In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, can be challenging. Meal delivery services have emerged as a convenient solution, offering pre-portioned ingredients or fully prepared meals delivered directly to your doorstep. This article explores some of the best meal delivery services for weight loss, considering factors like convenience, taste, dietary options, and overall healthfulness.
Prepared Meal Delivery Services
CookUnity: The Chef-Crafted Experience
CookUnity distinguishes itself by partnering with professional chefs to create restaurant-quality meals delivered fresh to your fridge. With over 400 options spanning global cuisines, CookUnity offers a wide variety to suit diverse palates. User ratings and reviews help guide meal selection, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.
What We Love:
- Wide variety of global cuisines: From Ghanaian to Mexican, CookUnity offers a diverse culinary journey.
- Easy-to-use filters for dietary needs: Catering to various dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Meals stay fresh: Thanks to modified atmosphere packaging, meals remain fresh for 4-7 days in the fridge.
- Ratings and reviews: User feedback helps in selecting the most popular and well-received dishes.
- Generous portion sizes: Providing satisfying and filling meals.
What We'd Leave:
- Repetitive use of rice: While flavorful, rice accompanies many dishes.
- Wide courier delivery window: Coordinating pickup can be tricky due to the broad delivery timeframe.
Who It's Best For:
CookUnity is ideal for those who appreciate high-quality, chef-prepared meals and enjoy exploring diverse cuisines. It's especially suitable for individuals with exacting food standards who prioritize convenience without compromising taste and quality.
Tovala: The Smart Oven Solution
Tovala takes a unique approach by combining prepared-ish meals with a smart oven. The meals consist of raw proteins and uncooked produce, which are then cooked in the Tovala oven using a combination of steam baking, convection roasting, and broiling. This method aims to overcome the bland flavors and mushy textures often associated with traditional prepared meals.
What We Love:
- Excellent texture and flavor: The Tovala oven ensures that meals are cooked to perfection, with juicy chicken, flaky salmon, and creamy sweet potatoes.
- Minimal prep time: Preparing meals takes less than 90 seconds, involving simply placing ingredients in aluminum trays and scanning a QR code.
- High-quality ingredients: Ensuring a fresh and flavorful dining experience.
What We'd Leave:
- Requires Tovala oven: The service is dependent on owning and using the Tovala oven.
- Prep feels like Microwave Cooking for One: The process can feel impersonal and less rewarding than traditional cooking.
Who It's Best For:
Tovala is best for individuals who want the ease of prepared meals but still desire the taste and texture of home-cooked food. It's a great option for those who don't love the idea of fully prepared meals but appreciate the convenience they offer.
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Factor: Health-Conscious and Dietitian-Approved
Factor positions itself as a nutritious, dietitian-approved meal delivery service designed to support various wellness goals. Meals are packaged in segmented plastic trays and can be heated in the microwave in just a few minutes.
What We Love:
- Easy and fast to prepare: Ready in just two to three minutes in the microwave.
- Meals feel balanced: Providing a good mix of protein, carbs, and fats.
- Generally tasty: Despite being microwave meals, the flavors are surprisingly enjoyable.
What We'd Leave:
- Sides can feel repetitive: The same side dishes are often repeated across different meals.
- Some dishes are less successful than others: Certain meals may not be as flavorful or well-prepared.
- Portion sizes might feel small for some: Depending on appetite, the portion sizes may not be sufficient for everyone.
Who It's Best For:
Factor is ideal for individuals looking to meet specific wellness goals, such as tracking macros, following low-carb, low-calorie, or high-protein diets. It's also a convenient option for busy people who want relatively healthy and balanced meals without the need for meal prep.
BistroMD: Doctor-Designed Weight Loss Meals
BistroMD was created by Dr. Caroline Cederquist, M.D., who believes that food is medicine. This service focuses on nutritious prepared meals specifically designed for weight loss, with plans catering to different medical conditions like diabetes, heart health, and menopause.
What We Love:
- Meals are designed with registered dietitians: Ensuring balanced and nutritious meals.
- Offers a complimentary nutrition consultation: Providing personalized guidance and support.
- Calorie Smart plan features meals with 550 calories or less: Ideal for weight loss.
What We'd Leave:
- Meals can be high in saturated fat: Especially the keto-compliant options.
- Shipping fee is relatively high: Adding to the overall cost of the service.
Who It's Best For:
BistroMD is best for individuals who are serious about their weight loss efforts and want a structured, doctor-designed meal plan. It's also suitable for those with specific medical conditions who require specialized dietary options.
Meal Kit Delivery Services
HelloFresh: The Family-Friendly Option
HelloFresh is a well-established meal kit delivery service known for its family-friendly recipes and customizable meal plans. With a wide selection of meals each week, HelloFresh caters to various dietary preferences and restrictions.
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What We Love:
- Rotating menu means new options each week: Providing variety and preventing boredom.
- Fit & Wholesome plan includes meals under 650 calories: Ideal for weight management.
- Items are well-packaged and organized: Making meal prep easier and more efficient.
- Easy to follow recipe cards: Ensuring a smooth and successful cooking experience.
What We'd Leave:
- Limited lower calorie options each week: The selection of low-calorie meals may be limited compared to other options.
Who It's Best For:
HelloFresh is a great option for families who want to enjoy home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. It's also suitable for individuals looking for reasonably priced meals with tasty recipes and solid packaging features.
Home Chef: Customizable and Family-Friendly
Home Chef is a traditional meal kit service that sends pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. With customizable meal plans and large portion sizes, Home Chef is a great option for families.
What We Love:
- Simple and kid-friendly recipes: Making it easy to get a fresh meal on the table in 15 to 30 minutes.
- Large portion sizes: Ensuring that everyone is satisfied.
- Customizable meal plans: Allowing you to select meals based on dietary needs and preferences.
- Fast & Fresh options: Oven-ready entrees and fully cooked meal options for even quicker dinners.
What We'd Leave:
- Not the most affordable: While budget-friendly when ordering from the Family Menu, it's not the cheapest option on the market.
Who It's Best For:
Home Chef is ideal for families with a lot of mouths to feed who want customizable meal plans and large portion sizes. It's also a good option for those who appreciate simple, kid-friendly recipes.
Green Chef: Organic and Health-Conscious
Green Chef stands out for its USDA-certified organic ingredients and wide variety of health-conscious meal plans. With options like keto, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, Mediterranean, low-calorie, and high-protein, Green Chef caters to a range of dietary needs.
What We Love:
- USDA-certified organic ingredients: Ensuring high-quality and healthy meals.
- Lean & Clean plan features meals under 600 calories: Ideal for weight management.
- High-fiber and protein-rich dishes crafted by dietitians: Providing balanced and nutritious meals.
What We'd Leave:
- Somewhat more expensive than others: Reflecting the premium quality of the ingredients.
- Instructions can sometimes be complex: Requiring more pots and pans than other meal kits.
Who It's Best For:
Green Chef is perfect for health-conscious individuals who prioritize organic ingredients and a wide variety of dietary options. It's also suitable for those who don't mind paying a premium for high-quality meals.
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EveryPlate: Affordable and Beginner-Friendly
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal delivery services on the market, offering tasty and quality meals at a budget-friendly price. With a Calorie Smart plan featuring meals around 650 calories or less per serving, EveryPlate is a great option for those looking to lose weight.
What We Love:
- Affordable and delicious meals: Providing great value for the price.
- Calorie Smart plan offers recipes under 650 calories: Ideal for weight management.
- Good for beginner cooks: With helpful instructions and easy-to-follow recipes.
What We'd Leave:
- Items don't come as organized as other services: Reflecting the budget-friendly nature of the service.
Who It's Best For:
EveryPlate is ideal for individuals who are looking for an affordable meal delivery service with tasty and easy-to-follow recipes. It's also a great option for beginner cooks who want to learn new techniques.
Blue Apron: A Classic with Varied Options
Blue Apron is one of the original meal delivery services, offering both standard meal kits and prepared meals for busy weeknights. With a focus on fresh ingredients and inventive recipes, Blue Apron is a solid choice for those who like to explore new flavors.
What We Love:
- Wide variety of plans, including premade meals: Catering to different preferences and lifestyles.
- 600 Calories or Less meal preference available: Ideal for weight management.
- Fresh ingredients and inventive recipes: Providing a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience.
What We'd Leave:
- Premium options come at an added cost: Potentially increasing the overall price of the service.
Who It's Best For:
Blue Apron is a good option for busy people who like to explore new recipes and ingredients. It's also suitable for those who appreciate fresh, high-quality meals with simple step-by-step instructions.
Sunbasket: Organic and Diet-Specific
Sunbasket offers both ingredient-based meal kits and pre-made meals, all of which consist of high-quality ingredients and organic produce. With a variety of meal plans, including paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and diabetes-friendly options, Sunbasket caters to a wide range of dietary needs.
What We Love:
- USDA-certified organic ingredients: Ensuring high-quality and healthy meals.
- Lean & Clean plan features meals under 600 calories: Ideal for weight management.
- High-fiber and protein-rich dishes crafted by dietitians: Providing balanced and nutritious meals.
- Mix and match options: Allowing you to choose from a variety of meals from the weekly rotating menu.
What We'd Leave:
- Somewhat more expensive than others: Reflecting the premium quality of the ingredients.
Who It's Best For:
Sunbasket is perfect for health-conscious individuals who prioritize organic ingredients and a wide variety of dietary options. It's also suitable for those who don't mind paying a premium for high-quality meals.
Purple Carrot: Plant-Based Innovation
Purple Carrot stands out for its exclusively plant-based meal kits, offering a "wonderful blend of familiar and innovative" recipes. This service provides an easy way for people to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets without fully committing to veganism.
What We Love:
- Exclusively plant-based meals: Catering to vegans and those interested in plant-based diets.
- Innovative and flavorful recipes: Providing a unique and satisfying dining experience.
- Easy way to add more plant foods into your diet: Without fully converting to veganism.
What We'd Leave:
- Not the most flexible delivery options: Potentially limiting delivery days and times.
Who It's Best For:
Purple Carrot is ideal for vegans and those interested in incorporating more plant-based meals into their diets. It's also a great option for those who appreciate innovative and flavorful recipes.
Splendid Spoon: Healthy and Ready-Made
Splendid Spoon offers over 50 healthy ready-made meals and snacks that include smoothies, soups, noodle bowls, and dishes - and everything is gluten-free. This service is perfect for those who want healthy meals in a flash.
What We Love:
- Healthy and ready-made meals: Providing convenience and nutrition in one package.
- Wide variety of options: Including smoothies, soups, noodle bowls, and dishes.
- Gluten-free: Catering to those with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions.
What We'd Leave:
- You can’t pick the number of meals you get per plan: Limiting customization options.
- Taste can be too healthy for some: Potentially lacking the flavor and richness of other meal delivery services.
Who It's Best For:
Splendid Spoon is ideal for individuals who want healthy meals in a flash and appreciate the convenience of ready-made options. It's also a great choice for those with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions.
Hungryroot: Grocery Delivery with Meal Solutions
Hungryroot is more of a grocery delivery service than a traditional meal kit service, offering a large selection of high-quality ingredients and packaged items that can be thrown together for super-quick, satisfying dinners.
What We Love:
- Grocery delivery service: Providing a wide selection of high-quality ingredients.
- Super-quick prep: Allowing you to enjoy your first bite within 10 or 15 minutes of beginning your cook.
- Filters for cuisines and dietary restrictions: Including pescatarian, high-protein, carb-conscious, dairy-free, tree nut-free, and even diabetes-friendly.
What We'd Leave:
- Setting your preferences and selecting your groceries is a little tedious at first: Potentially requiring some time and effort to get started.
Who It's Best For:
Hungryroot is ideal for individuals who want a grocery delivery service with meal solutions and appreciate the convenience of super-quick prep. It's also a great option for those with specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
Dinnerly: Affordable and Simple
Dinnerly is a simple and affordable meal delivery service option, with one of the largest weekly menus. Most meals can be made in 30 minutes or less, and there are options that cater to a calorie-conscious lifestyle at 650 calories or less per meal.
What We Love:
- Affordable meal kits: Providing great value for the price.
- Options for low-calorie meals: Catering to those looking to lose weight.
- Large selection of vegetarian items: Providing ample choices for vegetarians.
- Good for beginner cooks: With recipes that have just a few ingredients and are easy to follow.
What We'd Leave:
- Items don't come as organized as other services: Reflecting the budget-friendly nature of the service.
Who It's Best For:
Dinnerly is ideal for individuals who are looking for an affordable meal delivery service with simple and easy-to-follow recipes. It's also a great option for beginner cooks and those looking to lose weight.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Meal Delivery Service for Weight Loss
- Dietary Needs: Ensure the service caters to your specific dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or low-carb.
- Calorie Count: Look for services that provide meals with a calorie count that aligns with your weight loss goals.
- Nutritional Balance: Choose meals that are balanced in terms of protein, carbs, and fats.
- Ingredients Quality: Opt for services that use fresh, high-quality ingredients, preferably organic.
- Taste and Variety: Select a service that offers a variety of meals that you enjoy eating.
- Convenience: Consider the prep time and ease of cooking or reheating the meals.
- Cost: Compare the prices of different services and choose one that fits your budget.