You are what you eat, according to the old adage – and it’s a belief that over three-quarters of Hong Kongers take to heart. The Nielsen Global Health & Wellness Survey found that 56 percent of the city’s residents were actively trying to lose weight in 2015, and 49 percent said they would pay a premium for more nutritious meals.
Although Hong Kong has long been known for its dine-out culture – on average, its denizens eat out four or more days a week – a 2016 survey from the Polytechnic University revealed that about 60 percent of eateries do not offer enough nutritious options. With more and more locals taking up healthier lifestyles, the meal plan has increasingly become an attractive and convenient option for time-pressed professionals. The recent surge of meal plan providers has seen over 15 healthy food delivery companies spring up in Hong Kong.
“When it comes to eating well, meal planning is one of the easiest things you can do to set yourself up for success,” says nutrition consultant Elle Penner. “There are no strict rules and you can’t really mess it up.”
Maximilian Von Poelnitz, founder of NOSH, says his business was borne out of a desire to provide both convenient and nutritious meals. NOSH’s plans range from three- to 18-day packages and target different goals: losing weight, balancing your diet or building muscle. To cater to the Asian palate, they’ve recently partnered with China’s largest online recipe hub, Day Day Cook, to craft menus with Eastern flair.
“The new nutritious meals take inspiration from Cantonese, Southeast Asian, Japanese and Korean cooking,” says Von Poelnitz. However, his favourite NOSH dish comes from the West: free-range chicken with black beans, warm quinoa and guacamole.
Von Poelnitz says he hopes to win over younger clients in a bid to encourage healthy eating habits from childhood.
“We are focusing on developing meals for kids aged three to nine to teach them how to eat smarter at a younger age,” he says. If the success of juicing operations is any indication, it looks like the meal plan will prove to be more than just a health fad.
Directory
EATOLOGY
Best for: Highly personalised, science-based plans
Expertise: Designed by renowned chefs, meals are tailored to specific needs. An in-house nutritionist reviews and adjusts profiles according to food allergies and special needs like pregnancy and diabetes
Bestsellers: Organic chicken quinoa salad; Thai wild sockeye salmon kebab with sesame bok choy
Price: HK$358/day for a 5-day veg plan
eatologyasia.com
Nutrition Kitchen
Best for: Physique development
Expertise: Three partners combined 15 years of experience in the health and fitness industry to come up with this concept specialising in body composition
Bestsellers: Goan fish curry; coronation chicken salad
Price: HK$160/day for a 5-day package
nutritionkitchenhk.com
NOSH by Secret Ingredient
Best for: Preparing for a wedding or holiday; achieving fitness goals
Expertise: This Alibaba-funded start-up is Hong Kong’s most ubiquitous and user-friendly meal plan provider. You can find them everywhere, even catering to junk boat parties and corporate events. They’ve capitalised on the demand for convenience by becoming the company most in touch with the greater health-conscious market.
Bestsellers: Sweetened osmanthus-glazed ribs; braised chicken with chestnut
Price: HK$175/day for the 5-day plan
nosh.hk
Text: Julienne C. Raboca
Photos: NOSH, Eatology