The best meal delivery services can provide a simple way to lose weight and eat healthy meals. As a Certified Nutritionist, I advise my clients to be practical about how much time they wish to devote to meal preparation. Meal delivery services are a great way to save time on meal prep and enjoy fast, delicious dishes at home.
There are quite a few meal delivery services in the marketplace, all claiming to be the best meal delivery services. But, if you’re hoping for healthy meals, you need to do some investigating because not all meal services provide healthy prepared meals. The most frequent failing is the meals are light on vegetables and contain too many carbohydrates. Also, some services use lots of additives, fillers, and preservatives.
Best Meal Delivery Services
Healthline.com compiled a list of best meal delivery services that provide fresh, balanced, nutritious meals made with high quality ingredients.
These services were selected based on the following criteria:
• Nutritional value. Meals are comprised of multiple food groups and rich in numerous nutrients that your body needs.
• Ingredient quality. The company prioritizes fresh, unprocessed ingredients and sometimes sources from organic farms.
• Meal selection. You can choose from several meal options, as well as a wide variety of foods.
• Availability. Services are available throughout much or all of the United States.
• Price. You’re given great quality for the cost.
Here are 10 of the best healthy meal delivery services of 2020.
1. Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest is a great option for vegetarians and vegans, as well as anyone looking to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet.
• The company offers a wide range of meals and snacks, including smoothies, harvest bowls, flatbreads, soups, chia bowls, and even lattés. All foods are plant-based and dairy-free — and 95% of the ingredients are organic.
• You can select from boxes with 9, 14, or 24 items per week and customize your box by adding items individually.
• Items range from $6–9 each with free shipping. Meals can be enjoyed in minutes, with most requiring little to no preparation.
2. The Good Kitchen
The Good Kitchen delivers nutritious, fully prepared meals with options available for various diets, including keto, paleo, gluten-free, and Whole30.
• It also takes into account any food allergies and preferences to build custom weekly menus.
• The Good Kitchen uses high quality, sustainably sourced like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and antibiotic- and hormone-free poultry and eggs. What’s more, its produce is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• You can select 5–35 meals per week. Prices range from $11–14 per meal depending on how many you select. Shipping is free within the contiguous United States.
3. Freshly
With its fully prepared meals, Freshly is a great option for those short on time.
• It offers a rotating menu with over 30 entrées each week, including many that are high in protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, low carb, or low calorie.
• All meals contain just one portion and can be easily heated in the microwave.
• You choose 4–12 meals per week, which range from $8.50–11.50 per meal. Shipping fees are also calculated based on your location.
4. Sprinly
Featuring a diverse menu of organic, plant-based meals, Sprinly has become a fast favorite among health-conscious consumers.
• All recipes contain organic ingredients and are gluten-free, vegan, and made without any refined sugars or sweeteners.
• Meals are delivered fresh and fully prepared in a microwave-safe container for quick and easy heating.
• Although delivery is not yet available in all of the United States, Sprinly is rapidly growing and continues to expand into new areas.
• Plans with 6, 12, or 18 meals per week are available for around $16–18 per serving. All plans also include free delivery.
5. Factor
Factor — formerly Factor 75 — is popular for its delicious menu of dietitian-designed meals. Keto, low carb, low calorie, and plant-based meals are available, and all recipes are free of gluten, refined sugars, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs.
• What’s more, all subscriptions include a free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian. Monthly coaching packages are available for an additional fee.
• You can choose from 4–18 meals per week, which cost $11–15 each. All plans include free delivery.
6. Purple Carrot
Purple Carrot offers a selection of meals and snacks that are nutritious, plant-based, and easy to prepare.
• You can mix and match your favorite recipes to build your own custom menu each week with options that are gluten-free, high protein, or ready in 20 minutes or less.
• Your weekly price depends on your selections. Breakfast costs $4.50 per serving while lunch and dinner start at $9 and $10 per serving, respectively. Free shipping is included.
7. Freshology
Freshology offers a variety of healthy, prepared meals designed to promote weight loss.
• Low carb, vegetarian, and diabetes-friendly menus are available. You can easily customize your menu based on your preferences.
• Not only are meals delivered fresh and fully prepared, but they’re also ready to eat within just 2–3 minutes.
• You can choose to receive 2–3 meals daily, and plans are available for 5 or 7 days per week. Freshology costs $8.50–14 per meal depending on the plan, plus a $20 delivery fee.
8. Sun Basket
Sun Basket is an organic meal delivery service that specializes in chef-designed, dietitian-approved meals.
• It provides options for nearly any eating pattern, including vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, carb-conscious, and diabetes-friendly diets.
• The company also offers both meal kits and fully prepared meals that can be reheated and enjoyed in 6 minutes or less. You can customize your plan and order from a selection of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as healthy snacks.
• Boxes range in price depending on the number of dishes you choose, but Sun Basket generally costs $11–13 per serving. Shipping costs $8 per box after your first order.
9. Martha & Marley Spoon
Martha & Marley Spoon is ideal for those looking to brush up on their cooking skills while enjoying a variety of fresh and healthy seasonal dishes.
• This meal kit service features a rotating menu with 22 new recipes each week and provides options for low carb, vegan, dairy-free, and family-friendly meals.
• Ingredients are all premeasured, and recipes require six steps or fewer to help streamline meal prep.
• You can pick 2–6 meals per week, each of which includes either 2 or 4 portions. Martha & Marley Spoon costs $6.50–10.25 per serving, along with a $9 flat fee for shipping.
10. Snap Kitchen
Snap Kitchen caters to several diets, offering low carb, high protein, and keto-friendly meal plans. Alternatively, you can pick meals from its extensive menu to create a custom plan.
• Snap Kitchen uses high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and offers detailed nutritional information on its website.
• You select either 6 or 12 meals per week at $9.50–12 per serving. Shipping is free.
How to choose
With so many meal delivery services available, there are several factors to consider when determining which is best for you.
1. First, it’s important to find a meal plan that caters to your needs, especially if you’re following a particular diet. If you have any allergies or specific food preferences, consider a service that allows you to customize your weekly menu or make substitutions.
2. Some people may prefer to order from companies that use organic produce or eliminate ingredients like artificial sweeteners, food dyes, and preservatives.
3. Prep time is another key consideration. While some services provide fully prepared meals, others offer kits that you cook yourself.
4. Finally, be sure to pick a program that’s within your budget. Remember to consider costs like delivery fees and optional add-ons.
Click here to read about best meal delivery services.
