Top Meal Delivery Companies You Should Try

The pandemic has changed the way we live in so many ways, including how we eat and drink. Gone are the days of trying out the latest restaurants and bars. Now more than ever, cooking at home has become the norm.

From a nutrition perspective, this is good news. Even if you’re not a whizz in the kitchen, cooking for yourself tends to make you more mindful about what you are eating and gives you greater control over portion sizes. From a time and convenience perspective, eating at home has drawbacks. First off, you need to find a recipe (or conjuring up one yourself), get the ingredients, cook and wash up. All of this takes time, which most of us don’t have.

Solution? The meal delivery concept.

Up until a few years ago, I was skeptical, both from a nutritional and budgetary perspective. However, that all changed when I signed up to Green Chef (*I promise I’m not a brand ambassador*). Their weekly meal kits have literally changed my life. You can read more on that below. 

But is there such a thing as a healthy meal delivery company?  I believe there are.

The industry has exploded in recent years, and with it,  companies have emerged that provide organic, sustainable and healthy meals that are also affordable.  Here are just a few that I have personally tried myself and recommend. I’ve split these into two categories, meal-kit delivery (you get the ingredients and then cook it yourself) and pre-cooked meal delivery (meals are already prepared and you just reheat.)

Meal-Kit Delivery

For the One-Stop Shopper: Sun Basket

Sun Basket is a meal-kit delivery company offering healthy, organic food. They provide a variety of dinner options under categories, ‘meat & poultry’, ‘seafood’, and ‘vegetarian’. You can also add prepackaged food items to your weekly order. There are breakfast items (yogurts, egg bites, overnight oats, grab and go bars, juices etc), lunches (pasta, salad bowls), snacks and fresh meat. I’m particularly impressed that they have a diabetes-friendly menu, ‘quick and easy’ dishes that can be prepared in less than 20 mins, and a ‘clean and lean’ menu with meals with less than 600 kcals for those that are watching their calorie intake.  The only main drawback for me is the portion sizes, which tend to be on the smaller side.

For Adventurous, Health- Food Eaters : Green Chef

I’m a little biased on this one because I’ve been a subscriber for several years now. After trying lots of other options and being unimpressed by the customer service and/or quality of food,  I stumbled across Green Chef on Instagram (or rather they found me via advertising). They offer super delicious, organic meals which are sustainably sourced. Above all, I’ve been very impressed by the variety of their meals, and the use of unusual flavor combinations that work well together. Like most other companies, they have flexible plans including Balanced Living (Omnivore or pescatarian), Plant powered, Carb-Conscious (paleo and keto) and Pure Keto (low carb, gluten free) and you can choose the quantity of meals and frequency of delivery depending on your needs.

The main con with Green Chef is that their meals do tend to generate quite a lot of washing up. It’s worth trying to clean up pots and pans while you’re waiting for things to cook, rather than waiting till after the meal.

To get $55 off your first box using this link: https://greenchef.com/invite/z9ngq5

For Busy People : Gobble

I love this meal kit delivery service! The meals take approx. 15 mins to prepare and big bonus is that there isn’t a ton of washing up. Select different meal plans depending on preference ( I like clean and lean and pescatarian). Get 2 meals for 2 for $18 by clicking here

Precooked Meals

For Weight Loss: Bistro MD

Bistro MD offers precooked meals specifically designed for weight loss. Meals are made from scratch by in house chefs and then verified by Registered Dietitians for nutritional quality (bonus points!). While the food didn’t wow me, I like the fact that they have a large meal selection and they embrace a ‘no diet’ culture. Customers are put on a personalized weight loss plan that is structured to best meet your needs. There are also programs specifically for women, men, heart health, gluten free, diabetic-friendly and one for menopause.

For Digestive Disorders: Epicured

Epicured was started by two college friends, with a mission to offer high quality, nutritious meals for people on restrictive diets. The company specializes in Low FODMAP and gluten-free prepared foods – in non-dietitian speak, these are meals designed for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, crohn’s, colitis, and celiac disease. The company has close ties with dietitians who approve all the meals. I like that they have a large variety of options to select, the ingredients are high quality, and the educational material on their website is informative. The only cons for me are the portions are a bit small and it comes in a little pricier than other options.

For the Time Saver: Factor 75
Factor 75 is a precooked meal delivery company offering fresh (never frozen), chef-made recipes designed by dietitians.

The menu changes weekly, and they offer a variety of meals based on dietary needs and taste preferences. Options include, keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, plant-based and high protein. Some may find the presentation a little off putting (they looked a little like something you would get on an airplane to be honest), it is definitely one of the most convenient options just requiring a quick reheat. The taste was pretty good and affordable compared to some other options out there. An added benefit is 20 min consultation with a Registered Dietitian for each new subscriber.

For People that want flexibility: Cook Unity:

Choose from 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 meals per week. You can always add, pause, or skip deliveries — or change your plan at any time. Meals are ready-to-eat when you are. Just follow the simple instructions to eat and plate — then enjoy!

For New Mamas: Nouri:

This delivery company specifically focuses on nourishing new mamas! They have a curated meal program based on traditional cultural cuisines – it’s only available in New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) but you can also order regular postpartum meal delivery nationwide. Get $30 off a one-time or subscription order, minimum $125 by using code: TAMSINJORDAN30  

Have you tried any meal-delivery companies that you would recommend? Please share below in comments!