Diet-to-Go is a meal delivery service that specializes in providing calorie- and portion-controlled meals designed to support weight loss and cater to specific dietary needs. With a focus on convenience and pre-prepared meals, Diet-to-Go aims to simplify dieting by removing the need for grocery shopping, meal planning, and extensive cooking. This article provides an in-depth review of Diet-to-Go, covering its menu options, customization, nutritional quality, unboxing experience, cooking process, and overall pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Overview of Diet-to-Go
Initially skeptical, I found Diet-to-Go to be a surprising and refreshing experience. Unlike many other "diet-friendly" meal services that offer bland and uninspired meals, Diet-to-Go provides fresh, satisfying dishes that genuinely taste good. The menu leans towards classic comfort food, with options like Mediterranean Tapas, Mexican-Style Turkey Burritos, and Black Bean Chili with Jalapeño Cornbread standing out as particularly enjoyable.
The meals arrive frozen but should be stored in the fridge, making them ready to heat and eat within minutes. If you live near a distribution center, they may also arrive fresh. While some dishes may benefit from being heated in a toaster oven for a crispier texture, overall preparation is effortless.
Diet-to-Go is structured to make sticking to a meal plan easy. You choose one of five plans, and meals are pre-selected but can be edited. Portions are controlled, calories are counted, and there’s no need for grocery shopping or intensive meal preparation. Customer service was also found to be surprisingly efficient.
Diet-to-Go's Menu: Weight Loss Made Simple
Diet-to-Go offers a variety of options to replace most or all of your weekly meals. You can choose to receive three meals per day, or two if you exclude breakfast, with options for five or seven days a week. The service caters to individuals, making it suitable for those living alone or who are the only ones in their household following a strict diet. The company prepares single-serving dishes that you only need to heat and eat.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Meal Options: Five Weight Loss Plans
Diet-to-Go offers five distinct meal plans designed for weight loss and specific dietary needs. The Balance menu is the most popular option. The five plans include:
- Balance: The broadest selection of low-calorie, nutritionally balanced meals.
- Balance Diabetes: A low-glycemic menu tailored for people with diabetes. The meals are lower in sodium and fat, and contain fewer than 45 grams of carbs per meal.
- Keto-Carb30: A low-carb, Atkins-style menu designed to deliver no more than 30 net carbs per day. The term net carbs refers to the carbs remaining after subtracting the fiber content from the total carbs.
- Vegetarian: No meat, with protein from dairy, eggs, beans, and soy. This menu is free of meat, fish, and poultry but contains eggs, soy, and beans for protein.
- Mediterranean: Emphasis on whole foods and heart-healthy ingredients like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, grains, fish, and lean meats.
Diet-to-Go offers around 75+ meals in total, though your selection is limited by your chosen plan. Unlike services like Factor, you can’t freely pick meals from a large pool. The menu is heavily American with classic comfort food options like Chicken Pot Pie and Grilled Cheese. There are some internationally inspired dishes, such as the Mexican-style Turkey Burrito or Moroccan Lentil Salad, but these tend to be adapted for a weight-loss focus and may not offer an authentic taste experience.
Diet-to-Go doesn’t offer extras like snacks, desserts, bulk protein, or add-ons. The focus is strictly on prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, Diet-to-Go meals often include sides and/or desserts. If you're ordering from the Men’s menu, you may notice extras like a brownie or additional snacks included to meet the higher daily calorie target. The main meal portions appear to stay the same across plans, with calorie differences made up through sides.
Overall, the taste of Diet-to-Go’s meals is impressive. Many dishes, like the Mediterranean Tapas, have fresh, well-balanced flavors, and the focus on simple, satisfying meals is appreciated. The portions are carefully controlled to support weight loss. While most meals are enjoyable, some may feel a little plain when compared to more indulgent meal services.
If you’re looking for a functional, no-fuss meal plan that removes the guesswork from dieting, this structure might work well for you. However, if you enjoy customizing meals, exploring new flavors, or supplementing with extras, you might find the menu a bit limiting.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Diet-to-Go’s Menu at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of how Diet-to-Go aligns with various dietary preferences:
| Diet | Is Diet-to-Go Good for This Diet? |
|---|---|
| Omnivore | Yes, there are lots of options |
| Keto | Yes, there’s a keto-friendly plan |
| Vegetarian | Yes, there’s a Vegetarian plan |
| Mediterranean | Yes, there’s a Mediterranean plan |
| Paleo | No, it isn’t suitable |
| Gluten-Free | No, it isn’t suitable |
| Vegan | No, there are no vegan options |
Sample Daily Menus
Here are daily sample menus for each plan:
Balance
- Breakfast: waffles with peaches and apples in syrup
- Lunch: Greek chicken with quinoa
- Dinner: herbed baked salmon
Balance Diabetes
- Breakfast: whole wheat bagel with peanut butter
- Lunch: chicken black bean wrap
- Dinner: chicken Parmesan
Keto-Carb30
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
- Breakfast: salmon and leek frittata
- Lunch: andouille sausage
- Dinner: chicken meatloaf
Vegetarian
- Breakfast: peach pecan oatmeal bar
- Lunch: Moroccan lentil salad
- Dinner: eggplant Parmesan
Mediterranean
- Breakfast: cinnamon walnut cereal
- Lunch: moroccan lentil salad
- Dinner: Sante Fe chicken burger
Customization: Limited Flexibility & Allergy Accommodations
Diet-to-Go offers some customization within its set meal plans, but overall flexibility is quite limited due to the prepared meals. Within your plan, you can swap out individual meals from a list of pre-approved alternatives. However, swaps must be made meal by meal. For example, if you want to replace a lunch, you can only choose from other lunch options.
Diet-to-Go doesn’t offer ingredient-level exclusions or customization for allergens. You won’t find any filters or special menus dedicated to allergens. While allergens are listed on meal labels and online menus, the company states that ingredient lists are “not complete for allergens.” This lack of transparency may be a concern for those with serious food sensitivities. If you have a severe allergy, it’s best to contact customer service before ordering or consider a service with stricter allergen controls.
Diet-to-Go does cater to specific dietary needs with its structured meal plans. Those following a low-carb, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, or Mediterranean-style diet will find plans designed to fit their needs. However, if you require a fully plant-based (vegan) menu or need to exclude specific proteins like chicken or beef, consider other options.
My Unboxing Experience With Diet-to-Go: Neat, but Not the Most Eco-Friendly
The initial impression of the Diet-to-Go box was that it was exceptionally clean. The packaging was secure and well-organized. Upon opening, the meals were neatly arranged, each individually packaged in microwave-safe trays. The meals were clearly labeled with nutritional information, ingredients, and heating instructions, making it easy to identify each dish. Unlike some services, there was minimal branding on the packaging, focusing on function rather than aesthetics.
Diet-to-Go’s meals are shipped frozen but should be stored in the fridge. The insulation was impressive; the food was still partially frozen when unpacked. The meals come with clear storage instructions, and it’s obvious they should go straight into the fridge rather than the freezer. There are no best-before dates on the individual meals, but the service recommends eating everything within 7 days, which seems accurate.
While Diet-to-Go does a great job with organization and insulation, the packaging isn’t the most eco-friendly. The box contained a mix of dry ice and ice packs, ensuring meals stayed cold during transit. However, the ice packs weren’t the drain-safe, recyclable type, and the plastic linings and wrap weren’t easily reusable or biodegradable. The cardboard box and meal trays were recyclable, but compared to some competitors with more sustainable packaging, there’s room for improvement. If you don’t plan to eat all your meals within the recommended 7-day fridge window, you can store them in the freezer for up to 30 days for added flexibility.
Cooking & Eating With Diet-to-Go: Simple Prep & Surprisingly Tasty Meals
Meals arrive ready-cooked, so you won't have to spend much time in the kitchen. All you'll have to do is heat the dishes in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes, or longer if you’re reheating from frozen. Some meals also recommend using a toaster oven for a crispier texture, but a microwave is the default. Preparation instructions are unique to each meal.
Some meals come with sides, fruit, or snacks that don’t need to be heated - like mandarin slices, yogurt, or brownies. Before microwaving, check the meal label and remove anything meant to be eaten cold to maintain the right textures and flavors.
One of the biggest advantages of Diet-to-Go is its convenience. It’s a great way to avoid spending money on takeout or time cooking. When you're hungry, simply warm up the meal fast instead of grabbing a snack. While most dishes reheated well, some meals with bread or crusts would have benefited from crisping up in an oven. Others, like soups and stews, held up perfectly. Portion sizes felt well-balanced, with some meals feeling surprisingly filling, while others were on the lighter side. The flavors were mostly impressive, though a few meals leaned a little plain.
Shortlist of Favorite Meals
Ten meals from Diet-to-Go’s Balance menu were sampled. While most were enjoyable, some stood out more than others:
- Mediterranean Tapas: This stood out as one of the most unique meals in Diet-to-Go’s lineup. It’s not often you see a ready-made meal service offering a meze-style spread with pita, hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh. Toasting the whole wheat pitas made a big difference. The red pepper hummus had a bold, tangy flavor thanks to the addition of feta.
- The Kelly: This was a surprisingly good lunch option. The side of mandarins was a nice touch, and the brownie was also a pleasant surprise for a diet-friendly dessert. It was clearly homemade, wrapped in plastic, and had a standard brownie taste.
- Mexican-Style Turkey Burrito: This was a filling and hearty meal. The ground turkey and kidney beans were nicely spiced, and the whole wheat tortilla wrapped everything up well. It’s important to remove the salsa & sour cream before microwaving. This felt like a hearty, satisfying dinner, though the sodium and saturated fat levels were higher than expected for a diet meal.
- Asian Steak: The steak itself was tender from the marinade. The mashed potatoes, on the other hand, were a bit of a letdown, with a unique wasabi kick but a dry consistency. The veggie side wasn’t anything special either. It was nice to see some variety, but more seasoning would have been appreciated.
- Black Bean Chili With Jalapeño Cornbread: This felt more like a vegetarian soup than a chili, with a thin, watery consistency that needed more spice or flavor. A dash of hot sauce could help. The cornbread muffin, however, was a pleasant surprise, with the perfect texture and a burst of flavor thanks to the jalapeños.
Recipes Summary
| Meal | Cook Time | Calories Per Serving | Suitable Diets | Allergens | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Tapas | No cooking required (toast pita if desired) | 430 calories | Vegetarian, Mediterranean, low-calorie | Milk, wheat | Fans of fresh, light meals |
| The Kelly | 2 minutes | 690 calories | Vegetarian, low-calorie, | Wheat, soy, egg, milk | Sweet-savory flavor lovers |
| Mexican-Style Turkey Burrito | 3 minutes | 540 calories | High-protein, low-calorie | Wheat, dairy | Those who enjoy hearty, comforting meals |
| Asian Steak | 3 minutes | 470 calories | High-protein, low-carb | Soy, wheat, milk | Steak lovers looking for a diet-friendly option |
| Black Bean Chili With Jalapeño Cornbread | 3 minutes | 420 calories | Vegetarian, low-calorie | wheat, soy, milk, eggs | Comfort food fans who like a little spice |
Prices: The More Meals You Order, the Less You Pay
Prices vary depending on which plan you choose and the number of meals. There’s no difference if you opt to remove seafood from your plan. The Balance-D, Mediterranean, and Vegetarian plans cost the same as the Women’s Balance plan.
| Starting from | Number of meals per week | Shipping fee |
|---|---|---|
| $13.90 per portion | 10 meals for Women’s Balance Plan (2 meals, 5 days) | $19.98 nationwide |
| $10.86 per portion | 15 meals for Women’s Balance Plan (3 meals, 5 days) | |
| $13.25 per portion | 14 meals for Women’s Balance Plan (2 meals, 7 days) | |
| $9.71 per portion | 21 meals for Women’s Balance Plan (3 meals, 7 days) | |
| $14.76 per portion | 10 meals for Men’s Balance Plan (2 meals, 5 days) | |
| $11.53 per portion | 15 meals for Men’s Balance Plan (3 meals, 5 days) | |
| $14.91 per portion | 14 meals for Men’s Balance Plan (2 meals, 7 days) | |
| $10.76 per portion | 21 meals for Men’s Balance Plan (3 meals, 7 days) | |
| $15.20 per portion | 10 meals for Keto-Carb30 Plan (2 meals, 5 days) | |
| $12.00 per portion | 15 meals for Keto-Carb30 Plan (3 meals, 5 days) | |
| $14.75 per portion | 14 meals for Keto-Carb30 Plan (2 meals, 7 days) | |
| $10.76 per portion | 21 meals for Keto-Carb30 Plan |
Nutritional Quality of the Meals
Diet-to-Go is very transparent when it comes to the calorie count, nutritional info, and ingredients in every meal. You can read the nutrition facts label for each meal before you select it, and it’s also printed on each packaged meal.
The daily calorie content for Diet-to-Go meals is 1,200 for female-identifying people, 1,600 for male-identifying people, and 1,300 for those following the Keto-Carb30 plan. While this reduced calorie intake can support short-term weight loss for most people, research shows that it’s not likely to help people maintain that weight loss. For most people, these calorie counts would be too low.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that to maintain their weight, people assigned female at birth who are between ages 19 and 30 should eat between 1,800 and 2,400 calories per day, while people assigned male at birth in the same age range should aim for 2,400 to 3,000 calories. For those ages 31 to 59, the guidelines suggest 1,600 to 2,200 calories for women each day and 2,200 to 3,000 for men.
As an active person, I was still hungry after eating many of these meals. This is likely at least partly because they are low-calorie meals meant to encourage weight loss, but also there was a noticeable variation in protein content across the meals, with some providing only 10 grams and others offering up to 50 grams. Since protein is key for satiety and has been shown to support weight loss, this discrepancy could leave some people feeling less than satisfied after eating certain meals, derailing their weight loss efforts. When people feel hungry, it's harder to stick to a weight loss plan because hunger often leads to overeating or snacking in between meals.
Diet-to-Go meal plans generally aim to keep sodium levels low, providing between 2,000 and 2,400 milligrams of sodium each day. This is helpful for people who need to manage their blood pressure, as studies have found that following a lower sodium diet can help reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease. The meals are also low in saturated and trans fats, which is beneficial for those looking to protect their heart health. The meals included a variety of servings of fruits and vegetables, which provide important nutrients and antioxidants.
As for the total carbohydrates, there was a lot of variation between the different plans, but two of its plans restrict carbs. For example, since the Keto-Carb30 plan is designed for those following a ketogenic diet, it provides only 30 carbs per day. The Balance-Diabetes meal plan, meanwhile, limits carbohydrate intake to about 45 grams per meal, which can help maintain stable blood sugar control by preventing large spikes.
The service does not offer meal plans for people following a gluten-free, kosher, or vegan diet, and it does not cater to those with specific allergies.
Meal Delivery Service Review Scorecard
One Healthline tester scored Diet-to-Go across 10 categories and allotted points from 0 to 5. The scores below reflect the average rating for each category.
- Overall: 3.7
- Sign-up, delivery, and cancelation processes: 4
- Meal variety: 5
- Nutrition: 4
- Sustainability: 2.5
- Ingredient quality and freshness: 3
- Ease of preparation: 4.5
- Taste: 2
- Affordability: 3
Pros and Cons of Diet-to-Go
Diet-to-Go pros
- Convenience: Offers a meal delivery service that’s convenient and appealing to people who don’t have the time to cook or prepare meals for themselves.
- Nationwide Shipping: The company ships nationwide and delivers ready-to-eat meals to your doorstep.
- Affordability: It’s less expensive than other meal delivery services that advertise their meals as weight-loss-friendly.
- Variety of Menus: Diet-to-Go menus include Balance, Balance Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, and Mediterranean options.
Diet-to-Go cons
- Low Calorie Content: The Balance menu offers two options - a 1,200 calorie menu for women and a 1,600 calorie menu for men, both of which are considered very low calorie diets and will likely result in weight loss. However, research shows that drastically cutting calories rarely results in weight loss that can be maintained long term.
- Limited Dietary Options: Diet-to-Go doesn’t offer gluten-free, vegan, or kosher meals at this time.
- Allergy Limitations: Though Diet-to-Go is unsuitable for people with severe food allergies, the site does have a form that you can fill out regarding your dietary restrictions.
- Cost: Even though Diet-to-Go is marketed as an affordable option, it may be out of many people’s price range. With shipping, the total average weekly cost for 21 meals is $162.97.
- Texture Issues: Proteins were fresh and good, but vegetables and eggs tended to be mushy or lack the ideal texture compared with a home-cooked meal.
Diet-to-Go Sign-Up Process
The sign-up process is easy. Customers start by picking a meal plan and choose from a 5- or 7-day plan that includes two or three meals per day. The two-meal-per-day plan doesn’t include breakfast. Diet-to-Go’s most popular Balance menu contains 1,200 calories per day for women and 1,600 calories per day for men. Meals are delivered weekly, and you have the option of canceling or pausing your subscription at any time (but this must be done by calling).
However, the “My Diet-To-Go” tab wasn't very intuitive. You can’t go back and see your order history, nor can you see which particular menu items were sent to you or mark them as favorites. Also, you can cancel only via call. Delivery days and times depend on where you live. Many of the dishes on the various menus overlap. For example, chicken fajitas are offered as a dinner option on the Balance, Balance Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, and Mediterranean menus.