All plans include complete nutritional information. Choose between meal kits that feed between two and four people. Omnivores get to choose from 15 menu options; vegetarians options are preset. HelloFresh is best for: Someone in any stage of life interested in learning to cook.

CookUnity gives you access to meals from a variety of chefs around the world like Jose Garces or Esther Choi. Availability: CookUnity delivers to most of the United States.

Check to see if they ship to your city here. This doctor-designed program incorporates high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients that are grown on an organic, sustainable farm in New Jersey.

As the name suggests, this meal kit aims to provide food that can help to keep you healthy for the long run. There are a variety of weekly menus to choose from, including vegan, pescatarian, kosher, and flexitarian weekly meal plans.

Each meal is designed by Chef Luigi Fineo. Food for Longevity is best for: Busy people looking for morning and mid-day meals while they work.

One of the best meal delivery services for the smoothie enthusiast, Daily Harvest sends you the ingredients to blend both smoothies and soups. It also has bowls, flatbreads, and even family-size bakes. This is an easy way to work more fruits and vegetables into your diet with minimal cleanup afterwards.

All of its meals are guaranteed to be GMO-free and gluten-free. The extensive menu features more than 40 meals. If you have food restrictions or nutrition preferences, you can filter your menu choices to eliminate beets, cilantro, mushrooms, soy, tree nuts, caffeine, coconut, sesame, and spiciness.

Splendid Spoon is best for: Vegans and vegetarians who currently utilize the freezer aisle of their local grocery store. Revive Superfoods prides itself on its nutrient-dense smoothies, but has other offerings as well.

In addition to creamy smoothies, it also has oatmeal, dairy-free desserts, soups, burrito bowls, açaí bowls, falafels, and more. The smoothies, which are the real focus of this meal delivery kit, are rounded out with filling ingredients like seeds and pea protein and in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Revive also has a wide selection of oatmeal, like its best-selling banana and chocolate overnight oats. To prepare the oats you just have to add your liquid of choice and allow the cup to soak overnight. It can also be heated in the microwave if you want something faster same-day.

They all come precooked, and need to be heated for 4—5 minutes in the microwave. Revive Superfoods is best for: People who are too busy for breakfast but should really be eating it.

All meat ingredients are antibiotic- and hormone-free and the eggs are organic. When it comes to fish, Sunbasket uses wild-caught seafood recommended by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. With more than 20 weekly recipes, you can choose between oven-ready meals, prepped servings, and classic meals that still require you to do all the chopping; servings vary between two and four.

Sunbasket is best for: A new home cook looking to experiment with new ingredients or techniques. Availability: Currently ships to most zip codes in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and parts of New Mexico. Both menus can be tailored to work with specific dietary preferences.

FlexPro also has a Power Bakery with protein-packed cookies and brownies that you can add to any weekly order.

In the meal prep box, you can order ready-made proteins, like sous vide chicken, prime rib, shrimp scampi, sirloin steak, pulled pork carnitas, and rotisserie chicken. These are perfect for tossing into salads or bowls throughout the week.

Elaheh Nozari. Emily Johnson. Well Equipped Cleaning Gear. Meal Kits. Home Chef. Buy at Home Chef. Photo by Linda Pugliese. Pros: Marley Spoon meals got our testers and their kids cooking and eating a bit outside their comfort zone—the harissa salmon salad was a big hit.

They are clearly labeled as such on the website. We had a couple things leak over a few weeks of orders. Pros: A lot of meal kits claim they take 20 minutes, when it can often be almost double that. Gobble said its meals could be prepped in 15 and we were pleasantly surprised just how close all of them came to that benchmark.

Nothing took over 20 minutes. There are also a lot of one pot meals to keep you from making too big a mess. They repurpose ingredients like garlic confit in lots of dishes in a way that seems smart and efficient rather than repetitive.

Cons: The solution from customer service which is lovely by the way if something is missing from an order is to credit an extra meal to your account. Gobble is best for: People who want freshly cooked food really fast. On the Menu: Pan-roasted chicken with broccoli-cheddar mac and cheese and chicken breast Portuguese-style shrimp with pinto beans and rustic tomato pimentón sauce and sustainably raised ocean shrimp Cheesy corn and black bean enchiladas suizas with zesty cabbage salad Korean bulgogi beef lettuce cups with vegetable japchae Availability: Continental United States.

Buy at Gobble. Buy at Dinnerly. Green Chef. Photo by David Cicconi. Pros: Green Chef has a way of making even ingredients our testers did not care for they had a thing about green bell peppers very appealing.

The step-by-step instructions, which all use pictures, are super helpful and really do teach new techniques. Cons: Ingredients can get a little repetitive so this is best to slip in just two or three times a week. Green Chef is best for: The beginner cook. Buy at Green Chef. Pros: In general what we got was more filling than expected or than it looked like it might be.

Even though so many of the meals are salads, Sakara really knows how to make a salad dressing enticing we loved the avocado tahini and creamy cilantro. The breakfast parfaits were delicious meals. They were surprisingly complex and ate like fancy desserts.

Cons: Per meal cost is around 28 dollars and sometimes one of those meals is a single donut or muffin. Buy at Sakara. Purple Carrot.

Pros: It offered new vegetarian recipes that could be incorporated easily into a regular weekly cooking cadence. Cons: The fresh produce was not always perfectly ripe. Buy at Purple Carrot. Blue Apron. Pros: We really like the way Blue Apron formats their instructions.

It really teaches you how to prep everything before cooking. It's much more detailed than your typical recipe instructions. They offer really nice proteins. The highlight for was the quality fillets of salmon or cod that arrived each week.

We even tried scallops in one "premium" basket. If you don't have time to shop at the butcher or fishmonger or feel at all intimidated by that experience, the proteins alone make this kit worth it.

All the Indian meals, for example used the same one spice—curry powder. On the Menu: Vegetable peanut lo mein with chili crisp fried eggs Hoisin pork belly and miso ramen with bok choy and soft-boiled eggs Smoky poblano sausage gnocchi with tomatoes and monterey jack Oregano and olive chicken with farro, zucchini, and carrots.

Availability: Nationwide. Buy at Blue Apron. MICHAEL MARQUAND. On the Menu: Zesty hummus and chicken rainbow bowl Curry tofu and broccoli jasmine rice bowl Tomatoey turkey meatball and bell pepper rice bowl Spinach artichoke chicken stuffed potato Availability: Most zip codes throughout the contiguous U.

Buy at Hungryroot. On the Menu: Thai red curry chicken with coconut lime rice Chicken, root vegetables, and wild rice harvest bowl Crustless chicken potato pot pie Beef, lamb, and eggplant moussaka Availability: Nationwide. Cons: They repeat ingredients we saw lots of mushrooms and nutritional yeast, for example , which makes this a good addendum to your cooking, but perhaps not something to commit to for five meals a week in perpetuity.

Methodology is best for: Busy, health-minded folks. Buy at Methodology. Cons: This is not the friendliest meal option for lactose intolerant individuals who eat meat, as the bulk of their meat options have some sort of dairy component to them. Buy at Factor. Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions.

We look at their benefits and limitations. Liquid collagen supplements might be able to reduce some effects of aging, but research is ongoing and and there may be side effects. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based The 6 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services. Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on November 28, On this page Our picks Comparison table How we tested How to choose FAQ Bottom line.

How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest. Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services.

How we test meal delivery services. Each service in this article: is in compliance with U. Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials.

How to choose an affordable meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest? Is HelloFresh cheap? What is the average price for meal delivery services?

Do meal delivery services actually save you money? The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Nov 28, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. Nov 14, Medically Reviewed By Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT. Share this article. Read this next. Thinking of Trying a Meal Prep Service?

These Black-Owned Companies Have You Covered. By Zahida Sherman. Dinnerly Review: We Tried One of the Most Affordable Meal Kits. By Kelli McGrane, MS, RD and Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD.

How Nutritionists Can Help You Manage Your Health. Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R. Healthy Lifestyle May Offset Cognitive Decline Even in People With Dementia A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —… READ MORE.

Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing

Looking for an affordable food delivery service? You've got it! Meal Kits with the Highest Quality Ingredients ✔️ Incredible dinners for less than $5 Our research revealed that meal kits begin at $ per serving, with Dinnerly and EveryPlate being the cheapest. Several other meal kits offer Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service: Cheap eats meal packs

Purple Carrot pac,s an exclusively plant-based meal kit service that Affordable musical instruments both Free trial offers for members meal Cjeap and ready-to-heat meals, making it a good choice for vegan eata and Cheap eats meal packs alike. Even if you choose a Cheap eats meal packs kit that requires you to prep and cook the ingredients, you may still save a couple of hours each week of planning and shopping. Pros Weekly rotating meal choices Easy to skip orders Helpful customer support options. Meal delivery services are weekly subscriptions that send pre-prepared meals or meal kits with recipes and ingredients to your door each week. Gobble is best for: People who want freshly cooked food really fast.	While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you. Iceberg researcher Dr. I tried the budget-friendly meal kit service to see how it compared to more expensive options. The one-pan gnocchi was super easy and also delicious, something Dinnerly does very well. They can also be a great way to learn how to cook and teach children.	Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing	Looking for an affordable food delivery service? You've got it! Meal Kits with the Highest Quality Ingredients ✔️ Incredible dinners for less than $5 are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next tier with portions for $7 or $8 per serving 6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron	are the cheapest meal kits with most plans clocking in at under $6 per serving. HelloFresh and Home Chef are in the next tier with portions for $7 or $8 per serving big.kim › Wellness › Nutrition Our research revealed that meal kits begin at $ per serving, with Dinnerly and EveryPlate being the cheapest. Several other meal kits offer
If you like comfort ;acks and Free trial offers for members mind Free trial offers for members eaats Free trial offers for members, EveryPlate has ezts in spades but there are some healthier options, too. Before Cheap eats meal packs your meal kit, check to see how Download book samples each recipe is intended to take, as well as how much additional chopping, cutting, or prepping mezl may padks to perform. EveryPlate is perfect for anyone looking for a boost to their cooking routine, learn to cook or inject some new recipes into their rotation without breaking the bank. Pricing will depend on what you order. When we tore open our bags for dishes like red-miso steak stir-fry and chicken with harissa apricot sauce, we were surprised to see that many of the ingredients were pre-prepped. Their signature chef's faves menu offers a mix of meat, fish and WW-recommended recipes; the vegetarian menu highlights meat-free dishes with seasonal produce and the wellness menu focuses on balanced meals approved by nutritionists and WW-recommended dishes.	The recipe cards were super well-organized, making my type-A personality very happy. I actually had leftovers because it was so filling — always a pro when it comes to plant-based foods. Cons: Not the most upscale packaging or gourmet meals, but plenty of actually filling salads, bowls, and even some choices for breakfast, snacks, and desserts. You can check to see what items you'll need to have on hand for each meal and also get full nutrition facts readily available for every recipe on their website, but our registered dietitians do point out that the sodium content is very high on some of the meals. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you live in New York City, for example, your food budget would likely benefit from a change to meal kit delivery.	Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing	We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily	Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing
Updated Chheap. The plant-based and nutrition-focused meal delivery service is one that pwcks really revamp the way you eat Free office supply trials, lunch, Cheap eats meal packs and snacks. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and Cheap eats meal packs packx our articles when new information becomes available. Recipes per week Artist to destroy masterpieces worth millions if Assange dies in prison "In our catastrophic time - when we have so many wars - to destroy art is much more taboo than to destroy the life of a person," Andrei Molodkin says. Many menu options include fresh low-carb, low-calorie meals or comfort foods such as ravioli or tacos. Daily Harvest.	First-time customers can typically find some level of savings right from the plan selection page. In order to keep prices low, EveryPlate does not cater to special diets and there are no personalized meal plans. World's largest iceberg on the move Satellite imagery from recent months shows Antarctica's A23a gradually heading north toward open water after breaking free from the ocean floor last November. Thankfully, you can still save big by sticking to the no-frills weekly plan. Best Mattresses for Back Pain RELATED: Best Weight Loss Programs. The burger itself was delicious, and something I would seek out in a grocery store to buy again.	Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing	6 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Services, Tested and Reviewed · Our top picks: · Dinnerly · Dinnerly · EveryPlate · EveryPlate · Blue Apron Blue Apron Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything	Blue Apron is an affordable meal kit delivery service with prices that start at just $ per serving. They top our list because of their Looking for an affordable food delivery service? You've got it! Meal Kits with the Highest Quality Ingredients ✔️ Incredible dinners for less than $5 With meals starting at $ per serving with our latest discounts, farm-fresh ingredients and thousands of chef-curated recipes, HelloFresh offers everything
Cons: None to eeats. Cheap eats meal packs can opt for meak two-person Neal the four-person plan and then select the amount of meals you need per week, from just two to six. See all of Madison Trapkin's reviews. Territory Foods. In the end, we made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.	Blue Apron offers an impressive selection of meals to choose from, with more than 70 recipes to browse each week. Not everyone is a connoisseur in the kitchen, and some folks may want their dinner to be prepared more quickly or easily than others. Favorite meal: Sesame-ginger tofu poke bowl Cost: Visit CookUnity for updated pricing. Most all diets, paleo, Keto, plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, Whole 30, low fat, low carb. Recipes are usually seasonal, but favorites are often repeated. Watch Next.	Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing	Our research revealed that meal kits begin at $ per serving, with Dinnerly and EveryPlate being the cheapest. Several other meal kits offer The cheapest meal kits of · Most budget-friendly: EveryPlate · Best vegetarian: Dinnerly · Biggest sign-up savings: Blue Apron · Best prepared Dinnerly is the affordable meal delivery service on the market. Open the door to unfussy, affordable weeknight cooking	The cheapest meal kits of · Most budget-friendly: EveryPlate · Best vegetarian: Dinnerly · Biggest sign-up savings: Blue Apron · Best prepared The cheapest service is EveryPlate with meal kits starting at around $5 per serving. It's also one of the best of the dozen or so services I've Check out our picks for cheapest meal delivery services for affordable meals About $ Type (meal kit or prepared), Meal kits. Meals per week

Cheap eats meal packs - Our research revealed that meal kits begin at $ per serving, with Dinnerly and EveryPlate being the cheapest. Several other meal kits offer Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services ; EveryPlate · $+, $ ; HelloFresh · $+, $ ; Dinnerly · $+, $ ; Daily We get 6 meal kits(18 servings for us) for around $90 a week. (no discounts, includes a few swaps,upgrades). Each meal feeds 3 of us. We tend to Missing

The most inexpensive meal delivery kit out there, EveryPlate was launched by the popular HelloFresh a few years ago as a budget-friendly alternative. The company is able to keep costs down by using less packaging and simple, accessible ingredients.

How it works: Choose from either a two-person or four-person plan with three to six meals per week. Lab results: Even though EveryPlate was the cheapest meal delivery kit we tested, both our experts and testers gave it top scores across the board.

Although the offerings lean more toward the comfort-food side, our dietitians noted that it easy to find the nutrition facts for each meal readily available on the website.

More expensive services will package the food in individual bags or containers, but the food from EveryPlate doesn't come particularly well-organized in the box. This was one of the few complaints from testers, as some of the items were scattered around the box in transit. Some testers also said that certain meals took longer to prepare than the time stated on the recipe cards.

That being said, the meals are great value for the price, and testers loved how easy they were to prepare. I also found the cooking instructions less complicated," a tester commented. Another said, "I like that EveryPlate has simple directions and comes with everything you need even stock packets to get your meal going.

This delivery service has been popular in the meal kit game since and focuses on easy-to-follow recipes. On its website, HelloFresh shares its own week price comparison study analyzing customers' costs versus the cost of shopping at nationwide grocery stores and found that HelloFresh is significantly cheaper than grocery shopping.

How it works: Choose a plan for two or four people and from two to six meals per week. Upgrades and add-ons are available as well, and there are over weekly menu options. Lab results: HelloFresh provides a solid meal delivery kit, with everything neatly packed into little bags with separators making the experience feel very organized and seamless.

The packaging in general also proved superior to other services we tested in terms of both performance and sustainability. Our experts like that full nutrition information and entire recipes are available on the site so you can get a preview before you commit to a particular meal. Allergens are listed per meal as well.

Testers appreciated the number of recipes, with one saying, "I liked that it seemed to have a lot of variety of meals to choose from. One tester said, "It allowed me to try new foods, minimize food waste and save time planning meals for the week.

Rated as our best overall meal delivery kit , Blue Apron offers high-quality ingredients, inventive recipes and lots of options for different dietary needs, including WW.

How it works: Choose to feed two or four people, and select from two to four meals per week. Their signature chef's faves menu offers a mix of meat, fish and WW-recommended recipes; the vegetarian menu highlights meat-free dishes with seasonal produce and the wellness menu focuses on balanced meals approved by nutritionists and WW-recommended dishes.

Lab results: Everything in the kits came well packaged in little bags to keep things organized. Full nutrition facts labels are available on the site, along with the complete recipes and ingredient lists.

Our registered dietitians also loves the variety of WW-recommended meals for those trying to get creative in the kitchen and still manage their dietary goals. Both our pros and testers agree that the ingredients are fresh and high-quality, with testers giving the service rave reviews and noting that the recipes were creative and full of flavor.

The recipe cards offered simple step-by-step instructions, and the meals had substantial portions. The ingredients are perfectly measured, packaged well and fresh.

Home Chef offers boxes that feed up to six people per meal , which is more than other services. They provide plans that include both pre-portioned ingredients with easy-to-follow cooking instructions, as well as low- or no-prep meals for busy families.

How it works: Users begin the process by taking an online quiz to determine which meal plan is the best for them, including answering questions on any dietary preferences and restrictions.

Lab results: Our experts love just how many different meal kit options Home Chef offers, whether you're looking to get something on the table fast for the family or want to indulge in a more special premium cooking experience.

And you don't have to order a crazy number of meals to unlock their lowest pricing. While it may not be the lowest-cost meal delivery kit on the list, it's definitely less than other big names out there, and the quality is top-notch.

You can check to see what items you'll need to have on hand for each meal and also get full nutrition facts readily available for every recipe on their website, but our registered dietitians do point out that the sodium content is very high on some of the meals.

Great taste! I was very pleased," a tester said. Another commented, "It's always hard to find new dinner ideas; these are a perfect variety to keep everyone in your family happy and full. Those looking for more plant-based fare will appreciate the hearty vegetarian offerings from Mosaic.

You'll find everything from veggies and pizzas to smoothies, soups and oat bowls. The brand uses high-quality ingredients, choosing organic and local options when possible.

How it works: Start by selecting your plan, which includes six, 12 or 18 options per box you'll get more savings the more you order.

Then fill your box with a variety of plant-based breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Meal filters include vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free, nut-free and high-protein. Select what you'd like or have Mosaic build a box for you based on customer favorites.

You'll then determine how often you'd like to receive deliveries, ranging from weekly to monthly. All of the meals are delivered frozen with free shipping on 12 and 18 item boxes. Testers were impressed with how tasty the veggie-forward meals were, with one saying, "Delicious!

So flavorful for frozen meals. We were impressed. Made eating plant-based so easy. At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test all types of food products and services, from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services.

Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more.

In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited more than at-home testers across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs. All in all, we evaluated over 40 different meal delivery services , ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options.

We tested the services over the course of three months. For each service, we tried a total of 15 or more meals across our experts and testers.

We are currently and constantly testing new offerings in this category to keep readers up-to-date. In the end, we made our selections based on expert evaluations and tester feedback in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.

Our top picks cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences, including gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein and more.

Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. When finding the best meal delivery service to fit into your lifestyle and budget, there are a few key things to consider:. There are also options that fall in between: Food is partially prepped and requires minimal extra work to get a balanced meal on the table quickly.

You'll want to take a look at the plans the different services offer and keep in mind that while some services may start at a low price that is for a large order.

You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of ordering, so you can see how much it will cost for your specific needs and servings per week. If you are cooking for more than four people, check to make sure the service will accommodate your family, as some services only serve a max of four people per meal.

Frozen meals can avoid waste whereas fresh options can spoil if not eaten immediately. Most services allow you to skip a week and adjust your plan along the way, which can be a strategy to help keep costs down if you can't use the food quickly. Some options, like Dinnerly, have robust vegetarian menus, for example, whereas other services may offer only a handful of vegetarian meals to choose from each week.

Certain services will let you customize further and swap out proteins, which can be beneficial. Most services will give you a discount on the first box and additional discounts if you are a first responder or in the military. And if you know a friend or family member who is using the service, you may both get a discount for the referral.

Some meal delivery services can be pricey — and most also involve shipping fees. But it's worth keeping in mind that they also tend to be healthier and less expensive than takeout.

There's also the benefit of skipping a trip to the grocery store and not having to spend time coming up with meal ideas and hunting for recipes. Many meal kits offer assistance with meal prepping, chopping and more , cutting down on prep time too.

You'll also get the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques and try new foods that may not be in your regular mealtime rotation.

If you'd rather not bust out all your pots and pans every night, prepared meal delivery services can also offer a smart solution. While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you.

These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together. This article was originally written by registered dietitian Amy Fischer. It was most recently updated by registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos.

As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time or money at the grocery store. She personally uses meal delivery services as a way to change up her family's normal dinnertime routine and to get introduced to a variety of new foods and unique preparation methods.

Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. The 9 Best Multivitamins For Men. The Best Thread Count for Sheets.

Why we highlighted Blue Apron: Blue Apron is a popular meal kit known for fun and unique recipes with affordable prices that really sealed the deal for this delivery service in our books. If you want prepackaged meals that cut out prep entirely, Fresh N Lean would make for the perfect addition to your weekly routine.

This meal delivery service hooks subscribers up with ready-made meals that are fresh, never frozen, and made from quality ingredients.

With over menu items to choose from each week, Fresh N Lean wins points for variety. This includes a number of low carb, vegan, and gluten-free meals to consider on a weekly basis. While not USDA-certified, this company does aim to ship organic ingredients whenever possible.

In the event that an ingredient doesn't meet the brand's quality standards, it may be replaced with conventional ingredients. Why we chose Fresh N Lean: Fresh N Lean is a great meal delivery service to turn to for budget-friendly, fully prepared meals -- especially if you order enough meals to earn free shipping each week.

Do you like healthy fruit smoothies for breakfast? What about harvest grain bowls or soups for lunch? If you started salivating at the mention of even one of those options, then Daily Harvest is the meal delivery service for you.

With a menu packed full of whole fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest is great for finding the perfect meal for breakfast or lunch. There are more than 20 unique, flavorful, and nutritionally-packed smoothies to choose from including the dragon fruit and lychee smoothie, pineapple and Matcha, and our personal favorite : the strawberry and peach smoothie.

Don't worry, there are plenty of dinner options to consider here as well. Daily Harvest's menu includes hearty soups, forager bowls, flatbreads, and pasta recipes -- so there's truly something for everyone here.

Deliveries are put together one item at a time, so you have the freedom to build your own meal plan each week. Pick anywhere from nine to 24 items each week. Why we highlighted Daily Harvest: Despite smoothie prices that are higher than you expect, Daily Harvest is still a top contender for healthy meals and treats on a budget, especially if you're interested in the variety of breakfast and lunch options here.

Admit it: It's a bit of a flex to have a delicious, homemade meal ready and waiting multiple nights throughout the week.

It takes time and a bit of planning to pull this off, especially if you're cooking for a busy family. And that's not even factoring in high prices that come with eating out. If you live in New York City, for example, your food budget would likely benefit from a change to meal kit delivery.

But wait -- we already know your next question: "With so many meal kits out there, how do I pick the best one? Choosing the right meal kit for you comes down to a few things. In addition to hunting down the lowest prices per serving, you should always keep an eye out for added discounts.

First-time customers can typically find some level of savings right from the plan selection page. Instead of signing up for the first appealing price you see, shop around a bit to make sure there aren't other better deals waiting for you elsewhere.

Take into account factors such as portion sizes, number of meals per week, and any additional fees for shipping or customization.

That note about shipping fees is worth mentioning again. It's not always easy to see how much a meal kit service charges for shipping until you get into the plan selection process.

In order to make the best selections possible, it's important to pull out all the stops when reviewing meal kit delivery services. We considered a number of factors when choosing the best meal kits for affordability and the biggest ones were:.

Tom Horton is a resident health expert for CBS Essentials, with deep experience in topics ranging from chronic conditions to health-care devices to diet options. He lives in upstate New York, and draws his power from local bookstores, long hikes on a sunny day, and his cat Sammy. If your kitchen or laundry room needs an upgrade, you can save huge money during Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale that's happening right now.

Major appliances, laptops, tablets, smartwatches -- you'll likely find a good deal at Best Buy this weekend. Don't miss out on our top five picks for the Nintendo Switch games you can enjoy on your console today.

A Stanley reusable water bottle is the hottest accessory of , and the new color release is going fast. Presidents' Day is this weekend, but deals on tech, home goods and more have already arrived at Walmart.

It's super simple -- and once you try a meal kit delivery service, you may never go back. If you've been thinking about giving your three- to year old their own tablet, Amazon's kid-friendly options are on sale.

Stocks slumped after government data showed that U. inflation in January remained stubbornly high, dousing investor hopes. It's the third time Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since As this year's NFL championship game sets a ratings record, here's a look at television's other record-breaking broadcasts.

A man has been arrested in connection with the Jan. Flight attendants for major U. airlines are holding rallies at airports around the country to push for higher pay.

Former "Monty Python" star Eric Idle said people "always assume we're loaded. Consumer prices in January rose 3. Officials are currently targeting late February or early March for Hur's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, three people familiar with the matter said. GOP defections and an unexpected appearance saved Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas from impeachment last week.

Officials said it's possible a stray cat that "regularly hunted small mammals" had the Alaskapox virus on its claws when it scratched the man. Jon Burnett was one of Pittsburgh's favorite on-air personalities for 36 years.

What to know about the plague, its symptoms and treatment options, after Oregon reported its first case since Air quality is worsening across much of the U. Cheese related recalls spurred by listeria outbreak expands to foods sold by Amazon, Costco, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's and Walmart.

An official said he knew immediately that the hiker "had found something special. The native U. reptile belongs to the largest freshwater turtle species in the world and has jaws that "can snap through bone.

The gang was protected by a network of motorcycle taxis and minors who acted as lookouts, officials said. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce went out for a night on the town after the Super Bowl — along with Swift's parents. Elle King admitted to being "hammered" during a birthday tribute for Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry.

But Parton said to "forgive that and forget it. In an era dominated by digital dating, a growing number of singles are turning their backs on apps in favor of the time-honored tradition of matchmaking—a practice deeply rooted in various cultures for centuries.

More people on dating apps are being targeted by scammers using bots and artificial intelligence, according to experts. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress that Chinese hackers have positioned themselves to wreak havoc on U. CBS News cybersecurity expert Chris Krebs joins to assess the threat.

The Biden campaign says it's "incorporating a sophisticated security protocol" around use of TikTok. Some Gen Z workers are posting video of themselves being laid off in search of "likes," feedback and revenge.

Google has rolled out the full version of its next-generation AI chatbot, Gemini. It gives users the ability to have conversations with the tech giant's most powerful AI model to date. Gizmodo reporter Maxwell Zeff joined CBS News to discuss the product. Humans are to blame, the report says.

Satellite imagery from recent months shows Antarctica's A23a gradually heading north toward open water after breaking free from the ocean floor last November. Iceberg researcher Dr. Andrew Meijers joins CBS News to discuss. Michael Mann sued after two conservative writers liked his work to acts of infamous child molester Jerry Sandusky.

The warmest January on record was confirmed right after the world experienced its hottest year ever observed. New gun safety measures are taking effect Tuesday in Michigan with changes to universal background checks, storage requirements and "red flag" laws. Jordyn Hermani, a politics and culture reporter for MLive, joined CBS News to discuss the new laws.

The year-old church leader is facing five charges, including for having rock and liquid forms of meth and driving without valid insurance, according to an arrest report. Portland police said that Haynes, 70, was in police custody at a local hospital as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Janette Becraft.

The third commercial station flight chartered by Houston-based Axiom Space ends with picture-perfect Atlantic Ocean splashdown.

The spacecraft's instruments will study how Earth's oceans, atmosphere and land masses interact and how that interaction impacts climate change. After multiple weather delays, the Ax-3 crew was cleared for undocking and return to Earth on Friday to close out an extended mission. About Here's where you can see it in April NASA estimates the biggest asteroid headed our way is between feet and 1, feet across.

When Tiffiney Crawford was found dead inside her van, authorities believed she might have taken her own life. But could she shoot herself twice in the head with her non-dominant hand?

We look back at the life and career of the longtime host of "Sunday Morning," and "one of the most enduring and most endearing" people in broadcasting. A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident. Days after a young woman vanishes, a man in a distinctive hat is seen walking away from her car.

Who is the man in the hat? A special election is being held in New York's 3rd district to fill former Rep. George Santos' seat in the House of Representatives. Democrat Tom Suozzi, who previously served in Congress, and Republican Mazi Pilip, a Nassau County legislator, are locked in a tight race.

CBS News New York's Jennifer Bisram reports. New England is bracing for possible coastal flooding and strong winds as a powerful nor'easter slams the area. CBS News Boston's Louisa Moller reports from Scituate, Massachusetts. The foreign aid package that passed in the Senate overnight faces steep opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who suggested Monday that the lower chamber would not consider the bill.

CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reports. Parts of the Northeast are facing heavy snow, gusty winds and moderate coastal flooding as a nor'easter impacts millions Tuesday. CBS News' Lana Zak is watching the weather from New York City's Central Park.

In , 60 Minutes went inside the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Founding director Lonnie Bunch said the museum would allow America "to remember how much we as a country have been improved, changed, challenged, and made better by the African American experience.

Tom Horton Tom Horton is a resident health expert for CBS Essentials, with deep experience in topics ranging from chronic conditions to health-care devices to diet options.

Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Please enter email address to continue. Please enter valid email address to continue. More Essentials. Samsung has a mega Presidents' Day appliance sale now If your kitchen or laundry room needs an upgrade, you can save huge money during Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale that's happening right now.

Best Presidents' Day deals at Best Buy: Save a fortune and thank George Washington Major appliances, laptops, tablets, smartwatches -- you'll likely find a good deal at Best Buy this weekend 1H ago.

The best Nintendo Switch games you can play right now Don't miss out on our top five picks for the Nintendo Switch games you can enjoy on your console today. Stanley's Annual Color Collection drops at noon today: How to get a tumbler before they sell out A Stanley reusable water bottle is the hottest accessory of , and the new color release is going fast.

Best Presidents' Day deals at Walmart Presidents' Day is this weekend, but deals on tech, home goods and more have already arrived at Walmart.

How do meal kits work? Feb More U. Dow tumbles more than points after hot inflation report Stocks slumped after government data showed that U.

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