Gour·met [goor-mey, goor-mey]: of or characteristic of a gourmet, especially in involving or purporting to involve high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation: gourmet meals; gourmet cooking. (dictionary.com)

Defining “healthy,” however, may as well be like defining religion or politics. Everyone will have opinion about what’s right. Of course there are certain rules of diet that will reward certain results. But every body is different, and finding the right diet that works for you can be trial and error.

For me, it’s making an effort to eat more greens, grains, and whole foods (per my health coach), and to make wise, informed decisions about the food I consume. That doesn’t mean I won’t still crush a delicious pizza or tear down a cheese plate from time to time. But it is all about moderation, and isn’t the key to pick and choose your battles?

In a perfect world, we’d eat smaller portions of nutrient-rich foods that would keep us satiated–without sacrificing flavor. I’ve done the plain grilled chicken and steamed broccoli thing, and I’m over it. A new option: modern meal delivery services.

Chef’s Diet set me up with a three-day trial of their healthy, gourmet meals. Founded on the belief that a diet plan should always be healthy, delicious, and convenient, dishes are prepared with the utmost care at their state-of-the-art, USDA-approved production facility.

How it works?

Like a thief in the night, Chef’s Diet delivers a little black bag to your doorstep, so that when you walk out your front door, you’re ready to eat for the day. Three meals and two snacks come stacked next to ice packs, ready to serve (or reheat) with reminders to drink at least 8 glasses of 8 oz. of water a day.

The menu on my first day:

I have to admit, it was a different experience. A few of the meals took me out of my comfort zone, which I think is a good thing–and a good reason to try programs like this. Often times the key to “getting healthy” is broadening our horizons and trying foods we may have previously disregarded. For example, I don’t like cooked tuna. Give it to me raw–only. But my lunch one day was a tuna antipasto with capers and a chickpea salad. And I admit, it was really good.

I was also unsure of the “Smashed Peas and Parmesan Dip.” I’d never even heard of such a thing, but it was so good, I even held on to the leftover dip to use with carrots and other veggies. The food was well-seasoned and the portion sizes were just right. I was initially afraid that they wouldn’t be enough. However, I rarely finished an entire meal.

Depending on your lifestyle, Chef’s Diet may not be something for everyone. Average calories consumed in a day are between 1300 and 1500. However, if you’re looking to get a jump start on a healthier diet and lifestyle, this could be the perfect program to get you started. It’s a monitored way to start making changes in your diet without taking extreme measures or sacrificing “good” food.

It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the reason to try Chef’s Diet is not solely to lose weight. Though, that would probably happen. Their website states that clients “may lose approximately 8 to 10 pounds during the first month and 6 to 8 pounds per month thereafter.”

I especially appreciate this information in the FAQ section of their website:

How long before I can expect to see results?

“Many clients report higher levels of energy and a significant decrease in hunger and fatigue within the first five days. Many clients may lose up to 4 lbs. of water weight and body fat during the first week. It is important to remember that “weight loss” should not be your primary objective; rather loss of body fat should become your goal. You can tell you are accomplishing fat loss by the second week when your clothes should start to fit more loosely. Although everyone is different, most people lose approximately 1 ½ to 2 lbs. of body fat each week thereafter.”

What if I don’t need to lose weight?

“Weight loss is not the only reason to join ChefsDiet™ meal delivery program. There are countless other benefits associated with our program, such as improved health, greater energy, better mental clarity, and of course it’s convenient! With so many people on the run these days its easy to make bad tempting choices that are readily available such as Pizza, Bagels, Hot Dogs, Fast Food Restaurants and so on. So by having properly prepared nutrition in your black insulated cooler bag at your side eliminates these weight challenging temptations.”

Overall, I had a great experience. I’m still a firm believer in choosing fresh, whole foods when possible and educating yourself on what works best for your body type, but sometimes you have to start somewhere. If you’re struggling with your eating habits or portions, this could be a great solution to help you realign with new ways to enjoy flavorful foods without taking drastic measures.

They offer a variety of menus, such as Vegetarian, Diabetic, and Heart Healthy. Learn more and find out if Chef’s Diet is available in your area.