Maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging, especially when time is limited. Ready meals offer a convenient solution, but finding options that support weight loss requires careful consideration. This article explores some of the best ready meals and meal kits available, focusing on their nutritional value, ingredients, and suitability for weight management.
Understanding Healthy Meal Delivery Services
Meal delivery services provide a convenient way to enjoy healthy, balanced meals without the stress of planning and cooking. However, not all services are created equal. Some prioritize flavor and variety while others focus on specific dietary needs or weight loss goals. When choosing a meal delivery service, it's essential to consider factors such as ingredient quality, nutritional content, and overall convenience.
Top Picks for Weight Loss
Several meal delivery services stand out for their commitment to providing healthy, weight-loss-friendly options. These services offer a range of meals designed to be balanced, nutritious, and satisfying.
Sunbasket: Best Variety
Sunbasket distinguishes itself with its wide variety of recipe options and focus on fresh, produce-forward meals. The service prioritizes organic produce whenever possible and offers a diverse menu that changes weekly. Customers can filter recipes by dietary restriction, nutrition, excluded ingredients, and cook time, making it easy to find meals that align with their specific goals.
Pros:
- Good variety of recipe options
- Meals feel fresh and produce-forward
Cons:
- Organic ingredients may be substituted with non-organic
- Price can add up
Factor: Best Prepared Healthy Meal Delivery Service
Factor offers entirely pre-made, heat-and-eat meals that are designed to be nutritious and support wellness goals. The meals are well-seasoned and flavorful, making it easy to prioritize protein intake. Each meal is labeled with nutritional information, making it a great option for those with specific macro goals or dietary preferences.
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Pros:
- Easy and fast to prepare
- Meals feel balanced
Cons:
- Sides can feel repetitive
- Portion sizes might feel small
Purple Carrot: Best for Plant-Based Eaters
Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal delivery service that offers both meal kits and ready-to-eat meals. The service is an excellent choice for vegans and non-vegans alike, with meals that are flavorful and satisfying. Most meals are a mix of fresh produce and packaged ingredients, such as vegan cheeses, pre-cooked grains, and pre-made sauces.
Pros:
- Healthy meals that are quick, easy, and genuinely delicious
- Costs significantly less than regular takeout
Cons:
- Requires you to read the recipe carefully
- Entirely vegan menu may not appeal to all eaters
Green Chef: Best Organic Healthy Meal Kit
Green Chef is a CCOF-certified organic meal kit delivery service that sources organic fresh produce and eggs, as well as providing organic beef, chicken, and wild-caught seafood as an option. The service is praised for its tasty meals and easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step photos. Green Chef also offers a free one-on-one nutrition coaching session with your first box.
Pros:
- Simple recipes with tasty results
- Easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step photos
Cons:
- Produce options can feel repetitive and out of season
- Would have liked to see more “Protein Packed” vegetarian or vegan meals
Sakara: Best for Wellness Heads
Sakara is a wellness-focused meal delivery and supplement brand that offers plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free meals. The service is known for its aesthetically-minded meals, such as rainbow-hued salads, veggie-laden soups, and protein-rich breakfast parfaits. Sakara's Signature Nutrition Program is a good option for those looking for a long-term subscription.
Pros:
- Healthy, nourishing meals
- Appealing to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free eaters
Cons:
- Premium price point might not fit into a lot of people’s budgets
- Most breakfast options skew sweet
Gardencup: Best for Salad Lovers
Gardencup specializes in salads and bowls packaged in plastic jars. The salads are travel-friendly and ultra convenient, making them a good option for on-the-go lunches. Gardencup's offerings include salads with generous amounts of protein, which can help with satiety.
Pros:
- Fresh ingredients
- Meat options come with generous amounts of protein
Cons:
- Vegetarian/vegan salads don’t feel as substantial
- Hard to mix thoroughly without transferring to a bowl
Individual Frozen Meal Reviews
Frozen meals can be a convenient option for weight loss, provided they are chosen carefully. Look for meals that are low in sodium and fat, and high in protein and fiber.
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Kevin's Korean BBQ Chicken: This sweet and spicy chicken dish is a good source of protein and has a low sodium content. Pair it with whole grains and vegetables for a balanced meal.
Smartmade Mediterranean-Style Chicken Bowl: This all-in-one frozen dinner includes protein from chickpeas and chicken strips, vegetables, and quinoa. It's a well-rounded meal with 20g of protein per bowl.
Healthy Choice Simply Steamers Grilled Basil Chicken: This pasta dish with grilled chicken, basil, artichokes, squash, bell peppers, and spinach is a well-rounded meal that includes a source of protein, vegetables, and grains. It has 19g of protein and a low sodium content.
Primal Kitchen Chicken Pesto: This gluten-free option is made with cauliflower rice, chicken, pesto sauce, zucchini, broccoli, and almond butter. It provides 18g of protein.
Sweet Earth Vegan Frozen Natural Foods Curry Tiger: This vegan dish with lentils, sweet potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, brown rice, broccoli, and a curry sauce is a comforting and protein-rich option.
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Green Harvest California Style Protein Bowl: This vegetarian option is made with whole ingredients, including edamame beans, lentils, corn, quinoa, grilled peppers, peas, kale, and a light lemony sauce. It is a balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and high-quality carbohydrates.
Lean Cuisine Steak Portabella: This frozen meal features cuts of steak and large pieces of portabella mushrooms, served with brown sauce and a side of broccoli. It provides 14g of protein and includes two vegetables that offer vitamins and minerals.
Saffron Road Thai Red Curry Chicken: This dish combines the aromatic flavors of Thailand with juicy chicken, vegetables, and jasmine rice. It contains 14g of protein and is a great source of iron.
Amy’s Mexican-Inspired Veggies and Black Beans: This tasty and nutritious frozen meal brings the flavors of Mexico to your dinner table with vegetables, protein-rich black beans, and flavorful spices. It contains 7g of fiber and 9g of protein per container.
Gardein Chick’n Fajita Bowl: This is a flavorful, protein-packed option for those looking for a meatless meal. This dish features plant-based chicken, bell peppers, onions, and black beans in a zesty fajita sauce.
Other Meal Delivery Options to Consider
Trifecta: This service is popular in the CrossFit community and offers meals that are well-balanced and formulated by dietitians. Meals range from 350 to 550 calories and come in vacuum-sealed containers.
Dinnerly: This service is a simple and affordable meal delivery option with a large weekly menu. Most meals can be made in 30 minutes or less and cater to a calorie-conscious lifestyle.
Factor: This service offers calorie-conscious, individually portioned meals that are designed by registered dietitians and chefs. The Calorie Smart plan focuses on meals with 550 calories or less.
BistroMD: This service focuses on nutritious prepared meals specifically designed for weight loss and also has plans catering to different medical conditions.
Green Chef: This service is a USDA-certified organic meal kit that offers a wide variety of health-conscious meal plans, including a Calorie Smart selection.
EveryPlate: This service is one of the most affordable meal delivery services on the market and offers a Calorie Smart plan with meals around 650 calories or less per serving.
Blue Apron: This service offers both standard meal kits and prepared meals and allows customers to select 600 Calories or Less Meals, 30g of Protein Meals, and/or Carb Conscious Meals.
HelloFresh: This service offers a Fit and Wholesome plan with dietitian-approved meals all under 650 calories per serving.
Tips for Choosing Frozen Meals
- Read the nutrition label: Pay attention to sodium, fiber, protein, and fat content.
- Choose meals with less than 600 mg of sodium per serving.
- Pick fiber-rich meals with at least 10g per serving.
- Ensure adequate protein, approximately 20-30g per meal.
- Ensure there are little to no trans fats in the product.
Enhancing Frozen Meals
Even the best frozen meals can benefit from some additions to boost their nutritional value.
- Add frozen vegetables: Increase fiber and micronutrient content by adding extra vegetables to your meal.
- Serve a side salad: A simple salad with beans or vegetables can add fiber and vitamins.
- Eat fresh fruit for dessert: A healthy dessert option that provides additional fiber and nutrients.
- Add a whole grain side: Quinoa, millet, or buckwheat can add fiber and complex carbohydrates.
The Role of a Dietitian
A weight loss nutritionist can provide personalized guidance and support to help you meet your weight goals. They can assess your individual needs and preferences and recommend meal plans and strategies that are tailored to your specific circumstances.