Yao Ming’s coach is helping this startup deliver healthy meals

The man himself. Image credit: Keith Allison.

Getting into shape, as endless news stories and fitness magazines will attest, is easier said than done. Even if you work out like a professional athlete, the odds are that you won’t eat like one.

“Many people work out five times a week, but still can’t achieve their fitness goals – that’s because their diet is broken,” says Veronica Xu, founder of a startup called RAWK.

Veronica crafted RAWK not to be a crash diet, but a lifestyle. Users in China make an account with the startup via WeChat, and enter in basics like their height, weight, exercise level, and health goals. RAWK takes care of the rest – delivering up to three pre-cooked meals a day, seven days a week, to your home or office.

You’ll still have to work out. Sorry.

Some of RAWK’s offerings. Image credit: RAWK.

Solving half the problem

It’s a rare kind of person who has the time and resources to go to the gym, research proper dietary habits, and cook every meal they eat each day.

Most meals contain a protein of steak, salmon, chicken breast, or sea bass.

If you’re looking to pack on muscle, then you’ll sign up for the Lean Gain program, which is is full of carb- and protein-heavy meals. If you’re looking to slim down, there’s the Ultimate Fat Loss route, which cuts carbs while focusing on protein and veggies.

I took a taste of RAWK’s offerings in its Shanghai office and – while I’m far from a dietary expert – I can vouch for their deliciousness. I chowed down on some steak with pumpkin and snap peas, and found them to be excellent. I’d complain that the portion was smaller than I would have liked, but that’s the whole point of this “eating healthy” thing.

Most RAWK meals contain a protein of steak, salmon, chicken breast, or sea bass, along with some veggies. The company currently runs two kitchens within Shanghai, and is working on building out its vegan and vegetarian options.

The subscription includes either two- or three-meal-per-day varieties, depending on whether or not you’re a breakfast person. A user’s meals are tailored to their personal goals and calorie levels, and are priced on a sliding scale. High calorie meals include more food and therefore cost more.

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