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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Many meal delivery services offer healthy and balanced prepared dishes or meal kits. We review 11 of the best healthy meal delivery services, including Fresh N Lean, Sunbasket, and more.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Price per serving: $7.99 to $12.49 Meals per week: 2 to 5 Servings available: 2, 4 Menus: Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, Veggies Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low carb Meal type: meal kit MNT's review
Blue Apron’s Wellness plan is suitable for those wanting to lose weight, as it contains WW (formerly Weight Watchers) -recommended meals and nutritionist-approved recipes.
Learn more about Blue Apron’s WW plan .
Its other menus include Chef’s Favourites, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy, and Vegetarian. Each menu, with the exception of the Vegetarian plan, offers a variety of plant-, meat-, and fish-based recipes. Some meals allow substitutions.
Read our brand review of Blue Apron.
What makes it healthy?
Blue Apron’s meals offer a good range of nutritious ingredients. Also, its Wellness meals are nutritionist-approved, increasing the chance of a person getting balanced, healthy meals.
Offers and savings
Blue Apron offers $110 off over five orders, with the first order shipping free, for veterans, military personnel, students, medical staff, first responders, and teachers.
What our tester says “I first tried Blue Apron over 10 years ago in college, and I remember really liking it at that time, though it was too expensive to keep up with on a college budget. Trying it this time I was happy to see that the quality of the ingredients hadn’t gone down.
“All of the ingredients were in good condition and seemed fresh upon arrival. While I didn’t love all of the plastic packaging, I did appreciate that the salmon was vacuum-sealed and that the chicken was packaged in two layers of plastic to prevent juices from seeping out. The meals were mostly easy to prepare, though I didn’t love the order of operations with the mashed potatoes dish.
“Overall, I think the service is a good option if you aren’t trying to follow a special dietary pattern. Still, Green Chef and Sunbasket stand out as being a bit better as I found their menu options to be more varied and featured more creative flavor combinations.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
“I first tried Blue Apron over 10 years ago in college, and I remember really liking it at that time, though it was too expensive to keep up with on a college budget. Trying it this time I was happy to see that the quality of the ingredients hadn’t gone down.
“All of the ingredients were in good condition and seemed fresh upon arrival. While I didn’t love all of the plastic packaging, I did appreciate that the salmon was vacuum-sealed and that the chicken was packaged in two layers of plastic to prevent juices from seeping out. The meals were mostly easy to prepare, though I didn’t love the order of operations with the mashed potatoes dish.
“Overall, I think the service is a good option if you aren’t trying to follow a special dietary pattern. Still, Green Chef and Sunbasket stand out as being a bit better as I found their menu options to be more varied and featured more creative flavor combinations.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
Pros & cons There is a dedicated WW plan for weight loss. There is a wide variety of meals. There are discounts available for a range of communities and professions. Some meals can take 45 minutes to prepare and cook. The company does not offer a vegan plan. There is a dedicated WW plan for weight loss. There is a wide variety of meals. There are discounts available for a range of communities and professions. Some meals can take 45 minutes to prepare and cook. The company does not offer a vegan plan. Product details Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $10.99 Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: $10.99
Price per serving: $9.99 to $25.99 Meals per week: 2 to 5 Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Menus: Gluten-Free, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Keto-Friendly, and Diabetes-Friendly Personalization: specialty diet menus, specialty diet filters, option to set ingredient preferences Diet friendliness: gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, paleo, keto, low carb, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly MNT's review
Sunbasket caters to a wider range of dietary requirements than other brands, making it a suitable option for those following specific diets.
People can receive 2 to 5 weekly meals with two or four portions.
Sunbasket offers people the choice between meal kits and ready-made meals. The company says it uses ingredients that have USDA Organic certifications.
People can choose from the following menus:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Pasta & Sauce Proteins Snacks
What makes it healthy?
Sunbasket offers meals with a 600-calorie cap, which could be a good option for those looking to reduce or control their calorie intake. Otherwise, Sunbasket meals offer a good selection of vegetables, proteins, and grains.
Offers and savings
People can get various discounts on their first order. The company also offers a gift with a person’s first order.
What our tester says “The ordering process at Sunbasket was easy to follow, and I appreciated how easy it was to find recipes that suit my dietary preferences.
“The meals arrived on-time and in good condition. In fact, I thought the packaging and quality of the meat and seafood was the best out of all of the meal kits I’ve tried.
“While the meals were relatively easy to cook, I found the recipe booklet to be cumbersome and more difficult to follow than large recipe cards.
“Overall, I found Sunbasket to offer the most consistently delicious flavors and exciting ingredient combinations. I also appreciated that the meals I tried were bursting with vegetables, which isn’t always the case with meal kits.
“While it isn’t cheap, I think it’s worth the cost if you value organic ingredients and exciting new flavor and ingredient combinations.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
“The ordering process at Sunbasket was easy to follow, and I appreciated how easy it was to find recipes that suit my dietary preferences.
“The meals arrived on-time and in good condition. In fact, I thought the packaging and quality of the meat and seafood was the best out of all of the meal kits I’ve tried.
“While the meals were relatively easy to cook, I found the recipe booklet to be cumbersome and more difficult to follow than large recipe cards.
“Overall, I found Sunbasket to offer the most consistently delicious flavors and exciting ingredient combinations. I also appreciated that the meals I tried were bursting with vegetables, which isn’t always the case with meal kits.
“While it isn’t cheap, I think it’s worth the cost if you value organic ingredients and exciting new flavor and ingredient combinations.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
Pros & cons It caters to a wide range of diets. Its menus are varied. Its ingredients have USDA Organic certifications. It is more expensive than other options. It does not offer as many discounts as other brands. It caters to a wide range of diets. Its menus are varied. Its ingredients have USDA Organic certifications. It is more expensive than other options. It does not offer as many discounts as other brands. Product details Shipping fees: $9.99 Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States except for Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico Shipping: $9.99 Shipping fees: $9.99 Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States except for Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico Shipping: $9.99
Price per serving: $11 to $13.25 Meals per week: 2 to 4 Meal type: meal kits and prepared meals Servings available: 1, 2, or 4 Menus: Meal Kits, Prepared Meals, Less Prep, Frozen Meals Personalization: mix-and-match weekly meal plan Diet friendliness: vegan MNT's review
Purple Carrot provides meal kits and ready-made vegan- and vegetarian-friendly meals. People can receive 6, 8, or 10 prepared meals per week, each serving one person. The meal kit plan offers 2 or 3 weekly meals with 2 or 4 servings.
The company offers the following menus:
Meal Kits Prepared Meals Plantry Less Prep Frozen Meals
What makes it healthy?
Purple Carrot’s focus on vegan meals may help people add more fruits, vegetables, and protein into their diet. The company claims its meals contain complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. They also include healthy fat and lean protein.
Purple Carrot’s meals also contain 500–800 calories, which may be useful for those looking for lower-calorie dinner ideas.
Offers and savings
Customers can get free shipping on orders over $100 . People also get free shipping on their first order.
Read our brand review of Purple Carrot.
What our tester says “As someone who isn’t strictly vegetarian but prefers to eat plant-based when possible, I was excited to try Purple Carrot. As I tend to make the same 5 or so plant-based recipes at home, I was looking forward to trying recipes and ingredients that I wouldn’t have tried on my own.
“I found the ordering process to be easy and delivery went smoothly. However, I’ve since tried Purple Carrot again, and occasionally deliveries come late at night and the ice blocks melted due to being stuck in a hot delivery truck all day.
“I was surprised that the meals were packaged using plastic. However, I really like that some ingredients come in re-useable containers as I regularly use them to pack my son’s lunches and snacks for daycare.
“Here are notes on the meals I tried:
New England Lobster Rolls: a creative twist on a classic dish. Used heart of palm in place of lobster. While it doesn’t replace a “true” lobster roll, I was surprised at how closely it replicated the taste and texture. Romesco Grain Bowls: included pan-roasted mushrooms and butter beans. Again, I found the dish to be brimming with flavor, and I appreciated the variation in textures. Spicy Almond Butter Noodles: LOVED the sauce and the texture of the whole wheat ramen was awesome (super chewy). I also liked the bok choy as I don’t buy it often. My only complaint was that the textures felt a bit repetitive after awhile, and I wished that there was tofu for an extra protein boost.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
“As someone who isn’t strictly vegetarian but prefers to eat plant-based when possible, I was excited to try Purple Carrot. As I tend to make the same 5 or so plant-based recipes at home, I was looking forward to trying recipes and ingredients that I wouldn’t have tried on my own.
“I found the ordering process to be easy and delivery went smoothly. However, I’ve since tried Purple Carrot again, and occasionally deliveries come late at night and the ice blocks melted due to being stuck in a hot delivery truck all day.
“I was surprised that the meals were packaged using plastic. However, I really like that some ingredients come in re-useable containers as I regularly use them to pack my son’s lunches and snacks for daycare.
“Here are notes on the meals I tried:
New England Lobster Rolls: a creative twist on a classic dish. Used heart of palm in place of lobster. While it doesn’t replace a “true” lobster roll, I was surprised at how closely it replicated the taste and texture. Romesco Grain Bowls: included pan-roasted mushrooms and butter beans. Again, I found the dish to be brimming with flavor, and I appreciated the variation in textures. Spicy Almond Butter Noodles: LOVED the sauce and the texture of the whole wheat ramen was awesome (super chewy). I also liked the bok choy as I don’t buy it often. My only complaint was that the textures felt a bit repetitive after awhile, and I wished that there was tofu for an extra protein boost.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
Pros & cons All meals are vegan. All meals contain a range of healthy ingredients. People can choose meal kits and prepared meals. There are limited money-saving opportunities on orders. It is a fairly expensive service. All meals are vegan. All meals contain a range of healthy ingredients. People can choose meal kits and prepared meals. There are limited money-saving opportunities on orders. It is a fairly expensive service. Product details Shipping fees: $10, or free for orders of $99 or higher Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $10, or free for orders of $99 or more Shipping fees: $10, or free for orders of $99 or higher Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $10, or free for orders of $99 or more
Price per serving: $9.99 to $11.49 Meals per week: 2 to 6 Servings available: 2, 4 Menus: Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Under 20 minutes, Pescatarian Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences Diet friendliness: vegetarian, pescatarian, low calorie, low carb Meal type: Meal kit MNT's review
HelloFresh offers the following meal plans:
Meat & Veggies Veggie Family Friendly Fit & Wholesome Quick & Easy Pescatarian
People can select 2 to 6 recipes per week, with each meal serving two or four people. These meals are kits that people cook and prepare at home.
HelloFresh may be a good option for families, as the company offers family-friendly plans.
What makes it healthy?
HelloFresh aims to help people make nutritionally balanced meals at home, and a service that only offers meal kits may teach people valuable skills in choosing and preparing food that is best for their diet and health.
Offers and savings
College students can get discounts through UNiDays. HelloFresh also offers discounts to medical providers, nurses, hospital employees, military personnel, and veterans.
Read our review of HelloFresh.
What our tester says “I had a good experience testing HelloFresh. The ingredients arrived in good condition and were separated neatly by recipe.
“The recipe cards were helpful and informative. Meal prep for all of the recipes was very straightforward and simple, and all of the meals tasted great.
“My kids liked them also. The only thing lacking with HelloFresh in my opinion is meals for specific diets like keto or paleo, but they are a more budget-friendly service so I understand the lack of these options.
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD
“I had a good experience testing HelloFresh. The ingredients arrived in good condition and were separated neatly by recipe.
“The recipe cards were helpful and informative. Meal prep for all of the recipes was very straightforward and simple, and all of the meals tasted great.
“My kids liked them also. The only thing lacking with HelloFresh in my opinion is meals for specific diets like keto or paleo, but they are a more budget-friendly service so I understand the lack of these options.
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD
Pros & cons There are a wide range of discounts available. It is popular service with a lot of online reviews. It can teach people valuable cooking skills. It can encourage people to eat nutritious and balanced meals. Meal kits may not be suitable for people unable to cook due to health conditions or time restrictions. It does not offer a vegan menu. There are a wide range of discounts available. It is popular service with a lot of online reviews. It can teach people valuable cooking skills. It can encourage people to eat nutritious and balanced meals. Meal kits may not be suitable for people unable to cook due to health conditions or time restrictions. It does not offer a vegan menu. Product details Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: refunds within 5 days Shipping: $10.99 Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: refunds within 5 days Shipping: $10.99
Price per serving: $10.66 to $15.99 Meals per week: 5 to 21 Menus: FNL Unlimited, Keto, Protein+, Paleo, Standard Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30 Approved, Mediterranean, and Bulk Diet friendliness: gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto, paleo, low carb Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences, allergy-friendly Servings available: 1 Meal type: prepared meals MNT's review
Fresh N Lean caters to various dietary requirements and states that its Protein+ plan is suitable for athletes and other active individuals.
People can opt for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, or a combination of all three for 5 to 7 days per week. Each meal is ready-made, and people can heat it in minutes in the microwave.
The company states that all ingredients are gluten-free and non-GMO and most are organic.
What makes it healthy?
Fresh N Lean uses employs Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) practices to ensure its products are free from contaminants and elements with the potential to cause foodborne illnesses. These quality assurances may mean athletes can measure they are only eating high quality food to fuel their activities.
Additionally, the brand focuses on using organic, whole foods, which are important for a balanced, nutritious diet.
Offers and savings
People can get $20 off their first order when they sign up to receive text and email communications.
What our tester says “I tried a variety of Fresh N Fit meals, which were selected for me by the company. However, looking at the website, I think it’s well designed to make it easy to find meals that fit your desired dietary pattern.
“The meals arrived in good condition and were compactly packaged, making them easy to stow away in my fridge. Reheating them was also a breeze, though the plastic film was impossible to peel off. Instead, I had to use a knife and still couldn’t remove all of it.
“While the textures of the ingredients were fine (nothing was overly soft, mushy, or dry), I didn’t find the meals to be particularly satisfying. The vegetables and proteins were either under- or over-seasoned, and the flavor and ingredient combinations weren’t creative enough for me to feel like I was eating something that I couldn’t easily make myself or find for cheaper somewhere else.
“Overall, while I like how easy it is to find meals for certain dietary patterns, I think there are better options out there, such as Factor or Trifecta.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
“I tried a variety of Fresh N Fit meals, which were selected for me by the company. However, looking at the website, I think it’s well designed to make it easy to find meals that fit your desired dietary pattern.
“The meals arrived in good condition and were compactly packaged, making them easy to stow away in my fridge. Reheating them was also a breeze, though the plastic film was impossible to peel off. Instead, I had to use a knife and still couldn’t remove all of it.
“While the textures of the ingredients were fine (nothing was overly soft, mushy, or dry), I didn’t find the meals to be particularly satisfying. The vegetables and proteins were either under- or over-seasoned, and the flavor and ingredient combinations weren’t creative enough for me to feel like I was eating something that I couldn’t easily make myself or find for cheaper somewhere else.
“Overall, while I like how easy it is to find meals for certain dietary patterns, I think there are better options out there, such as Factor or Trifecta.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
Pros & cons Its dishes are USDA-certified and FSMA-compliant. It caters to a range of diets. People can choose from over 100 meals a week. It does not offer many discounts. It only offers prepared meals, which will not help people develop cooking skills. Its dishes are USDA-certified and FSMA-compliant. It caters to a range of diets. People can choose from over 100 meals a week. It does not offer many discounts. It only offers prepared meals, which will not help people develop cooking skills. Product details Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: free shipping in the contiguous United States Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Returns: no returns or refunds Shipping: free shipping in the contiguous United States
Best for dietitian advice 4.7 (22k+) from App Store Price per serving: $11.99 to $13.49 Meals per week: 2 to 4 Meal type: meal kit Servings available: 2, 4, or 6 Menus: Keto, Mediterranean, Plant Based, Protein Packed, Gluten Free, Gut & Brain Health, Calorie Smart, and Quick & Easy Personalization: specialty diet menus Diet friendliness: vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, gluten-free, and keto MNT's review
Green Chef offers a range of menus that include USDA Organic and gluten-free ingredients. People can choose from the following plans:
Mediterranean Keto Protein Packed Calorie Smart Delicious Discoveries Gluten Free Quick & Easy Plant Based
People can receive three or four meals per week, each serving two, four, or six people.
What makes it healthy?
Green Chef offers organic ingredients for most of its meals. It also allows people to talk with a registered dietitian for free. This service includes one-on-one coaching, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, and help ordering the most suitable Green Chef meals.
This can help people new to meal delivery services make the best choices for their health goals and provide those who want to ensure their diet is as balanced and nutritious as possible.
Offers and savings
First responders, medical providers, nurses, teachers, military personnel, and veterans can all receive discounts with Green Chef. The company also offers $370 off across a person’s first five boxes.
Read our brand review of Green Chef.
What our tester says “I really loved that the ingredients for each meal were packed all together and that proteins were safely packaged separately. All were labeled.
“The recipes were straightforward, and I liked that they included ways of halving the recipe, photos of each step, and what ingredients/equipment you’d need to provide.
“Breaded Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce: I loved getting to bread and cook the fillets myself. I really only had to prep the chard, garlic, and rough chop some almonds, so it was very simple and easy. Great mix of ingredients and a tasty result!
“Pistou Chicken Couscous Bowls: This was my first introduction to pistou, and I really enjoyed it. Getting to cook with kale, squash, and dates was a great mix. The chicken cutlets cooked well and were each a good size.
“Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Pistou: Searing the pork first, then finishing in the oven was fun. Another meal with dates, which I love. The sundried tomatoes were also yummy. This meal had umami flavors. Big fan!”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline Editor II
“I really loved that the ingredients for each meal were packed all together and that proteins were safely packaged separately. All were labeled.
“The recipes were straightforward, and I liked that they included ways of halving the recipe, photos of each step, and what ingredients/equipment you’d need to provide.
“Breaded Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce: I loved getting to bread and cook the fillets myself. I really only had to prep the chard, garlic, and rough chop some almonds, so it was very simple and easy. Great mix of ingredients and a tasty result!
“Pistou Chicken Couscous Bowls: This was my first introduction to pistou, and I really enjoyed it. Getting to cook with kale, squash, and dates was a great mix. The chicken cutlets cooked well and were each a good size.
“Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Pistou: Searing the pork first, then finishing in the oven was fun. Another meal with dates, which I love. The sundried tomatoes were also yummy. This meal had umami flavors. Big fan!”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline Editor II
Pros & cons You can get a free session with a registered dietitian. The company uses organic ingredients. It uses eco-friendly packaging. Its meals are expensive. There are fewer weekly meals to choose from than other similar options. You can get a free session with a registered dietitian. The company uses organic ingredients. It uses eco-friendly packaging. Its meals are expensive. There are fewer weekly meals to choose from than other similar options. Product details Shipping fees: $10.99 Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $10.99 Shipping fees: $10.99 Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Shipping: $10.99
Best for customizable meals Price per serving: $9.99 to $13.95 Meals per week: 2 to 6 Menus: Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Protein-packed, Keto-friendly, Pescatarian, Paleo-friendly, Vegetarian, Family, Gluten-Smart Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Personalization: option to set ingredient preferences, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Meal type: meal kit MNT's review
Home Chef offers the following menus:
calorie-conscious carb-conscious under 30 minutes vegetarian
There are also keto-friendly meals in every weekly menu.
People can customize the recipes by changing their protein source and eliminating any allergens or foods they wish to avoid.
The company offers meal kits and ready-made meals. Home Chef requires a minimum weekly spend of $50.95 for the Home Chef plan or $82.91 .
What makes it healthy?
Home Chef is unique in that it offers carb-conscious meals. This may be helpful for people looking to reduce their intake of carbohydrates.
Offers and savings
Students can get 50% off their first four boxes, which equates to 18 free meals. There are also discounts for first responders, doctors, nurses, hospital employees, and teachers.
Read our brand review of Home Chef.
What our tester says “This was my first experience trying Home Fresh, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Overall, I was impressed by the ingredient quality (particularly the chicken) and how easy the meals really are to make. The dishes were also packed with flavor, yet still approachable for my picky toddler. My biggest complaint was the lack of vegetables, though if I had been able to select my meals, I may have been able to choose meals that better suit my preferences.
“Here are notes on each dish:
One-Sheet Butter Cracker-Crusted Chicken Cutlet: This was my favorite of the three. The chicken was perfectly moist, the potatoes were tasty, and the green beans were well seasoned (and had a great char). I appreciated how easy the meal was to make. Because my toddler and I were able to share one portion, we ended up with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake: I really liked this recipe as I was able to prep it ahead of time and store the prepared baking pans (which came with the recipe) in my fridge until dinnertime. The three of us only made it through one pan, so I froze the second for an easy weeknight dinner in the future. While there’s nothing particularly different or exciting about the flavor, the enchiladas tasted how I’d expect enchiladas made with canned sauce to taste. My biggest complaint was how heavy the dish tasted, so I ended up adding fresh diced tomato and avocado plus a splash of lime. One-Pan Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry: This dish was quick and easy to make. I loved the flavor of the sauce as it had just the right balance of salty and sweet. The only downside was the lack of vegetables — I felt like we received 4 servings of meat but only 2 servings of broccoli. I would’ve liked to have had double the amount of broccoli or the addition of another vegetable, such as a bell pepper or a carrot. “
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
“This was my first experience trying Home Fresh, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Overall, I was impressed by the ingredient quality (particularly the chicken) and how easy the meals really are to make. The dishes were also packed with flavor, yet still approachable for my picky toddler. My biggest complaint was the lack of vegetables, though if I had been able to select my meals, I may have been able to choose meals that better suit my preferences.
“Here are notes on each dish:
One-Sheet Butter Cracker-Crusted Chicken Cutlet: This was my favorite of the three. The chicken was perfectly moist, the potatoes were tasty, and the green beans were well seasoned (and had a great char). I appreciated how easy the meal was to make. Because my toddler and I were able to share one portion, we ended up with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake: I really liked this recipe as I was able to prep it ahead of time and store the prepared baking pans (which came with the recipe) in my fridge until dinnertime. The three of us only made it through one pan, so I froze the second for an easy weeknight dinner in the future. While there’s nothing particularly different or exciting about the flavor, the enchiladas tasted how I’d expect enchiladas made with canned sauce to taste. My biggest complaint was how heavy the dish tasted, so I ended up adding fresh diced tomato and avocado plus a splash of lime. One-Pan Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry: This dish was quick and easy to make. I loved the flavor of the sauce as it had just the right balance of salty and sweet. The only downside was the lack of vegetables — I felt like we received 4 servings of meat but only 2 servings of broccoli. I would’ve liked to have had double the amount of broccoli or the addition of another vegetable, such as a bell pepper or a carrot. “
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons There are a wide range of discounts available. People can customize their meals. People can choose ready-made meals and meal kits. There is a minimum order of $50.95 and $82.91 for the Family Plan. There are fewer menus than some services offer. There are a wide range of discounts available. People can customize their meals. People can choose ready-made meals and meal kits. There is a minimum order of $50.95 and $82.91 for the Family Plan. There are fewer menus than some services offer. Product details Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: No returns Shipping: $9.99 to $11.99 Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: No returns Shipping: $9.99 to $11.99
Price per serving: $5.99 to $11.99 Meals per week: 6, 12, or 18 Menus: Veggie Bowls, Family Meals, Pizzas, Soups, Oat Bowls Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Personalization: specialty diet filters, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Meal type: prepared meals Servings available: 1, 4 MNT's review
Mosaic Foods offers frozen plant-based meals that provide up to four servings. This service may be a good choice for families trying to reduce their meat consumption.
The company offers various menus, such as:
veggie bowls family meals pizzas smoothies soups oat bowls
People can choose a plan or purchase a la carte meals.
The company states that a typical meal contains around 10–20 grams (g) of plant-based protein. Its chefs do not use artificial ingredients or preservatives.
What makes it healthy?
Mosaic’s family meals have four or more vegetables, no artificial ingredients, and no added sugar.
Offers and savings
People can refer friends to get $20 off their next box.
What our tester says “I first tried Mosaic’s family-size meals 2 years ago and, with one exception, was impressed. Because the service is listed in several of our roundups, I wanted to give their single-serving meals a shot as well.
“I opted to try just their pizzas and veggie bowls since our roundups are mostly focused on lunch/dinner items.
“The meal selection process was straightforward, and I was impressed by the large number of veggie bowls to choose from. I had a hard time narrowing down my selection. The pizza options are a bit more limited, though they were all quite different from one another.
“My meals arrived on time and in good condition. While they aren’t large boxes, depending on how many you order, they can take up a decent amount of freezer space. I found that my drawer freezer in my kitchen didn’t have quite enough space because I already had some bags of frozen vegetables and prepped meal items for my kids. Luckily I have a large chest freezer in the garage, which was perfect for housing these meals.
“The veggie bowls were easy to reheat in the microwave. I was apprehensive about the plastic film (I’ve tried other prepared meals where the film was nearly impossible to remove without scissors after reheating), but I had zero issues removing the full plastic film with these. The pizzas took a bit longer (and wouldn’t be ideal for bringing to work or school) because they require reheating in the oven.
“As for flavors, all of the dishes I tried were very flavorful, though the flavors didn’t always match my expectation. For example, the BBQ Mac & Cheese didn’t have a traditional smoky, BBQ flavor. It also wasn’t very creamy or cheesy. Instead it was quite spicy and had a thinner sauce. Again, I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t what I was expecting.
“The pizzas were also interesting in that they’re two servings each. When I first opened the box, I was surprised by how small the pizzas were. However, once I started eating them I fully understood why: They are VERY rich (in a good way), and I did find that I had about 1/3 of a pizza left to munch on the next day. The Spinach and Artichoke Pizza in particular was one of my favorite items that I tried.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor
“I first tried Mosaic’s family-size meals 2 years ago and, with one exception, was impressed. Because the service is listed in several of our roundups, I wanted to give their single-serving meals a shot as well.
“I opted to try just their pizzas and veggie bowls since our roundups are mostly focused on lunch/dinner items.
“The meal selection process was straightforward, and I was impressed by the large number of veggie bowls to choose from. I had a hard time narrowing down my selection. The pizza options are a bit more limited, though they were all quite different from one another.
“My meals arrived on time and in good condition. While they aren’t large boxes, depending on how many you order, they can take up a decent amount of freezer space. I found that my drawer freezer in my kitchen didn’t have quite enough space because I already had some bags of frozen vegetables and prepped meal items for my kids. Luckily I have a large chest freezer in the garage, which was perfect for housing these meals.
“The veggie bowls were easy to reheat in the microwave. I was apprehensive about the plastic film (I’ve tried other prepared meals where the film was nearly impossible to remove without scissors after reheating), but I had zero issues removing the full plastic film with these. The pizzas took a bit longer (and wouldn’t be ideal for bringing to work or school) because they require reheating in the oven.
“As for flavors, all of the dishes I tried were very flavorful, though the flavors didn’t always match my expectation. For example, the BBQ Mac & Cheese didn’t have a traditional smoky, BBQ flavor. It also wasn’t very creamy or cheesy. Instead it was quite spicy and had a thinner sauce. Again, I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t what I was expecting.
“The pizzas were also interesting in that they’re two servings each. When I first opened the box, I was surprised by how small the pizzas were. However, once I started eating them I fully understood why: They are VERY rich (in a good way), and I did find that I had about 1/3 of a pizza left to munch on the next day. The Spinach and Artichoke Pizza in particular was one of my favorite items that I tried.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor
Pros & cons The meals aim to be nutritionally balanced. The meals offer at least four vegetables. People can buy meals a la carte or on a plan. People can heat the meals in 5 minutes. It does not offer many discount options. It is difficult to see the menu without providing a zip code and email address. The meals aim to be nutritionally balanced. The meals offer at least four vegetables. People can buy meals a la carte or on a plan. People can heat the meals in 5 minutes. It does not offer many discount options. It is difficult to see the menu without providing a zip code and email address. Product details Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Returns: full refund Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items; otherwise $9.99–$19.99 Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Returns: full refund Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items; otherwise $9.99–$19.99
Best for mix-and-match meal plans Price per serving: $16.33 to $23.00 Meals per week: 5 to 17 mix and match, 5 to 30 paleo plan Menus: Paleo, Keto, AIP, Vegan Diet friendliness: paleo, AIP, keto, vegan Personalization: specialty diet menus Meal type: prepared meals Servings available: 1 MNT's review
All meals from Pete’s Real Food are free from gluten and dairy. People can also choose whether they wish to receive meals containing pork.
Pete’s Real Food offers breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as kids’ lunches, bacon, and broth. People can choose from paleo, vegan, and mix-and-match plans.
People can select 5–10 meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with deliveries every 1–4 weeks. People can also try the service with a trial of five breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
What makes it healthy?
This service uses fresh and organic ingredients, and it does not include any preservatives or fillers. Plus, its meat products come from antibiotic-free animals. While not all customers will want to include meat in their plan, choosing a service that uses high quality meat may help boost the nutritional value of a person’s protein.
Offers and savings
People can earn rewards through the company’s membership program. People can also earn points and refer friends to get discounts on their deliveries.
Pros & cons The company claims to use high quality meat products. People can easily mix and match the meal plans. There is a trial available, which is unique compared to other brands. It is one of the most expensive options per portion. The company is not transparent about its shipping costs The company claims to use high quality meat products. People can easily mix and match the meal plans. There is a trial available, which is unique compared to other brands. It is one of the most expensive options per portion. The company is not transparent about its shipping costs Product details Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Shipping: varies; $10 eco-packaging fee included Packaging: recyclable Shipping: varies; $10 eco-packaging fee included Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Shipping: varies; $10 eco-packaging fee included Packaging: recyclable Shipping: varies; $10 eco-packaging fee included
Meal type: prepared meals Servings available: 1 Menus: Smoothies, Soups, Noodle Bowls, Grain Bowls Personalization: allergy-friendly, option to set ingredient preferences, mix-and-match weekly meal plan Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific avoidances, higher protein, higher fiber, low calorie, low carb, low fat, low sodium, low sugar Price per serving: $9.99 to $13.49 Meals per week: 7, 14, or 21 MNT's review
Splendid Spoon offers plant-based meals that are suitable for lunches or breakfasts.
People can choose from the following items:
smoothies soups and grain bowls noodle bowls dishes extras
The company says all its meals are gluten-free. People can subscribe to weekly deliveries or purchase a box as a one-off.
What makes it healthy?
Splendid Spoon prioritizes filling its meals and products with fruits and vegetables. This means that people will be getting a wide range of nutrients in a variety of ways, from smoothies and soups to ready-made meals.
It also does not focus on the calorie content of its meals, which may be helpful for people wishing to manage their diet without counting calories.
Offers and savings
New customers can get $105 off over their first three deliveries. People must add 10 or more items to their order to get free shipping.
Read our brand review of Splendid Spoon.
What our tester says “I’ve tried Splendid Spoon three times. Each time I enjoyed having their items in my fridge or freezer for easy lunches and snacks. The meals arrive frozen and in good condition. The smoothies are in narrow bottles that are easy to stack in your fridge and freezer. The noodle bowls, grain bowls, and soups, while not huge, were a bit bulky and more difficult to store in my already-packed freezer.
“I would love to see the service offer more grain bowls. I also think they should change each noodle and grain bowl to contain 1 serving instead of 2 as 1/2 isn’t even close to being filling enough for a full meal.
“I’d recommend Splendid Spoon for people looking for a smoothie delivery or healthy frozen lunches.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
“I’ve tried Splendid Spoon three times. Each time I enjoyed having their items in my fridge or freezer for easy lunches and snacks. The meals arrive frozen and in good condition. The smoothies are in narrow bottles that are easy to stack in your fridge and freezer. The noodle bowls, grain bowls, and soups, while not huge, were a bit bulky and more difficult to store in my already-packed freezer.
“I would love to see the service offer more grain bowls. I also think they should change each noodle and grain bowl to contain 1 serving instead of 2 as 1/2 isn’t even close to being filling enough for a full meal.
“I’d recommend Splendid Spoon for people looking for a smoothie delivery or healthy frozen lunches.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor
Pros & cons It offers a wide range of product types. Its meals reportedly suit WW and Whole30 diets. Its meals do not exceed the daily recommended amount of sodium. It does not offer as many weekly meals as some services. People cannot easily check calorie values if they want to. Shipping is fairly expensive. It offers a wide range of product types. Its meals reportedly suit WW and Whole30 diets. Its meals do not exceed the daily recommended amount of sodium. It does not offer as many weekly meals as some services. People cannot easily check calorie values if they want to. Shipping is fairly expensive. Product details Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: refunds within 14 days Shipping: $12.99, or free for orders with 14 or 21 meals Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Returns: refunds within 14 days Shipping: $12.99, or free for orders with 14 or 21 meals
Best for healthy grocery delivery: Hungryroot
Price per serving: from $9.69 Meals per week: 3 to 8Dietary requirements: vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, pescatarian, and dairy-, soy-, nut-, egg-, or shellfish-freeHungryroot provides recipes and groceries to subscribers. It claims people can prepare and cook its meals in as little as 10 minutes.
People can choose up to eight weekly recipes that serve two or four people. In addition, people can receive groceries for breakfast, snacks, and sweets for all or some of the week ahead.
What makes it healthy? This service helps people plan their groceries with a quiz, which helps them focus on their health goals, dietary needs, and more. This can open people up to new food ideas and combinations and show them how to grocery shop to maximize their nutritional intake.
Offers and savings Hungryroot offers limited-time offers that may change from week to week.
The following table compares the services in this article on price, number of meals, and dietary requirements.
When choosing a healthy meal delivery service, a person may wish to consider:
Diets and allergies: If a person follows a certain diet or has allergies, they should check whether a service offers meals suitable for their dietary needs.Nutritional balance: People should check ingredient lists carefully to ensure they are choosing the most balanced, nutritious meals possible. This will also help a person manage their intake of salt, sugar, and other ingredients they may wish to limit.Serving sizes: Services that offer meal kits usually cater to more than one person. In contrast, prepared meals often serve only one person. Some services also offer family-size servings that may benefit larger households.Meal type: Some services offer only meal kits, while others offer prepared meals. People should consider which of these they would prefer. Some services offer both and allow users to mix and match.Cost: Meal delivery services have varying costs depending on the plan a person chooses and their number of meals and servings per week. People should consider their budget and find a meal delivery service that suits their financial needs.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC also states the benefits of nutrition for children, such as supporting growth and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
Research from 2020 suggests that eating nutritious foods can positively affect anxiety and depression .
Further research suggests that diet and nutrition may help prevent age-related degeneration of cognitive and brain function.
What is the healthiest food delivery? The healthiest food delivery service depends on an individual’s health goals.
For example, Fresh N Lean may suit athletes aiming to maintain performance, while Blue Apron may suit people aiming to lose weight.
People should research food delivery services with their health needs and dietary requirements in mind.
The healthiest food delivery service depends on an individual’s health goals.
For example, Fresh N Lean may suit athletes aiming to maintain performance, while Blue Apron may suit people aiming to lose weight.
People should research food delivery services with their health needs and dietary requirements in mind.
Are food delivery services good for weight loss?
A healthy meal delivery service may be a good option for those who wish to lose weight. Many services offer portion-controlled meals, and some may offer plans compatible with WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
Meal delivery services also remove the need for meal planning and sourcing ingredients. This may provide more motivation for those who are dieting.
A healthy meal delivery service may be a good option for those who wish to lose weight. Many services offer portion-controlled meals, and some may offer plans compatible with WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
Meal delivery services also remove the need for meal planning and sourcing ingredients. This may provide more motivation for those who are dieting.
What is the difference between meal kits and prepared meal delivery? A meal kit includes all the necessary ingredients for a meal and a recipe. A person needs to follow the instructions in the recipe to prepare and cook the meal.
However, services that offer prepared meals cook the meals in advance. Some companies freeze these meals, whereas others deliver them chilled. People need to reheat their meals before eating them.
A meal kit includes all the necessary ingredients for a meal and a recipe. A person needs to follow the instructions in the recipe to prepare and cook the meal.
However, services that offer prepared meals cook the meals in advance. Some companies freeze these meals, whereas others deliver them chilled. People need to reheat their meals before eating them.
Is HelloFresh good for losing weight? HelloFresh does not specifically cater to individuals who want to lose weight.
However, HelloFresh provides all the nutritional information for each meal on its website. This means each person may be able to choose the healthiest meals that fit into their calorie budget.
HelloFresh does not specifically cater to individuals who want to lose weight.
However, HelloFresh provides all the nutritional information for each meal on its website. This means each person may be able to choose the healthiest meals that fit into their calorie budget.
How can you make HelloFresh meals healthier?
People can add more vegetables, protein, or whole grains to HelloFresh meals to make them healthier. What a person adds will depend on their diet, preferences, and the recipe they are working with.
People can also choose the lower calorie options from HelloFresh and check the sodium and sugar content of the meals they choose.
People can add more vegetables, protein, or whole grains to HelloFresh meals to make them healthier. What a person adds will depend on their diet, preferences, and the recipe they are working with.
People can also choose the lower calorie options from HelloFresh and check the sodium and sugar content of the meals they choose.
Meal delivery services may benefit individuals who do not have time to plan, source, and cook meals. These services allow people to choose how many meals they would like per week and how many servings they need.
These services usually cater to various dietary needs. Some may exclusively provide plant-based meals, whereas others may fit a variety of requirements, such as paleo, keto, and Mediterranean diets.
Nutrition can contribute to a person’s physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important for people to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
