Meal delivery services are super popular (and for good reason!). They make whipping up breakfast, lunch, and dinner so much more convenient—especially if you're trying to lose weight. Food is delivered right to your door with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions or even in ready-to-eat containers.
What are the benefits of a meal delivery service?
Meal kits get you in the habit of planning ahead and cooking your own food—a tried-and-true weight loss strategy, according to nutrition counselor Samantha Cassetty, RD. But, not all programs are created equal. So, before you start getting meals delivered to your doorstep, you need to figure out which program is best for your goals.
How do you pick the best meal delivery service for your lifestyle?
Below, you'll find dietitian, nutritionist, and Women’s Health editor-tested and approved options for every type of home chef. Whether you're looking for fully prepared heat-and-eat meals for your family or portioned-out ingredients with recipes, you can easily learn how to cook. Enjoy the convenience of easy meal delivery kits or channel your inner chef with options like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Purple Carrot, and BistroMD, all while losing weight effortlessly. Our team also narrowed down which ones cater to specific dietary restrictions and lifestyles, so there are tons of options for you whether you want a diabetes-friendly diet, menopause-friendly one, are trying to cut calories, or are allergic to soy.
See below for the best Women's Health editor-, nutritionist-, and dietitian-approved meal delivery services.
1.Best Overall: Hungryroot
Hungryroot
Hungryroot
Pros
- Quiz helps select curated items for you
- Caters to wide range of dietary restrictions
- Priced well for the value
- Also gets you groceries
Cons
- Some meals get repetitive
| Cost | $69-$129 per week |
|---|---|
| Meal Per Week | 6-12 |
| Diet Options | Vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, pescatarian, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, nut-free, egg-free |
| Sample Meals | Marinara ricotta ravioli with baby mushrooms, steak and arugula Italiano, southwest chicken chopped salad |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
There’s a reason why Hungryroot has become increasingly popular with meal planners: It’s so darn easy. All you need to do is take their quiz, and then the site will fill your cart with all kinds of healthy groceries. When the box arrives at your door, it’s not only filled with the food your quiz indicated you might like, but with chef-curated recipes using the groceries in your cart along with snacks and desserts.
Dietitian Anita Mirchandani, RD, is a fan of it, too. "I like that Hungryroot helps you plan out your total intake depending on your preferences," she says. "It's also priced well with high-quality ingredients that cater to a variety of dietary restrictions."
Rave Review: "I get up at 5 a.m. for work and at the end of the day, I’m beat. I love having Hungryroot because it saves me a trip to the grocery store after work. We have just the right amount of ingredients for several meals per week plus snacks, and the food is delicious. I look forward to our box every week and I’m grateful for the help."
2. Best For Keto: Fresh N' Lean
Pros
- Good for keto and paleo diets
- Meals are rich in fiber
- Ability to order in bulk
- Meals are ready-to-eat
Cons
- Pricey
| Cost | $135-$224 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 10-21 |
| Diet Options | High protein, keto, paleo, vegan, Whole30, Mediterranean, low carb vegan |
| Sample Meals | Layered chicken enchilada, scrambled eggs and hash browns, Caribbean jerk chicken bowl |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
Attention, keto and paleo lovers: You’re gonna love Fresh N’ Lean. The company offers pre-made protein-packed, gluten-free, and fiber-rich meals that get delivered straight right to your door.
There are a bunch of different meal delivery plans at your disposal here (including keto, paleo, low-carb, vegan, etc.), and one option even allows you to order in bulk, if you so desire. Everything they deliver is approved by their dietitians and prepared from scratch in Moosic, Pennsylvania.
Rave Review: "The food options are great, as is the taste! The online experience is easy and fast. Love this service!"
3. Best For Custom Meal Plans: BistroMD
Pros
- Founded by an MD
- Option to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Diabetic and menopause-friendly plans
- Custom diet plans made for you
Cons
- Pricey
| Cost | $150-$220 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 10-20 |
| Diet Options | Gluten-free, heart healthy, keto, diabetic-friendly, menopause-friendly |
| Sample Meals | Grilled salmon with creamy pesto, shepherd's pie, merlot meatballs with grits |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
Created by an actual MD as a weight loss service to help patients, BistroMD is the perfect middle ground between a meal delivery service and personalized health plan. Choose between four different weight loss programs: standard, gluten-free, diabetic, or menopause.
Your weekly box will either include five to seven full days of breakfast, lunch, and dinner—or, five to seven days worth of just lunch and dinner. Once your plan is picked, registered dietitians on the BistroMD team will create a custom diet plan based on your taste preferences and weight-loss goals. Plus, you can update your profile with likes, dislikes, and health changes at any time and your meal plan will be adjusted.
Rave Review: "When it comes to food, I love variety and trying new things, but had fell into a pattern of eating the same as my 63 [year-old] husband. After two weeks on the meals, which I really enjoyed from the start, I had lost about three pounds. Now, I no longer have to take blood pressure medication and with 40 pounds down, I'm determined to continue my weight loss journey!"
4. Easiest Service For Allergens: Splendid Spoon
Pros
- Ready to eat
- Everything is vegan and gluten-free
- Affordable for the value
- They are really open about pricing
Cons
- Some dishes are high in carbs
| Cost | $70-$250 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 7-21 |
| Diet Options | Everything is vegan and gluten-free, but you can make allergen preferences |
| Sample Meals | Dan dan noodles, green tomatillo chili soup, raspberry cacao smoothie |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
If your cooking abilities max out at boiling water, you’ll definitely take an interest in Splendid Spoon, the delivery service that focuses on shipping pre-made vegan and gluten-free meals straight to your door. The company’s hearty dishes include creamy korma, butternut squash noodles, and shepherd's pie (are you drooling yet?). "If you are on a health journey and are overwhelmed by which nutrient-dense foods to eat, Splendid Spoon foods are for you," says registered dietitian Johane Filemon. "The ingredients are wholesome, nutrient-dense, and include lots of beneficial properties that can help you maintain good gut health, support brain health, and provide energy."
Besides being fully vegan and gluten-free, you can even opt out of certain ingredients preferences like cilantro, nuts, mushrooms, soy, or even spice. Their protein-packed smoothies are a fan favorite for people who are often on the go, too.
Rave Review: "Splendid Spoon is so easy and nutritious. It has fabulous quality, it's healthy, and it's delicious. We have been getting the lunch meals for several months now so we have our favorites but all are quite good."
5. Best Pricey Service: Sakara
Pros
- Loved by many celebs
- Meals delivered fresh twice a week
- Fully vegan and gluten-free
- All food options are healthy
Cons
- Doesn't cover weekend meals
| Cost | $239-$460 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 15 |
| Diet Options | Metabolism-boost, cleanse, high-performance, gut health, detox, bridal (all are vegan and gluten-free) |
| Sample Meals | Veggie satay bowl, healing celery root soup, vitality-boosting birria taco |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
Odds are that you’ve seen a celeb post about Sakara at least once in your life. The Kate Hudson- and Hillary Duff-approved meal delivery service focuses on super fresh ingredients in pre-made meals. Every plant-based meal box comes with a schedule that tells you what to eat every day with the goal of weight loss, digestive improvement, a boost in energy, and more.
Here’s how it works: Sakara meals come twice a week to make sure you're getting the freshest ingredients possible. While the menu is typically set each week so you can’t pick and choose your meals (they offer up to three per day plus snack options), the delivery service actually switches up what they’re serving every seven days so you'll almost never get the same meal more than twice. Check our full review of Sakara here.
The only caveat? Nutritionist Bridgette Becker notes that if you're sensitive to sugar, you'll want to pay attention to ingredient labels on each meal.
Rave Review: "After eating so incredibly for a month, I can't imagine eating any other way. Every detail was absolute perfection. The exceptional team at Sakara makes you feel like each meal and program was personally designed just for you—I found myself scraping every last ounce of food to ensure I soaked up the last bites of flavor!”
6. Best For More Fruits And Vegetables: Daily Harvest
Pros
- Everything is vegan and gluten-free
- Can be easily stored in freezer for a rainy day
- Lots of diet options
- Easy to pause/cancel
Cons
- Not all meals contain protein
| Cost | $54-$288 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 9-24 |
| Diet Options | Low fat, low sodium, low carb, high protein, keto, low sugar, high fiber, paleo, low calorie |
| Sample Meals | Tomato and basil flatbread, strawberry and goji berry forager bowl, mint and cacao smoothie |
| How Food Arrives | Frozen |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
Big on organic fruits and veggies? Totally feel you there. That’s what makes Daily Harvest's fully plant-based, gluten-free meal plan great for people who want to easily incorporate more whole, plant-based foods in to their diet.
Nutritionist and author of The Flexitarian Diet, Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, recommends that all her clients keep a few of Daily Harvest's meals in their freezer at all times. "It's perfect for days when my clients may need some help getting more nourishing fruits and vegetables in their diet in a delicious way," she says.
The Daily Harvest plan is super customizable, so you can choose how many items you want to order and how often you want them delivered. Whether you’re looking for smoothies, soups, flatbreads, and more that you only have to blend or reheat, you can prob satisfy your cravings on Daily Harvest. A sweet bonus: They even have Daily Harvest Scoops, plant-based ice creams, in mouth-watering flavors like Cold Brew + Roasted Espresso Bean Chip and Pistachio + Toasty, Buttery Hazelnut Crunch.
Rave Review: "My fiancé and I are so excited to continue to add Daily Harvest in our daily habits so we can continue our health journey. We can't wait to look and feel AMAZING on our wedding day next year!!! 💒 🤍 "
7. Best For Eco-Friendly Packaging: Methodology
Pros
- All meals are keto-friendly
- Meals are mostly plant-based
- Reusable, recyclable packaging
- Ingredients are sustainably-sourced
Cons
- Most meals are salads
| Cost | $180-$270 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 10-15 |
| Diet Options | Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Keto, Low Fat |
| Sample Meals | Avgolemono soup, wildflower and wild rocket arugula salad, lettuce-wrapped turkey sliders |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
Another one of Becker's favorites, Methodology is a totally keto meal service that also adheres to trendy lifestyles, like a vegan or paleo one. One of the best parts is that every meal comes in a jar you can easily pop into your bag before you head to the office or keep in your car when you'll be out for a day of errands. But, our fave part of this meal-delivery service is that all meals come in reusable, recyclable packaging and you can opt-in for packaging pickup so your glass jars, bags, and insulated liners get re-used in another order.
Expect a weekly-rotating menu of dishes like banana bread with cream cheese frosting, koji-mustard flank steak, and a maple dijon rosemary chicken salad. Just know that most of the meals are salads, so this is great for those of you who love your leafy greens.
Rave Review: "Methodology is perfect for people who are busy and don't have much time to cook but don't want to sacrifice quality and freshness. I also love that you can customize the deliveries to meet your dietary restrictions and that each jar shows precise nutritional information."
8. Best For Families: Blue Apron
Pros
- Diabetes and WW-approved plans
- Good for beginner cooks
- Makes for good date night activity
- One of the more affordable options
Cons
- Not many options to customize
| Cost | $50-$128 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 4-16 |
| Diet Options | Vegan, low carb, Weight Watchers-friendly |
| Sample Meals | Curry ranch chicken, pork ramen noodles, shrimp sushi bowls |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
Blue Apron is a meal delivery kit beloved by many for lots of good reasons. Its health-conscious meal plans are diabetes-friendly and they're even WW (formerly Weight Watchers)-approved. This means the company now offers a set of recipes that partner with the WW program, and they even come with all the information you need to know about how many WW points are in each meal.
Vegetarians and vegans are big fans, too, because Blue Apron offers several Beyond Meat entrees and an entire vegetarian meal plan. The weekly boxes include pre-portioned ingredients for either two or four servings so you can cook healthy meals for yourself or the whole family.
Rave Review: "My entire family loves the dishes I make! This truly makes my life easier as a working mom! It allows my family to sit down together and enjoy our dinner together. I love that my kids love it."
9. Best For Portion Control: Nutrisystem
Pros
- Affordable for the amount of meals you get
- Comes with snacks
- Features diabetes and menopause-friendly plans
- Helps with weight loss
Cons
- Some snacks contain a lot of preservatives
| Cost | $300-$500 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per week | 20-28 |
| Diet Options | Diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, menopause-friendly |
| Sample Meals | BBQ chicken burrito, biscotti bites, Asian-style salmon |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh and frozen |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
Nutrisystem’s meal delivery service focuses on eating smaller, more balanced meals throughout the day. Their personalized plans will give you breakfast, lunch, and dinner—some meals come frozen and some come fresh—options with healthy snacks in between, meaning you can eat six times in one day without wondering if you’re going overboard on your portions. You can also adjust your eating plan to focus on your specific health needs, whether you need to lower your sodium intake or have been advised to go vegetarian.
Rave Review: “Before Nutrisystem, I was so ashamed of my weight that I would wear my baggy ER scrubs at home. That’s not me anymore, and I’m a better nurse because of it. I lost 40 pounds to focus on the health of my patients.”
10. Best For Dietitian Guidance: Factor
Pros
- Comes with regular dietitian consulations
- Meals come ready to eat
- Features customizable meal plans
- Meals are tasty
Cons
- $10 shipping fee with each order
| Cost | $60-$200 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 4-18 |
| Diet Options | Keto, low calorie, vegetarian, vegan, high protein |
| Sample Meals | Buffalo chicken breast, ground beef tamale bowl, keto sausage and egg skillet |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
While, of course, it's important to always listen to your body and what it needs, Factor's delivery service works with dietitians to build a variety of portion-controlled plates as an expert-approved guide. But, what makes Factor truly unique is that when you sign up for the pre-portioned meals, you're also getting free consultations with registered dietitians.
Nutritionist and registered dietitian Brenna Wallace, RDN, notes that one of the most common mistakes when using a meal delivery service can be that you may order meals that aren't catered to your lifestyle. "That's why I'd recommend Factor to my clients," she says. "The regular consultations can seriously help cater to your lifestyle."
Rave Review: "Delivery is always on time and customer service is helpful. The food is delicious. I'm always left wanting more, but that's a good thing."
11. Best For Home Chefs: Hello Fresh
Pros
- Dishes are low in sodium
- Meals are evaluated by a dietitian
- Good for beginner cooks
- Allows you to skip the grocery store
Cons
- Not ideal for allergen-free meals
| Cost | $60-$200 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 4-24 |
| Diet Options | Vegetarian, quick and easy, pescatarian |
| Sample Meals | Cheesy smashed burgers, middle eastern chickpea bowls, pineapple chicken tacos |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
Known as the straightforward, easy-to-follow meal-delivery service, Hello Fresh is also pretty helpful if weight loss is your goal. “Their staff dietitian evaluates the meals before they are put on the menu to ensure they’re both healthy and balanced,” says nutritionist Leah Kaufman, RD, CDN. All your ingredients come pre-portioned, so all you need to do is follow the simple recipe provided to get a fresh, home-cooked meal. It's great for kitchen beginners or aspiring home chefs.
Another plus: Each dish is low in sodium and oil and comes with a nutrition label that can be found on their website. Knowing that info can help you stay within the appropriate amount of calories per day if that's something your nutritionist has recommended you monitor. Becker gives Hello Fresh her stamp of approval, too, noting that the brand is focused on a lot of sustainability efforts, too.
Rave Review: "I feel it's so convenient to not have to go grocery shopping every week and think of the dishes you will prep. Hello Fresh has great service in general and the quality of the food is very good! You can also try dishes from other countries and always get a good balance of vegetables, protein, and everything else a meal should have!"
12. Best-Tasting Service: Cook Unity
Pros
- Chef-crafted meals
- Meals come ready to microwave and eat
- Supports creativity of large and small culinary artists
- Can customize a meal plan
Cons
- The amount of choices can be overwhelming
| Cost | $40-$128 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 4-16 |
| Diet Options | Low calorie, low carb, dairy-free, vegan, keto, paleo |
| Sample Meals | Wellness grilled chicken, cacio e pepe, chili rubbed pork chop |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | ~25 states |
Big-name chefs like Einat Admony and Esther Choi joined forces with wellness experts to create recipes that are weight-loss friendly and amateur-proof for this meal-delivery service. Plus, the company also caters to specialty diets from keto to paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and even those looking for low-calorie options. So yeah, you could say that Cook Unity is a good choice for anyone who's low on time but still wants chef-prepped meals from the comfort of their own couch.
Expect super artistically-crafted dishes like salmon with avocado sauce and cucumber salsa or a sesame ginger tofu poke bowl. Your work-from-home lunches are about to get a serious upgrade.
Rave Review: "Thanks for making our lives easier—we live in a small town with lots of fast food options, but very little as far as good, healthy food options good. You are just what we need."
13. Best For Vegans: Purple Carrot
Pros
- Good for new vegans
- Works for families or singles
- Lots of customization options for dietary restrictions
- Can choose between a meal kit or a fresh, prepared meal plan
Cons
- Pricey
| Cost | $80-$132 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 6-12 |
| Diet Options | High protein, low calorie, soy-free, quick and easy, nut-free, gluten-free (all are vegan) |
| Sample Meals | Tamarind curry noodles, crispy Bombay potatoes, pesto white bean melts |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh or frozen |
| Delivery Areas | 48 states |
Vegans (or just veggie lovers!), step right up. Purple Carrot's entirely vegan meal-delivery service delivers pre-portioned ingredients that'll help you discover some seriously fun and unique recipes you'll love showing off to your friends (though you'll likely want to keep everything to yourself).
Each meal comes with nutritional information and serves at least two people. So, if you’re cooking for one, that leaves you with a balanced lunch for the next day—a great idea for a no-brainer healthy lunch, says Sharon Palmer, RDN, author of Plant-Powered for Life. It's priced a bit higher than some of the other services out there, but it's a great option if you can afford it.
Rave Review: "I love cooking Purple Carrot recipes. The meals are exciting but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight. Plus the food is DELICIOUS, even to my very-much-a-meat-eater husband."
14. Best Organic Service: Green Chef
Pros
- Fully organic
- Meals are high in protein
- Menu rotates every week
- Food tastes high-quality
Cons
- Some sauces have a high sugar content
| Cost | $80-$288 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 6-24 |
| Diet Options | Keto, paleo, vegetarian, Mediterranean, vegan, gluten-free |
| Sample Meals | Cumin-spiced shrimp, ancho chicken with corn fritters, enchilada-spiced turkey bowls |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
Green Chef's USDA-certified organic meal kit offers tons of options for a variety of different dietary needs and preferences, from vegetarian to gluten-free and paleo diets. Dishes and recipes offered all super unique. Many people say they feel like they're getting fancy restaurant-level food straight at home.
A lot of the dishes come with pre-made sauces and dressings, which can be a serious timesaver. But, Kaufman suggests scanning the nutritional facts for the sugar content in your meals, as dressings can sometimes be packed with this weight-loss saboteur. And, if the sauce isn’t vital for you, just feel free to cut it out.
As a whole, Kaufman gives this service her nutritionist stamp of approval because it offers a variety of plans that suit most everyone's dietary needs and restrictions, all while being relatively low in sodium, high in protein, and loaded with healthy, satiating fats such as olive oil.
Rave Review: "“I can’t believe I made such a fancy dinner. Today, I had salmon with basil pistou made with orzo, chard, roasted red peppers, artichokes, dates, and pine nuts. This tasted like something you would order from a nice restaurant.”
15. Best For Vegan Weight Loss: Veestro
Pros
- All meals are vegan
- Comes ready to microwave
- Reasonably priced for the value
- Features a variety of meal choices
Cons
- Not many options for dietary restrictions
| Cost | $50-$150 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 6-15 |
| Diet Options | Gluten-free, low calorie |
| Sample Meals | Kung pao cauliflower, sesame vegetable rice, mushroom risotto |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | ~25 states |
Veestro delivers prepared meals, which usually get a bad rep health-wise, but just because you don't have to do the chopping and sautéing doesn’t mean these are bad for your weight-loss goals. "They’re actually a hell of a step up from most of the frozen dishes found in the freezer aisle," says Palmer. “They're plant-based meals that are moderate in calories and great for weight loss."
Since the all-vegan meals come packaged and ready for the microwave, they're essentially calorie-controlled, making it easier for you to monitor your intake and stay on point if that's your goal. Veestro meals are also pretty balanced, especially for veggie-centric cuisine (which can be heavy on the carbs), giving you the nutrients you need to stay fuller longer. Another perk? Veestro also offers three different meal delivery services focused exclusively on weight loss.
Rave Review: "Veestro meals are perfectly balanced and the flavors are on point! Meals always complement the sides they come with, and it’s an opportunity to taste flavor profiles that might be out of your norm! I absolutely love the variety! Cooking in the oven is quick, easy, and makes the textures and tastes dynamic!"
16. Best For Fresh Meat And Produce: Sun Basket
Pros
- All meals are fully organic
- They work with local farms
- Meats are responsibly-sourced
- Seafood is antibiotic-free
Cons
- No vegan option
| Cost | $56-$176 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 4-32 |
| Diet Options | Paleo, low carb, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, keto-friendly |
| Sample Meals | Steaks with chimichurri and harissa-roasted sweet potato, Pad Thai with rice noodles, Hawaiian garlic shrimp with coconut rice |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | ~45 states |
With a plethora of different meal kit options catering to gluten-free, vegan, diabetic, and Mediterranean diets, there’s something for everyone with Sun Basket. Mirchandani says they offer fresh, organic produce along with responsibly-sourced meats and seafood (like antibiotic and hormone-free meats and wild-caught fish). They also let you mix and match meals within your plan with a “build-your-own-basket” option, so you’re only getting ingredients you really love in each delivery. The customization makes this another great option for families, too.
Rave Review: "Everything Sun Basket sends is amazing. The produce is so fresh. I get flavorful dishes without overpowering spice. The recipes are easy to understand. It feels like we are eating out every night."
17. Best Registered Dietitian-Founded Service: Ilana Meals
Pros
- All meals are dairy and gluten-free
- Ability to customize your meals
- Founded by a registered dietitian
- Made for healthy living
Cons
- No vegan options
| Cost | $128 per week |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 8 |
| Diet Options | Everything is dairy and gluten-free |
| Sample Meals | Garden baked eggs, chili-lime pork carnitas, lemongrass chicken |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 48 states |
Founded by registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, Ilana Meals partners with local chefs in 43 states to deliver fresh, clean meals straight to your door on a weekly basis. Every dish is dairy and gluten-free, and designed to be high in fiber and protein to keep you full and satiated. If her name sounds familiar, it's probably because you've watched one of her many viral Instagram reels.
Rave Review: "The whole macrobiotic bowl was so amazingly delicious! And my husband and I are obsessed with the grilled salmon. Thank you for providing such delicious and nutritious meals—it’s been a game changer for our household."
18. Best Dairy And Gluten-Free Delivery Service: Thistle
Pros
- Everything is dairy and gluten-free
- Deliveries come with snacks and juices
- All meals are organic
- Easy to be vegan
Cons
- Pricey
| Cost | $46-$440 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 3-40 (with option to add snacks) |
| Diet Options | Vegan, Allergen-friendly |
| Sample Meals | Thistle kale caesar, patatas bravas scramble, peanut butter mousse cup |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Areas | 8 states |
Becker is a big fan of a gluten and dairy-free diet, and notes that she'll especially recommend it to her clients who have autoimmune issues. That's why she loves Thistle, a meal delivery service that's fully organic with a big focus on sustainably-sourced ingredients.
Even though it's not vegan, there's a big focus on plant-based foods, so this is a great option for anyone who is fully plant-based. Plus, you can choose from a variety of common allergens like soy, nuts, shellfish, and more that you may want to leave out of your food. Thistle's service operates locally, so you're getting the freshest possible organic meals fully prepared and delivered straight to you.
Rave Review: "We loved that our healthy meals were ready straight from the fridge. It made our lives so much easier."
19. Best For Indian Food Delivery: Cumin Club
Pros
- Every meal is preservative-free
- All meals ready in five minutes
- They work with local chefs in India
- Affordable for the value
Cons
- Menu doesn't rotate
| Cost | $38-$100 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 5-20 |
| Diet Options | Vegetarian, Vegan |
| Sample Meals | Paneer butter masala, moong dal, saag |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 49 states and India |
Traditional, authentic Indian food is hard to find in the Western world. That's where Cumin Club comes in. They leverage a team of Indian chefs to craft meals like paneer butter masala, moong dal (lentils), and saag (a creamed spinach curry). Everything comes preservative-free in freeze-dried packets, and all it takes is five minutes of boiling water to get a hot meal on your table. For a maximum of $100 per week, you get a serious bang for your buck.
You'll love hosting friends over for a meal (and nobody needs to know you didn't make it yourself). Because all you need is hot water, these make a great gift to the college student in your life.
Rave Review: "My mom may live far away, but now I can have home-cooked meals every night with The Cumin Club."
20. Best For Seasonal Ingredients: Pete's Real Food
Pros
- Seasonal ingredients
- Weekly-rotating menu
- Offers menu options for kids
- All meals are dairy- and gluten-free
Cons
- Vegan options can be high in carbs
| Cost | $230-$460 |
|---|---|
| Meals Per Week | 15-30 |
| Diet Options | Paleo, Vegan, Kid-Friendly |
| Sample Meals | Coconut Sriracha tofu bowl, green pea and dill risotto, sesame noodles with bok choy |
| How Food Arrives | Fresh |
| Delivery Area | 50 states |
You've seen meal delivery services that offer weekly-rotating menus, but Pete's Real Food takes it a step further by leveraging local farmers to incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients into all their meals. What's truly unique is that they even offer a kid's menu so you can include them in all the meals you're eating. No matter which diet plan you choose, all meals are dairy and gluten-free, and delivered fresh.
Simply pop them in the microwave for a few minutes for a hot meal. Best part? The dish it comes in is microwave-safe, so you won't have any dishes to do minus the utensils you end up using.
Rave Review: "So beautiful! LOVEEE all your meals. The breakfast bundle makes school mornings so easy. My high schooler loves all of your breakfasts, and your lunch plans are the most delicious and satisfying meals I’ve ever had. Thank you for all that you do. ❤️"
What type of meal delivery service is best for me?
- If you want to save money: Fresh N' Lean, Splendid Spoon, Daily Harvest, Blue Apron, Factor, Hello Fresh, Cook Unity, Veestro, Sun Basket, Thistle, Cumin Club
- If you want to prioritize health: BistroMD, Sakara, Daily Harvest, Methodology, Nutrisystem, Factor, Purple Carrot, Green Chef, Veestro, Ilana Meals, Thistle
- If you have specific dietary restrictions: Hungryroot, BistroMD, Splendid Spoon, Daily Harvest, Nutrisystem, Factor, Purple Carrot, Ilana Meals, Thistle, Pete's Real Food
- If you like to cook your own meals: Hungryroot, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Green Chef, Sun Basket
- If you're on-the-go: Fresh N' Lean, BistroMD, Sakara, Methodology, Nutrisystem, Factor, Cook Unity, Purple Carrot, Veestro, Ilana Meals, Thistle, Cumin Club, Pete's Real Food
- If you want to try new foods: Cook Unity, Cumin Club, Pete's Real Food
- If you're vegan: Splendid Spoon, Sakara, Daily Harvest, Purple Carrot, Veestro
Are meal delivery services healthy?
Meal delivery services can be healthy if you want them to be. Most services allow you to customize your meals online, so if you want your doorstep deliveries to align with your health goals, go right ahead and start tailoring your plan. If you're looking for a company that will cater to your healthy preferences, Mirchandani says Sun Basket is one of many meal delivery services that offers gluten-free, vegan, hormone-safe, and diabetic-friendly options.
Are meal delivery services worth it?
If you have health goals like controlling your portions, losing weight, cutting out certain foods, or eating organic produce, meal delivery services are certainly worth trying. They also help you skip a trip to the grocery store, so you spend more time focusing on daily activities that you actually want to do.
Neha Tandon is the senior commerce editor of Women's Health—she's an expert in discovering the best products and services you can buy and giving recommendations. She discovered her love for magazines when as a teen, she started stealing her mother's magazines. Determined to see more women who look like her and her family members on the glossy covers of magazines, she was guided by seasoned editors and mentors to write for brands including New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, BRIDES, Harper's Bazaar, Business Insider, Byrdie, and Well+Good. When she’s not grilling dermatologists about the latest skincare trends, she’s doing candlelit yoga or watching Humphrey Bogart movies over vegan pizza. Follow her on Instagram.
Lily Wohlner is the Associate E-Commerce Editor of Women’s Health. An expert in recommending the best products to add-to-cart, she knows what it takes for a product to receive a solid five stars (especially when it comes to beauty!). Starting her career as a freelance makeup artist, Lily has since moved to the editorial world, where she has generated content for brands including Oribe, NewBeauty, Dermstore, SkinStore, and LOOKFANTASTIC. When she’s not zenning out with a pore-clearing mask, the Lower East Side dweller is cheffing up a new recipe with her roommate or thrifting for the perfect pair of blue jeans. Follow her on Instagram.
