Factor is our top choice for low-carb meal delivery, with meals that are a great option for those who want to cut down on carbs while still enjoying flavorful, gourmet meals with minimal effort. The option to add on other items like smoothies, desserts, and healthy snacks makes it easy to stick to a low-carb diet. Their responsive customer service is an added bonus.
How Much Do Low Carb Meal Delivery Services Cost?
The cost of low-carb meal delivery services varies depending on the company. Companies that feature organic and sustainably sourced ingredients and more animal protein may cost more than companies that are 100% plant-based such as Daily Harvest. On average, meals will be around $8-$10 per meal, however they can range anywhere from $5.99 to upward of $15 per meal. Typically, companies offer value plans so the more you buy at once, the less it costs per meal.
What Is a Low Carb Diet?
Low-carb diets generally mean eating 25% or less of one’s daily calories come from carbohydrates. This translates to around 125g of carbohydrates or less per day for an average 2,000-calorie diet. However, there is no true consensus on the definition. In fact, scientific studies that have looked at low-carb diets have ranged from 5% to 45% of calories from carbohydrates. Some therapeutic diets such as the ketogenic diet are on the lower range (as low as fewer than 50 or 60g carbohydrates per day). Keep in mind that every individual has different calorie and macronutrient needs depending on body weight and activity level; there is no one size fits all. For those interested in following a low-carb diet, it is recommended to consult with a licensed nutrition expert such as a registered dietitian before restricting your intake.
Are Low Carb Meal Delivery Services Worth It?
Low-carb meal delivery services may be helpful for those who have a strong desire or medical indication to consistently follow a low-carb diet. Counting carbohydrates can be tedious, overwhelming, and stressful, especially for those without prior nutrition knowledge. Using a reliable meal delivery service that provides accurate nutrition information about their meals can be a great solution to help maintain a the goal of a consistently low carbohydrate intake.
How Do I Choose a Low Carb Meal Delivery Service?
Before choosing a low-carb meal delivery service, determine what your daily target carbohydrate intake is to find a service with meals that best meet your needs. For example, some meal delivery services define low carb as fewer than 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving, while others define this as fewer than 25 grams per serving.
Consider these other important factors:
- Cost: If this is going to be used as a regular service, long-term costs need to be considered, including shipping fees.
- Servings Available: Some meal delivery services may only offer single servings while others offer bulk ordering or meals designed with multiple servings.
- Variety: If you plan on ordering on a regular basis, you may want to consider the variety of menu options and how often the menu changes.
- Ingredient Sourcing: Some meal delivery services prioritize organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, though companies may charge a premium for these ingredients.
Methodology
We ordered, cooked, and evaluated meals from 40 different meal delivery services to rate each one’s offerings, nutrition profiles, prices, sustainability, and, of course, flavors. We contacted the customer service teams at each of the companies, collected data, and rigorously reviewed each one.
Our Verywell Fit writers are all registered dieticians who relied on their research and its resulting data to inform their reviews.