Whether you have limited mobility, are recovering from an illness or surgery, don't have your own kitchen, want to shed pounds, or simply don't have to time for meal prep or grocery shopping, prepared meal delivery can help meet your needs. Knowing more about each type of service helps you determine which one, if any, is the right fit for you.
1. Freshly
If you're a gluten-free dieter, Freshly meal delivery service may be right up your alley. Freshly offers all natural, fresh ingredients in fully prepped meals; simply heat up and serve. Some key features of Freshly meals include:
- Gluten-free
- High-protein, low-carb meals
- All natural ingredients
- Fully prepared -- simply reheat
- No processed sugars
Customer reviewers say these meals are convenient, delicious, and fresh with timely deliveries. However, some customers claim the meals taste too salty. The sodium content of Freshly meals is higher than other meal delivery services, so track your sodium intake to be sure you're not exceeding 2,400 milligrams daily.
Cost: $10 to $12 per meal, depending on how many meals you order
2. Blue Apron
If you love cooking but aren't a fan of grocery shopping, consider Blue Apron as your meal delivery service. Ingredients are delivered right to your doorstep; simply use pre-measured ingredients to prepare the meals as instructed.
Blue Apron is a meal delivery option with rave reviews. Consumers Advocate gives this service a 5 out of 5 star rating, and Blue Apron received the Webby Award for best food and drink. Some highlights of Blue Apron Meals include:
- Hormone- and antibiotic-free natural meats
- Pre-measured ingredients
- Weekly original recipes
- Wide variety of recipe options and cuisines
- Vegetarian options
Cost: $8 to $10 per meal
3. Top Chef Meals
When you're a Paleo dieter or seeking weight loss, consider Top Chef Meals. This meal delivery service receives 8 out of 10 stars from consumer reviewers who say that meals are easy to order, offer excellent variety, taste delicious, are well portioned, and work great for seniors. The meals are also more budget-friendly than some competitors. Highlights include:
- Custom meal plan packages
- Meals fully prepared; simply heat up and enjoy
- High-protein weight loss meals available
- Paleo meal options
- Weight loss options
- Senior friendly
Cost: Entrees start at $6
4. Purple Carrot
If you're following a vegan diet, Purple Carrot has lots of meal delivery options for you. Consumer Reports gives Purple Carrot a rating of "very good" for overall tastiness and healthiness due to its high fiber and lower sodium content compared with other services. Key components of Purple Carrot include:
- Vegan meals
- No genetically modified foods (no GMOs)
- Most foods organic
- Fresh food ingredients delivered pre-portioned; prepare the meals yourself
- Meals rich in whole grains, vegetables, and legumes
Cost: $9 to $12 per plate
5. Rawvolution
If you're a raw food dieter with little to no time for food prep, consider Rawvolution as your meal delivery service. Mensfitness.com suggests Rawvolution as a good option for active adults on the go seeking quick, easy raw food meals. But, you must live in the Los Angeles area to benefit from this service. Highlights include:
- All meals are raw, vegan, and organic
- Weekly deliveries of nutritious boxes that include two fresh-pressed juices, four side dishes, four entrees, and two desserts
- Deliveries only include Los Angeles County
Cost: $120 per box
6. Home Bistro
When you have special dietary requests due to certain health conditions, Home Bistro might be just what you need. This service is rated the best by Top Consumer Reviews, and given a 5 out of 5 star rating. Home Bistro offers a variety of delicious prepared meal options, and caters well to special dietary needs, offering heart-healthy, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, cancer support, diabetes, low-sodium, weight loss, low- carb, and senior-friendly meals. Key components include:
- Meals come prepared; simply heat and enjoy
- Nutritious meals for special dietary needs (heart-healthy, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, cancer support, diabetes, low-sodium, weight loss, low-carb, and senior-friendly)
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
- Hormone- and antibiotic-free meats
Cost: Starts at $10 per food (serves 4 to 6)
7. Peach Dish
Are southern-style meals what you're craving? If so, consider Peach Dish as your meal delivery service. Forbes.com deems Peach Dish one of the best, as it provides a southern-style main dish and side dish plus a vegetable. Peach Dish also offers vegetarian and gluten-free options, and meals containing nutritious superfoods. Key components of Peach Dish meals include:
- Fresh ingredients delivered; you prepare the meals
- Desserts available
- Vegetarian options
- Gluten-free options
- Southern-style meals
Cost: Varies (about $12.50 per meal)
8. Bistro MD
If weight loss is your goal, consider Bistro MD as an effective way to shed pounds. Top Consumer Reviews rates Bistro MD as one of the best meal delivery services when you want to drop weight because it provides pre-portioned, low-calorie, nutritious meals (that taste great) and weight loss counseling. Key concepts of this service include:
- Developed by a doctor and team of dietitians
- Low-calorie weight loss menus containing about 1,200 calories daily
- Proven weight loss success
- Gluten free options
- Diabetic options
- Menopause and senior program options
- Weight loss guidance from dietitians and fitness professionals
Cost:
- $135 for 7-day program (all meals included)
- $112 for 5-day program (all meals included)
Which to Choose?
All meal delivery services discussed offer value if you don't have much time (or aren't able) to prepare meals or grocery shop. The best option for you is based on your individualized health or dietary needs, budget, and taste preferences.
