7 Healthy Meal Subscription Boxes
We have all been there. You stay late to finish an important project at work, or a paper for school. Finally done, you shuffle to your car like an extra on the set of the Walking Dead – with an appetite to match. You now have a decision to make – drive-thru, take-out or make your own dinner. Each decision offers its own set of pros and cons. Drive-thru and take-out, while tasty, can be rough on your budget and your waistline. Making your own dinner gains you valuable adulting points, but it requires advanced prep and planning. Enter healthy meal subscription boxes – an option that offers tasty, nutritious meals delivered straight to your door.
No doubt you have scrolled past ads for Blue Apron, Sun Basket and Daily Harvest in your Instagram feed. The premise is simple – select how many meals you want delivered each week, as well as how many servings you need. Menus rotate weekly and offer options for even the most finnicky eater (paleo, keto, gluten-free, and vegetarian). Each company has its own niche, but most feature organic and locally-sourced produce and proteins. Each insulated box contains the exact amount of ingredients you need for each meal – no more leftover celery stalks left to wilt in your crisper! Recipe cards with easy-to-read instructions for each meal are also included. For those concerned with recycling and sustainability, most companies use cardboard boxes and non-toxic, recyclable ice packs. Read on for seven healthy meal subscription boxes, including the types of meals offered and price points for each. Hungry? Let’s dig in!
1. Blue Apron
Considered the grandfather of meal delivery services, Blue Apron subscriptions start at a reasonable $8.99 per serving. Available plans include Signature for 2, Signature for 4, and Vegetarian (2-serving), with options for 2 to 4 meals delivered weekly. Weekly menu options include choices for a variety of eating styles – Weight Watchers, Diabetes Friendly, Beyond Meat™, as well as tradition dishes featuring meat or fish. Ingredients are delivered whole – leaving you to do the prep work and cooking. Each meal includes a time estimate, as well as wine pairing suggestion.
Average Cost: $8.99 per serving/$71.92 per month for the Signature for 4 plan.
Shipping: Free
Best for: Home chefs who want the guess work taken of out meal planning, and don’t have time for shopping.
2. EveryPlate
A newcomer to the industry, EveryPlate touts itself as America’s Best Value Meal Kit. Subscriptions begin at just $4.99 per serving. Available plans serve to 2 or 4 people, with options for 3 to 5 meals delivered weekly. To keep costs down, EveryPlate does not offer menus that cater to special dietary needs, including gluten-free, paleo or vegetarian. We suggest you use the money you save for a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Similar to Blue Apron, ingredients are delivered whole – allowing you to prep and cook your meal.
Average Cost: $4.99 per serving/$59.88 per month for 4 people and 3 meals per week plan.
Shipping: $8.99
Best for: Home chefs on a budget.
3. Sun Basket
If you have decided to listen to your mother and eat your veggies, Sun Basket might be right for you. Featuring organic produce and responsibly sourced meats and seafoods, it is a great option if you are pursuing a healthier lifestyle. The quality ingredients are reflected in their pricing though, with plans starting at $10.99. You can choose plans for 2 or 4 people, with either 2, 3 or 4 meals delivered weekly. From paleo to pescatarian, Mediterranean to vegetarian – Sun Basket caters to pretty much every eating style under the sun. In addition to dinners, they also offer breakfast, lunch, snacks and oven-ready meals. Ingredients included in the meal kit are delivered whole – leaving you to prep and cook the meal.
Average Cost: $10.99 per serving/$175.84 per month for 4 people and 4 meals per week plan.
Shipping: Free with code provided at check-out
Best for: Home chefs with special dietary needs, as well as those want organic, responsibly-sourced ingredients.
4. Daily Harvest
Perhaps best known for its colorful smoothies, Daily Harvest offers a variety of chef-prepared meals using organic ingredients. In addition to smoothies, menu offerings include flatbreads and soups, as well as harvest, chia and oat bowls. Subscriptions begin at $5.99 per item, with the option of having your meals delivered weekly or monthly.
Average Cost: $155.76 per month for 24 meals (we opted for a selection of smoothies and oat bowls). First box receives a 20% discount.
Shipping: Free
Best for: Home chefs needing a quick, nutritious meal solution.
5. Purple Carrot
Vegetarians rejoice! One of a few plant-based meal kit delivery services available, Purple Carrot plans start at $9.99 per serving. Subscriptions are available for either 2 or 4 people, with 2, 3, or 4 meals delivered weekly. Menu plans include high-protein, gluten-free, quick and easy, or chef’s choice. Options for breakfasts, lunches and snacks are also available. Ingredients are delivered whole – allowing you to prep and cook the meal.
Average Cost: $9.99 per serving/$79.92 per month for 4 people and 2 meals per week plan.
Shipping: Free
Best for: Plant-based home chefs.
6. Home Chef
Offering a robust menu selection, as well as oven-ready meals, a Home Chef healthy meal subscription starts at $6.99 per serving. Select Home Chef for a traditional meal kit, or Fresh and Easy for meals that are quick and easy, with little to no prep work required. Home Chef offers the most options for both servings and number of meals per week. Select from 2, 4 or 6 people, with 2 through 6 meals per delivered weekly. Menu plans include choices for omnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians, as well as those watching calories and carbs. Certain recipes include the option to customize – allowing you to upgrade, swap, or double your protein. Depending on your plan selection, ingredients are delivered whole or prepped and ready to use.
Average Cost: $6.99 per serving/$53.94 per month for 2 people and 3 meals per week plan.
Shipping: $6.99
Best for: Home chefs seeking the most flexibility in plan offerings, as well as the ability to customize select recipes.
7. Freshly
Offering only chef-prepared, oven-ready meals, Freshly’s subscriptions start at $8.49 per meal. Each meal is a single-serving, and weekly menu choices include low-calorie, low-carb and dairy-free options. Plans for 4, 6, 9 or 12 meals per week are available.
Average Cost: $8.49 per serving $407.52 per month for 12 oven-ready meals per week.
Shipping: Varies, depending on location
Best for: Home chefs needing a quick, nutritious meal solution.
There are meal delivery kits for almost every taste, budget and skill level. Most companies offer some incentive to try – either in the form of a free kit, or a substantial discount off your first order. Even better, you have the freedom to pause or cancel your subscription at any time. Happy cooking!