After years of navigating nutrition for myself and my clients, I've learned that the right approach makes all the difference. Whether it’s juggling family meals, managing food allergies, or simply trying to stay consistent with health goals, finding a sustainable system is key. That’s why I decided to try Cultivate Kitchen Co.—and I’m sharing my experience to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your weeknight dinners.
Why I Finally Tried a Meal Prep Service
Nutrition is personal. What works for one person might completely miss the mark for another. I've seen countless clients struggle with meal planning, not because they lack motivation, but because finding a sustainable system feels impossible.
Why I Chose a Local Healthy Meal Prep Service near Arvada
One of the main reasons I was drawn to Cultivate Kitchen Co. is their commitment to providing healthy meal prep near Arvada. They currently operate out of Louisville but are moving to a new kitchen near 112th and Sheridan in Broomfield. Their rapid expansion into new delivery areas makes it easier than ever to support a local business while enjoying the convenience of fresh, ready-to-eat meals. Knowing I’m helping sustain a company rooted in our area—and getting fresher ingredients and faster delivery than national services—makes weeknight dinners feel even better.
First Impressions: Ordering with Ease
Cultivate Kitchen Co. stood out immediately with its transparency:
Complete weekly menu visibility
Detailed ingredient lists
Comprehensive nutrition breakdowns
Critical allergy information
This last point was huge for our family. With food allergies to navigate, finding a service that provides such clear ingredient details felt like discovering a nutritional lifeline.
A Weeknight Routine Reimagined
The unexpected gift? A little flexibility. Some evenings, that meant a quiet 20 minutes to myself. Other nights, it was a chance to do something different—a quick walk, watching a movie or simply not running out of daylight hours.
Meals became one less thing to manage, without turning the entire process into a dramatic struggle.
One of the unexpected perks of using Cultivate Kitchen Co. was the simplicity they bring to sustainability. They offer reusable containers, which clients return for sanitization and reuse. It’s a small, thoughtful detail that stood out to me—and something I wish more meal services would adopt. (See the photo of their PN chef with returned containers!)
How the Service Fits Our Nutritional Needs
When it came to portions, their serving sizes were spot on—something Seth and I had fun testing for ourselves. We even compared the vegetable portions to the “fist rule” for a balanced serving. (Spoiler: It passed the test! Check out the photo of our fist comparison.)
Our family's nutrition isn't one-size-fits-all:
Seth needs dense, energy-rich meals for his workouts
I focus on balanced, lower-carb and high protein options
Our kids have their own unique preferences
And we needed to manage specific food allergies
Cultivate Kitchen Co. navigated these complexities seamlessly. Meals that were nutritionally balanced, safe, and satisfying for everyone.
Pros: Time Saved, Nutrition Enhanced, and Less Stress Overall
Real benefits that actually matter:
A Few Hours Reclaimed: Reduced planning and cooking time
Nutrition Confidence: Meals designed by nutrition professionals
Stress Reduction: Less mental energy spent on meal decisions
Flavor and Variety: Meals that break our typical dinner routine
Cons: Understanding the Value of Convenience
Let's talk real costs:
Price Point: A family meal at $50 isn't cheap
Compared to Takeout: Similar price point to eating out, but more nutritious
Planning Gaps: Requires supplementing with other meal strategies for the rest of the week
No Leftovers: Portions designed for single meals mean less next-day lunch options
Would I Recommend a Meal Prep Service to Other Busy Families?
Absolutely—with a strategic mindset. This isn't a complete nutrition solution, but a powerful tool in your health toolkit.
If you’re still debating whether a healthy meal delivery service fits your needs, check out my blog Should You Use a Meal Delivery Service? A Complete Guide to Deciding What Works for You. It breaks down everything you need to consider, from budget and convenience to how it aligns with your health goals.
A few meals per week can help you:
Reduce mental load
Introduce nutritional variety
Support your health goals
Create some much-needed breathing space
Ready to stop letting dinner dictate your evening?
If you're looking for a holistic approach to nutrition that goes beyond just meals, let's chat. I offer personalized nutrition coaching that helps you develop sustainable strategies tailored to your unique lifestyle and goals. Book a no-obligation call to explore how we can make nutrition work for you, not the other way around.