In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging. Health food subscription boxes offer a convenient solution by delivering nutritious and delicious meals or snacks directly to your doorstep. This article explores some of the best health food subscription boxes available, examining their pros, cons, and unique features to help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and dietary needs.
Introduction
Many people enjoy restaurant meals and elaborate dinner parties, but when cooking at home, they prefer meals that promote well-being. These "healthy" meals are balanced, packed with vegetables and protein, and avoid leaving one feeling bloated or sluggish. However, preparing such meals can be difficult, especially on weeknights. Meal delivery services offer a solution by simplifying both planning and cooking.
Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services
Several meal delivery services promise healthy options, but not all deliver on flavor or variety. Here's a roundup of some of the best, based on hands-on testing:
- Sunbasket: Best for variety.
- Factor: Best prepared healthy meal delivery service.
- Purple Carrot: Best for plant-based eaters.
- Green Chef: Best organic healthy meal kit.
- Sakara: Best for wellness enthusiasts.
- Gardencup: Best for salad lovers.
Detailed Reviews of Top Picks
Sunbasket
Pros:
- Good variety of recipe options.
- Meals feel fresh and produce-forward.
Cons:
- Organic ingredients may be substituted with non-organic options.
- Price can add up depending on selections.
Sunbasket follows the standard meal kit delivery service model but distinguishes itself through its commitment to organic produce whenever possible. The service offers a curated list of 15-20 meals per week, plus add-ons and ready-to-eat options. The menu includes diverse dishes such as Afghan-Style Butternut Squash Stew, Mexican Street Tacos with Tomatillo Chicken, Salsa, and Lime Yogurt, Dukkah Pork Chops, and Kale Salad with "Everything" Ranch Dressing.
Sunbasket allows users to filter recipes by dietary restriction (Paleo, Gluten-Free), nutrition (High Protein, Low Added Sugar), excluded ingredients (dairy-free, soy-free), and cook time. The meals are easy to make, produce-heavy, and tasty, with generous portion sizes. The service introduces new dishes and ingredients to expand one's culinary repertoire.
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One drawback is that recipes may take 5-15 minutes longer to prepare than the estimated time. Additionally, Sunbasket may substitute organic ingredients with non-organic alternatives based on availability, which can be a concern for those strictly adhering to an organic diet. The heat-and-eat meals may not be as impressive as the meal kits.
Factor
Pros:
- Easy and fast to prepare.
- Meals feel balanced.
- Generally tasty.
Cons:
- Sides can feel repetitive.
- Some dishes are less successful than others.
- Portion sizes might feel small for some.
Factor provides pre-made, heat-and-eat meals that can be microwaved quickly. The brand focuses on nutritious, dietitian-approved meals designed to support wellness goals.
The dishes are well-seasoned and flavorful for microwave meals. Factor is a great option for those prioritizing protein intake, as the meals are labeled with nutritional information. The meals typically consist of a protein, vegetable, and starch, which ensures a balanced feel. Vegetable portions are generous.
Some popular dishes include Green Chile Chicken and Homestyle Turkey and Gravy, Cavatelli with Pork Ragu, and Chimichurri Chicken. However, after several weeks, the repetitive nature of microwave meals may become tiring, making it best to alternate with home-cooked meals. Some vegetable sides may be waterlogged after microwaving.
Purple Carrot
Pros:
- Healthy meals that are quick, easy, and delicious.
- Costs significantly less than regular takeout.
- Offers a range of difficulty levels, including fully prepared options.
Cons:
- Requires careful reading of the recipe.
- The entirely vegan menu may not appeal to all eaters.
Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal delivery service offering both meal kits and ready-to-eat meals. It is an excellent option for both vegans and non-vegans.
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Most meals combine fresh produce with packaged ingredients like vegan cheeses, pre-cooked grains, and pre-made sauces. Everything is pre-portioned, which streamlines preparation and cooking. The meals are well-seasoned and flavorful.
Purple Carrot's menu is varied and exciting. However, it is pricier than some other meal kit services, and the recipes require careful attention to detail. For example, a whole russet potato may be labeled as "thinly sliced potatoes."
Green Chef
Pros:
- Simple recipes with tasty results.
- Easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step photos.
- High-quality meat, seafood, and produce.
- Creative and satisfying vegetarian meals.
Cons:
- Produce options can feel repetitive and out of season.
- More "Protein Packed" vegetarian or vegan meals, and more tofu or tempeh options would be desired.
Green Chef is the first CCOF-certified organic meal kit delivery service. It sources organic fresh produce and eggs, as well as organic beef, chicken, and wild-caught seafood.
The meals are generally tasty, with dishes like Italian Turkey Stuffed Squash Boats and chicken with lemon crema. Premade sauces, stocks, herb blends, and precut vegetables make cooking easy, even for beginners. Green Chef also offers a free one-on-one nutrition coaching session with the first box.
The recipe offerings tend to be formulaic, consisting of a protein, veggie, and a carb or starch, which may lack a sense of discovery and innovation. Some recipes may not work perfectly, and the ratio of ingredients may sometimes feel off.
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Sakara
Pros:
- Healthy, nourishing meals.
- Appealing to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free eaters.
- Curated menu means all the planning is taken care of for you.
Cons:
- The premium price point might not fit into many people’s budgets.
- Most breakfast options skew sweet, which may not suit savory fans.
Sakara is a wellness-focused meal delivery and supplement brand with two nutrition program offerings: the Signature Nutrition Program and the Level II Detox. The meals are entirely plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free. They are aesthetically pleasing, featuring rainbow-hued salads, veggie-laden soups, and protein-rich breakfast parfaits topped with granola.
The Signature Program offers balanced, thoughtfully designed meals. The salads are generously portioned and feature a range of textures and colors. The dishes are packed with flavor, ranging from Indian-ish (clarity curry soup with naan) to Mexican-ish (a lavender cheez quesadilla with broccoli pesto).
The breakfasts tend to be sweet, which may not appeal to those who prefer savory options. The main downside of Sakara is its price, which is the priciest option on this list. However, it is a great option for those who prioritize wellness and see food as a source of nourishment and healing, as well as for those who are gluten-free or vegan.
Gardencup
Pros:
- Fresh ingredients.
- Meat options come with generous amounts of protein.
- Super convenient for on-the-go lunches.
Cons:
- Vegetarian/vegan salads don’t feel as substantial.
- Hard to mix thoroughly without transferring to a bowl.
Gardencup specializes in salads and bowls packaged in plastic jars. The offerings are nostalgic (Caesar, Cobb, Southwest chicken, and wedge salads), travel-friendly, and ultra-convenient.
The salads contain generous amounts of meat, averaging around 30 grams of protein per serving. The brand’s Powercups, with a grain or noodle base, range from 30 to 46 grams of protein per serving. The salads stay relatively fresh through day five, and crunchy toppings are packaged separately.
The vegetarian offerings may not feel as substantial, and the cups are often so full that it is difficult to fully mix the salad with the dressing by shaking alone.
Other Meal Delivery Services
Besides the top picks, several other meal delivery services are worth considering:
- Green Chef: A certified organic meal kit subscription service with high scores for ease of sign-up, meal variety, nutrition quality, and taste.
- HelloFresh: A great option for families and beginners with a large rotating menu.
- BistroMD: A good choice for those interested in weight loss, delivering low-calorie, preportioned meals.
- EveryPlate: One of the cheapest meal delivery service options available.
- Blue Apron: Simple meal kits for beginners with creative recipes and quality ingredients.
- Trifecta: Prepared meals for weight loss and athletes.
- Home Chef: Meal kits for families, offering quick weeknight meals.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Health Food Subscription Service
When selecting a health food subscription service, consider the following factors:
- Value for money: Compare the cost of the subscription to buying ingredients and cooking from scratch.
- Health credentials: Ensure the service aligns with your dietary needs and health goals.
- Menu options: Look for a variety of options, especially if you have dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Convenience: Consider how easy it is to prepare the meals and how well they fit into your lifestyle.
- Environmental impact: Evaluate the packaging and transport emissions associated with the service.
- Subscription terms: Understand the flexibility of the subscription, including pausing or canceling deliveries.
Recipe Boxes vs. Pre-Prepared Meals
Recipe boxes and pre-prepared meals both offer convenience but cater to different needs. Recipe boxes provide pre-portioned ingredients and recipes, allowing you to cook the meals yourself. Pre-prepared meals, on the other hand, are ready to eat and require only heating.
Recipe boxes are great for those who enjoy cooking and want to learn new recipes, while pre-prepared meals are ideal for those who have limited time or cooking skills.
Additional Services and Considerations
- Gousto: A recipe box service with a wide variety of healthy recipes, including options for calorie control, protein hits, and vegetable boosts.
- Mindful Chef: A health-focused food box company that centers its menus around high-quality, nutritious, gluten- and dairy-free ingredients.
- Grubby: A vegan recipe box service that offers nutritious and interesting recipes for creative cooking.
- Natural Ketosis: A subscription service for those following a ketogenic diet, providing shelf-stable pouches of food.
- Love With Food: A monthly snack subscription box offering organic, all-natural, and gluten-free snacks.
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