If you’ve seen people selling food online and are tempted to do the same, you may have some questions. You may wonder – Do I need any license to sell homemade food? How much does a food license cost?

Read on as we answer these questions about selling homemade food.

Which license do I need to sell homemade food?

Though homemade food businesses encounter fewer compliance issues than a full-fledged setup, an FSSAI food license is essential to run any food business in India. Obtaining this license is critical to an F&B operation making less than Rs 12 Lakh annual turnover.

What other licenses do I need to run a homemade food business?

Other than the FSSAI license, if you are planning to do homemade food business in a bigger scale, then you may also need these licenses –

Shops and Establishment license

If you employ more than ten people for your business, you are required to register under the Shops and Establishment Act of the state where you are running the business.

Health trade license

Since the food you make at home directly impacts the consumers’ health, your homemade food business requires a health trade license. This health license is given by the Municipal Corporation or the state’s health department.

Environmental clearance

Homemade food cooking may lead to smoke emissions, and how you dispose of the food waste can also have an environmental impact. So you need an environmental clearance license from the Pollution Board of your state.

Signage license

You need a signage license from your local Municipal body before you put any board or banner to promote your business. If you are thinking of starting a Dabba business, you will need this license before you put any sticker or label of your business on your dabbas.

NOC from your society

Before you start any business from your home, you need a no-objection certificate from your resident’s welfare society. The nearby residents may raise objections if you do not take this NOC.

Note – You only require FSSAI license if your turnover is less than Rs. 12 Lakhs

How can I register for an FSSAI license for a homemade food business?

Open FSSAI’s online portal, FosCos, and create an account with them. Once you have created the account, navigate to the left section of the home page and select ‘New application’ from the drop-down menu.

You need to fill out application form A or form B, depending on the turnover of your business. Form A is for businesses with a turnover of less than 12 Lakhs, and form B is for those food businesses with a turnover of more than 12 Lakhs.

After you have filled up the FSSAI form with the necessary personal and business details, you will have to submit the following documents –

• 2 Passport Size Photograph
• PAN Card of the Food Business Operator
• Proof of ownership of the Premises
• Partnership Deed
• Certificate of Incorporation
• List of food items the unit will process
• Declaration Form
• Authority letter
• Form IX

Once you have completed the filing procedure, the FSSAI officials will proceed with the verification process. An officer may also visit your place of business and verify before you are issued the license.

What is the validity of the FSSAI license?

The FSSAI license is valid for one to five years. As a homemade food seller, you need to apply for the renewal of your license 30 days before the date of expiry of your license. You have to pay a penalty of Rs. 100 per day if you apply after your license has expired.

What happens if I sell homemade food without a license?

According to the State Food Safety Department, any unregistered domestic food-selling business may pay a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and be imprisoned for up to 6 months.

Some other penalties include –

• Any food business selling bad quality items can be fined up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
• Any food business selling misbranded products will be fined up to Rs. 3 lakhs.
• Any food business selling items containing any exotic substance will be fined Rs. 1 lakh.
• If there is a death due to the consumption of a food item, then the food business operator is held responsible. Depending on the severity, the business owner can be fined up to Rs. 5 lakh or even imprisonment.

Final thoughts

While selling homemade food is a lucrative business, you do need to follow specific regulations and obtain the required licenses. Once these procedures are over and you comply with all the regulations, the sky is the limit for your business.

The post Do I Need a License to Sell Homemade Food? appeared first on mealawe.

If you also love to cook for your family and friends, you can take advantage of this trend and start a tiffin service from home. Read on for the complete guidelines on how to start a tiffin service from home.

Step #1 – Research the market

Research the market to see who your competition is. Find out what dishes are the most in-demand and at what cost your competitors sell them.

Think about the people you would be feeding – college students, corporate employees, or people living in PGs in your area.

Step #2 – Make a business plan

After identifying the target audience for your tiffin service, it is time to create a business plan. Decide whether you want to start with a bang or start small and gradually grow your business. Decide if you’re going to do it all on your own or hire employees. Estimate your potential revenue and expenses. Identify bulk suppliers for the groceries that you will need.

Also Read – How to Choose the Best Tiffin Service?

Step #3 – Meet the legal requirement

As per sections 31(1) & 31(2) of the FSS Act, 2006, every food business operator in India is required to be licensed or registered under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is an easy online process that doesn’t take much time.

Having an FSSAI saves you from penalty. It is a symbol of credibility and is good for your brand image.

An FSSAI registration also makes getting loans for your business much easier.

You will also have to take GST registration and a no objection certificate from the society where you will set up your tiffin business.

Step #4 – Find funds to set up your business

Ensure you have enough funds to set up your business and cater to the customers’ needs. Even if you start small, you will require a basic set-up like gas, stove, mixer, pots, and pans. There is also the recurring expenditure of groceries, electricity, and gas that you need to cater to.

You can start a tiffin service catering to up to 15 people per day with an investment of Rs. 10,000 and scale up later as more orders start coming in.

You can also take a micro-loan to start your home business. Many banks and organizations offer women entrepreneurs such loans at manageable interest rates.

Step #5 – Insure your business

Just like you take medical insurance in case something goes wrong with your health, you need to insure your business against any damage or theft. Meet your local insurance agent to discuss what insurance policy is best suited for you.

Step #6 – Safety and hygiene

As a tiffin provider, it is paramount that you maintain safety and hygiene in your kitchen. Make sure the work area is always clean. Get regular pest control done. Always wash the vegetables before chopping them. Always use gloves.

Check the temperature of all those who handle food regularly. Make sure everyone uses hand sanitizer and soap and wears masks.

Step #7 – Delivery strategy

As a tiffin service, you are responsible for cooking the meals and delivering them promptly. You may be able to do this on your own if you are catering to the people in your neighborhood, or you may hire someone to deliver the tiffins for you.

You can also partner with a homemade meal delivery service like Mealawe. This Pune-based company believes in empowering home chefs to earn from their daily cooking.

Partnering with them will make you more discoverable and broaden your outreach. You will be able to grow your consumer base much faster through Mealawe.

Step #8 – Advertising and promotion

Advertising and promotion are vital for the success of any business. Here are some ways in which you can promote your tiffin business-

• Start a Facebook page for your tiffin service.
• Share your menu on the WhatApp group of the neighboring societies
• Create a Local Google Business Listing
• Team up with homemade food delivery apps like Mealawe

Step 9 – Take feedback

The success of every business depends on how connected you are with your customers. So take feedback about your food once a week from your customers.

Mention the ingredients used, so you don’t have any complaints about allergies. Change your menu regularly and ensure that it is tasty, healthy, and nutritious.

Step 10 – Register on Mealawe

Mealawe is one such platform that only focuses on homemade food delivery. You can register here as a home chef and start selling your homemade food right away. This platform will give you daily new users and also provide you delivery services right from your doorstep. The platform is as easy as counting 1,2,3.

Final thoughts

As more people understand the importance of freshly prepared, hygienic, and tasty homecooked meals, the demand for tiffin services is rising. Follow the nine steps mentioned above and give your entrepreneurial dreams the wings to soar. You can also register with Mealawe as a home chef and earn and grow with them.

The post How to Start a Tiffin Service from Home? appeared first on mealawe.

If you want to enjoy these healthy meals without the bother of having to cook them, Mealawe is the right choice for you. This homemade food delivery service offers you a range of thalis, including North Indian thali, Tamil Iyer thali, Gujarati thali, and non-vegetarian thali.

But before you do that, let us learn some more about the science behind the Indian thali.

According to Ayurveda, the presence of all six tastes in a meal are essential for a nutritious diet.

Having each of these tastes in a particular order also helps the digestive process. These six tastes are –

1. Madhura – sweet
2. Amla – salt
3. Lavana – sour
4. Katu – pugent
5. Tikta – bitter
6. Kashaya – astringent

Combining one grain, one lentil, some vegetables, sour chutney or pickle, curd, tempering, ghee, and spices makes the thali wholesome. Let us break these down further to analyze what makes thali the perfect nutritionally balanced meal.

Rotis/rice/dosa

Dishes like chapati, dosa, thepla, pulao, and khichdi are a must in every thali. These dishes contain carbohydrates from whole grains like wheat, makki, jowar, bajra, and rice. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron, selenium, magnesium, folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin. They help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and stroke.

Dal

Every thali contains dal cooked in some form. Some whole dals like green moong, horse gram, and chana are soaked and sprouted to make salads. Moong, masoor, urad rajma, lobia, and toor dal are some common dals used to prepare the thali. Dals contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein.

Vegetables

No Indian thali is complete without a few vegetable dishes. You will find sarson ka saag in a Punjabi thali, a Bengali thali may contain Potol bhaja, a Gujarati thali will have shaak, and a Maharashtrian thali will contain batatyachi bhaji. The variety of vegetables in the thali provides phytonutrients and fiber. They help prevent micronutrient malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, cataract, and cancer.

Pickles

Pickle is an essential component of Indian meals. Some of India’s most commonly used pickles include mango pickles, gooseberry pickles, lemon pickles, carrot pickles, ginger pickles, garlic pickles, and onion pickles. Pickles are usually made by fermentation and are rich in nutrients and antioxidants required by the body.

Papad

The humble papad has a vital place in every Indian thali. Generally made from dried lentils, it can either be fried or roasted. It is a good appetizer. Roasted papads help absorb the fatty materials from the mouth. They are gluten-free and rich in protein and fiber.

Chutney

Chutney is integral to every Indian thali, be it Punjabi, Gujarati, or South Indian. Made from fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and spices, a chutney can add a zing to every meal. Tomato chutney, coconut chutney, mint chutney, or date tamarind chutney are popular accompaniments to meals and snacks. The sterol and flavonoids in chutney help in improving insulin sensitivity. They also provide probiotics, which increase good bacteria in the gut.

Curd/raita/ buttermilk

These milk-based foods are a part of the Indian thali. They cool the body and help meet the calcium requirement of the body. Curd has good bacteria that enable good digestion.

Non-vegetarian dishes

If you opt for a non-vegetarian thali, you will be treated to a wide variety of non-vegetarian dishes like butter chicken, fish gravy, prawn cadline curry, pork vindaloo, machher jhol, rogan josh, and yakhni. These dishes are rich in proteins.

Sweets

The Indian thali will satiate your sweet tooth as well. Since a limited amount is served in the thali, you need not worry about the calorie content too.

The average calorie content in a vegetarian thali

1.  Rice (1 cup)– 206 calories
2. Chapati (1 unit)– 80 calories
3. Dry vegetable dish ( 1 cup) – 150 calories
4. Dal (1 cup) – 106 calories
5. Raita (1 cup) – 46 calories
6. Sweet (1 unit) – 150 calories

Total –  736 Calories

The average calorie content in a non-vegetarian thali

1. Rice (1 cup)– 206 calories
2. Chapati (1 unit)– 80 calories
3. Chicken curry ( 200 gms) – 270 calories
4. Dal (1 cup) – 106 calories
5. Raita (1 cup) – 46 calories
6. Sweet (1 unit) – 150 calories

Total – 858 calories

The bottom line

Indian cuisine varies from region to region as it uses local spices and herbs. However, the one unifying factor here is the use of thali to serve the food. Using a combination of locally sourced foods in the correct quantity and with the right spices yields maximum health benefits. So, go ahead and try this wholesome meal from Mealawe.

The post The Science Behind the Indian Thali appeared first on mealawe.

Why is it essential for your employees to eat healthily?

1.     Less absenteeism

Healthy food equals healthy employees, which means fewer people miss the office. Frequent absences from work reduce productivity and also increases the cost of healthcare.

2.     Better concentration

Nutritious food can improve your brain power and make you more alert. When you are healthy and energetic, your ability to concentrate improves.

3.     Happiness

Healthy homemade food at the office will be seen as an office perk. Healthier options like thalis, dosas, palak paneer, etc., are excellent low-cost options that can make your employees happy.

4.     Fewer health issues

A healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

5.     Fitter workforce

Unhealthy eating can lead to obesity. Obesity is linked to severe medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, back pain, and impaired sleep.

6.     More energy

Eating healthy makes your employees feel better. It gives them the fuel to perform their daily office work and still have the energy to enjoy their personal time.

How can you get your staff to eat healthier food?

While you can’t force your employees to follow a specific diet, you can undoubtedly make eating healthier easier with the following steps –

1.     Improve knowledge

Many of your employees may not know that they are ruining their health with their food choices. Invite a nutritionist to your office and organize a talk on healthy eating. Organizing such talks costs very little but can make a huge difference. You can also add some articles about health and nutrition to your company newsletter.

2.     Make it easy

Many people prefer to eat cafeteria lunches as they find getting homemade food to the office cumbersome. Make it easy for people to bring food from home by providing microwaves and refrigerators. They can store their food in the fridge and reheat it whenever possible.

When employees get food from home, they make healthier choices.

3.     Team up with homemade food services

Homemade food delivery services like Mealawe provide healthy food to your homes and offices. They have a team of talented neighborhood chefs who provide you the same food they serve their families. This ensures that your food comes with an added dose of nutrition and taste.

4.     Encourage potlucks

Assign one day a week for healthy potlucks. Encourage the people at your office to bring a dish they love to cook at home. Encourage them to think traditional and wholesome. Not only will this improve camaraderie in the office, but it will also push the employees toward eating healthy food.

5.     Get office parties and events catered by home chefs

Stay away from the regular pizza, burgers, and nachos for your company events. Instead, get the food catered by home chefs from your neighborhood. You can also order the food from Mealawe and get it delivered to your office without putting in any extra effort. Here you can look for your choice of authentic regional home kitchen and place your order. All the home kitchens at Mealawe are 100% FSSAI certified.

6.     Start a healthy food program

You may find a few of your employees who are keener to eat healthy, while the others want to stick to their pizza diet. Don’t be disheartened. Let this voluntary group organize healthy menus and plan more nutritious food for meetings and catered events at your workplace.

Final thoughts

Not all food that we put in our bodies is good for us. Food like bread, pasta, and sodas lead to a burst of energy, followed by a slump. It is not what you want for your office lunch. Burgers and pizzas are high in fat, providing sustained energy, but they can make you groggy post lunch when you have an important meeting. The best option for your employees is a healthy homemade lunch from homemade food delivery services like Mealawe. Several companies are reaping the benefits by emphasizing healthy eating. As more and more employees turn to healthy eating, they will improve their mental and physical health. A happier and healthier workspace is a more productive workspace.

The post You are What Your Employees Eat appeared first on mealawe.

There are several messes, cloud kitchens, eateries, home kitchens, etc. around you that offer tiffin services. But selecting the best tiffin service which caters to your need, such as good taste, healthy, cost, etc., is not easy. To start with, you may have to rule out places which are commercialized setups such as restaurants, cloud kitchens, messes, etc. There are other criteria as well.

Let’s delve further into this article as we will enable you to take an informed decision and choose the best tiffin service where you stay.

Choosing between healthy & unhealthy

When you are going ahead with daily meal service, such as tiffin service, you cannot compromise on the quality of food. People often get carried away with cheap meal options and offers. Messes, restaurants or any other commercialized kitchens can never serve you quality food which is healthy for your stomach.

You may get the taste but in the longer run, the food will affect your stomach big time. Commercialized kitchens hardly care for hygiene, quality of raw materials, etc. Usually, to meet the cost of food (after deducting offers), they cut down on –

Food preparation time

When you talk about commercial kitchens, everything is money in the chain of food preparation. Sometimes, they may even skip raw material washing or may prepare different curries and refrigerate them for days.

They use high flame cooking to prepare food fast for a larger customer base. High flame cooking takes away all kinds of nutrients from the prepared food.

Raw material quality

Restaurants and messes merely take care of food raw material quality. Everything is purchased in bulk and sometimes they even use cold storage to keep perishable items fresh for months. You cannot expect healthiness in tiffin or meals if they are made up of such kind of raw materials.

Another important factor in food preparation is the use of cooking oil. Small restaurants and messes use 10-20 times fried cooking oil which comes at a price point of Rs. 20-30/- per litre. Food prepared in such oil would be unhealthy.

Packaging quality

Sometimes you may end up getting tiffin in plastic bags, silver foil bags, thermocol containers, etc. Are they good when it comes to food containers? Absolutely NOT! Non-recyclable plastic containers, bags, etc. react with hot and cold food they alter the chemical composition of food. Even healthy food contained in plastic bags turns into unhealthy food for consumption.

On the other side, if you choose and order homemade tiffin from any home kitchen, then you can rest assured that you will get authentic homemade food. These home kitchens are nothing but families like yours and mine. There are several home kitchens around you in every city.

All these home kitchens mostly consume what they serve to people. They are not a typical commercial setup where they can compromise on quality. However, they might charge you Rs. 10/- to Rs. 20/- more than what messes or any restaurant or Dhaba may charge. But at the end of the day, you will get authentic, tasty, and healthy homemade food.

Regional taste and menu

There is no point in ordering tiffin from a Gujarati home kitchen if you belong to Maharashtra. Eating once from a cross-cultural region is fine, but eating daily such food would bore you.

Check home kitchen’s regional roots and style of cooking. If possible, you can also ask for a variety of menus that you would get on a day-to-day basis. Most of the good home kitchens can also provide you with all kinds of menu items that you will get in tiffin on a weekly basis.

You can go for a tiffin subscription once you are convinced with the style and region of cooking of that particular home kitchen.

Tiffin cost

In today’s world, everything boils down to money. But you have to remember that quality and tasty food won’t come at a cheap price. After all, it is about health! I do recommend you to spend a few rupees more on health.

Also, there are a variety of tiffin options available with home kitchens. If you are light on a budget then I would recommend you to stick to budget tiffins such as Roti/Chapati and Sabzi. It is wise to consume healthy combo as Roti and Sabzi (Vegetable) or Dal, Chawal, and Sabzi.

People get carried away with a variety of items offered in tiffins such as Roti, Dal, Chawal, Sabzi, Salad, and Sweet. This option is good but it will come at an additional cost. The typical price of tiffin would look as follow –

• Budget Veg Tiffin (3 Roti, Sabzi, Salad) – Rs. 70/- to Rs. 80/-
• Budget Non-Veg Tiffin (3 Roti, Non-Veg Curry, Salad) – Rs. 90/- to Rs. 110/-
• Deluxe Veg Tiffin (2 Roti, Rice, Dal, Sabzi, Salad) – Rs. 90/- to Rs. 120/-
• Deluxe Non-Veg Tiffin (2 Roti, Rice, Dal, Non-Veg Curry, Salad) – Rs. 120/- to Rs. 140/-

The above price point may again vary based on the type and quantity of food items. Please make a note that this is not a benchmark.

Delivery service

Gone are the days when you have to physically go to restaurants for takeaway orders. Once or twice is fine but when it comes to daily tiffin service, you have to look for options where home delivery of tiffin is possible.

Mealawe is a homemade food delivery service where you get a dedicated rider for delivering every tiffin to your doorstep. Again, delivery comes at a price, so do not negotiate with the home kitchen for adjusting delivery cost in tiffin cost.

Remember, they will compromise on food quality to serve you a cheap meal. 

Number of tiffins in subscription

Once you narrow down to your favourite home kitchen, it is vital to try their meal or tiffin. The kitchen shall provide you with an option to order one tiffin for tasting purposes. Mealawe is a platform where there are a number of home kitchens that serve homemade tiffin subscriptions.

Once you like any home kitchen, you shall have an option to select a certain number of tiffins. It is not always for users to go for 30 tiffins on a monthly basis. Mealawe offers you options to go for 10, 20, and 30 meal subscriptions. We also have a provision to reschedule any day to some other day if you miss a tiffin in between.

Final words

It is not so difficult to choose the best tiffin service anywhere in the city. But it is important to keep restaurants, messes, restaurant delivery apps, cloud kitchens, etc. at bay as they cannot serve you healthy food in tiffin or meal subscription.

Go for home kitchens as they are family and mostly they serve what they eat. You cannot get more quality assurance other than this. Mealawe has a beautiful tagline which says “isme hai, maa kaa pyar”. Also, be ready to spend a few more bucks; after all it is your health. People eat outside unhealthy food for days and become ill in the longer run. So, be wise and choose home kitchens.

The post How to Choose the Best Tiffin Service? appeared first on mealawe.

Mealawe is a homemade food delivery mobile application and at Mealawe, we believe in promoting cuisines from various parts of our county. Let us learn more about traditional Indian dishes, the science behind them, how they are prepared, and their benefits.

Tadka (tempering)

Many people believe tempering is done to enhance the flavour of the dish. However, tempering also extracts the nutrition and medicinal benefits of the spices used. Traditionally, ghee or vegetable oil is used for tempering.

Spices like cumin, bay leaf, fenugreek, mustard seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves are added to the ghee. Besides adding flavour to the food, they also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that make the food suitable for the heart and digestion.

Roti

Roti or chapati is prepared in every Indian home regularly. Since they are made with whole grain wheat, rotis are rich in fibre, carbohydrates, and proteins. They provide energy to the body and increase blood circulation. They are also easy to digest. According to Ayurveda, roti helps to balance the vata and pitta dosha.

Rice and Dal

Rice and dal(lentils) are probably the most popular combination of homecooked Indian food. Dal and rice contain different types of proteins, so eating them together gives complete protein nutrition. Rice is rich in sulfur-based amino acids, while dal is rich in lysine amino acids.

Both dal and rice are rich in fibre, which helps improve digestion and keep diseases like diabetes in check.

Idli

Idli is prepared from the fermented batter of rice and black gram. The fermentation process makes idli more digestible. Fermentation also improves the nutritional and protein efficiency of idlis.

Idli batter also contains probiotic microorganisms like Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Lactis, which produce vitamin B12 and B-galactosidase enzyme, which enhance the probiotic activity.

Roasted Ragi

Ragi is a finger millet that is rich in dietary fibre and nutrients. Due to gelatinization, roasting ragi improves its taste, digestibility, and solubility or starch. It is rich in vitamin C, B-complex, E, and calcium.

It also contains proteins, unsaturated fats, and fibre. Germinating ragi improves the bioavailability of iron and zinc. This superfood is often included in the diet of babies. It can also help handle irritable bowel syndrome.

Dhokla

Dhokla is prepared from the fermentation of besan (Bengal gram) and rice. Fermentation of the batter improves the flavour of the dhokla. The yeast used for culture produces folic acid and helps make the dhokla spongy. The antioxidant properties of dhokla also help in keeping stress-induced degenerative diseases at bay.

Saag

Saag is a popular leaf-based dish from north India. It is made from mustard leaves, spinach, basella, or collard greens. It also includes maize powder, which makes the saag smooth and adds to the flavour. Since it is prepared from green leaves, it is a powerhouse of antioxidants. Besides iron, it contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. Steamed mustard leaves can bind bile acids, which helps lower cholesterol.

Dahi (Yogurt)

Dahi is a naturally fermented cow or buffalo milk product. It is a part of the daily diet of most Indians, and it contains B vitamins, folic acid, and riboflavin. Dahi contains lactic acid bacteria, which has a probiotic effect. It helps improve intestinal health and controls diarrhoea.

Curd is often mixed with cucumber to make cucumber raita, a staple dish during summer. Cucumber gives a cooling effect and improves bowel movements. Cucumbers are also known to detoxify and cleanse your body.

Vegetable curry

The curry is the base of many Indian dishes. Made by blending onion, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and spices like turmeric, red pepper, black pepper, cumin, cardamom, and coriander, the Indian curry has many health benefits.

You can add lentils and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and potato to this dish. Spices like turmeric and black pepper improve immunity. Curry has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Final words

There is so much diversity in the traditional regional cuisines of India. Regardless of the region, the traditional Indian cuisine is rich in nutrition. Even today, the meals prepared in households are made from what fresh produce is available in the markets.

We can say the same for the home cooks at Mealawe, who provide you with daily healthy meals from their home kitchens. Order from Mealawe at your convenience and enjoy their healthy and nourishing meals.

The post The Science Behind Traditional Homemade Food appeared first on mealawe.

For those who don’t have the time to cook or have never learned how to cook, homemade food delivery services like Mealawe are the way to go. These services provide high-quality meals with fresh and nutritious ingredients for their consumers.

Here are some more facts that you should know about the benefits of homemade food –

1.    Homemade food is hygienic

A meal prepared at home is way more hygienic than a restaurant meal. Homemade food is prepared in clean surroundings with utmost care. We cannot be sure about the hygiene levels in the restaurant kitchens. Eating more homemade food can reduce your risk of contracting foodborne illnesses.

2.    Homemade food is healthier

When we prepare food at home, we ensure that the ingredients are fresh and natural. The nutritional value of these foods is much higher than that of restaurant foods. Fast food restaurants add a lot of salt, sugar, and unhealthy oil to their food. Eating healthy homecooked meals boosts your immune system and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.

3.    Homemade food is low in calories

Eating out or ordering food is a definite no-no if you plan to lose weight. To maintain your calorie intake and keep your weight in check, you must carefully prepare your meals and reduce the amount of salt, sugar, and saturated fats. Traditional Indian dishes are much healthier and lower in calories than fast foods.

4.    Homemade food provides a balanced diet

We are all well aware of the importance of eating balanced meals. We can stay fit and healthy only if we consume the correct quantities of all macro and micronutrients. A traditional Indian meal contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients for our health. Restaurants are more focused on their food’s taste, so they compromise on the nutritional content.

5.    Homemade food is economical

Eating out every day can make a significant dent in your household budget. Buy your groceries in bulk and cook meals at home. You can pre-prepare food for the week and store them in your refrigerator.

6.    Portion control is more manageable with homemade food

When you order food, the portion sizes are pretty large. You tend to overeat in such cases. If the portion is too small, you may not fill your stomach well and feel cranky. When you cook at home, portion control is much easier. Even if you have cooked more than you can eat, you can store the leftovers in the fridge and eat them later.

7.    Easier to avoid allergic reactions

If you are allergic to certain foods, cooking meals at home is better than ordering in. You can control what you put in the food you make. You might not know all the ingredients in a restaurant meal.

8.    Good for children

All parents are concerned about the health of their children. We strive to provide them with the best of everything, so why not food? Research has shown that children that eat more homemade meals are less prone to infections and weight gain. Home-cooked food contains more fruits and vegetables and less trans fats and sugar.

9.    Homemade food improves family bonding

Eating meals at home with your loved ones is an excellent way to bond. You can try out new dishes and experiment with new flavours. You can try different cuisines and make mealtime an adventure for your family.

10. Saves time

We often order food when we do not have the time to cook food at home. Cooking at home can be a huge time saver. Many dishes can be prepared in just 30 minutes – which is usually the time it takes for a pizza to arrive at your doorstep. Driving to a restaurant, ordering your meal, and waiting for it to arrive at your table can take much longer. It will be more satisfying for you to cook a meal than wait for the food to arrive at your doorstep.

11. Eating homemade foods is educational

Eating homemade meals can be an educational experience. You can learn and teach others about the nutritional benefits of the ingredients used. Browse the menu of Mealawe, and you will find many cuisines to choose from. You can learn more about different cultures and traditions when you eat foods from different cuisines.

Final bites

Adopting a diet of healthy homemade meals can boost your mood and improve your resilience to stress. Eating together at the dining table every day also helps make the family bonds stronger. Eating wholesome meals can give you more energy and help you sleep better at night.

Mealawe offers homemade food straight to your door. Download their app and discover local home-based cooks in your neighborhood; check out their menus and let them handle the cooking for you. After all, when you feel healthier, you feel happier.

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21^st Century Reality – Cooking is Tough!

Due to a busy schedule, most working professionals and students neglect the importance of a healthy diet and end up eating junk and unhealthy food.

Making meals is a time-consuming task, especially if you are cooking for one. That is why a lot of people, especially working professionals and students, turn to food delivery services to get their weekly grub on.

But not all food delivery services provide healthy and nutritious food. Some of them are overpriced, and some of them do not have enough variety in their menus.

As a working professional or a student, you are probably always on the go. Between long hours at the office or in class and trying to squeeze in time for friends and family, there never seems to be enough time in the day to have a healthy meal. In a time when people are constantly on the go, sticking to a healthy diet is impossible at the end of the day.

Between work, classes, and extracurricular, finding the time to cook is becoming increasingly difficult. Authentic Tasty food and healthy food are one of the most basic problems of bachelors, office employees, students, or who are far from their families.

What Options are Available?

Homemade food delivery services in Pune somehow made it simpler for people who have no time for cooking or who don’t know how to cook. That is where Mealawe, a home-cooked food delivery service, comes in as their saviour. Mealawe offer quick, healthy, fresh, hygienic, and affordable meals straight from their home chef’s kitchen, to your doorstep. So, order now using Mealawe Mobile application.

Mealawe provides a range of delicious and authentic cuisines from north to south, or from west to east, whatever you ask for you will get the food as per your taste and requirements. To know more about Mealawe, visit About Us page.

All the meals are cooked the same day by registered home chefs who make sure that the ingredients are fresh, healthy, and hygienic for your consumption. Home chefs registered on Mealawe do not compromise on the quality and quantity of the food they serve you. Mealawe delivers these delicious home-cooked dishes in an eco-friendly package that is safe and healthy for you as well as for the environment.

Options Available on Mealawe

Mealawe provides meal plans for your everyday needs; you can also pre-order your favourite meal and experience the taste of authenticity and amazing flavours from their home chefs with the essence of love and care for your loved ones.

Not just breakfast, lunch & dinner, Mealawe has an All-day Menu available as well through which you can order anything anytime.

Mealawe has four major sections available in their app – Daily Menu, All day, Subscription and Advance Order.

Home chefs registered on Mealawe also take party orders, so that you can plan a wonderful get-together for your family, friends, and colleagues for any occasion. Delicious and warm home food delivered directly from a home chef’s kitchen to your heart makes you relive memories from home with your mother sighing in relief since all the food is preservative-free and just the way your mother cooks for you when you are in your home.

With this service, you will have everything you need for a delicious and wholesome meal in no time.

Final Words

So, what are you waiting for? Order authentic homemade food prepared by talented home chefs by downloading Mealawe Mobile application or visit Mealawe website to learn more about their offerings in the homemade food segment. You can also follow Mealawe on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for better insights.

The post A Step Towards a Healthy Diet with Mealawe appeared first on mealawe.

“Mealawe is a platform that connects your loved ones to a community of Home Chefs and cooks, they might be your known neighbors or any unknown male or female. Now everybody can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals delivered right to their doorstep.”

Have a look and learn how Mealawe works.

Nutrition for Elderly – Have a Look

As we age, our nutritional needs change. Our metabolism slows down and we require fewer calories. But at the same time, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from food. So, it’s important to make sure that the food we eat is both nutritious and delicious.

Home-cooked meals can be a great way to make sure we’re getting the nutrition we need. And with a little planning, they can be just as delicious as they are healthy.

Here are some tips for making nutritious and delicious home-cooked meals that Mealawe focus on while preparing food for golden agers –

1. Use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Seasonal produce is not only more flavorful, it’s also more nutritious.

• Make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your meals. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They’re also low in calories, so they’re perfect for older adults who need to watch their weight.

• Choose lean protein sources for Non-vegetarians like chicken, fish, or tofu. These proteins are lower in saturated fat than red meat, and they’re a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

If you are still skeptical about us, have a look at these videos to know how we work.

Recipes, Dishes & Cooking Methods

There are many recipes and dishes that can be both nutritious and delicious for golden agers. Some of our favorites include roasted paneer with vegetables, pulses with rice and vegetables, and hearty soup recipes. These home cooked meals are not only packed with nutrients that are essential for seniors, but they also taste great. So, if you’re looking for some healthy and delicious meal ideas for your elderly loved ones, be sure to check out our site that provides you an opportunity to pre-order i.e., you can now plan a special meal and book in advance and it will be delivered on a stipulated date and time.

Nutrients – The Essentials to a Healthy, Balanced Diet

As we age, our bodies need different amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy. That’s why it’s important to focus on eating a nutritious diet.

But what exactly are nutrients? These are substances found in food that our bodies need to function properly. It includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Proteins are essential for building and repairing body tissues. They can also be used as a source of energy. Foods high in protein include green peas, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and beans.

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. Foods high in carbohydrates include breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

Fats are important for many functions in the body including cushioning organs and providing energy. Foods high in fat include butter, oils, margarine, nuts, and seeds.

Vitamins are essential for growth and development, metabolism, and many other processes in the body. These can be found in fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and fortified foods such as cereal.

Budget Friendly Meals & What to Eat on a Tight Budget

Old agers often find themselves on a tight budget. They may be living on a fixed income, or they may be trying to save money for retirement. Regardless of the reason, eating healthy on a tight budget can be a challenge.

Fortunately, Mealawe provides plenty of nutritious and delicious home-cooked meals options that can be ordered on a budget. Here are a few meal ideas you can opt for or cook:

1. Soup is always a good option when you’re trying to save money. You can make a big batch of soup and then freeze individual portions for later. Soup is also relatively healthy, as long as you don’t add too much cream or oil.

• Another budget-friendly option is Cereals. Pulses or cereals can be made with very simple ingredients like onion, green chillies, and tomatoes. If you’re feeling healthy, you could even try making your own recipe.

• Another hearty and inexpensive meal is rice and beans. This dish is packed with protein and fiber, and it can be easily customized to your liking. Add some salsa or vegetables to jazz it up.

• If you’re looking for something lighter, try making a salad.

If your inner strength and power allows you to cook and you are really good at cooking. Try Mealawe now to start your journey as a Mealawian (Home Chef)

Meal Planning & Shopping List

If you’re like most people, the thought of cooking meals for a golden ager can be daunting. What do they like to eat? What are their dietary restrictions? And how can you make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need without breaking the bank?

Never fear! With a little planning and these tips, you’ll be whipping up delicious, nutritious, and budget-friendly meals for your parents or grandparents in no time.

Meal Planning

The key to any successful meal is proper planning. Before you go to the grocery store, sit down with your parents and ask them what their favorite food products are. Make a list of their likes and dislikes, as well as any dietary restrictions they may have. Then, use that information to plan out your weeks’ worth of meals.

Not sure what to make? These recipes are sure to please even the pickiest eater:

– Roasted paneer with vegetables

– Mushroom and Peas Curry

– Vegetarian chili

– Dal Makhani

Shopping List

Once you know what you’re going to make, it’s time to create your shopping list. In your shopping list, include all the vegetables and cereals which your parents enjoy eating along with the spices required to prepare those recipes.

Are you still skeptical about how to do all of this? No need to worry because Chefs at Mealawe work exactly the same and cook fresh and healthy meals keeping in mind the likes and instructions given by the customers. Don’t get confused, contact us now.

Tips on How to Cook?

It is no secret that as we age, our bodies change and our nutritional needs as well. Golden agers need to be especially mindful of what they eat in order to maintain their health and vitality. Home cooked meals are a great way to make sure you are getting the nutrients you need. But cooking for one can be daunting, not to mention time consuming and expensive.

Here are a few tips on how we cook nutritious and delicious home cooked meals for golden agers –

Plan Ahead

Planning your meals ahead of time will help you save both money and time. You can batch cook or cut extra portions of veggies so that you have them ready whenever needed.

Keep It Simple

You don’t need to make complicated or fancy dishes to get the nutrients you need. Stick to simple recipes that use fresh ingredients.

Use Healthy Cooking Methods

When cooking, use healthy methods such as baking, steaming, or stir-frying instead of deep frying. This will help to preserve the nutrients in your food.

Mealawe is the one support network you need for your aging parents or loved ones to lead a healthy life. Know more about Mealawe.

Final Words

We hope you enjoyed our tips on how to cook nutritious and delicious home-cooked meals for golden agers. Cooking for elderly loved ones can be challenging but a rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can ensure that your golden ager enjoys both the process and the result of your hard work in the kitchen. Download Mealawe Mobile Application and start your healthy life now.

The post Nutrition for Elderly – Golden Ager’s Guide to Home-Cooked Food by Mealawe appeared first on mealawe.

It’s no secret that women have to work twice as hard as men to get half the recognition. They are always told that they can do anything, but unfortunately, that isn’t always true. Countless things are standing in their way – both big and small. But enough is enough. It’s time for them to take matters into their own hands and empower themselves.

To all the brave ladies out there, it’s time to get empowered with Mealawe. The easiest and best option for all the homemakers having a dream to have their own identity. Have a look at these videos to learn how it works.

In order to tap into your inner power and strength, you need to arm yourself with the right tools. Register with Mealawe now to unlock your true potential.

Here are seven essential things every woman needs in order to empower herself. While the list could be endless, some are listed below –

Positive Attitude

You can’t empower yourself if you don’t have a positive attitude. You must have faith in yourself and your capabilities.

Education

One of the most important things a woman can do to empower herself is to get an education. Education provides women with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in any field they choose. The more you know, the more powerful you are.

Self Confidence

Believe in yourself and your abilities. Self-confidence is the best way to empower yourself. The more confident you are, the more empowered you will feel. It doesn’t matter if someone else doesn’t approve of your choices. You should be confident in what you want and go for it.

Support System

A strong support system is essential for empowering yourself. Family and friends are the first people in whom a woman can confide in her problems. A man’s support system is usually different from that of a woman.

Society is now more accepting of women who do not conform to traditional gender roles. This has helped them to have stronger support networks than they did in the past.

Role Model

A good role model is someone who sets a good example, and someone that people want to be like. A good role model can motivate others to do better. Role models can come in many forms. They may be an athlete, a teacher, a friend or even a stranger.

The most important thing is that they are someone who you look up to and want to emulate. So, find someone who you can look up to and follow their path. Are you skeptical about how Mealawe exactly works or what is it offering? Don’t get confused, contact us now.

Financial Independence

Another key factor for empowerment is financial independence. Women should work to become financially independent so they can support themselves and their families.

Health & Fitness

In recent years, due to the awareness and current trends of fitness and workout regimes, the urge to maintain their fitness and health has gained popularity among the women of India. Still, many homemakers do not take sufficient care of their body, keeping it something not in priority.

This should be changed as maintaining good health, fitness and personality boosts a lot of confidence in a person and helps in living a happy life. Mealawe is that one support network you need to make yourself independent.

Conclusion

This article provides a list of seven essential things that every woman needs in order to empower herself. These include self-confidence, financial independence, education, role models, health and fitness, a positive attitude, and a support network.

Women need to embrace all aspects of their lives in order to be successful. Empowerment comes from within. Follow these tips to empower yourself and achieve your goals. Visit our website and start your journey as a self-empowered woman now.

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