Last time you opened your door to find food waiting for you what was it? Pizza, brownies from the neighbors, your sweetheart with a box of chocolates?

Instead imagine opening the door to a cooler packed with fresh, gourmet food. You might not notice until after you’ve enjoyed every bite of the delicious meals that on the lid of the box the word diet is staring at you in the face. Double take.

No, it is for real. And millions of people have already chosen to diet by getting healthy meals delivered right to them.

When you consider the time and knowledge required to prepare and cook just one meal and then add in time counting calories or carbohydrates and the research involved just to know how much you should take in… it’s dizzying just to think about. You’ll easily see why so many have switched to having their meals delivered when they are on a diet.

It is does work out great for some people but how do you know if it’s right for you?

First you’ll need to decide if you can afford it. Getting your meals delivered costs on average as much as eating at a fast food restaurant three times a day. If you compare prices you’ll find a very wide range. Cheaper plans, like the Medifast Diet tend to have less variety, smaller portions and don’t deliver as often, meaning the food won’t be as fresh and flavorful. If you spend a little more you can find meal plans that let you customize the menu and stretch your calories into larger portions to help you stay full.

You’ll also need to find a company that caters to your specific needs. There are plans out there designed for all types of diets and lifestyles so you don’t have to compromise: zone, low calorie, low carb, low sodium, diabetic, vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gender specific. If you prefer zone dieting but prefer not to eat meat there is a plan out there for you.

Then think about how it will work with your lifestyle. If you are a working bachelor and don’t have a lot of time to cook it may fit you to the tee. But if you like to cook dinner or have to cook something for the whole family anyway you may consider getting a family plan or just getting on a program that provides healthy recipes to you.

Getting the right kind of meals delivered to your home can be one of the best steps you take towards a healthier body. In this sense it is an investment that can’t be priced. That is why it’s important to find out what is right for you and run with it. Oh, and you can still get pizza delivered to your door and feel good about it, just stay away from chain store pizzas.