In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. Many individuals struggle to find the time for grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking. Meal delivery services offer a convenient solution, but the vast array of options can be overwhelming. This article explores the best weight loss subscription boxes, considering factors such as meal types, dietary suitability, ingredient quality, flavor variety, and cost.
How We Evaluate Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services
Healthline experts and editors have rigorously tested over 35 popular meal prep companies to identify the top contenders for various budgets, diets, and lifestyles. Our evaluation process involves:
- Comprehensive Testing: Testers select a week's worth of meals from multiple menus to gain a thorough understanding of the flavors and ingredients offered.
- Expert Vetting: Our Medical Standards and Insights team carefully researches and vets products and services. This includes fact-checking health claims, evaluating menus and ingredients, and examining each brand's reputation.
- Nutritional Assessment: Registered dietitians analyze the nutritional profiles of meals, ensuring they align with dietary guidelines and weight loss goals.
- Quality Control: We assess adherence to Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety and manufacturing regulations.
- User Experience: We evaluate the ease of ordering, shipping, packaging, and customer service, including cancellation policies.
- Taste and Quality: Was the food good? Did it arrive (and stay) fresh?
- Dietary needs: Does the service offer specific meal plans for allergies or diet types?
- Ordering and shipping: Was it easy to create an account, and did the box arrive on time?
- Packaging: Was everything intact? Was the food still chilled?
- Customer service: How easy (or not) was it to cancel?
Featured Weight Loss Subscription Boxes
SkinnyBox: A Lifestyle Change
SkinnyBox offers a comprehensive weight loss program that includes ready-to-eat entrees, shakes, bars, baked goods, cereals, and desserts. The program emphasizes eating six times per day, with a SkinnyBox product every 2-3 hours, along with Fiber Infusers to promote fullness and hydration.
Real-Life Success Stories:
- Patsy Munson Maree: Lost 100 lbs and calls Skinnybox a game changer.
- Lisa Mills: Lost 100+ lbs and overcame health challenges, praising SkinnyBox for changing her relationship with food.
- Richie Mills: Lost 85 lbs, crediting SkinnyBox for fitting his needs after years of struggling with weight.
- Mary Brodhead: A cancer survivor and diabetic who found success with SkinnyBox after years of trying different programs.
- Judy Ensley: Lost weight after a breast cancer journey, emphasizing that change requires action.
- Rachel Johnson: Lost 68 lbs and eliminated the need for back injections.
- Darla Blackstock: Lost 48 lbs and experienced improved physical well-being.
- Tracy Henderson: Lost 63 lbs, overcoming emotional eating habits and finding a sustainable approach to weight management.
Diet-to-Go: Calorie-Controlled Convenience
Diet-to-Go simplifies weight loss by delivering calorie-controlled, single-serving meals that are ready to heat and eat. These meals are prepared by chefs and offer a convenient alternative to frozen TV dinners.
Key Features:
- Calorie Control: Meals are designed to create a calorie deficit, which is essential for weight loss.
- Convenience: Meals are easy to prepare, requiring only microwaving or oven heating.
- Dietitian-Approved: Registered dietitians recommend Diet-to-Go for its focus on calorie control and portion management.
Considerations:
- Taste: Some users find the taste of the meals to be inconsistent.
- Portion Size: Portions may be small for active individuals.
BistroMD: Medically Designed Weight Loss
BistroMD focuses on nutritious prepared meals specifically designed for weight loss, with plans catering to different medical conditions like diabetes, heart health, and menopause. The service was founded by a medical doctor.
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Key Features:
- Medical Expertise: Meals are designed with the right ratio of lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
- Variety: Over 150 meals to choose from each week on their Signature Program.
- Convenience: Dishes arrive frozen and just need a quick reheating before you dig in.
- Dietitian Support: The service even has a team of in-house registered dietitians that can create a custom diet program for you.
Considerations:
- Taste and Texture: Some meals may lack flavor and texture compared to other options.
- Calorie Range: A handful of options also have calories as low as 250 for dinner, which is not enough, especially if you’re on the three-meal per-day plan.
Factor: Diet-Specific Prepared Meals
Factor specializes in prepared meals with several diet-specific menus available, including keto, calorie smart, protein plus, and carb-conscious options.
Key Features:
- Dietary Variety: Offers a range of meal plans to suit different dietary needs.
- Convenience: Meals are ready in minutes, requiring only microwaving.
- Add-ons: Option to order keto-friendly add-ons like shakes, ice creams, and cookies.
- Nutrition Consultation: Complimentary 20-minute consultation with a nutritionist.
Considerations:
- Keto Meal Selection: Limited number of keto-friendly meals to choose from each week.
- Cost: Can be expensive, especially with shipping fees.
- High Fat and Sodium: Some meals, especially keto-compliant ones, can be high in fat and sodium.
Trifecta: Organic and Balanced
Trifecta is known for its organic and locally-sourced ingredients, with well-balanced portions formulated by dietitians. The service is popular in the CrossFit community and has been featured on Netflix's "You Are What You Eat."
Key Features:
- Organic Ingredients: Prioritizes organic and locally-sourced ingredients.
- Balanced Nutrition: Meals are developed by dietitians, chefs, and doctors.
- Macro Tracking: Each plan has curated macros and a corresponding app for personalized weight management.
- Dietary Plans: Options for clean, Paleo & Whole 30 friendly, keto, plant-based and GLP-1 friendly.
Considerations:
- Flavor: Meals may not be as flavorful as some other services.
Blue Apron: Overall Great Meal Delivery Service
Blue Apron is a well-rounded meal delivery service that offers both standard meal kits and prepared meals. They have a 600 Calories or Less Meals, 30g of Protein Meals and/or Carb Conscious Meals option.
Key Features:
- Fresh ingredients and inventive recipes
- The lower-calorie meals didn't sacrifice flavor either, and the dishes had pretty generous portions.
- Recipe cards offered simple step-by-step instructions
Considerations:
- Premium options come at an added cost
Green Chef: Certified Organic Meal Kits
Green Chef is a popular meal kit service that offers USDA-certified organic ingredients and a variety of health-conscious meal plans, including a Calorie Smart selection with meals at 650 calories or less.
Key Features:
- Organic Ingredients: USDA-certified organic meal kits
- Dietary Plans: Additional options include Mediterranean, plant-based, protein packed, keto and gluten-free.
- Taste and Quality: High-quality ingredients and delicious dishes.
Considerations:
- Cost: More expensive than some other meal kit services.
- Complex Instructions: Instructions can be complex, requiring many pans and bowls.
EveryPlate: Affordable and Tasty
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal delivery services on the market, with budget-friendly meals that are surprisingly tasty and high-quality. Make sure to opt for their Calorie Smart plan, which features a nice assortment of meals around 650 calories or less per serving.
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Key Features:
- Affordable: One of the most affordable meal delivery services.
- Calorie Smart Plan: Offers recipes under 650 calories.
- Easy to Cook: Good for beginner cooks.
Considerations:
- Packaging: Items don't come as carefully packaged as other kits.
HelloFresh: Consistent and Convenient
HelloFresh is a well-established meal kit delivery service that offers a consistent experience with tasty, reasonably-priced meals, well-done recipe cards, and solid packaging features.
Key Features:
- Fit and Wholesome Plan: Dietitian-approved meals all under 650 calories per serving.
- Easy-to-Follow Instructions: The instruction cards were easy to follow.
- Solid Packaging Packaging proved to be superior to other services we tested, in terms of both performance and sustainability.
Considerations:
- Can't get a kit for one person You can get meals for two people so this is great if you and a spouse or partner are on the same weight management plan.
Dinnerly: Simple and Affordable Meal Delivery Service
Not only is Dinnerly a simple and affordable meal delivery service option, but they have one of the largest weekly menus I have seen with over 100 weekly recipes.
Key Features:
- Calorie Conscious Lifestyle 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.
- Simple Recipes all of the recipes have just a few ingredients, which means less chopping and cleaning.
- Substantial Vegetarian Meals Even the vegetarian offerings on the menu are substantial, and meals are great for beginner cooks.
Considerations:
- Packaging Items don't come as organized as some other more expensive services (but the quality of ingredients is still great).
Hungryroot: A Hybrid Approach
Hungryroot offers a unique combination of meal kit and grocery delivery, allowing users to select recipes and order the necessary ingredients, along with additional groceries.
Key Features:
- Customization: Comprehensive quiz to determine diet preferences and needs.
- Convenience: Combines meal kits and grocery delivery.
- Dietary Options: Thorough search and filtering system for specific diets and allergies.
Considerations:
- Minimum Order: Requires a minimum order price of $65.
- Portion Sizes: Small and single-serving sizes may not be suitable for families.
CookUnity: Chef-Crafted Prepared Meals
CookUnity provides chef-crafted prepared meals with a focus on quality and flavor.
Key Features:
- Chef-Crafted Meals: High-quality prepared meals with attention to detail.
- Variety: Wide range of meal options, even for specific diets like GLP-1 balanced, low-sodium, and keto.
- Taste and Texture: Fresh ingredients, crisp veggies, bright herbs, and flavorful sauces.
Purple Carrot: Plant-Based Excellence
Purple Carrot specializes in vegan meal kits and prepared meals, offering a diverse menu of plant-based options.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Key Features:
- Vegan-Friendly: Caters to strict vegan diets.
- Flavorful Meals: Focuses on creating delicious and satisfying plant-based dishes.
- Variety: Offers breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and "plantry" items.
Considerations:
- Instructions: Recipe card instructions could be more detailed for beginner cooks.
Daily Harvest: Plant-Based Frozen Meals
Daily Harvest offers a plant-based frozen meal delivery service with a menu of low-calorie smoothies, grain bowls, flatbreads, and soups.
Key Features:
- Convenience: Easy-to-prepare frozen meals.
- Smoothies: Highly recommended for smoothies.
Considerations:
- Protein and Calories: Most smoothies and bowls lack sufficient protein or calories.
- Flavor: Some offerings, particularly grain dishes, may be bland.
Little Spoon: Healthy Meals for Kids
Little Spoon provides healthy, minimally processed meals for babies, toddlers, and young children, with options for various stages of development.
Key Features:
- Kid-Friendly: Meal options approved by picky eaters.
- Convenience: Easy to prepare, ideal for busy parents.
- Nutrient Diversity: Exposes children to many flavors and foods.
Snack Subscription Boxes for Weight Loss
Snack subscription boxes can be a convenient way to stay on track with health goals, providing portion-controlled and nutritious options delivered to your door.
HealthyMe: Curated Healthy Snacks
HealthyMe offers a curated selection of healthy snacks hand-picked by a certified health coach.
Key Features:
- Variety: Includes a range of snacks, from protein bars to infused almonds.
- Dietary Considerations: Many items are vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and USDA organic.
UrthBox: Customizable Snack Options
UrthBox provides customizable snack options with a range of sizes and dietary preferences.
Key Features:
- Customization: Four sizes to choose from, from mini to large.
- Variety: Includes snacks, beverages, and other healthy goodies.
Considerations:
- Sweetness: Some snacks may be sweeter than preferred.
The Balanced Company: A Variety of Snacks
The Balanced Company snack box includes a variety of snacks, such as chips, bars, cookies, sparkling water, and tea kits.
Key Features:
- Variety: Offers a wide range of snack options.
Considerations:
- Healthiness: Some snacks may not be as healthy as others.
KetoCrave Kit: Keto-Friendly Snacks
The KetoCrave Kit provides a selection of keto-friendly snacks, such as protein chips, peanut butter bars, and seaweed snacks.
Key Features:
- Keto-Friendly: Caters to ketogenic diets.
Considerations:
- Cost: Can be an expensive option.
- Calorie Content: Snacks may be higher in calories due to nut content.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Snack Subscription Box
- Dietary Restrictions and Preferences: Choose a box that caters to specific needs, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
- Healthiness of Snack Options: Look for snacks with natural sweeteners, lower added sugars, and essential nutrients.
- Variety and Quality of Snacks: Ensure the box offers a diverse range of snacks from reputable brands.
- Cost and Value for Money: Compare the price per box to the number of snacks inside.
Expert Advice on Healthy Snacking
Kelsey Kunik, a registered dietitian and nutrition writer, recommends looking for snacks that are naturally sweetened and lower in added sugars while providing essential nutrients. Healthy snack options include fruit with nuts or nut butter, popcorn, chickpeas, and energy bars.
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