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How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
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. Factor is our pick for the best prepared meal delivery service, but we also loved Trifecta Nutrition, Daily Harvest, and 10 others. Find out which one is best for you.
Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors, who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.
Meal delivery services can be an easy way to add more variety to your diet while saving time on meal prep.
Prepared meal delivery services are especially convenient, with many offering meals that can be simply reheated and enjoyed — no cooking, cutting, or cleaning required.
However, not all prepared meal delivery services are created equal.
Healthline writers and editors tried 20 of the most popular prepared meal delivery services to find out which ones are worth paying for.
Best overall prepared meal delivery service Price per serving: $10.99–$13.49 Menus: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, Protein Plus, Flexitarian Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Factor provides dietitian-designed meals for a wide range of diets. The meals are consistently flavorful and don’t get mushy after microwaving, earning it our pick for the best overall prepared meal delivery service.
How it works: Featuring more than 35 dietitian-designed meals each week, Factor uses fresh, never frozen ingredients to create meals free from hormones, antibiotics, refined sugars, and GMOs .
Meals can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days, and Factor provides oven and microwave reheating instructions for each meal.
When placing your order, you can filter the weekly menu to view recipes that are suitable for paleo, ketogenic, low calorie, low carb, or vegetarian diets.
Read our full review of Factor.
What our tester says Factor Cream Parmesan Chicken | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I have to admit that any time I see a tray covered with plastic film, I get a bit nervous. However, Factor’s meals exceeded my expectations. None of the vegetables were bland or mushy, the proteins were all cooked perfectly, and the flavors were on point.
“While it is a bit pricey, after trying other prepared meal delivery services, I feel that the flavors and quality of Factor’s ingredients make it well worth the money.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Factor Cream Parmesan Chicken | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I have to admit that any time I see a tray covered with plastic film, I get a bit nervous. However, Factor’s meals exceeded my expectations. None of the vegetables were bland or mushy, the proteins were all cooked perfectly, and the flavors were on point.
“While it is a bit pricey, after trying other prepared meal delivery services, I feel that the flavors and quality of Factor’s ingredients make it well worth the money.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons high quality, fresh ingredients flavorful meals good texture, despite being reheated nutritionally balanced meals keto, vegetarian, and low calorie options flexible subscription terms high quality, fresh ingredients flavorful meals good texture, despite being reheated nutritionally balanced meals keto, vegetarian, and low calorie options flexible subscription terms Product details Meals per week: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free Ingredients: some organic ingredients, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free Ingredients: some organic ingredients, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best oven-ready meal delivery service Menus: Calorie-Conscious, Carb-Conscious, Vegetarian, Family Price per serving: $9.99–$11.99 Shipping: $10.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: For those short on time, Home Chef offers an assortment of oven-ready meals appropriate for singles, couples, and families.
How it works: Home Chef is a popular, family-friendly meal delivery service that specializes in minimal-prep recipes and oven-ready meals.
Most of Home Chef’s meal kits require a small amount of prep work, but the service also offers a variety of oven-ready meals.
Oven-ready meals arrive fully assembled and packaged in oven-safe tins, so all you have to do is preheat your oven and cook them.
The Easy Prep Meal Kit menu also includes Grill-Ready meals, microwavable entrees, and Express Meal Kits, which feature prepped and pre-portioned ingredients for meals that are ready in 15 minutes or less.
Read our full review of Home Chef.
What our tester says Home Chef Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I thought this was a really great service! There were plenty of family-friendly options to choose from, and the meals themselves were overall tasty and easy to prepare. I was impressed with how many vegetables were included in the meals and appreciated the generous serving sizes.
“Overall, I think it’s one of the best meal delivery services for busy families.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
Home Chef Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I thought this was a really great service! There were plenty of family-friendly options to choose from, and the meals themselves were overall tasty and easy to prepare. I was impressed with how many vegetables were included in the meals and appreciated the generous serving sizes.
“Overall, I think it’s one of the best meal delivery services for busy families.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons oven-ready, grill-ready, and microwavable meals available option for Express Meal Kits good for people who still want to do some cooking or prep work suitable for families flavorful, easy-to-prepare meals meals contain a good amount of vegetables additional shipping cost limited options for specialty diets fewer menu options than many other services oven-ready, grill-ready, and microwavable meals available option for Express Meal Kits good for people who still want to do some cooking or prep work suitable for families flavorful, easy-to-prepare meals meals contain a good amount of vegetables additional shipping cost limited options for specialty diets fewer menu options than many other services Product details Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 2–6 Servings available: 2, 4, 6 Diet friendliness: vegetarian and carb- and calorie-conscious Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best prepared meal delivery service for weight loss Menus: Signature, Heart Healthy, Gluten Free, Keto Flex, Diabetic Friendly, Menopause, Vegan Price per serving: $10.99–$14.99 Shipping: $19.95 Healthline's review Why we love it: BistroMD provides low calorie pre-portioned meals specifically designed for weight loss.
How it works: BistroMD is a frozen meal delivery service that specializes in low calorie meals for weight loss.
The service offers approximately 150 meal options per week, depending on the menu.
Meals typically have fewer than 400 calories each, and the service offers unique plans for gluten-free or low carb diets and heart health, diabetes, or menopause.
In addition to breakfasts and lunch and dinner entrees, you can purchase optional snacks that fit into the meal plan you choose.
BistroMD allows you to choose either its full program — which includes breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — or just lunches and dinners. You can choose to receive 5 or 7 days’ worth of food per week, and snacks are an optional add-on purchase.
Read our full review of BistroMD.
What our tester says “I found the taste and texture of BistroMD’s meals to be very good, which was surprising, considering it was shipped and reheated in the microwave
“Plus, I appreciated that the meals can be microwaved and served in the same tray, which is handy for days when you’re busy and don’t want to worry about cleaning dishes later.
“I loved the shakes the most as they were very satisfying and flavorful. Because of the shakes and snacks, I always had a full meal even if I didn’t like something on the plate — if I could just order the shakes, I would!”
— Steven Rowe, Healthline Editor
“I found the taste and texture of BistroMD’s meals to be very good, which was surprising, considering it was shipped and reheated in the microwave
“Plus, I appreciated that the meals can be microwaved and served in the same tray, which is handy for days when you’re busy and don’t want to worry about cleaning dishes later.
“I loved the shakes the most as they were very satisfying and flavorful. Because of the shakes and snacks, I always had a full meal even if I didn’t like something on the plate — if I could just order the shakes, I would!”
— Steven Rowe, Healthline Editor
Pros & cons low calorie meals for weight loss keto, gluten-free, and diabetes-friendly options provides 5 or 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners optional snacks meals retain their texture after reheating expensive shipping small portions low calorie meals for weight loss keto, gluten-free, and diabetes-friendly options provides 5 or 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners optional snacks meals retain their texture after reheating expensive shipping small portions Product details Meals per week: 10–20 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: gluten-free, heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, vegan Ingredients: sustainably sourced fish and seafood, locally sourced, some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 10–20 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: gluten-free, heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, vegan Ingredients: sustainably sourced fish and seafood, locally sourced, some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best prepared meal delivery service for fitness enthusiasts Price per serving: $13.79–$15.85 Menus: Clean, Paleo Whole30, Keto, Plant-Based Shipping: $9.99 in the contiguous United States ($49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii) Healthline's review Why we love it: Specializing in nutritionally balanced entrees containing lean protein, complex carbs, and veggies, Trifecta is a great option for athletes.
How it works: Trifecta Nutrition provides fully prepared, fresh meals tailored to fit a variety of diets, with a rotating menu of paleo, keto, vegan, and vegetarian options.
While the needs of individual athletes vary, these meals may be appropriate fuel for exercise and recovery.
The meals can be stored for 6–10 days in the fridge and for 3 months or longer in the freezer. Each meal comes with reheating instructions for the microwave, stovetop, and oven.
The company also uses organic and sustainably sourced ingredients to ensure quality.
Read our full review of Trifecta Nutrition.
What our tester says Trifecta Teriyaki Bowl | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I found that the meals contained a range of diverse ingredients and reheated well. Plus, I found that the variety of flavors helped keep me from feeling bored throughout the week.
“With that said, the meals are a bit light on vegetables, so you may want to consider adding a side salad or roasting a batch of vegetables for the week. Some meals tasted even better with extra spices and seasonings.”
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Trifecta Teriyaki Bowl | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I found that the meals contained a range of diverse ingredients and reheated well. Plus, I found that the variety of flavors helped keep me from feeling bored throughout the week.
“With that said, the meals are a bit light on vegetables, so you may want to consider adding a side salad or roasting a batch of vegetables for the week. Some meals tasted even better with extra spices and seasonings.”
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts variety of meal plans available, including paleo, keto, and vegan meals retain their taste and texture after reheating good variety of flavors and ingredients meals designed to be nutritionally balanced light on vegetables moderately expensive some meals require extra seasonings designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts variety of meal plans available, including paleo, keto, and vegan meals retain their taste and texture after reheating good variety of flavors and ingredients meals designed to be nutritionally balanced light on vegetables moderately expensive some meals require extra seasonings Product details Meals per week: 7, 10, 14, or 28 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included) Meals per week: 7, 10, 14, or 28 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, grass-fed beef, and humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Best organic prepared meal delivery service Price per serving: $6.79–$9.79 Menus: all items vegan and gluten-free Shipping: $9.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Daily Harvest uses high quality organic ingredients in all its meals and snacks. The products are also flavorful, easy to prepare, and made without any artificial ingredients.
How it works: Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service that provides a variety of organic meals, snacks, and smoothies.
In fact, the company’s menu boasts more than 65 dishes each week, including oat bowls, flatbreads, soups, harvest bowls, and more.
In addition to being fully organic, all meals are vegan and gluten-free and require just one step of preparation.
Daily Harvest products are frozen and can last in your freezer for at least 30 days — or longer if you don’t open your freezer very often, as this reduces the risk of freezer burn.
What our tester says Daily Harvest delivery box | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I tried several of Daily Harvest’s items and found each item easy to prepare, although you’ll need a bit of patience or a high powered blender for the smoothies.
“In particular, I enjoyed the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites (hello, cookie dough-flavored bites!) and the oat and chia bowls.
“Overall, if you’re looking for a few breakfasts, snacks, or light lunches to keep in the freezer, Daily Harvest is a great option. However, as I note in my in-depth review , it’s not ideal if you’re looking for larger or more filling entrees.”
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Daily Harvest delivery box | Photo provided by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD “I tried several of Daily Harvest’s items and found each item easy to prepare, although you’ll need a bit of patience or a high powered blender for the smoothies.
“In particular, I enjoyed the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites (hello, cookie dough-flavored bites!) and the oat and chia bowls.
“Overall, if you’re looking for a few breakfasts, snacks, or light lunches to keep in the freezer, Daily Harvest is a great option. However, as I note in my in-depth review , it’s not ideal if you’re looking for larger or more filling entrees.”
— Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros & cons 100% vegan and gluten-free meals and snacks requiring minimal prep made with mostly organic ingredients creative flavor and ingredient combinations items are flavorful and satisfying offers lighter meals that may not be large or filling enough for some people menu options rarely change, which may get too repetitive for some people some items may be too mushy for some people 100% vegan and gluten-free meals and snacks requiring minimal prep made with mostly organic ingredients creative flavor and ingredient combinations items are flavorful and satisfying offers lighter meals that may not be large or filling enough for some people menu options rarely change, which may get too repetitive for some people some items may be too mushy for some people Product details Meals per week: 9, 14, or 24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, gluten-free, low calorie Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 9, 14, or 24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, gluten-free, low calorie Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best prepared meal delivery for keto and paleo Price per serving: $11.88–$14.67 Menus: High Protein, Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, Vegetarian Shipping: free shipping Healthline's review Why we love it: Snap Kitchen provides several keto- and paleo-friendly breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, so it’s a great option if you’re following either of those diet plans.
How it works: Snap Kitchen helps take the work out of weekly meal prep by delivering healthy dishes directly to your door.
In addition to a balanced meal plan, the service offers menus to suit several low carb diet patterns, including keto and paleo diets.
Snap Kitchen offers more than 30 meal options per week, which are shipped fresh, can last 3–10 days in the fridge, and are designed to be reheated in the microwave.
Plus, you can store the meals in your freezer to extend their shelf life.
Read our full hands-on review of Snap Kitchen.
What our tester says Snap Kitchen Chicken Piccata | Photo provided by Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC “I tried a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees from Snap Kitchen. I found that there was a good variety of meals to choose from and didn’t have any difficulty identifying meals that fit my dietary needs and preferences.
“The meals arrived in good condition and were easy to reheat. The portion sizes were average, and the ingredients were flavorful and tasted fresh. While some of the dishes were a bit spicy for my taste, my husband really enjoyed them.”
— Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, Healthline writer
Snap Kitchen Chicken Piccata | Photo provided by Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC “I tried a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees from Snap Kitchen. I found that there was a good variety of meals to choose from and didn’t have any difficulty identifying meals that fit my dietary needs and preferences.
“The meals arrived in good condition and were easy to reheat. The portion sizes were average, and the ingredients were flavorful and tasted fresh. While some of the dishes were a bit spicy for my taste, my husband really enjoyed them.”
— Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, Healthline writer
Pros & cons offers a good variety of meals appropriate for keto, paleo, high protein, and gluten-free diets free shipping meals are flavorful with good textures offers only 6 or 12 meals per week not a good fit for plant-based eaters some meals may be too spicy for some people serving sizes may be too small for some people offers a good variety of meals appropriate for keto, paleo, high protein, and gluten-free diets free shipping meals are flavorful with good textures offers only 6 or 12 meals per week not a good fit for plant-based eaters some meals may be too spicy for some people serving sizes may be too small for some people Product details Meals per week: 6 or 12
Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: high protein, keto, low carb, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: only available in select areas Meals per week: 6 or 12
Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: high protein, keto, low carb, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients, locally sourced Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: only available in select areas
Best plant-based meal delivery service Price per serving: $16.05–$18.17 Menus: all items vegan Shipping: $10–$15, depending on location Healthline's review Why we love it: Sprinly’s fully vegan meals are bursting with fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces, making this service a great pick whether you follow a plant-based diet or not.
How it works: Sprinly is a premade meal delivery service that provides vegan and gluten-free single-serving meals. The meals are delivered fresh and are made using organic ingredients with no refined sugar or artificial preservatives.
Because the meals are delivered fresh, you should eat them within 5–6 days of receiving them. Some items can be frozen for longer storage. Sprinly recommends freezing only soups and curries and eating salads fresh to maintain quality.
What our tester says Sprinly All Day Sunshine Quinoa Bowl | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “If you love the hot food bar at Whole Foods or enjoy grab-and-go salads, then you’ll want to check out Sprinly. While it’s not the cheapest option, Sprinly’s ingredients were by far the freshest out of all the prepared meal delivery services I tried.
“I also found the portion sizes to be generous and the flavors on point, with most of the meals featuring tasty sauces, like a sunshine lemon dressing and a finger-licking-good pineapple soy sauce.
“The biggest downside, other than the cost, is that the meals need to be transferred to a plate or bowl before reheating. I work from home, so this wasn’t an issue. However, it does make the meals less convenient for taking on the go.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Sprinly All Day Sunshine Quinoa Bowl | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “If you love the hot food bar at Whole Foods or enjoy grab-and-go salads, then you’ll want to check out Sprinly. While it’s not the cheapest option, Sprinly’s ingredients were by far the freshest out of all the prepared meal delivery services I tried.
“I also found the portion sizes to be generous and the flavors on point, with most of the meals featuring tasty sauces, like a sunshine lemon dressing and a finger-licking-good pineapple soy sauce.
“The biggest downside, other than the cost, is that the meals need to be transferred to a plate or bowl before reheating. I work from home, so this wasn’t an issue. However, it does make the meals less convenient for taking on the go.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons fully vegan and plant-based offers fully prepared meals that only require heating made with organic ingredients flavorful sauces and seasonings very fresh ingredients with good textures menu changes weekly more expensive than comparable meal delivery services $10–$15 shipping cost per order requires transferring meals out of their original containers for reheating only six menu options to choose from fully vegan and plant-based offers fully prepared meals that only require heating made with organic ingredients flavorful sauces and seasonings very fresh ingredients with good textures menu changes weekly more expensive than comparable meal delivery services $10–$15 shipping cost per order requires transferring meals out of their original containers for reheating only six menu options to choose from Product details Meals per week: 6, 12, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan and gluten-free Ingredients: all organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 6, 12, or 18 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan and gluten-free Ingredients: all organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best meal delivery service for singles Menus: Smoothies, Soups, Noodles, Dishes, Shots, and Juices Price per serving: $9.99–$13.49 Shipping: $12.99, or free for orders with 14 or 21 meals Healthline's review Why we love it: Featuring flavorful single-serve meals and smoothies, Splendid Spoon is a tasty and convenient way to keep your fridge and freezer fully stocked.
How it works: Splendid Spoon is a meal delivery service that makes it easier than ever to follow a plant-based diet.
The company offers a rotating menu of more than 60 options, including breakfast smoothies, grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes, all of which are vegan and gluten-free.
Also, the company recently added a line called Dishes — meals that are designed to be more filling and contain at least 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
You can select from several plans, which include 7, 14, or 21 meals each week. The company also offers customizable boxes through its marketplace, which allows you to build your own box without a subscription.
Read our comprehensive hands-on review.
What our tester says Splendid Spoon smoothies | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane MS, RD “If you’re a fan of smoothies, noodle bowls, or grain bowls, then I highly recommend Splendid Spoon.
“I particularly liked the smoothies because they’re made with nutrient-rich ingredients and aren’t overly sweet. The noodle bowls — especially the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles — make great lunches since you can keep them in the fridge or freezer and quickly reheat them in the microwave.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Splendid Spoon smoothies | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane MS, RD “If you’re a fan of smoothies, noodle bowls, or grain bowls, then I highly recommend Splendid Spoon.
“I particularly liked the smoothies because they’re made with nutrient-rich ingredients and aren’t overly sweet. The noodle bowls — especially the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles — make great lunches since you can keep them in the fridge or freezer and quickly reheat them in the microwave.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons vegan and gluten-free wide variety of smoothie and soup flavors many items can be frozen for longer shelf life flexible subscription options on-demand boxes available free shipping for some plans creative flavor combinations entrees easy to reheat smoothies are satisfying and not overly sweet moderately expensive may not be filling enough for some menu options don't change weekly vegan and gluten-free wide variety of smoothie and soup flavors many items can be frozen for longer shelf life flexible subscription options on-demand boxes available free shipping for some plans creative flavor combinations entrees easy to reheat smoothies are satisfying and not overly sweet moderately expensive may not be filling enough for some menu options don't change weekly Product details Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific avoidances, higher protein, higher fiber, low calorie, low carb, low fat, low sodium, low sugar Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific avoidances, higher protein, higher fiber, low calorie, low carb, low fat, low sodium, low sugar Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best affordable prepared meal delivery service Menus: Veggie Bowls, Family Meals, Pizzas, Smoothies, Soups, Oat Bowls Price per serving: $5.99–$11.99 Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items; otherwise $9.99–$19.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Mosaic Foods provides both single-serve and family-size meals at an affordable price, with free shipping even included for some plans.
How it works: Mosaic Foods is a popular frozen meal delivery service offering single-serving and family-size (multiple servings per package) plant-based meals.
It’s also one of the most affordable prepared meal services, with entrees starting at $6 per serving.
Mosaic offers a fixed menu with more than 50 options, including a variety of veggie bowls, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls.
What our tester says Mosaic Foods Pumpkin Lasagna | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I tried four of Mosaic’s family-size meals and, with the exception of the Italian “Sausage” Lasagna, I really enjoyed each dish. The meals were flavorful without being overly salty or seasoned, and the textures were overall good and not too mushy.
“I particularly appreciated that each meal included at least four types of vegetables and that there was a good variety of flavor combinations to choose from. Just keep in mind that the family meals do take 60–90 minutes to reheat in the oven, so they’re not ideal if you need to put dinner on the table quickly.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Mosaic Foods Pumpkin Lasagna | Photo provided by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD “I tried four of Mosaic’s family-size meals and, with the exception of the Italian “Sausage” Lasagna, I really enjoyed each dish. The meals were flavorful without being overly salty or seasoned, and the textures were overall good and not too mushy.
“I particularly appreciated that each meal included at least four types of vegetables and that there was a good variety of flavor combinations to choose from. Just keep in mind that the family meals do take 60–90 minutes to reheat in the oven, so they’re not ideal if you need to put dinner on the table quickly.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition Editor II
Pros & cons offers single-serving and family-size meals provides vegetarian and vegan options less expensive than some comparable services, especially for family-size meals discounts and free shipping on larger orders designed to be nutritionally balanced creative use of vegetables and plant-based ingredients comforting, family-friendly flavors $10 shipping cost for smaller orders not ideal for low carb diets 1-hour or longer reheating time for family-size meals family meals can be a bit mushy after reheating offers single-serving and family-size meals provides vegetarian and vegan options less expensive than some comparable services, especially for family-size meals discounts and free shipping on larger orders designed to be nutritionally balanced creative use of vegetables and plant-based ingredients comforting, family-friendly flavors $10 shipping cost for smaller orders not ideal for low carb diets 1-hour or longer reheating time for family-size meals family meals can be a bit mushy after reheating Product details Servings available: 1, 4 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States Servings available: 1, 4 Diet friendliness: vegan, vegetarian, wheat-free, nut-free, high protein Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: major metro areas in the eastern and western United States
Best meal delivery service for seniors Menus: Signature Meals, Senior Meals, Portion Controlled, Diabetic-Friendly, Dairy-Free, General Wellness, Low Sodium, Low Carbohydrate, Low Fat, Renal Diet, Dialysis-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Price per serving: $5–$28 Shipping: shipping calculated at checkout Healthline's review Why we love it: With its large, fixed menu of nutritious meals designed to accommodate a wide range of health conditions, Magic Kitchen is a great choice for older adults and those with certain dietary needs.
How it works: Magic Kitchen offers more than 250 fully prepared frozen meals to fit a variety of dietary needs and preferences.
Unlike other services, the company offers meal plans tailored to specific health conditions, including dialysis-friendly, low sodium, renal, and diabetes-friendly diets.
Magic Kitchen also has a menu designed specifically for older adults , with meals that are nutritionally balanced and low in sodium. Plus, you can order your meals either online or over the phone, which some older adults may prefer.
The meals are easy to reheat in the microwave, and you can safely store them in the freezer for 6 months or longer.
You can order meals individually or choose from various bundles, which offer meal packs at a discounted price. You can make a custom subscription by calling the company.
Pros & cons variety of meals targeted to specific needs of older adults meal plans available for kidney disease, dialysis, low sodium, and more custom subscription plans option to order meals online or over the phone can be extremely expensive may be confusing to navigate website high cost of shipping variety of meals targeted to specific needs of older adults meal plans available for kidney disease, dialysis, low sodium, and more custom subscription plans option to order meals online or over the phone can be extremely expensive may be confusing to navigate website high cost of shipping Product details Meals per week: 7, 14, 21, or a la carte Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: diabetes, dialysis, renal diet, dairy-free, gluten-free, low fat, low sodium, low carb, vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Meals per week: 7, 14, 21, or a la carte Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: diabetes, dialysis, renal diet, dairy-free, gluten-free, low fat, low sodium, low carb, vegetarian Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Best prepared meal delivery service for people with diabetes Menus: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, Mediterranean Price per serving: $9.71–$15.20 Shipping: $19.98 Healthline's review Why we love it: Diet-to-Go caters specifically to people with diabetes and offers prepared meals designed to support blood sugar management.
How it works: Diet-to-Go aims to make healthy eating easy, offering fresh, fully prepared meals that are dietitian-approved.
In addition to its signature Balance menu, the service offers ketogenic, Mediterranean, and vegetarian meal plans.
Diet-to-Go also has a menu designed specifically for people with type 2 diabetes , which is heart-healthy, calorie-controlled, and fully customizable.
These meals can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or frozen for longer shelf life. It’s best to defrost them before reheating them, and you can reheat them using the microwave, stovetop, or oven.
What our tester says “There was a good variety of meals to choose from, including many different proteins, greens, and flavors.
“The meat proteins were fresh and had a palatable texture. I was most surprised on the phenomenal texture and flavoring on the collard greens under the Herbed Tilapia.
“However, if you’re not a fan of microwaving every meal, this product may not be for you. The texture of the vegetables was also mushy and watery, and many of the meals weren’t entirely filling.”
— Kristin Currin-Sheehan , Multimedia Editor II
“There was a good variety of meals to choose from, including many different proteins, greens, and flavors.
“The meat proteins were fresh and had a palatable texture. I was most surprised on the phenomenal texture and flavoring on the collard greens under the Herbed Tilapia.
“However, if you’re not a fan of microwaving every meal, this product may not be for you. The texture of the vegetables was also mushy and watery, and many of the meals weren’t entirely filling.”
— Kristin Currin-Sheehan , Multimedia Editor II
Pros & cons low calorie meals designed for weight loss provides breakfasts, lunches, and dinners keto, vegetarian, Mediterranean, and diabetes-friendly meal plans available expensive shipping small portions and some meals may not be filling low calorie meals designed for weight loss provides breakfasts, lunches, and dinners keto, vegetarian, Mediterranean, and diabetes-friendly meal plans available expensive shipping small portions and some meals may not be filling Product details Meals per week: 10–21 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, keto, low calorie, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 10–21 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: vegetarian, keto, low calorie, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly Ingredients: some organic ingredients Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States
Best gluten-free prepared meal delivery Price per serving: $10.95–$22.95 Menus: Paleo, Keto-Friendly, Plant-Based, Whole30, Low Carb, Mediterranean, Performance Nutrition, <500 Calories Shipping: $9.99–$17.99 Healthline's review Why we love it: Territory Foods offers an assortment of chef-prepared meals, all of which are made without gluten, dairy, refined sugars, and chemical preservatives.
How it works: Territory Foods features a rotating menu with more than 30 options to choose from each week, making it easy to add more diversity to your diet.
You can filter the menu to find options suitable for various eating patterns, including many Mediterranean, paleo, vegan, Whole30, and keto-friendly meals.
While all meals are prepared without gluten, note that cross-contamination is possible since they’re prepared in a facility that also processes gluten.
Meals from the local menu should be enjoyed within 5 days of delivery, while those on the shipping menu can last up to 8 days after delivery. All meals are delivered fresh and are never frozen.
What our tester says “I would recommend Territory Foods. If you can afford it, this can be a good way to have variety in meals, stick to dietary preferences or needs, and not add additional work or food prep.
“The meals come precooked, and mine looked and smelled fresh and appealing.
“The variety of meals was also good. The menus available when I tried the service had chicken, beef, and fish options as well as plant-based proteins. There were also filters for ‘low carb’ and ‘keto’ to make them easier to find.”
— Candice Abellon , senior editor
“I would recommend Territory Foods. If you can afford it, this can be a good way to have variety in meals, stick to dietary preferences or needs, and not add additional work or food prep.
“The meals come precooked, and mine looked and smelled fresh and appealing.
“The variety of meals was also good. The menus available when I tried the service had chicken, beef, and fish options as well as plant-based proteins. There were also filters for ‘low carb’ and ‘keto’ to make them easier to find.”
— Candice Abellon , senior editor
Pros & cons entire menu free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar wide variety of chef-prepared meals to choose from provides breakfasts, lunches, and dinners meals ready to enjoy in less than 2 minutes keto, plant-based, Mediterranean, and paleo meal plans available some expensive meals relatively high shipping costs entire menu free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar wide variety of chef-prepared meals to choose from provides breakfasts, lunches, and dinners meals ready to enjoy in less than 2 minutes keto, plant-based, Mediterranean, and paleo meal plans available some expensive meals relatively high shipping costs Product details Meals per week: 4–24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30, low carb, and Mediterranean Ingredients: some organic produce, locally sourced, prioritizes seasonal ingredients, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Meals per week: 4–24 Servings available: 1 Diet friendliness: paleo, keto, plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30, low carb, and Mediterranean Ingredients: some organic produce, locally sourced, prioritizes seasonal ingredients, sustainably sourced fish and seafood, humanely raised meat and poultry Packaging: most packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable Delivery area: contiguous United States Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
At Healthline, we know that meal delivery services are an investment, so we’ve taken the time to test more than 20 of the most popular prepared meal delivery services on the market. Testers select a week’s worth of meals from multiple menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered.
During testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the sign-up and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, how easy the meals are to cook, and, of course, the taste. You can learn more about our testing process .
Here are several factors to consider when selecting a prepared meal delivery service that’s right for you:
Menu selection: Look for a company that offers a diverse menu, with a variety of options to fit your specific food preferences and dietary restrictions.Ingredient quality: In addition to freshness, some people may prefer a service that uses organic or sustainably sourced ingredients. Nutritional quality: Opt for services that prioritize meals containing lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. When possible, try to avoid meals that contain artificial additives or large amounts of sodium or added sugars .Cost and availability: As they vary greatly in price, be sure to select a service that fits your monthly budget, including shipping. It’s also important to check whether the service is available in your area.What is the best meal delivery service for one? Splendid Spoon is our pick for the best meal delivery service for singles thanks to its wide selection of plant-based meals and snacks, creative flavor combinations, and nutritional quality of the dishes.
With that said, there are many great prepared food delivery services catered to individuals, with the best option depending on your dietary needs, budget, and food preferences.
Are meal delivery programs worth it? Meal delivery services might be well worth the investment if you’re looking for a convenient way to save time on cooking each week. Prepared meals can also be a simple way to enjoy more nutritious foods and include a wider variety of ingredients in your weekly menu.
Are pre-cooked meals healthy? Prepared meals can definitely be included in a balanced diet. Factor and Trifecta Nutrition are especially good options because their meals are crafted to be nutritionally balanced, featuring lean proteins, complex carbs, and plenty of vegetables. They also feature menus to suit certain diet patterns.
However, if you’re looking for a whole foods, plant-based service, Sprinly , Daily Harvest , and Splendid Spoon all feature vegetable-forward meals with plant-based protein sources.
What is a prepared meal delivery service? Prepared meal delivery services provide ready-made dishes, which are delivered fresh or frozen and require little to no cooking or preparation. These meal delivery services are designed to help you spend less time in the kitchen and can be a convenient alternative to buying ingredients and preparing meals at home.
Many meal delivery services are available and can help you enjoy healthy meals at home.
There are options for many specific diets and food preferences, including services tailored to older adults, vegetarians, athletes, and more.
When picking a prepared meal delivery service, be sure to consider factors such as cost, availability, variety, and quality.
