Ready to Eat Meal Services
by: Hannah Kokulis
“There’s just not enough hours in the day.” We’ve all been there before, wondering how we can make a change when we already have so much going on.
When it comes to eating healthier options, it can be overwhelming to take on the task of eating at home more regularly and planning meals each week. To help with this, many companies have created pre-made meal services with monthly or weekly subscriptions to have healthier and cleaner options delivered right to you.
If you’re considering using meal services as an option for you or your family, below is the basic information of 5 companies to help find what might work best for you, including the link to their websites.
Daily Harvest:
Daily Harvest’s mission is to have people eat more fruits and vegetables per day, which aligns with so many of the goals we are working toward! They are plant-based, offering meals like smoothies, nourish bowls, bakes, sweets, and even lattes. You can also filter your meals for dietary needs before selecting which you would like to be delivered. All of their meals can either be blended or simply put in the oven, so it is an easy and quick prep. time.
Subscription: Most meals cost between $8 and $12, and you can order either 9, 14, or 24 entrees.
Website: https://www.daily-harvest.com
Factor:
One of the major draws of a Factor subscription is that each member starts their program with a 20-minute consultation with a dietician to discuss what meal plan may work best for them. The meals are created by a team of chefs and dieticians, and can be either microwaved or put in the oven. They have 27 dishes to choose from each week with low-carb, low-calorie, and plant-based options.
Subscription: Meals cost between $11.50 and $15 depending on which subscription you select. You can choose between 4, 6, 8, 12, or 18 meals per week.
Website: https://www.factor75.com/r/home
Freshly:
Freshly rotates between 50 different meals for you to select from, including plant-based options. You simply log-in to your account, select a delivery date, and select which meals you would like that week. Meals are microwaveable and ready in 3 minutes, so they can save time in the evening, or be made on your lunch-break at work. Each meal also shows caloric information, macros (carbs, fats, and proteins), and has a complete nutrition label with it.
Subscription: Meals cost about $12, and you can order between 4-12 meals per week. The more meals you order that week, the cheaper the price per meal is.
Website: https://www.freshly.com
Mosaic Foods:
Mosaic Foods is a completely plant-based meal service that incorporates 10-20 grams of vegan protein into each meal. Mosaic foods is unique in that it offers family-sized meals, whereas most other companies package single-servings. They always offer smoothies, veggie bowls, oat bowls, and family meals, but also partner with chefs to frequently add to their weekly menu. Meals are ready in 5 minutes and include a full nutrition panel.
Subscription: Meals typically cost between $6 and $18. You do not have a certain amount of meals you need to order, but do need to hit a $70 minimum per order.
Website: https://www.mosaicfoods.com
Trifecta:
Trifecta combines a meal service with an app that can log your meals to quickly track your daily macros (proteins, fats, and carbs). Trifecta also provides access to nutrition experts and each meal is approved by a dietician. You can choose for your meals to be vegan, vegetarian, keto, or paleo if you follow a certain diet.
Subscription: Meals are about $11.50 each and are determined by their weekly menu, so you do not need to select your own meals as they are predetermined based on your preferences. You can choose to have 5,7,10, or 14 meals delivered, and add on 7 breakfasts or choose to not have breakfast delivered.
Website: https://www.trifectanutrition.com
Ready-made meal services are a great option when looking to make a diet change, focus on portion control, track macros, and save time. If you are looking for healthy recipes to make, but these services are either inconvenient or too pricey, a great hack is to go onto their website and look at their weekly menu. Then, simply write down what ingredients are needed and recreate them at home!
If you are looking for more options check out this Veg News blog.
Note from Dr. Young: Sometimes making dietary changes is hard! You are busy with life already and don’t feel like you have time to cook multiple healthy meals at home. While meal delivery services are pretty pricey for a long term fix, they are a great bridge to allow you to slowly transition as you learn how to make healthy meals at home. They are a great way to help you try new foods that you may never have chosen before as your palate adjusts to a nutrient rich diet. Little by little you can find similar recipes online and recreate them at home. Over time you will also learn what works best for you when meal prepping. I recommend choosing at least a few plant based meals a week to start and increase the number as time goes on. Happy eating!
Dena DePiazza is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and is certified as a Certified Pain Management Coach. She is your personal advocate for living an energized and passionate life. She works with clients to help them create healthy lives in a way that is flexible, fun, and free of denial and unsustainable discipline. By working together, you can discover lifestyle choices that best support you. Dena helps you learn to make gradual, lifelong changes that will enable you to reach your current and future health goals.
with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Nadia enjoys providing the guidance and support people need to achieve good health and considers herself their biggest cheerleader when they decide to make their health a priority. As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Nadia works with clients one on one to help them optimize their health through holistic health practices. She helps reduce the symptoms of chronic illness through nutrition and lifestyle practices, but is not limited to helping anyone who wants to learn how to make better choices. She teaches clients basic kitchen skills, how to read labels and will even do grocery tours. As a personal trainer, Nadia works with clients of all levels, ages and in various settings. She has taught group fitness classes and worked with clients one on one. She emphasizes the importance of staying injury free and building strength to move about their day without pain.
Karissa originally attended Westmont College in beautiful Santa Barbara, and began her B.S. in Psychology, then transferred to Montreat College, in the Appalachian hills of North Carolina, graduating Cum Laude with a B.S. in Music Therapy, and a double minor in Psychology and Music Business.
