Healthiest Meal Delivery Service

Meal order services have become a very popular and convenient way to eat healthier meals than going out to eat. Back in the dark ages, at the turn of the millennium, if you wanted a meal service, you went to their kitchen and put your meal together or picked it up; they did not drop it on your doorstep. I remember taking my four-year-old daughter to the meal kitchen on a Sunday afternoon and putting together the partially prepped recipes. Times have changed in the last fifteen years, and so many options exist. How do you know which one to pick?

Here are a few things to look for with your service. You can order three types of meals in terms of ease of preparation. First, if you want to pop your meal into the microwave like a TV dinner and pick a nutritious oven-ready meal, you will still have time to walk around the block. If you want a little more involvement with your meal, choose the easy prep meal. It has pre-cut foods, and you can express your inner chef. Lastly, you can get the classic version that takes a little more prep without the grocery shopping and recipe planning.

The next factor for consideration is choosing among organic or conventional services and special dietary menus such as paleo, keto, vegan, gluten-free, etc.… Most services are nationwide but check and see if they are available in your area. If you live in Hawaii or Alaska, many are not available in your state.

Here is a list of 10 services divided by the types of meals they offer and whether they are organic vs. conventional or provide a particular dietary offering. Of note, I am not endorsing a specific service. Green Chef, Martha and Marley Spoon, and Purple Carrot (Plant Based Meals) all offer organic foods to prepare the classic way. Blue Apron and Sunbasket offer conventional and organic food, respectively but provide oven-ready, easy prep, and classic meals. Gobble is known for its family-friendly meals and generous servings, and Hello Fresh and Home Chef are highly rated and provide a range of economical meals. The factor is unique for its cold-pressed juices, and its meals are oven-ready. For a summary, see the table below.

Cost can run from $5-$12 a meal but look for the sign-up deals. You can save up to $100 if you buy several orders or make a larger order. Also, check for minimum orders and shipping fees. So now you are ready to order healthy meals that fit your lifestyle. Just roll up your sleeves, put on an apron, and in thirty to forty minutes, you will have dinner. Enjoy!

O = Oven ready, P = Easy prep, C = Classic