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Meal Prep and Delivery – What’s Important?

At AZ Tastebuds, we are one of the best local meal prep and delivery services around. We ship quite a high volume of ready-to-eat meals to residents all over the Phoenix, AZ area.

How do we do this? By putting quality first. Meal prep and delivery is in some ways an art, and in other ways, a science. There’s a method that’s going to improve your final result and what people get when they open the container. Let’s talk a little about this since it is a big part of what has made us so successful here. 

Portioning

Good and consistent portioning is really important with meal delivery.

You start with quality ingredients, and you portion them out correctly for a plate that really looks wonderful. We make things in large batches, and then plan for a certain number of ready-to-eat meals. Having more accuracy means we save time and money in getting these meals to the dinner plate, wherever that happens to be.

Food Safety and Last-Mile Delivery

Meal delivery is all about offering that last step in the food chain. We get the wholesale materials and make them ready for the plate and then ship them out. That means that food safety is a very important part of what we do.

Our people are knowledgeable about HACCP food industry safety practices and standards. For example, you’re not going to see food sitting at room temperature in any kind of way that’s going to jeopardize perishable ingredients. It’s not just meat that’s vulnerable to a lack of food safety when HACCP standards aren’t followed. We understand that, and we plan for it proactively. Every food service business should do this! Sadly, sometimes you see restaurants and other food service businesses cut corners in ways that could jeopardize the diner’s health. We are very vigilant about this kind of stuff. 

Containers

Over time, we’ve found what works to ship out different kinds of food to a diverse dining audience. It’s different shipping soup than it is sandwiches and salads. We understand that, and we’ve also improved our labeling process to make sure people know what’s in their food.
Take a look at the web site to learn more about how we deliver fresh, ready to eat meals to Arizona residents and families. Our time counter at the top of the page shows how long until our next delivery. Give us a call to get excellent meals directly to your door.

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How to Avoid Packing On the Pounds During Winter

The average American gains around seven pounds during winter. This weight gain is generally due to people staying inside more due to the bad weather common during this time of year. Allowing your weight to fluctuate is not only bad for your body, it can also be bad for your self-esteem. Shedding the extra weight you gain during this time of year can be easier said than done. 

The main goal you should have when the weather outside gets colder is staying fit. Here are some things you can do to achieve this goal. 

Find a Way to Manage Your Caloric Intake

During the winter months, most people avoid getting outside as much as they can. If a person is stuck indoors for days on end, they are bound to get bored. When this boredom sets in, you are likely going to head for your fridge. If you are left to your own devices, you are bound to overeat. Most American adults lead very busy lives, which prohibits them from cooking at home. 

Instead of spending your entire night off cooking and cleaning dishes, you need to consider the convenience of using meal delivery services. If you are looking for healthy and delicious meals for a competitive price, the team at AZ Tastebuds can help you out. We offer a wide variety of foods, which means you are sure to find something you love. Once you get a taste for how easy and affordable using a meal delivery service is, you will be hooked. 

Get a Gym Membership

If you live in an area where cold temperatures are common during winter, then taking walks outside will be difficult. Failing to get the right amount of cardio exercise each day can create health problems. This is why you need to consider getting a gym membership. 

Before you choose a gym to join, go in and take a look at what they have to offer. Ideally, you want to choose a gym that has a variety of different equipment. With access to tons of machines, you can avoid getting bored with your daily workouts. If you are having problems staying motivated while at the gym, hiring a personal trainer is a wise move. These health professionals can help you develop a customized workout to target your problem areas. 

Sleep and Sunshine Are Your Friends

Not only will you need to increase your time in the gym to avoid weight gain during winter, you also have to get the right amount of sleep. If your body is unable to rest and regenerate, your metabolism may start to slow down. If this happens, weight gain is a near certainty. 

Staying healthy in winter also requires a daily dose of vitamin D. The best way to get this essential vitamin is by spending some time in the sun. Getting outside will also be good for your mental health. 

Meal Delivery is a Fantastic Option

Do you need access to healthy and affordable meals? If so, contact AZ Tastebuds.

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3 Reasons to Use a Meal Prep Company

A recent survey found that over 37% of Americans regularly eat fast food. In most cases, the food you get at your local drive-thru will be extremely unhealthy. If your main reasoning for stopping at a fast food restaurant is convenience, there are other options you can pursue. Some people simply don’t have the time to cook meals at home. Rather than letting your health suffer as a result of a busy schedule, you need to consider using a meal prep service. 

If there are a number of meal prep companies in your area to choose from, do your homework before making a hire. Working with a company that has an extensive menu and a great reputation is a good idea. Using a meal prep company can be beneficial, and here are some reasons why. 

1. Healthy Food Options are a Must

One of the main goals most people have is controlling their weight. If you are dealing with weight problems, it is only a matter of time before your heart and other vital organs start to suffer. Rather than consuming empty calories and fast food, you need to find healthier food options to put into your body. The easiest way to accomplish this goal is by using a meal prep service. 

Before using a particular meal prep company, you need to take a look at their menu. By doing this, you can get more information regarding the dishes they carry. The biggest misconception most people have about healthy food is that it has to taste bad. In reality, healthy foods can be delicious if they are prepared correctly. This is why using a meal prep service with a seasoned chef at the helm is a wise move. 

2. Meals Tailored to Your Tastes

As you start to look at the different meal prep services in your area, pay attention to the selection on their menu. Ideally, you want to choose a company that has lots of different options. The more options a meal prep service offers, the easier it will be to get something the whole family will love. 

If you are the parent of a picky eater, then allowing them to look at the menu, a meal prep service has to offer. Allowing them to do this can help you figure out whether there are options they are willing to try. 

3. The Power of Portion Control

If you are trying to lose weight, you have to learn about portion control. Preparing meals on your own can result in you consuming more food than you actually need, and making portion control easier will require the help of a meal prep service. Most companies that specialize in providing meals to the general public are very adamant about controlling portion sizes. With their help, you can get the delicious food you need without over-indulging. 

Looking For a Great Meal Prep Service? 

If you are anxious to see the benefits a meal prep service can bring to your life, contact Taste Buds. We have an extensive menu of great foods for you to choose from.

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Why Meal Prep Delivery Makes Sense Now More Than Ever

Meal planning for ourselves and our families takes up an extraordinary amount of our time. If you consider the amount of time, you spend on thinking about what items you’ll need to purchase at the grocery store, making shopping lists, coming up with what to eat and make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week, it easy to understand why so many of us feel burned out when it comes to planning our next meal.

A Plethora Of Choices

We have access to a vast array of different restaurants, types of food, and even methods of food consumption. With all of our access to food and choices about how and when to consume it, we still can find ourselves stuck in the same routine. This is especially true today as we are living in a world where we are questioning even the safety of going shopping for food or going out to eat.

Changing Times

Many restaurants are being forced to close down temporarily or are restricted by new health rules and regulations, leaving many customers seeking ways to enjoy their favorite meals. Even as we begin to venture back into our communities in support of our local establishments, we are spending more time eating at home than ever. With the need to keep shopping trips to a minimum, and trying to think of a week’s worth of meals at a time, it is a good time to consider other options. 

Benefits Of Meal Prep Delivery

Meal prep delivery is becoming a widely popular service that fits easily into people’s daily routines. Companies like Taste Buds are adding new life into meal planning with their affordable and fresh dishes designed to provide nutrition and are packed with taste. 

Simple And Secure Ordering

Taste Buds’ online menu makes ordering simple and safe, keeping customers in control during the entire process. A benefit of ordering meals online and having them delivered to your door at the time of your choice is that you can do it from home without ever going out to shop.

The platform allows you to order as little or as much as you’d like, making it easy to fit just one meal into your week or days worth of meals, all ready for you right in your own refrigerator. No planning, no shopping, no cooking, only enjoying fresh and delicious food in the comfort of your own home. Families can enjoy trying new dishes and learning new flavors, without the hassle of following recipes and having the right ingredients. 

Economic Impact

Meal prep delivery is an economical alternative to eating out and cooking at home. When we cook at home, we often end up with food that goes to waste due to not being cooked in time or being a niche item that we purchased in haste. Those items waste money and our time in the end. Meal prep delivery takes waste out of the equation.

Try It Today

Different than taking out or traditional restaurant delivery, meal prep delivery is the entire meal, homemade and satisfying high-quality food. If you are ready for better options for meals, Taste Buds is ready to serve you. 

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Helpful Tips for Mastering Your Macros

While you begin talking about getting in shape, there are likely two words that come to mind – exercise and diet. In most cases, one goes with the other, and most health experts agree that if they had to stress the importance of one of these over the other, that diet would win – hands down.

This is a top reason that counting your macros is so essential. If you are serious about getting in shape, this is a must.

Even though counting calories can help you lose weight, if you want to achieve optimum fitness and total health, you need to look beyond the calories and realize they aren’t all created equal. If you want to see the best possible results in your wellness and fitness journey, it’s time to learn more about macros.

What Is a Macro?

Before tracking macros, you need to understand what they are. A macro is a short way to say macronutrient. It refers to counting the precise amounts of fats, protein, and carbohydrates you eat in a single day.

This is something many elite bodybuilders and physique competitors do, and it’s also popular with CrossFit competitors. It’s important not to confuse macronutrients with micronutrients, which are vitamins and minerals.

Protein

There are several nutritional regimens and diets “out there” today that focus on protein. There is a good reason for this. Protein intake helps build muscle and prevent muscle loss if you aren’t getting enough calories, it helps to control your hunger and helps you feel fuller, longer. It also requires more energy from your body to fully digest compared to other macronutrients, which means more calories are burnt through digestion.

The top sources of protein are eggs, fish, dairy, meat, and protein shakes. The amount of protein you should consume daily is dependent on your specific goals and your lean body mass.

Fats

Not too long ago, the health world waged war on fat. At this point, low-calorie diets seemed like the best option to eat healthily. However, today, everyone knows there are good fats and bad fats. When counting macros, fats means both of these.

Fat is the second macronutrient and is needed to absorb minerals and vitamins, to regulate hormones, and to help with brain function. You can get fats from many sources, including avocados, fatty fish, oils, nut butters, nuts, and meats. Like protein, the amount of fat you need is dependent on your body fat percentage, weight, and fitness goals.

Carbohydrates

This is the last of the three essential macronutrients. While carbs were the enemy for a while, they are needed in any diet. Carbs are necessary for muscle, liver, blood, and brain energy.

If you want to ensure you consume a balance of these macronutrients and achieve an optimum level of health, consider a macro bowl. You can also consider food services that provide pre-made meals with specific macro counts. This is a way to make counting and tracking your macros easy. 

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How to Make Sticking to a Diet Easier

Are you tired of losing the battle of the bulge? If so, it is time to find a diet you can stick to. Each year, over 45 million Americans go on a diet. In the first few weeks of your diet, you will probably be tempted to eat junk food. Unfortunately, many people succumb to this temptation and go off of their diet shortly after starting it. 

Rather than letting problems with your weigh lead to things like high blood pressure or heart disease, it is time to take action. While you will have to work hard to shed those unwanted pounds, it will be worth it in the long run. If you are looking for ways to make sticking to a diet easier, check out the information below. 

Using a Meal Prep and Delivery Service is Beneficial

One of the main reasons people give for not eating healthy is that they don’t have the time to prepare food at home. If you have a full-time job and a family, you will probably find it difficult to carve out time to cook each day. Rather than giving in to the temptation of your local fast food drive-thru, you need to seek out healthier food options. 

Using a food prepping and delivery service is a great way to get healthy meals without having to cook them on your own. Before you decide on which meal prepping service to use, take some time to research their menu. You also need to call around and compare prices to make sure you are getting the best possible deal on the meals you want. With some research, finding the right meal prepping and delivery service will be easy.

Take Healthy Snacks on the Go

Some people get extremely frustrated if they are at work or on a trip and can’t find healthy snacks at a gas station or a local eatery. This frustration usually leads to a person giving in to temptation and consuming unhealthy snacks. Rather than dealing with the problems going off of your diet can cause, you need to nip this issue in the bud. 

Doing this will require you to pack and carry healthy snacks with you as you travel. Putting healthy fruits, veggies, and chips in baggies will make them more accessible and easier to grab on the go. By changing your approach to consuming food, you can lose weight and feel better about yourself. 

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Routine

Reaching your weight loss goal will require a new approach to how you live your life. Not only will you need to eat healthily, but you also need to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Making these lifestyle changes will be worth it when you are able to feel better and have more confidence. Seeking out the guidance of your primary care doctor is essential when trying to avoid complications with your diet and exercise programs. 

Try Out Food Today!

Are you looking for healthy and affordable meals? If so, contact Taste Buds today!