How many calories are in a typical meal?

We believe strongly that the quality of the inputs is far more important than the number of calories in a meal. All calories are not created equally (that’s old science) and different foods affect our biological systems (hormonal, metabolic, etc.) in different ways. In our experience, fixating on the number of calories tends to do more harm than good for the average person trying to reach their health and fitness goals. We believe that the simplest and most effective way to reach your goals is to focus on eating real (not processed) food that is prepared from clean and wholesome ingredients. Instead of focusing on the numbers, we want you to focus on how our food makes you look, feel and perform.

Are all of your meals gluten free?

Absolutely. Though not everyone has a gluten intolerance, research has shown that more and more people have gluten sensitivities (without even knowing it.). We also focus on using clean and wholesome ingredients rather than processed foods, which makes avoiding gluten far easier. In addition to a completely gluten-free menu, our menu is also dairy- and egg-free.

I live an active life. How do I know I’m getting enough protein?

Don’t worry, we also live active lives. But to be safe, we have partnered with a registered dietitian to ensure that not just each recipe is well-balanced and carefully composed, but also that each daily menu is thoughtfully structured to maximize nutrient density and diversity.

Will I lose weight on one of your meal programs?

Our programs are designed to provide you with all of the nutrients you need to live an active and healthy lifestyle. We carefully craft each recipe and structure each day’s worth of meals to ensure that you’re looking, feeling and performing your best – both mentally and physically. For some, this may mean shedding a few excess pounds. For others, this may mean providing an adequate balance of nutrient density and diversity to fuel your days. In any case, you can rest assured that by living the V+B life, you’ll be eating delicious, nutritious, well-balanced meals. But hey, if that’s not enough, you can always walk/run to our production facility to pick up your meals yourself (no charge).

Are all of your ingredients certified organic?

Depends. Do you work for the USDA? (Joke). We believe more in working with farmers and growers who utilize sustainable and organic farming practices than in working strictly with those who are certified organic. For many small, local farmers and growers, the official organic certification process is simply cost prohibitive and too time consuming a process to undertake. We partner only with those who share our high standards; those willing to work longer hours to protect the land and the plants and animals on which we all depend. Ultimately, our philosophy on this topic is simple – we strive to establish lasting relationships with good people who are doing great things.

Prioritize a Healthier Lifestyle to Feel Your Best

The Vegetable and Butcher team wants you to feel your best while also making time for the things you love. We get that it can be daunting to change your ways, so we put together this list of simple ways to make it happen!

Start before the sun comes up

By creating a morning routine focused on your wellness, you’re creating the foundation for your day. This routine is up to you. It could include drinking warm lemon water or herbal tea, dry brushing, contrast showers, yoga, or walking. To focus on your mental health, you can include something like meditation or reading…for pleasure, not your emails!

Establish a schedule and make time for your non-negotiables

Your morning grogginess is not conducive to creating a productive schedule, so you might be better off doing this the night before. Your schedule should include your non-negotiables that are part of your healthy lifestyle, like that morning routine, an exercise class, or just a reasonable bedtime.

Plan ahead for nutritious meals with V+B

The saying “abs are made in the kitchen” is not so specific to abs – what you eat has a profound effect on your health and how you feel overall! But busy people need to grab and go, and sometimes that also means thinking less about what your optimal diet could look like. Using a meal delivery service like V+B takes care of that for you - the extent to which we do is up to you! Choose from vegan and non-vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and further customize your meal subscription with plant-based energy balls, tonics, and cold brew coffee.

Do what you love

Chances are that if you hate it, you’re not going to prioritize it. Choose an eating plan that you look forward to, and do the same for workouts! To do so, try both new foods and new workouts until you find something you’re exciting about sticking to. We bet you will find time for it in your busy life now!

And when you just can’t help it…

Compromise. Going for a walk during your lunch hour, getting off the bus a few blocks early, outsourcing only breakfast to start your day off right, getting to bed half an hour earlier, or turning happy hour into a social group fitness class, are all ways to live a healthier life without uprooting your current lifestyle.

Interested in having your meals taken care of by us? Check out next week's menu.