Luckily our extensive research on meal delivery brands at mindbodygreen has given us solid intel on how to choose the right company for you. We vet every service featured on our site for food quality, recipe variety, sustainability, and accessibility, but these are just a few of the factors that shoppers should keep in mind. As a result, we can’t recommend one choice that’s best for everyone, but we can help you narrow down your choices based on what’s important to you. Here’s what we suggest taking into account: Meal prep companies, like Factor and Fresh n’ Lean, offer precooked meals that come portioned out in single-serve containers. You simply heat and eat—no cooking or cleaning required. Most pre-made meals come with multiple heating suggestions, so you can have them in as little as three minutes if you use the microwave, or closer to 30 if you prefer the oven. Most meal delivery brands are built around dinners, but many sell additional selections for lunch, breakfast, or a snack. A few companies, such as Fresh n’ Lean, offer à la carte meal prep items. Others let you add on grocery items to stock up your pantry with essentials. Before selecting a service, it’s key to decide which meals you need for your schedule—and it’s fair if the answer is all of them! When determining which one is right for you, factor in the price per serving, as well as any shipping costs. Some boxes ship free with a minimum spend, but others have flat-rate shipping costs that typically fall somewhere between $7.99 and $9.99 per box. Some delivery services offer blanket plans, like keto, Whole30, or the Mediterranean diet. Others give you more control over specific dietary swaps. For example, you may be able to pick a low-carb plan while also specifying that you don’t eat pork or tomatoes. On the other hand, some services are still pretty limited in what they offer. While they might make some basic dietary accommodations, like plant-based, there isn’t much control beyond that. You may be able to find meals that work for you, but this can limit variety pretty significantly. Dig into the menus to see what the service offers before committing to one. Make sure to also check whether or not meals are made in allergen-free kitchens, if necessary. Some companies may have gluten-free or nut-free meals, but there might be a potential for cross-contamination. Others utilize allergen-free kitchens. Of course, higher-quality ingredients often come with a higher price tag. While this isn’t always the case, you’ll have to balance your budget with nutrition and quality of ingredients to find a sweet spot that works for you. You also want to consider how much control you want over your boxes. Some companies choose your menu for you, allowing one or two substitutions, while others give you more control over your meals (so you can choose anything you want from that week’s menu). Many list out exactly what packaging components are recyclable and provide instructions on how to recycle them (whether you can leave them by the curb or have to bring them to your local recycling plant). These brands also call out anything that’s not recyclable, like the gel ice packs. Read this fine print to see if the company prioritizes sustainability rather than just looking for buzzwords in marketing materials. A commitment to sustainable farming practices is also a huge plus. Many companies support local farmers and suppliers to invest back into the community while also providing fresh ingredients. She has written twelve books and has had more than 2,000 articles published across various websites. Lindsay currently works full time as a freelance health writer. She truly believes that you can transform your life through food, proper mindset and shared experiences. That’s why it’s her goal to educate others, while also being open and vulnerable to create real connections with her clients and readers.
