if you plan your meals and shop with a list.
- Flexibility: You’re in charge of what goes into your cart. From bulk buying to choosing healthier options, the power is in your hands.
- Variety: You can choose from an endless selection of ingredients. If your teen has specific preferences (or dislikes, like peas), you can shop accordingly.
Cons:
- Time-Consuming: Grocery runs take time—especially with a teen in tow. Add meal prep to the mix, and you’re looking at several hours a week.
- Meal Planning Stress: It can be a headache figuring out what to make for dinner every night, and your teen might not always agree with your choices.
Meal Delivery: Convenience at Your Door
On the other hand, meal delivery services have become increasingly popular, especially for busy families. But are they really all they’re cracked up to be?
Pros:
- Convenience: With just a few clicks, meals arrive at your door, saving you time on meal planning, grocery runs, and cooking.
- Portion Control: Meals are often designed with portion sizes in mind, which can help avoid the endless snacking your teen might otherwise do.
- Variety & Customization: Many meal delivery services offer options that cater to various dietary needs. Plus, they often allow for customization, so picky eaters can still find meals they like.
Cons:
- Cost: While it might seem convenient, meal delivery can get expensive over time. It’s typically pricier than buying groceries, especially if you use it frequently.
- Limited Flexibility: You’re restricted to the meals that are available for that week. Your teen might not always love what’s on the menu.
Which Option Is Best for Your Family?
The choice between grocery shopping and meal delivery ultimately comes down to your family’s specific needs.
If you have time to shop and enjoy cooking, grocery shopping might be the best option.
But if you’re short on time and don’t mind spending a little extra, meal delivery could be a great solution.
How to Find a Balance
For many parents, a combination of both grocery shopping and meal delivery works best.
You can stock up on essentials with a weekly grocery run and then use meal delivery for the days when you just need a break or want something quick and easy.
Whether you choose grocery shopping, meal delivery, or a mix of both, the goal is to find a routine that works for your family.
It might take some trial and error, but once you find your rhythm, feeding a growing teen doesn’t have to be stressful.
What’s your go-to solution for feeding your teen? Share your tips or challenges in the comments below!