AN HONEST REVIEW OF ALLPLANTS READY TO EAT MEALS

    
    
    
    

An honest review of AllPlants ready to eat meals. There are lots of boxed meals on the market right now, designed for busy people, boxes that are sent straight to your door with all the ingredients, weighed out for you, or, even easier, meals that are ready prepared: just slam in the microwave or oven and dinner is served.

Allplants fall into that second category, and to be honest, my preferred way of buying meals. If I'm going to make a meal from scratch, I like going to the store and buying my ingredients, I find that part of the process really important. However, particularly during lockdown though, if you were a little nervous about shopping, or were having to self-isolate, these meal boxes were particularly convenient.

So, I do enjoy a ready meal. Sometimes, when you finish work, you just don't want to bring out the saucepans, you just want to open the microwave door, maybe throw some salad leaves on a plate, and sit in front of the latest Netflix Crime Drama with a ready meal on a tray on your lap.

AllPlants offer a unique and flexible way to purchase plant-based, vegan ready meals, that you simply freeze on delivery, and pop into the oven/microwave when you're hungry.

Allplants pride themselves on:

• Freezing their meals for freshness so no preservatives are needed
• No Palm Oil/GMO
• Free delivery during the week
• Sustainable Packaging
• A choice of over 30 meals
• Perfectly balanced meals designed by their in-house nutritionist

HOW DOES AN ALLPLANTS SUBSCRIPTION WORK?

1. Select your portion size. You can choose 6 meals (for £40.50), or 12 servings (ideal for 2 people, these come in 6 boxes, but in larger containers).
2. Now the fun part! You can choose if you'd prefer to oven-bake or microwave your meals, if you want them nut-free, gluten-free or soy-free, control your spice level and even if you want your meal to be under 450cals.
3. Then choose your meals! Their huge choice of meals ranges from pasta, to nachos, to noodles, dal and katsu curry and even pizza!

BUT WHAT DO THE ALLPLANTS READY MEALS TASTE LIKE?

Considering that they ARE ready meals, they are really tasty. For myself, personally, I preferred the Carbonara as it was more filling, being pasta-based. However, the Eggplant Parmagiana was delicious, and would make a great meal served with a salad and some garlic bread!

I will be honest here, some meals were not to my liking, and that is really just trial and error. It is a little frustrating to oven-bake a meal for nearly an hour to then not enjoy. So I would recommend trying meals you know you like to start.

I oven-baked mine as I think that oven baking makes ready meals taste a little better, however, on a lazy day, I'd happily slam one in the microwave. Cooking from frozen, they took a good 40-45 minutes to cook thoroughly. My oven is old, and over-used, it might be quicker in a different oven.

What I only just realised whilst browsing their site is that they also have a selection of sides (Truffle Cauliflower Cheese, anyone?), priced at £3.45 each, Breakfast Pots (healthy Chia/Oatmeal/Bircher type things), £4.00 each and 6 different types of smoothies, priced at £3.50 each. A great idea to stash them in the freezer, and then blend them up when you need them! Finally, Allplants also offer a selection of puds, reasonably priced at £3.00 per pot.

Allplants won't be for everyone, regardless of quality OR quantity. It is quite an expensive way to buy meals, however, if you can buy 6 meals with a discount code, it will save you a lot of time if you lead a busy lifestyle. It has the additional benefit of being plant-based and completely customizable. Furthermore, they have 4.5 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, and that's based on over 5k reviews.

PROS OF AN ALLPLANTS SUBSCRIPTION

• Flexibility. You are not tied into a subscription duration and can cancel anytime.
• Customisation. You are able to choose your meals depending on various dietary and flavour preferences.
• Add-ons. You can add sides, desserts and they even often breakfast options.
• Delivery. Free delivery during the week
• Convenience. Simply stack your meals in your freezer and they're ready when you are!
• Sustainability. The packaging is sustainable and food contains no GMOs or preservatives.
• Health. These meals are ideal for people to transitioning to a plant-based diet, and are formulated by an in-house dietician.
• Flavour and Range. The meals taste delicious and they have a great variety to choose from.

CONS OF ORDERING FROM ALLPLANTS

• Cost. At £40.50 for 6 meals, it is not the cheapest option. Supermarket ready meals are cheaper.
• Sides are extra. I think it might be better value for people if the meal maybe included a side as well.
• Delivery is not free at the weekend. Many of us work so get our deliveries at weekends.
• Nothing beats homemade meals. But this is a minor complaint.

In short, if you can afford it, I highly recommend grabbing yourself a box to try. If you find that you love their meals, they also offer a great referral program. I would definitely like to try all 55 meals one day, and I'm hoping that they might start adding their Treat section (delicious little pots of puds like Sticky Banoffee Pudding and Golden Apple Crumble) to the meal boxes too.