ReadersAisle.com | Reliable Information Simplified

8 mistakes to avoid while using food delivery services

With extremely hectic schedules, it can be difficult to manage cooking a filling meal. That’s where food delivery services come in. These services operate in two ways – via the restaurant’s delivery partners, or through a third-party platform. While ordering food via online delivery services has become commonplace today, certain old habits could cost one more money. Read on to learn about eight mistakes to avoid when ordering food from an online food delivery service.

Failing to vet the delivery service
Before ordering via a third-party delivery service or a restaurant’s online delivery portal, it is pertinent to vet them. During this stage, there are seven things to consider:

Specialization
When ordering temperature-controlled foods, does the delivery provider offer special packaging? For instance, is the ice cream delivered in a special insulated bag lined with ice bags to keep it cool? A lack of these services could seriously impact one’s eating experience, no matter how great the restaurant is.
Safety
Consider whether the delivery service ensures careful delivery, without any damages. Without this, there is a massive risk of food contamination, which can result in serious infections.
Food tracking
With fast-paced lives, sitting around waiting for food is just not feasible. Ensure that the delivery service offers real-time tracking along with regular updates.
Reputation
Next, it is extremely important to consider the delivery service’s reputation and credibility. Do they have a history of defaulting on orders, or are the customers happy with their experience? Look up online reviews to get a better idea and set realistic expectations.
Speed
Consider how quickly the order needs to arrive. Most restaurants take between thirty minutes and one hour to prepare and deliver food. Some food delivery platforms offer express services, while others may require pre-ordering.
Cost-effectiveness
Lastly, it is important to consider the costs involved. Pricing may differ based on urgency, location, type, distance, or size of the order. Weather conditions, traffic, and total volume of orders may also have an impact on these prices. Find a service that fits within one’s budget.
Customer service
This may not feel as important, but it most certainly is. Check whether the food delivery service offers 24×7 support. This can be an absolute boon if the order gets held up, or if any unforeseen issues arise.

Not considering local restaurants
When ordering from food delivery services, many people resort to the same fast-food chain restaurants. This occurs so frequently that food delivery today has become synonymous with fast food. While these are trusted to deliver a certain quality of food and service, it can seriously impact local restaurateurs. Give the local restaurants a chance, they may offer a pleasant surprise! Since they aren’t overloaded, they may be able to deliver faster than chain restaurants. When ordering from local restaurants, one is more likely to eat healthier, with sizable servings that meet their nutritional goals. They may also open one’s eyes to different cuisines and foods, all while generating new employment in the neighborhood.

Ordering when hungry
After choosing a delivery service and restaurant, it’s time to order. Don’t wait until hunger strikes before ordering. It is always a good idea to order about an hour before one’s regular meal time. By doing so, one is less likely to be impatient or irritable during ordering, ultimately leading to a pleasant eating experience.

To avoid the hassle of ordering daily, one can also sign up for food or snack subscription services. There are several varieties to choose from. Some services send pre-portioned and/or partially prepared ingredients so users can make a home-cooked meal with minimal effort. Others, namely meal delivery services, offer pre-cooked meals. Alternatively, customers can also set up deliveries for their favorite snacks, meats, and more.

Ordering food that goes bad quickly
Along similar lines, avoid ordering food that goes bad or becomes unappealing quickly, as it could lead to food wastage. For instance, any leftover pizza can easily be packed in the refrigerator and consumed later. On the other hand, salads or other foods marked “consume while fresh” have a short shelf life, and may end up being discarded after the meal.

Storing delivery packages
Always dispose of or recycle the containers when the food arrives. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, these containers are not meant to be reused and may leech microplastics into other foods.

Eating from the container
Serve a healthy portion of the food on a plate or bowl. Eating directly from the container may send signals to the brain that there are big portions to consume, which could lead to overeating.

Paying with cash
Cash payments can make ordering food online inconvenient. While most delivery services offer cash-on-delivery options, the delivery person may not have the appropriate balance, making it a hassle. When possible, use the cashless option while ordering online.

Not thinking about delivery agents
No matter the location one is ordering from, it is essential to provide a complete delivery address. This helps the delivery agent reach the location with ease. In addition to the building location, the address must also include the floor numbers, gate passcodes (if any), or any other information that may be necessary. Additionally, one must also offer a tip to the delivery agent to showcase that their service was satisfactory.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.