Best Low-Calorie Meal Delivery Services of 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

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  How Much Do Low Calorie Meal Delivery Service Cost?

  Meal delivery services offer pre-portioned meals and ingredients, so there is typically less food waste, which may be more cost-efficient depending on your usual grocery shopping and cooking habits. The cost of meal delivery services varies greatly and depends on the type of plan you choose. For example, prices typically drop per serving as you increase volume, so a meal plan for four would be less per serving than one for two. Our list of low-calorie meal delivery services ranges from $4.99 to $11 per serving. 

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  What Is a Low-Calorie Meal?

  There is no set definition of what a low-calorie meal is, as it’s subjective and varies according to an individual’s overall calorie and nutrition needs. A low-calorie meal is considered one that is aligned with your daily calorie intake for weight maintenance or weight loss, which depends on many factors including age, height, weight, energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate, and overall health. However, generally, low-calorie meal plans for women are considered between 1,200 and 1,500 calories per day and between 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day for men. It’s important to remember that calorie-restrictive dieting is not suitable for everyone, so it’s important to check with a healthcare professional.

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  Are Low-Calorie Meal Delivery Services Worth It?

  For those who are too busy to cook or have trouble eating balanced meals, low-calorie meal delivery services can help you optimize your nutrition, as they typically contain portion-controlled proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Low-calorie meal delivery services can also help you to achieve and maintain an optimal weight, which is associated with better health outcomes.

  If you have specific goals in mind, consider meeting with a registered dietitian (RD) or using one of the meal delivery services that offer counseling with an RD to help assess all of your nutritional needs. Reaching your individual health goals will ultimately make these meal delivery services worth it if they fit your budget.

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  How Do I Choose a Low-Calorie Meal Delivery Service?

  There are several comparison points to consider when choosing a meal delivery service, such as:

  • Price: Our list of meal delivery services ranges from $4.99 to around $11 per serving. Most services offer a decrease in price per meal with high volume orders, so consider your budget and how many meals per week you want to choose the right option. 
  • Number of Meals per Week: Determine how many meals you think you would consume per week and what type (breakfast, lunch, dinner). How often do you dine out? Will you bring meals to work (and do they have a microwave)? Do you travel often? How often do you like to cook your own meals?
  • Prepared Meals vs. Meal Kits: Some meal delivery services offer meal kits that provide ingredients and instructions to cook your own meals while others are heat and eat. Consider how much time you have and if you would like to cook your meals or prefer the convenience of microwavable meals.
  • Add-ons and A La Carte Items: Consider whether you want the option for add-ons like pre-cooked proteins, sides, and grocery options or if you are just looking for single-serving meals. 
  • Nutritional Content: Assess your daily calorie, carbohydrate, and protein needs using the guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Look for meal plans that are high in fiber, healthy fats, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.