Meal kits are becoming increasingly popular. They are relatively affordable and include (almost) everything you need to prepare a meal. But are these kits actually healthy?
A meal kit is a box with ingredients for a meal like soup, curry, wraps, or lasagna. One in four households buys such a kit occasionally. Because the ingredients are pre-portioned, they’re relatively cheap and help reduce food waste.
So, are they healthy?
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They often contain a lot of vegetables—on average more than 200 grams per person. That means you’re almost reaching the recommended daily amount of 250 grams. You can get the rest from lunch or snacks.
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Most kits contain sauces, spice mixes, or bouillon cubes that are high in salt—on average 2.5 grams of salt per portion.
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If the kit includes rice, pasta, or wraps, it’s often the white version, not whole grain or brown rice.
In short:
A meal kit can be a good choice—sometimes. Try choosing kits that let you make your own additions. If rice or pasta isn’t included, you can choose the whole-grain version yourself.
With bouillon cubes or sauce packets, using only half is often enough. That way, you reduce salt intake. You can save the other half for when you make the recipe again on your own.
Lastly, if you add fresh ingredients like minced meat, cheese, or crème fraîche, go for healthier options (low-fat/light/30+).