9 Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services, Tested by Dietitians

I like to describe Sakara as the wellness spa of the meal delivery space. The bougie, plant-based meal delivery service focuses on high-quality organic ingredients with a curated menu that caters towards a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. Testers really enjoyed Sakara, noting their unique ingredients that made healthier eating something to look forward to. Plus, the meals are surprisingly flavorful and filling.

The service used to offer more variety, but now has just two specialized programs to choose from – the Signature Nutrition Program, which features nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners for two to five days a week, and the Level II Detox, which is designed as a deeper reset after trying the signature program and includes curated meals, teas and more over the course of five days. The programs are definitely pricey, but the quality is top notch. One tester reported, "Overall, my experience with Sakara was wonderful. I felt that the ingredients, flavors and variety of the meals were lovely. As someone who cooks nonstop, I was impressed with the combinations and creative ingredients." Another tester noted, "The meals were restaurant-quality, delicious, healthy and satisfying. I appreciated the information provided on the highlighted ingredient."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is Sakara Worth the Price?

Green Chef is one of my favorite meal kits thanks to its fresh ingredients, carefully organized kits and flavorful dishes. Think of it as Hello Fresh's organic cousin – it's a USDA-certified organic company and their menus cater towards more health-conscious fare. I like that they have eight different plans to choose from that accommodate different dietary preferences including Mediterranean, Keto, Protein-Packed, Calorie Smart, Plant Based, Gluten Free, Gut & Brain Health (a newer offering) and Quick & Easy meals.

Testers said they loved the portion sizes, sharing that the meals filled them up and had great flavor. One tester stated, "I was so impressed with the portions and freshness of the products." That being said, some testers noted that the instructions could be a bit complex and required many pans and bowls, but that the pictures on the recipe cards were very helpful.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Is Green Chef Worth It?

There's a lot to love about Sunbasket, from its menu variety (they offer both meal kits and prepared meals) to its high-quailty ingredients. The meals are crafted by chefs and registered dietitians, and the brand focuses on nutrient-dense organic produce, whole grains, high-quality proteins that are responsibly sourced and healthy fats, all without processed ingredients.

One huge standout for me is their commitment to sustainability from food choices to packaging. Another plus is that their weekly menu fits different dietary preferences including Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Gluten-Free Friendly, Diabetes-Friendly, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean, Keto-Friendly and more. Meals range from 400 to 800 calories per serving and are typically high in protein and fiber and with less than 800 milligrams of sodium per serving. Testers liked the creative and unique recipes of both the meal kits and ready-made options. "The innovative, global cuisines are yum!" one tester exclaimed. Another tester said, "The Fresh & Ready meals were dynamite and we felt good after each meal." But pricing can be steep per serving on some of the meals, though the ingredients are super fresh.

Founded by a registered dietitian, this meal service really hits all the marks for me in terms of quality nutrition and great taste. Every meal I tried was packed with flavor and super filling. The dietitian behind the service, Ilana Muhlstein, M.S., R.D.N, has an incredibly inspiring story on her health journey and I love that she understands the importance of convenience when it comes to healthy eating. The meals are all high in fiber and protein, and dairy-free too. Most of the carbs come from veggies with no more than 50 grams net carbs in every meal.

A standout for me in this service was the generous portions of non-starchy veggies and the 17 to 40 grams of protein per meal. Plus, calorie and sodium counts are moderate. There is a decent selection at two dozen meal choices to choose from weekly, including family-style veggie sides and individual proteins.

Testers expressed that the food was fresh and satisfying with one saying, "I could never make such healthy and creative meals at home myself. These are a real game changer." Another tester said they were "happily surprised at how satisfying and fresh the meals were." But the delivery area can be limited so check this first.

When it comes to premade meals, it's hard to beat the offerings at Factor. The single-serve dishes are fully prepared and delivered fresh to your door. Designed by registered dietitians and chefs, they can be conveniently heated in the microwave or oven.

While Factor offers a few different plans, they are most known for their popular Keto offerings but also have plans including Protein Plus, Calorie Smart, Flexitarian, Vegan + Veggie, Chef's Choice and more. All subscriptions include one complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian which is a big bonus. The meals' high protein counts stood out to me as a dietitian and also helped keep me full – dishes felt substantial and hearty.

There is a great selection of calorie-controlled and low-carb meals, too. But many of the meals are very high in fat and sodium, and some keto-friendly items use sugar alternatives that testers found tasted very artificial. But overall, meals were delivered in great condition, with one tester saying, "I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they are." Another tester commented, "There was a really good assortment of options and a lot of things I actually wanted to eat!"

The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating HelloFresh and hiring agency Midway Staffing over claims that migrant children were working at a Factor facility in Illinois. "We were deeply troubled to learn of the allegations made against a former temporary staffing agency, Midway Staffing,” a HelloFresh spokesperson told Good Housekeeping. “As soon as we learned of these allegations, we immediately terminated the relationship. We have strict protocols in place to ensure all vendors follow our robust global ethics and compliance policies. We have zero tolerance for any form of child labor, and we have taken action to ensure no minors perform work in or have access to our facilities.” RJ Parrilli, CEO of Midway Staffing, also told Good Housekeeping, “Midway Staffing continues to cooperate with the Department in its ongoing investigation. Midway Staffing denies that its actions or practices contributed to or caused any alleged child labor violations. Midway Staffing’s business and legal compliance practices strive to follow all applicable laws and industry standards. "

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: My Honest Review of Factor Meals

Popular with the CrossFit community, I had initially heard about Trifecta through my CrossFit box, but you may have seen the service featured on Netflix's You Are What You Eat. The prepared meal delivery service is curated for athletes and focuses on nutritious high-protein meals developed by a team of dietitians, chefs and doctors. They have now five different meal plans including clean, Paleo Whole 30, keto, plant-based and GLP-1 friendly. Everything comes in vacuum-sealed containers and lasts up to seven days in the fridge (or three months in the freezer).

As a dietitian, I love the brand's dedication to nutrition, macronutrients and meal planning. They have a companion app that provides great tools if you're looking to gain muscle or lose body fat. Our testers appreciated that meals were healthy, convenient and fresh tasting. And I appreciated the responsibly-sourced proteins and organic produce, and that you can get meal prep packs of burgers, steak and other essentials for the week. Testers reported, "The protein and vegetables were great. There was a well-planned balance of meats and other ingredients and everything was fresh, easy and satisfying." Some of the meals aren't as flavorful as other services we tried, but the nutrition profiles are on point.

The only exclusively vegan meal kit available nationwide, Purple Carrot wowed me with their inventive, globally-inspired recipes that make plant-based eating anything but boring. Some of the recipes are a bit intensive in terms of prep and cook times, and the service is on the pricier end for a meal kit without meat, but the dishes are second to none in terms of flavor and quality.

One of my favorite aspects of this kit is the handy booklet you can save to recreate the dishes again at home. The service really introduced me to flavors and food combinations that I had never tried before. As a dietitian, I like that in addition to everything already being plant-based, you can filter recipes to choose high-protein options, meals under 600 calories, nut-free, gluten-free and soy-free offerings. Each meal contains between 500 and 800 calories per serving.

Testers appreciated that the "inventive" and "flavorful" meals didn't take very long to prepare with one reporting, "the meals feel much fancier and more complicated when eating than when cooking." Another tester exclaimed, "Everything was delicious and I loved the variety!" And if you're looking for no prep, they have a line of prepared meals that are great as well.

Thistle excels at fresh, high-fiber meals that are remarkably refreshing and tasty. Everything is plant-based and ready to eat (or heat), and they offer the option to add on meat protein if desired, which is great for those on a flexitarian diet.

One tester loved that "the meals tasted really fresh and the vegetables were very good quality." As a dietitian, I appreciate that all meals are made without dairy, gluten, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, additives or dyes. Plus, the meals have balanced macronutrient ratios and substantial amounts of protein and fiber to keep you full. But the service does have a limited delivery range, which includes the greater West Coast and major metropolitan areas in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (but the brand is growing). They can also ship across California and to parts of Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

RELATED: Thistle vs. Sakara Life: A Dietitian's Honest Review

I was completely wowed by Methodology's packaging – the meals are beautifully and carefully packaged in reusable containers. Even better was the food inside – premium, ultra-fresh ingredients and unique dishes. The entire menu is free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar. They have high-quality proteins that are sustainably sourced (my salmon was incredible), and the service was actually utilized by researchers at Stanford Medicine in a clinical study that looked at the Mediterranean and keto diets.

They recently revamped their program offerings to include a calorie-controlled, high-protein plan, an eight-week weight loss plan and a postpartum care plan. You can choose a weekly subscription or a one-time order, and opt for all three meals or no breakfasts. I like that the brand offers two meal sizes (standard or large) and allows you to get one to four days' worth of food per week. Meals are ready to eat and can be reheated in a microwave or on a stovetop in less than five minutes.

The main caveat here is cost – it's quite expensive, but the quality does reflect that. "I loved the presentation; the meals were fresh and even filled up my husband," remarked one tester. Another tester loved that "even though the food was on the healthier side, everything was beyond delicious." Just keep in mind that although the meals are nutritionally balanced, the brand does not disclose the sodium in the meals.