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10 Best Paleo Meal Delivery Services For 2023, According To Nutritionists
Paleo tarts and pies, anyone?
If you follow the paleo diet, you know it can be difficult to keep coming up with fresh, new ideas in the kitchen that satisfy your taste buds and meet your nutritional needs. And following in the footsteps of distant ancestors while managing a daily life chock full of stressors takes a lot of time and effort that you simply don't have at the end of a loooong day. That's why you want to leave some of the heavy lifting to paleo meal delivery services.
“Because the paleo diet eliminates many modern-day foods, most convenience and restaurant meals are out of the question,” says Mallory Bobzien, RD, the managing dietitian for bitewell. This forces paleo dieters to cook most, if not all, of their meals from scratch. That doesn't mean this lifestyle isn't doable, though. For the busy person who wants to be paleo, meal delivery services may be the best option, she adds.
What is the paleo diet?
Put simply, the paleo diet is built on the eating patterns of people during the Paleolithic Era, explains Bobzien. “Before farming emerged, hunter-gatherers consumed mostly animals that could be hunted, or plant foods plucked from the wild.”
So, the paleo diet is all about whole and unprocessed foods, such as lean meat and poultry, eggs, seafood, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats. And no surprise, the paleo diet discourages highly processed foods, grains (think: wheat, barley, and oats), legumes, dairy, certain oils, refined and added sugar, and starchy greens like corn and potatoes. Modified versions of the diet may include full-fat dairy, potatoes, wine, and dark chocolate in moderation, says Bobzien.
This eating style is based on the premise that our bodies have not evolved to properly digest and process these modern foods, and consuming them can lead to inflammation and health issues. “The paleo diet has been associated with improved gut health and reduced inflammation, which can help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes,” says Crystal Scott, RDN, of Top Nutrition Coaching. Following a paleo diet may also lead to weight loss, improved glucose tolerance, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and better heart health, according to research.
How To Choose A Paleo Meal Delivery Service
A lot of it comes down to your preference. That said, there’s a few factors to consider when selecting a plan that’s right for you.
- Cost. Find what works for your budget. “Some services may offer more affordable options, but others may offer premium ingredients and higher quality meals at a higher price,” says Bobzien.
- Meal variety. Most services switch up the menu each week, but you should consider the meals they include and whether you'd enjoy them. After all, you won't stick with it if you don't like the food! You should also see whether they can accommodate your allergies and dietary preferences, adds Bobzien.
- Prepared meals vs. meal kits. Some meal delivery services do all the work for you, while others give you pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to DIY at home. Prepared meals are more convenient since you can just pop these in the microwave or oven to reheat, but if you like to cook or prefer freshly cooked food, then meal kits are a better option for you, says Bobzien.
- Ingredient quality. The paleo diet emphasizes organic, grass-fed, and sustainably sourced ingredients, so look for these items when choosing a plan: organic produce, grass-fed beef, humanely raised pork, and wild-caught fish.
- Delivery options. Think about how often you want to receive your meals and which delivery days fit best with your schedule. For maximum flexibility, choose a plan that allows you to pick your weekly meal count, deliver on days you’ll be home, and skip delivery in weeks when you don’t need it.
- Packaging and sustainability. Some meal delivery services use eco-friendly containers and make it their mission to reduce waste. “In the United States, nearly 40 percent of all food is wasted, so check the meal delivery service’s website to find out how they reduce their contribution to this problem,” says Bobzien.
- Customer reviews. Just like shopping for other products, see what other people love (or don't) about a particular service. Social media and review websites are great places to crowdsource info. Another pro tip from Bobzien: Read recent reviews from within the last six months for an accurate snapshot of the delivery service’s ratings.
Not sure where to start? Here are the 10 best paleo meal kits and delivery services hand-picked by nutrition experts.
Meet the experts: Mallory Bobzien, RD, is the managing dietitian for bitewell. Crystal Scott, RDN, is a nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching.
Pete's Real Food
Pros
- Organic
- Seasonal ingredients
- Weekly menu change
Cons
- Pricey
You'll never get bored with Pete's Real Food because they offer 10 different menu items each week. They feature a variety of proteins, veggies, cooking techniques, and cuisines. You can create your own meal plan and specify the number of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you need per week.
“All meals are made with sustainably raised meats, organic produce, and no added sugars, soy, or dairy, and they also offer meal plans designed for specific dietary needs, such as Autoimmune Protocol and low FODMAP,” says Scott.
No cooking is required since every meal arrives ready to heat and eat! Some sample paleo options include peas, pork, and parsnips scramble and sage pork sausage and sweet potato hash.
| Shipping fee | Depends on the order size |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 50 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Pros
- Zero food waste
- Green packaging
Cons
- Can’t choose your own meals for the week
Trifecta offers a paleo meal plan and guarantees organic produce, grass-fed and humanely raised meat, and no highly processed foods or added sugars, says Bobzien. “Many paleo dieters prefer eating organic and grass-fed, so this sets Trifecta apart,” she adds.
And while you can’t choose your own meals for the week, you can filter out meals based on protein type or major allergens. Meals like beef bulgogi and egg scramble with sweet potato arrive cooked and frozen, so all you have to do is heat them up and enjoy.
| Shipping fee | $9.99 ($49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii) |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 50 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Fresh N Lean
Pros
- Free of GMOs
- Can exclude foods you don't like
Cons
- Difficult to cancel
- Small portions
Fresh N’ Lean offers pre-made meals that are paleo-friendly, organic, and free from processed ingredients and additives, making it a go-to choice for Scott. Plus, if you’re always on-the-go, all meals are fully cooked with no cheffing required! There are also over 100 meals to choose from, like grilled shrimp and roasted squash or mustard dill sirloin steak, so you’re guaranteed to find something you love.
| Shipping fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 50 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Pros
- Grass-fed meats
- Humanely raised chicken and seafood
Cons
- Cannot select specific cuts of meat
Love to cook? ButcherBox will help you unleash your inner chef! It offers fine cuts of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. “While ButcherBox specializes in meat rather than meals, it is a popular service among paleo dieters looking for high-quality protein straight to their door,” says Bobzien.
The beef is 100 percent grass-fed, the chicken is free-range and organic, the pork is humanely raised, and the seafood is wild-caught. Their website offers a ton of recipes, so you can experiment with different dishes at home. Sounds like a major win all around!
| Shipping fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 48 states |
| Type | Frozen |
Pros
- Offers both meal kits and fully prepared meals
- Flexible cancellation and rescheduling options
Cons
- Unavailable in some states
Sunbasket offers both prepared meals and meal kits. “You can hand-pick your meals each week, and the paleo filter makes it easy to ensure you’re picking paleo options,” says Bobzien.
Sunbasket also prides themselves on transparency, sharing comprehensive nutrition and ingredient information before checkout. Some sample paleo meals they've offered include snapper with vegetables and almonds, or chicken breast with sautéed kale.
| Shipping fee | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 45 states |
| Type | Meal kits and prepared meals |
Pros
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Preservative-free
Cons
- Not available in some states
“I recommend Territory Foods for its focus on locally sourced, organic ingredients and customizable meal plans designed by registered dietitians,” says Scott. Their motto is “eat well without the effort,” and their seasonal menu has 35 weekly options (including chicken enchiladas and chimichurri brisket) you can choose from.
You can sort by meal plan, ingredient, or macronutrient range. The entire menu is also made without gluten, dairy, refined sugars, nitrates, chemical preservatives, or artificial colors.
| Shipping fee | $7.95 |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 27 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Pros
- Diverse menu
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- Not available in some states
Going paleo can severely limit your fine dining experience. If you’re craving a chef-made creation like red wine short ribs or butternut squash ravioli, Cook Unity is for you.
Each meal is made by local chefs with seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meats. “CookUnity allows you to hand-pick your meals for the week, and you can apply a paleo filter to shop a variety of gourmet options,” says Bobzien.
CookUnity also offers global culinary options, so you can try a variety of cuisines in a single week, while staying committed to the paleo lifestyle.
| Shipping fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 39 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Pros
- New weekly recipes
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- No prepared meals available
Green Chef is the first USDA organic-certified meal delivery service. While they don’t offer a paleo-specific plan, you can find paleo-friendly options by checking out their keto meal kits, says Bobzien.
In each box, you’ll get the ingredients you need to whip up a delicious paleo meal like truffle linguine or pork chops with glazed carrots, and they are all free from GMOs, pesticides, and antibiotics. Another win? Green Chef is always delivered in eco-friendly packaging.
| Shipping fee | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 48 states |
| Type | Meal kits |
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some meals may be time-consuming to prepare
- Doesn’t offer a paleo plan
You’ve likely seen the commercials, but HelloFresh is a popular meal kit delivery service that offers paleo-adjacent options since their “Meat and Veggies Plan” can be easily customized to be full paleo, says Bobzien.
HelloFresh is also one of the more affordable options (and has a student discount!), so if you’re looking for a way to make delish paleo dishes like sweet chili pork stir fry or ricotta flatbread, these meal kits are your best bet.
| Shipping fee | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 48 states |
| Type | Meal kits |
Pros
- Offers a la carte options
Cons
- No customization
- Requires $99 minimum order
Paleo On The Go is unique in that its menu is compliant with Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), meaning it eliminates all potentially inflammatory foods like nuts, eggs, grain, soy, dairy, and added sugar.
“While it is one of the most expensive paleo delivery options, Paleo On The Go offers meals made with pasture-raised meats, wild-caught seafood, organic produce (when possible), and healthy fats, avoiding all industrial vegetable oils,” says Bobzien.
Sample menu items include chicken and dumplings or Thai basil shrimp. You can even find paleo versions of your favorite desserts like tarts, muffins, donuts, cake, and pie!
| Shipping fee | Depends on location and order size |
|---|---|
| Delivery area | 50 states |
| Type | Prepared meals |
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.
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