Which food delivery services are best for weight loss and fitness?

Industry reports claim that the online meal delivery market will reach $7 billion by the close of 2024. This is before it triples in the five years up to 2027. Food delivery services are especially popular among the weight loss and fitness crowd.

If you are an athlete, your days are often structured around your workouts, with limited free time. Even though your diet is as important as training, sometimes it’s hard to juggle everything – including planning balanced meals, food shopping, and prep. But you really should spend enough time to fully conceive of low-carb, high-protein recipes to shine.

If you want to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit. This means you have to burn more calories than you eat. Instead of spending an extra hour on the treadmill, get your calorie count down to a manageable level. If you're a busy person, try the best meal delivery service to lose weight.

Lots of meal delivery services claim to offer easy meal plans that support you in your weight loss goals – but not all of them are sustainable. Some meal plans have calorie deficits that are too steep to maintain or meals that taste like soggy cardboard.

Considering that we've reviewed dozens of food delivery services and picked out the best 10 healthy food delivery services, you don't have to blindly spend time, energy and money trying them all!

So whether you're trying to lose weight, or on a special diet such as a ketogenic, vegan, or diabetes-friendly diet, the list in this article has you covered. You’ll even find a nice mix of meal kits and prepared meals.

Short on Time? Here Are the Top 10 Healthy Meal Delivery Services for Weight Loss and Athletes 2024

1. BistroMD

2. Factor

3. Freshly

4. Veestro

5. Home Chef

6. Green Chef

7. HelloFresh 

8. Sunbasket

9. Blue Apron

10. Splendid Spoon

Money Saving Tips First:

No matter which one of the carefully selected food delivery services you choose, you will have a positive experience and be able to get some discounts or deals! Don’t forget to Sign up at Extrabux before shopping online, (What is Extrabux?), then you can earn up to 45+% cashback on your purchase!

Sign-Up Bonus: Join for FREE & Earn $20 Welcome Bonus today! Then earn $5 Friend Referral Bonus!

Further, we divide them into pre-prepared meal delivery services and meal kit delivery services.

Best pre-prepared meal delivery services 2024

These expert-recommended and highly rated meal delivery services are pre-made and ready to eat — experts told us you can simply heat them up for an easy meal during the week.

#1.      Best Prepared Service for Weight Loss: BistroMD

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving7.50

• Number of Diets Served6

• Number of Recipes150

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available1

Sign Up Now

Overview

If you’re a busy guy looking for the best meal delivery service to lose weight, try BistroMD. 

With BistroMD not only do you get delicious entrees delivered right to your door, but every entree and every program is specifically designed to address weight loss by board-certified bariatric physician Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D.

Dr. Cederquist has been helping people achieve their weight loss goals for more than 20 years. She works with BistroMD’s team of registered dietitians to create and deliver healthy, balanced weight loss meal delivery plans to meet your individual needs. 

Customers can select from over 150 meals which are all 450 calories or less. Each meal is prepared using fresh ingredients, so that quality and taste are never sacrificed.

In conclusion, BistroMD was founded by doctors and features all pre-made meals that are shipped frozen. All offered meals can promote weight loss. However, BistroMD is a single-serve, individualized plan, so this may not be a good option if you’re looking to feed a family or partner. The company often offers discounts and cashbacks, so you may be able to sign up at a lower cost. 

How Does It Work?

After a short, easy diet analysis test, the first step to BistroMD is selecting the program that’s right for you and your weight loss goals. There are five: standard weight loss, gluten free, heart healthy, diabetic, and menopause. Then you choose your plan: Full offers three meals a day, five or seven days per week, while Lunches & Dinners provides just that, on the same schedule.

Once you pinpoint your goals and selected your program and plan, then you can customize your meals by selecting ingredients you enjoy and eliminating those you don’t. Once that’s done, BistroMD’s professional dietitians tailor your menu to your specific needs. You then get to review your menu before it’s prepared and shipped. There are over 150 entrees on the menu, and most are ready to eat straight from the fridge in under five minutes.

How Is It Different?

If you’re still trying to decide what makes BistroMD different from other meal delivery services, the devil is in the details. 

BistroMD offers the tools and support that you need in order to keep your progress on track. This includes a weekly newsletter and access to unlimited diet and fitness tips from pros, so you can maximize your diet plan, target your workouts, and see rapid results.

If you want to lose weight, it's not just exercise. A healthy, calorie-cutting diet is key, and BistroMD can help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Just in time for summer.

Editor Review:  

Our nutrition experts love all the plans BistroMD has to offer. For example, weight loss programs really produce actual weight loss results.

We give it top marks for convenience, variety and freshness of its services. Great variety of food, good quality and great taste!

Good for: 

BistroMD is good for people looking for an easy and convenient way to drop weight while being mindful of certain health markers without feeling like they are on a diet. Quick and easy meals that are nutritionally well-rounded sound appealing. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a diet. The combination of small portions with very little flavor results in unsatisfying meals. Yes, they are full of fiber which promotes a feeling of physical fullness, but they lack taste satisfaction, which is an important factor in creating a sustainable eating plan. BistroMD is not good for people who enjoy cooking, are not interested in dieting, and tend to have heartier appetites.

Pros

• Created by a physician and tailored to specific medical conditions

• Science-backed weight loss approach

• Unlimited support from dietitians and private community

• Provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks

• No prep or cooking needed

Cons

• High price point

• Not vegan-friendly

• Limited organic ingredients

Current Deal：

And right now is the perfect time to sign up to slim down for summer. BistroMD is offering a 25 percent discount on your first week, plus free shipping. You can save up to $65 a week if you start today.

Cash Back：

Get up to $17.50 cashback with Bistro MD

Cost: 

$129.95–$189.95 per week plus shipping, depending on the program length (5 or 7 days) as well as meal frequency and range.

Availability: 

BistroMD ships frozen meals via FedEx anywhere in the continental U.S. Shipping is a flat $19.95. They do not ship to Alaska and Hawaii.

Timing of delivery depends on when you place your order but can take up to six business days from the time FedEx picks up your package. 

The weekly deadline for changing or skipping your order (or canceling your subscription) is 5 p.m. ET Wednesday the week before your next delivery.

Packaging: 

Entrees arrive in a 100% post-consumer recycled shipping box with dry ice and a biodegradable, eco-friendly liner for insulation.

See it: Check out all BistroMD meal delivery plans here

#2.      Best Dietitian-Designed Prepared Service: Factor_ 

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving11

• Number of Diets Served5

• Number of Recipes24

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available1

Sign Up Now

Overview

Another one of the best healthy meal delivery services is Factor_ (formerly Factor 75). Based on research that says 75 percent of a person’s fitness gains come from what they eat, this company provides organic, GMO-free, paleo-centric meals that are dense in macronutrients and antioxidants. 

It was founded by a former mixed martial arts fighter and is a favorite among bodybuilders and dirt-bike riders.

The nutritious meal plans offer 29+ meals and recipes every week from a rotating menu that feature options from Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, low-carb, and low-calorie diets. You can also add snacks, drinks and other wholesome add-ons to your food delivery order.

One of the simplest changes one can make to lose weight before beach season starts is to eat healthier. And you can certainly do that when you start getting meal kits from Factor. But that’s not all. You’ll also be able to get Personalized Nutrition Coaching when you sign up right now.

How Does It Work?

Factor has four meal plans to choose from: Chef's Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, and Vegan/Vegetarian. As far as the menus go, Factor couldn't make eating clean any more delicious. 

What’s even better than the taste of these meal kits is the convenience. You don’t have to cook or prep your meals. Just toss them in the microwave for a few minutes and voila. 

Convenience is also found in the weekly options. Because there are more than 20 meal options each week, and every week those options change. So you won’t be stuck eating the same stuff over and over again. 

Meal plans for Factor are highly affordable, especially considering the care that goes into each of them. You can go from 4 meal kits a week starting at $15 per meal all the way up to 18 full-on meals a week for just $11 a meal.

How Is It Different?

Acquired by HelloFresh in 2020, the company allows you to mix and match from featured menu items. 

Factor also provides enhanced accountability compared to most other weight-loss meal delivery services.

No matter which subscription plan you use with Factor, you’ll be able to get Personalized Nutrition Coaching in a 20-minute session for free with a registered dietician. This is a great deal because it’ll help make it easier for you to choose the kinds of meals you should be getting from Factor75.

Additional coaching is also offered at a fee (1-month and 3-month) by dietitians for $139 and $297, respectively.

 Factor also shares its nutritional information with three mobile apps—MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and Carb Manager—to help you track your macro intake.

Editor Review:  

Factor  Meals were delivered in great condition and ingredients tasted fresh. I loved that the service offers low-carb, plant-based, calorie smart and keto options too. And not only do they meet my nutrition needs, but they also have unbelievable flavors.

Good for: 

Factor works great for folks who want robust flavors with comfort food feels in high-fat and high-protein nutrition profiles. However, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend Factor to those who have specific needs in their fat, cholesterol, and/or sodium intakes. We also think it could work for individuals or couples, rather than larger families or groups, as the meals start at $11 each. 

Pros

• Dietitian-approved recipes

• Nutrition coaching available with registered dietitian

• Delivered fresh, never frozen

• No cooking or prep required

• Suitable for many different diets

Cons

• Some meals are high in sodium

• Price higher than most

• Can’t filter for specific food allergies

Cost: 

Choose from four, six, eight, 10, 12 or 18 meals a week, starting at $11 per meal plus free shipping. Bonus: All subscriptions come with one free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian. Skip or cancel anytime.

Current Deal：

Enjoy a total of $120 OFF throughout your first 5 boxes using the code SPRUCEGET120OFF

Cash Back：

Get up to $10 cashback with Factor Meals

Availability: 

Factor delivers to the 48 contiguous states except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Packaging: 

Boxes can be broken down and placed with curbside recycling.

See it: Check out all Factor meal delivery plans here

#3.  Best-tasting meal delivery service: Freshly

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$8.99

• Number of Diets Served5

• Number of Recipes60

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available1

Sign Up Now

Overview

Freshly is a reputable heat and eat meal delivery company. You choose your lunch and/or dinner from the company’s weekly menu offerings, and it’s delivered on the day of your choosing. There are four meal plans: Signature Collection, Purely Plant, Proteins & Sides and FreshlyFit, the latter featuring low-carb and keto-friendly options that can help you manage your calories and lose weight.

Freshly is one of the best meal delivery services for many reasons. One of which is the ease at which it can be used. It’s a weekly service where you can choose from a weekly rotating menu of 35+ meal options. 

Meals that don’t come packed up in a frozen container. These are meals that are good to go as soon as you get them. Pop the top and throw them in the microwave. In 3 minutes’ time, you’ll have a chef-prepared meal in front of you.

Another great element that makes Freshly so great is the meal choices themselves. Freshly is not just here to deliver amazing meals, but it’s here to deliver healthy meals. All of this is due to the food philosophy that Freshly abides by. This includes a focus on fewer processed foods and more nutrients. 

Even better is that these meals don’t sacrifice any taste in the shift to a healthier style. These meals from Freshly are not thrown together all willy nilly. These meals are made with the know-how by a team of highly talented chefs. 

With all the healthy and delicious options over at Freshly, you might assume that the pricing is too high for you. But it isn’t. Using and paying for the meals isn’t difficult at all. You can choose how many meals you get a week. Plans start at 4 meals a week with a cost of $11.49 a meal and go up to 12 meals a week at $8.49 a week. 

If you use discount code LAUNCH15 when you sign up for the first time, you will get $60 off each order for the four weeks.

How Does It Work?

Freshly Fit is their line of carb-conscious meals, designed by nutritionists, cooked by chefs, and ready to eat in three minutes or less. 

One family-friendly feature is the ability to sort dishes by diet and view recipe tags that indicate whether a dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, etc.

Each meal you get delivered to you is good for one a single serving for effortless portion control. 

Most Freshly Fit meals are under 500 calories with less than 35 grams of carbohydrates. Each meal serves one. Freshly Fit meals last three to five days in the refrigerator. There is a small shipping fee, which is calculated at checkout, depending on how many meals you order. 

How Is It Different?

Whether you're craving Asian-inspired takeout, classic comfort dishes, or fitness-minded meals, Freshly's menu features food for every mood. There are six different categories on the menu, all of which include anywhere from 4 to 11 recipes. 

Editor Review:  

Getting to enjoy the WFH meal hack of Freshly is easy as can be. Testers found the meals fresh, flavorful and said that the portion sizes were just right. 

Good for: 

Folks who really need to be cautious about gluten (i.e,. individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity) could really benefit from giving Freshly a try. While it may not be the most gourmet option, we really appreciate the effort Freshly puts in to produce certified gluten-free meals that are also promote health and require minimum effort to heat up. However, folks who don’t need to be gluten-free may find other options in the marketplace that offer better customization and a more enjoyable eating experience. 

Pros

• Ready in 3 minutes or less

• Score high in the taste department.

• Many of recipes are paleo- and Whole30-approved.

• Can filter nutrients and allergens

Cons

• Shipping fee

• No specific diet plans, can choose preferences

Current Deal：

Now seems like the best time to sign up for Freshly. The meals are always delicious and affordable. Convenience is also key here.

If you use discount code LAUNCH15 when you sign up for the first time, you will get $60 off each order for the four weeks.

Cash Back：

Get up to $8 cashback with Freshly

Cost: 

Meals start at $8.99 each plus shipping. Shipping varies on the number of meals per week, starting at $7.

Availability: 

Availability: Nationwide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. 

Packaging: 

Packaging: The boxes, plastic meal containers, and cardboard sleeves are all recyclable.

See it: Check out all Freshly meal delivery plans here

#4. BEST FOR PLANT-BASED MEALS - Splendid Spoon

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$9.25

• Number of Diets Served2

• Number of Recipes65

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available1

Sign Up Now

Overview

Splendid Spoon is a plant-based meal delivery service that offers a wide selection of ready-to-eat smoothies, soups, grain bowls, and noodle dishes.

Founded in 2013 to help busy professionals put health on their agenda, Splendid Spoon was the brainchild of Nicole Centeno. Starting in her New York home kitchen, she sold plant-based soups and smoothies at Brooklyn markets, before snagging a wholesale deal with Fresh Direct in 2015. 2018 saw the subscription model begin, but customers remain free from duress to sign up to regular deliveries. Including on-demand, subscription-free capability has contributed to a doubled growth rate since 2020. 

Splendid Spoon focuses on promoting healthier eating habits by making it easy and convenient to enjoy plant-based meals right at home.

Although it doesn’t specifically claim to help increase weight loss, some people may lose weight while using Splendid Spoon.

How Does It Work?

Splendid Spoon’s primary product is the weekly subscription box, but it does offer a collection of bundles available for a one-time purchase. It calls this option an “on-demand box.”

Splendid Spoon offers a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which you can use to build your own personalized menu.

In addition to choosing from over 50 dishes and smoothies each week, you can modify your profile to note ingredients or flavors that you’d like to avoid in future orders.

The satisfying meals are designed to be simple and ready to eat in 5 minutes. All meals are plant-based and free of dairy, gluten, and GMOs. 

The company disclosed that it has a dietitian on staff to provide a science-based background for all dietary information, chefs, and outside experts involved in menu development.

How Is It Different?

Splendid spoon is totally vegan, meaning it’s meals are 100% plant-based; there are no animal products of any kind. 

Editor Review:  

All the smoothies were tasty and fresh with no consistency issues. There were no concerns with the quality of the meals, but one of the grain bowls lacked robust flavors. 

Good for: 

Splendid Spoon is good for people seeking to eat healthily but who don't want to spend time on meal prepping. The meals are all plant-based and are ideal for vegetarians and vegans. In addition, this service may not be suitable for people seeking a flexitarian meal plan with meat options to choose from.

It may be a good option for those looking to transition to a plant-based eating pattern or include more fruits and vegetables in their diet.

When paired with a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity, it may also support weight loss, if this is your goal.

However, it can be costly and doesn’t include any animal proteins, which may not be ideal for people on a tight budget or those following diet plans like paleo or keto.

Pros

• Healthy, plant-based meals

• Offers a variety of smoothies and meals with rotating weekly menus

• All meals are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten- and soy-free

• Fully prepared meals with no prep time required

Cons

• Relatively expensive, compared with similar services

• Grain bowls lack deep flavor

• Much lighter options than other services since many are soups

• Some options can be difficult to thaw

• May be unsuitable for those with severe food allergies or people on certain diets, such as keto or paleo

Current Deal：

Up to 25% Off your first delivery!

Cash Back：

Get up to $5 cashback with Splendid Spoon

Cost: 

 Starting at $13 per meal ($65 for the plan) with free shipping

Availability: 

Splendid Spoon ships to the lower 48 United States. Shipping is free.

Packaging: 

The food arrives in a cardboard box and an insulated recyclable liner to keep the meals refrigerated. The soup, noodles, and grain bowls are neatly stacked together and individually packed in recyclable plastic containers. Smoothies arrive frozen in plastic bottles, which can be refrigerated or frozen for later use. 

See it: Check out all Splendid Spoon meal delivery plans here

#5. Veestro

• Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$11.03

• Number of Diets Served5

• Number of Recipes60

• Delivery Area48 States

• Serving Sizes Available1

Sign Up Now

Overview

Veestro aims to deliver the world to its customers in easy, healthy, fast, plant-based meals. The service was founded by a brother-sister team who saw that fast meals weren’t focused on health, and health food wasn’t focused on convenience. 

Veestro was born out of this need, and today it stands apart in the meal delivery industry by offering frozen, single-serve meals that are ready in minutes to serve the plant-based eater and accommodate a plethora of dietary restrictions. 

How Does It Work?

Veestro provides delicious plant-focused meals like the Portobello Steak Dinner as well as vegan substitutions for popular meat dishes, including Country Fried Chick’n and plant-based Pasta Bolognese.

As a vegan-only service, there aren’t as many plans to choose from. There are, however, gluten-free and high-protein menus available. You can easily add meals from different menus to your order, for your non-dieting household members.

Veestro's plant-based meal delivery service is to be one of the more affordable meal delivery company options, with 15 meals a week (three meals a day) clocking in at just $130. Veestro has a truly massive selection of vegetarian and vegan meals, and you build a box of 10, 20 or 30 meals at a time to be delivered in bulk when you want.

How Is It Different?

While many of the meal delivery services on this list have great vegetarian options, Veestro is expressly for vegans in search of healthy, ready-made meals.

Vegetarian and vegan diets already tend to be healthy, but Veestro adds a specific weight-loss regimen averaging 400 calories per meal. 

Editor Review:  

Veestro makes sense for the seasoned, plant-based eater who wants a consistent, daily option that’s low effort. 

The eating experience may not be exactly restaurant quality, but we think it makes going vegan just that much simpler, and pretty delicious.  

Good for: 

Veestro makes sense for the busy plant-based eater who needs food in a hurry. We think it’s best for individuals and couples rather than larger groups, as the service is all single-serving meals that cost over $10 per serving to start. 

Pros

• Meals come prepared and hold up in the freezer

• Filter by allergy or dietary restriction

• Kosher plan available

• Bulk-order options available

• Eco-friendly packaging

• 96% organic ingredients

Cons

• 100% plant-based

• Flavor might be more bland than desired

• Weight loss plan is not personalized and may not be appropriate for all

Current Deal：

Special discount available – Save $40 Off! Code: BFCM40

Cash Back：

Get up to 5% cashback with Veestro

Cost: 

Free shipping on all auto-delivery orders, $10 Shipping on all one-time orders

Weight loss plan: $179 for a 5-day plan or $250 for a 7-day plan

A la carte: $13 per meal for 10 meals, $12 for 20 meals, and $11 per meal for 30 meals

Availability: 

Veestro delivers to the lower 48 states.

Packaging: 

Meals arrive frozen, packed in dry ice, and in a recyclable cardboard box. Inside there is insulation made from starch, which can be dissolved in water, and the bag holding it can be recycled. In addition, the trays that each meal comes in are recyclable with a plastic film over the top, plus a plastic pouch that holds sauces that are kept separate. 

On a separate note, we did like that the packaging for Veestro meals wasn’t large. 

See it: Check out all veestro meal delivery plans here

Best meal kit delivery services

These expert-recommended and highly rated meal delivery services all feature an option to send separate ingredients and allow shoppers to cook themselves.

#6.  Best budget-friendly: Home Chef

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$6.99

• Number of Diets Served3

• Number of Recipes20

• Delivery Area49 states

• Serving Sizes Available2, 4, 6

Sign Up Now

Overview

Home Chef is a meal delivery service that puts tasty and healthy eating within reach. If you want one of the most customizable plans on the market, Home Chef is a great choice for people with common dietary preferences.

Home Chef features a rotating weekly menu with more than 30 meals to choose from. You can also select from a variety of menu options catered to your preferences, including 15-minute meal kits, grill- and oven-ready kits and special occasion meals.

No matter which meals you choose, Home Chef offers their standard plan, a “Calorie-Conscious” plan, and a “Carb-Conscious” plan.The calorie-conscious plan makes sure that each serving rings in under 625 calories. 

They also offer vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options as well as vegan. However, the vegan dishes aren't guaranteed to be 100% vegan, making it tricky for those who follow a completely vegan diet.

Home Chef meals are fully customizable. For example, you have the ability to adjust portions of certain foods, such as doubling your protein serving.

In our opinion, Home Chef is the best meal kit delivery service out there, and right now, you can save $90 when you join.

How Does It Work?

Once you’re ready to order, select your menu preferences by choosing between Home Chef and Home Chef Fresh and Easy; choosing optional dietary preferences; and then selecting any foods you wish to avoid—a list that includes pork, beef, poultry, fish, shellfish, mushrooms, tree nuts, and peanuts. Next, you’ll build your box by indicating the number of people you’re cooking for (either two, four, or six) and then the number of recipes you want to receive (between two and six). 

Meal offerings are mostly American fare as well as other familiar cuisine types. If opting for the Fresh and Easy plan, you’ll find that there are significantly fewer meal options—about five per week compared to about 20 per week with the Home Chef plan. 

How Is It Different?

Home Chef delivers fresh pre-portioned ingredients directly to your door (or available at your local Kroger store) with easy-to-follow recipes that fit your lifestyle. Home Chef is part of the Kroger Family of Brands. 

Home Chef splits the meals they offer into the standard meal kit and the prep-free Fresh and Easy meals:

• The standard option gives you pre-portioned and partially prepared ingredients that you use to craft a meal from their recipe instructions. 

• The Fresh and Easy meals come completely prepared, pre-cooked, and packaged so all you have to do is heat and serve. 

Editor Review:  

Since Home Chef is one of the more customizable options with a variety of selections, it’s likely best for “families, kids or people with any dietary restrictions. The meal plans are catered to a wide audience with different taste and needs. However, a very small number of these options are less flavorful.

Good for: 

Home Chef is suitable for those seeking a budget-friendly healthy meal delivery service. It is also good for families and picky eaters, as there are several different meal options.

Pros

• Accessible price point

• Meal plan for the whole family

• Calorie-conscious and carb-conscious options for healthy eating

• Customizable protein choices

• Offers meal kits, oven-ready entrées, and 15-minute meals

• Add-ons include desserts, proteins, and sides

• Meal kits are sold in select grocery stores

Cons

• No vegan menu items available

• High sodium content

• Few sustainable and organic options

Current Deal：

First responders, teachers, and healthcare workers are eligible for 50% savings on your first box (up to $60) and 10% on all future orders. A $35 discount is available if you refer someone to Home Chef. 

Home Chef also offers a promotion for new customers: for the first three weeks, each week’s price is cut by $30 (but keep in mind that we’ve noticed these promotions change from time to time).

Cash Back：

Get up to $0 cashback with Home Chef

Cost: 

 Standard meals start at $8.99 per meal, but this increases if you add on additional items or if you use the “customize it” function to change up the protein in your meals.

Shipping costs $7.99 per order if your order is under $45. Once you go over $45, all shipping is free.

Availability: 

Home Chef delivers to the lower 48 states.

Packaging: 

Home Chef says it’s committed to reducing packaging waste by using shipping materials that are recyclable or reusable. The order was shipped in a large box with gel ice packs inside.

Proteins were individually wrapped and bagged together separately from other meal components. Within the recipe bags, were individually wrapped spices, produce, and branded, single-use items. 

See it: Check out all homechef meal delivery plans here

#7. Best organic meal kit service with lots of plant-based options Green Chef

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving10.49

• Number of Diets Served6

• Number of Recipes31

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available2, 4, 6

Sign Up Now

Overview

Green Chef was founded in 2014 with the intent of making specialized diets like keto, paleo, and plant-based easier and more accessible at home. Green Chef is also one of the few meal kits in the marketplace to have certified organic status, an attribute it has brought to the HelloFresh family since its acquisition in 2018. If you’re looking for a meal kit that prioritizes the planet and you have the money to spend, this service fits the bill.

Green Chef offers six meal plans: Keto + Paleo, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Fast & Fit, Vegan, and Gluten Free. All are great options for weight loss but the Keto + Paleo is the best if following a low-carb diet because it is free of gluten, grains, legumes, and soy. A new meals are released weekly with the option to choose servings for two, four, or six people and three or four meals per week. 

Each box includes ingredients that have been pre-measured and prepped as much as possible to save you time in the kitchen. This includes pre-made sauces so dinner is ready in about 30 minutes. 

How Does It Work?

Green Chef is a healthy, certified organic meal kit subscription service that provides ingredients and step-by-step instructions for creating nourishing meals.

It caters to those following specific dietary patterns, including keto, paleo, and plant-based, as well as those simply looking to improve the quality of their diet.

Customers can choose from weekly, biweekly, or monthly shipments.

How Is It Different?

Green Chef’s main differentiator is its emphasis on sustainability, with organic ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and plenty of plant-based options. Perhaps most importantly, the meals were flavorful, fresh, and contained a generous portion of vegetables — an aspect that’s often lacking with other meal delivery services.

Editor Review:  

With so many meal kit services in the marketplace, Green Chef strives to deliver on flavor while serving the diets and ingredients that their health-conscious customers need. 

Delicious, fresh, organic ingredients are portioned expertly to have no waste. The recipes are so tasty and varied.

Good for: 

We love Green Chef for omnivores and plant enthusiasts alike who want to prioritize (and are willing to pay for) organic produce. This service could work well for individuals or small families, but we think some price-conscious folks may find Green Chef out of reach.

Pros

• USDA-certified organic meal kits

• Streamlined meal plans for low-carb, plant-based, and balanced diets

• Plenty of plants

• New meals every week

• Choose up to four recipes per week for as many as six people

Cons

• More expensive than other plans

• No breakfast options

• No heat-and-eat options

• Shipping is expensive

Current Deal：

Special discount available – Get $130 Off + Free Shipping

Cash Back：

Get up to $15 cashback with Green Chef

Cost: 

The downside to the Green Chef Keto + Paleo meal plan is that it is a bit more expensive than other plans, starting at $11.99 per serving with a $9 shipping fee. 

Availability: 

Green Chef's delivery area includes addresses in the lower 48 states.

Packaging: 

Green Chef prides itself on its eco-friendly packaging, which is made from material that is recyclable, reusable, or compostable.

See it: Check out all Green Chef meal delivery plans here

#8. Best meal kit delivery service for beginners: Blue Apron

Specs

• Product NameBlue Apron

• Lowest Price per Serving$7.49

• Number of Diets Served5

• Number of Recipes25

• Delivery Area48 States

• Serving Sizes Available1, 2, 4

Sign Up Now

Overview

Blue Apron was one of the first meal-kit delivery services to take off, and it’s clear why. Its recipes are super easy to follow, even for someone with little to no cooking experience—not to mention, they all take less than 45 minutes to make. 

Blue Apron also works with local farmers and fisheries to source its fresh produce, fish, and meat (which is free of hormones and antibiotics). 

Blue Apron also has one of the most user-friendly meal plan interfaces of all the meal kit services and optional wine pairings, too. 

Blue Apron’s Wellness menu offers balanced, nutritious recipes approved by WW (formerly Weight Watchers). If you’d rather prepare your own meals than heat up something premade, Blue Apron’s Wellness menu might just be for you.

All of the WW-approved recipes come with great tips on how to make your meals even healthier – like skipping the salt or switching to a different cooking oil to keep those SmartPoints low.

How Does It Work?

Blue Apron offers both a subscription meal kit service as well as ready-to-eat meals. 

Starting from scratch with Blue Apron is a three-step process in which users create an account, choose a plan, and select meals. 

Blue Apron offers a number of weekly menu items based on your selected meal plan. Meal plan options include a Signature plan, a Vegetarian plan and a Wellness plan that features nutritionist-approved, carb-conscious recipes. 

How Is It Different?

Blue Apron is a big player in the meal delivery game, especially compared to some of the smaller, more niche services. This comes with some distinct advantages: most notably, it’s one of the most affordable services on this list.

Blue Apron offers four different plans to choose from, but pricing mainly varies by how much food you purchase rather than which plan you choose. 

Editor Review:  

The recipes are simple and relatively quick, and yet the food is absolutely delicious. I can’t say enough for the high quality and freshness of all the ingredients, whether it is the vegetables, meat, or seafood. The meals are almost always amazing and easy to make!

Good for: 

While Blue Apron does require some cooking chops based on the difficulty level of its recipes, it can be a good option for beginner cooks that are hoping to “learn from the beginning and hone their basic skills.”

Pros

• Big name food delivery service

• Cooking how-tos

• Upscale experience

• Delivers on flavor

• Responsible sourcing

• Prepare your own meals in about 30 minutes

• Each meal is 600 calories or less

• The Wellness menu offers healthier options

Cons

• Limited servings

• Smaller portion sizes

• Minimal customization

Current Deal：

Special discount available – $110 off across your first 5 boxes!

Cash Back：

Get up to $20 cashback with Blue Apron

Cost: 

Signature for 2 is $9.99 per serving, Wellness for 2 and Vegetarian for 2 and Signature for 4 are $8.99 per serving. 

Blue Apron also charges a flat $9.99 for shipping no matter which plan you choose. 

Availability: 

Availability: Nationwide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Packaging: 

Blue Apron is the standard packaging for meal delivery services, which includes a cardboard box with a liner for insulation and frozen gel packs housed in plastic. 

See it: Check out all blue apron meal delivery plans here

#9. Best meal kit delivery service for healthy eaters: Sunbasket

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$9.99

• Number of Diets Served8

• Number of Recipes43

• Delivery Area46 states

• Serving Sizes Available1, 2, 4

• 
  

Sign Up Now

Overview

Sunbasket stands out for its commitment to sourcing top-tier organic produce, which can be found in its meals.

Whether the members of your family are trying to lose weight or not, Sunbasket is the best family-friendly option because of the variety of foods and meal plans it offers. You can choose a meal kit, where you receive ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe instructions to cook dinner in 15 to 40 minutes. Or opt for the company's Fresh and Ready meals when you don’t feel like cooking and receive a pre-cooked, ready-to-heat meal that can be on the table in as little as three minutes. The meal kits start at $11.49 per serving, and the Fresh and Ready meals begin at $9.99 per serving.

How Does It Work?

Choose from one of 10 menus, including Paleo, Vegetarian, Lean and Clean, Gluten-Free, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Diabetes-Friendly, Pescatarian, Chef’s Choice, or Fresh and Ready. Different dietary preferences for different members of the family? Mix and match any of the meal plans to suit everyone’s needs. You can also filter to find meals that take less than 20 minutes to make, meals under 600 calories, dairy-free meals, or gluten-free meals.

Each week this meal delivery service offers 15 to 18 dinner options on the menu. All of Sunbasket’s produce is organic and its meat is free of antibiotics and hormones. An in-house dietitian approves all of the meals.

How Is It Different?

While most meal delivery services only offer dinner options, Sunbasket lets families order organic, oven-ready meals or classic pre-prepped ingredients to cook at home. Plus, ready-made breakfast, lunch, and snack extras are available, too.

Editor Review:  

We’re very happy with the meals and the quality of the ingredients. While we personally weren’t wowed by the taste of most of the meals we tested, they were all highly rated by customers, so it’s still worth a try if it’s within your price range.

Good for: 

Sunbasket is a good choice for beginner to experienced, calorie-conscious culinarians choosing to go the environmentally sustainable eating route. If you enjoy a diverse range of cuisines with mild flavors and don’t mind a premium price point, then look no further.

Pros

• Accommodates a variety of eating patterns

• Mix and match different meal plans

• Robust selection of add-on items

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are offered

• Socially-responsible initiatives to give back

• Environmentally-conscious sourcing and packaging

Cons

• No vegan option

• Portion sizes on the smaller side

• More expensive than the competition

• Underwhelming flavors

Current Deal：

Get $90 off with free shipping + 1 free gift

Cash Back：

Get up to $10 cashback with Sunbasket

Cost: 

Base pricing for meal kits starts at $11.49 per serving and increases by $1 per serving as the meals per week decrease. Protein customizations can also influence the price. Fresh & Ready meals start at $9.99 per serving. 

Shipping is $9.99 per box but free for the first delivery. Speedy meal kits, which are precut and diced, are an additional $1.99 per serving.

Availability: 

Sunbasket ships to 46 states, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and North Dakota.

Packaging: 

Most of Sunbasket’s packaging is also recyclable or compostable, using sustainable material like recycled and virgin craft paper and 100 percent shredded recycled paper filling, according to the brand. 

See it: Check out all Sunbasket meal delivery plans here

#10. Best Budget: HelloFresh

Specs

• Lowest Price per Serving$7.49

• Number of Diets Served2

• Number of Recipes25

• Delivery Area48 states

• Serving Sizes Available2, 4

Sign Up Now

Overview

HelloFresh positions itself as the meal delivery service that gets you back in the kitchen, period. Founded in Germany, this service expanded to the United States in 2012 and quickly established itself as a favorite. HelloFresh now also owns other U.S.-based brands EveryPlate, Green Chef, and Factor, which serve more budget-conscious, sustainability-focused, and keto customers, respectively.

HelloFresh is the best budget-friendly option for weight loss because most of their recipes include enough vegetables to comprise half your plate, a goal when trying to lose weight. 

How Does It Work?

HelloFresh has six plans: Meat and Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Quick and Easy, and Pescatarian, and Fit & Wholesome – the latter of which is specially designed for an active and healthy lifestyle.

Select serving sizes from two or four people and choose anywhere from two to six recipes per week. You get the option to choose from over 25 balanced recipes each week like miso apricot salmon with roasted carrots or Middle Eastern chickpea bowls.

Boxes also include pre-measured ingredients and separately-packed proteins. Meals are ready in about 30 minutes or less.

How Is It Different?

Though it doesn’t feature a specific partnership like Blue Apron has with WW, HelloFresh offers a Calorie Smart plan featuring dietitian-sponsored dinners averaging about 650 calories each.

Editor Review:  

HelloFresh gets dinner on the table with minimal stress and attention to your budget. We may not love it for folks with specific dietary needs, but with solid flavors that please a variety of palates, we think it makes a great weeknight dinner staple. 

Good for: 

HelloFresh is a great choice for folks who want to get going in the kitchen, but need the experience simplified. If you want meals that pack in flavor and take a bit of effort in cooking but keep it low fuss everywhere else, you’ll enjoy this service.

Pros

• One of the best value meal delivery services

• Dietitian-backed food labeling

• Low calorie options – look out for the Calorie Smart tag

• Easy-to-follow recipes

• Full nutrition and allergen information provided

• Great flavor and quality

Cons

• Involves more cooking than some plans

• No customization

• Cannot tailor plan for specific allergies

• Shipping costs extra

Current Deal：

16 Free Meals + 3 Gifts + Free Shipping 

Cash Back：

Get up to $5 cashback with HelloFresh

Cost: 

Every order has flat-rate shipping of $9.99.

Availability: 

HelloFresh delivers to the lower 48 states.

Packaging: 

Within the shipping box, the ingredients are grouped into paper bags to help separate out what you need for each recipe and the raw, individual ingredients are mostly packaged in plastic. 

See it: Check out all hellofresh meal delivery plans here

Final Verdict

With the hard work of planning, shopping, and cooking taken care of, all you have to do is decide what kind of meal you’d like to heat up. If affordability is key, HomeChef is the way to go. If you're vegan, Veestro caters specifically to you. If you’re single, Freshly could be a great choice. 

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

Squarespace, SkinStore, MATCHESFASHION, The Wall Street Journal, NordVPN, Visible, Armani Exchange, Sam's Club, PUMA, AliExpress, Card Cash, NET-A-PORTER, Udacity, Udemy, Selfridges, LOOKFANTASTIC, Vimeo, Coach Outlet, lululemon, PrettyLittleThing, Booking.com, Ripley's Aquarium, iHerb, Groupon, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)