WEEKLY MENUS 4 weeks of dinners planned for you, with each meal providing servings. No more planning, just shop, cook, and eat! GROCERY LISTS Printable lists to take to the store or use with your favorite shopping app.

Save time and money. RECIPE E-BOOK Access all the recipes in the plan in your downloadable pdf, with no ads, and no internet connection required. FREEZER GUIDE Downloadable freezer guide with tips for freezing leftover ingredients and meals to reduce waste and stretch your dollar!

PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP Join Beth and other Budget Bytes meal planners to swap tips, substitution ideas, and meal planning wins! Suggestions for using leftover ingredients included with each weekly menu. Let Me Do The Meal Planning For You.

EAT WELL, SAVE MONEY AND DON'T STRESS ABOUT DINNER. Shopping will be a breeze with your meal plan in hand! Our New Meal Plans:. Freezer Friendly Meal Plan - Volume 1. Meal Prep Meal Plan - Volume 1. Slow Cooker Dinners Meal Plan - Volume 1.

Get the Printable Shopping List Here. Pictured Recipe: Tomato Bun Tuna Melt. Budget Tip: Budget-friendly canned fish, like tuna and wild salmon, are convenient options for fast and healthy dinners on a budget. At a fraction of the price of fresh or frozen fish, you'll get the same health benefits from canned options, like healthy omega-3 fats and protein.

You can still plan to check out the fish counter when you do your grocery shopping to see what fresh seafood options are on sale. Frozen fish may be the better option as it's often less expensive, and you can defrost it when you're ready to use it so you know it's fresh.

Pictured Recipe: Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Lasagna. Budget Tip: Going meatless a few times a week is good for your health, good for your wallet and good for the environment.

This vegetarian spaghetti squash lasagna, with 18 grams of satisfying protein and 7 g of filling fiber , is a great budget recipe you'll turn to time and time again.

Pictured Recipe: Easy Chicken Fried Rice. Budget Tip: Fried rice with plenty of vegetables and a little meat is an obvious choice when you want to make a quick and healthy dinner that's easy on your wallet. Feel free to throw in whatever veggie odds and ends you have in your fridge.

Being versatile and using what you have on hand helps you save money and minimize food waste. Pictured Recipe: Roasted Buffalo Chickpea Wraps. Budget Tip: Canned beans are an affordable, healthy and convenient ingredient that add satisfying protein and fiber to your meals.

Here, canned chickpeas replace the more-expensive chicken but still deliver that satisfying Buffalo flavor. Stock up when beans go on sale and use in wraps, salads, soups, stews and more for a healthy, inexpensive plant protein. Budget Tip: Canned black beans, precooked rice and whatever veggies you have on hand are all it takes to whip up this fast and flavorful bean and veggie taco bowl.

Use whatever pantry staples you have on hand to create this low-cost meal and skip an extra trip to the grocery store. Budget Tip: Chicken often goes on sale, so when it does, stock up and keep it in your freezer. Areas in which people do not have easy access to food due to financial or geographical reasons are called food deserts , although this term faces criticism from some.

population lives in low income, low access LILA areas, meaning that money and access to supermarkets are barriers to getting nutritious food.

There are LILA areas in every U. Meal delivery services may help people in LILA areas access balanced and nutritious meals, although they may still be too expensive for those on very tight budgets. Meal delivery services will rarely be cheaper than grocery shopping in stores.

People opting for a meal delivery service may wish to consider certain hidden costs that come with these services, including:. A person can explore the following options to help make meal planning easier if they do not wish to use a meal delivery service.

Services such as PlateJoy can help people plan meals. This platform provides the customer with a shopping list and recipes to try. This may be especially helpful for busy people, those new to cooking, or those who are getting used to a new diet.

PlateJoy is available for purchase online. A person may wish to prepare several meals ahead of time so it is easier to provide individual meals throughout the week. However, preparing even a few meals or meal components for the week ahead may make a difference.

Many grocery stores now sell precut vegetables and other ingredients to help people reduce their meal preparation time. Using ingredients such as frozen vegetables, shredded cheese, and canned sauces may help save time and reduce stress for those who have less ability to cook or are building experience in the kitchen.

CSA baskets and meat shares support local food producers and provide customers with quality, local ingredients. Delivery may be available, depending on the organization. Using these ingredients, people can follow whatever recipes they choose or create their own.

Learn more about preparing healthy meals on a budget. Dinnerly and EveryPlate are two of the cheapest weekly meal delivery options that offer three recipes with two servings each.

It is unlikely that meal delivery services will save people money compared to grocery shopping in-store. This is because these services may not provide meals suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and may not offer snacks or drinks. Additionally, it is unlikely that portion sizes will be big enough to provide leftovers.

People can choose 2—6 meals per week for 2—4 people. It also cannot easily compete with buying groceries in-store, which is typically cheaper overall.

This is because people do not have to pay for shipping, and they can buy and cook ingredients in bulk, preparing leftovers to stretch across the week.

People may wish to consider signing up for a meal delivery service to save them time and build their cooking experience. However, these services may not always be cheaper than grocery shopping in stores.

Meal kit deliveries may help people learn to cook, discover new ingredients, and reduce food waste. Although there are various expensive, specialized meal kit options on the market, many affordable options are also available. Original Medicare generally does not cover meal delivery services.

Medicare Advantage and Medicaid may offer meal delivery, but the benefits may vary…. Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends out recipes and premeasured ingredients to people who want to cook at home.

Learn more. Many people eat and grocery shop on a budget, so knowing how to prepare convenient, healthful, inexpensive meals is key. Here, find a 7-day meal plan…. Some meal delivery services offer dedicated Mediterranean diet menus. This diet can have important health benefits, including weight loss and diabetes….

Prepared meal delivery services can save time and money. Learn more about the best services to purchase from here. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. By Steph Coelho, CPT and Hayley Osborne — Updated on July 25, On this page Our picks Comparison How we chose Who could benefit Hidden costs Benefits Drawbacks Alternatives FAQ Summary.

How we vet brands and products Medical News Today 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. A quick look at the cheapest meal delivery services. The cheapest meal delivery services for SHOP NOW AT DINNERLY. Pros Prices per serving can be very affordable.

People can choose from more than recipes each week. Cons Recipe cards are available only online. The website does not clearly list diet-specific menus.

Pros The service offers generous student discounts. The packaging can keep food at the correct temperature for 48 hours. New customers can get meals at a very low cost.

Cons The brand does not offer a wide range of menus for special diets. Some discounts apply only to larger orders. The menu is unsuitable for vegans and pescatarians.

SHOP NOW AT DAILY HARVEST. Pros All meals are dairy- and gluten-free. All meals are suitable for vegans. The brand offers a wide variety of food types. The brand does not provide clear information online about shipping costs or times. SHOP NOW AT MOSAIC. Pros The service offers exclusively plant-based meals.

Some meals are gluten-free.

Best online meal subscription deals and discounts for February · Daily Harvest · EveryPlate · Purple Carrot · HelloFresh · ButcherBox (meat delivery) Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service Dinnerly, like Every Plate, is a budget meal delivery service with meals starting at just $ per serving. However, they have a huge catalog

Discounted meal plans - Buy in bulk our Healthy Meal Plans starting at $ per meal. Healthy, prepared meals are delivered to your door with free shipping and no subscriptions Best online meal subscription deals and discounts for February · Daily Harvest · EveryPlate · Purple Carrot · HelloFresh · ButcherBox (meat delivery) Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service Dinnerly, like Every Plate, is a budget meal delivery service with meals starting at just $ per serving. However, they have a huge catalog

Skip the food shopping and the chopping—Dinnerly is a meal kit service that sends you fresh ingredients right to your door with most of the food preparation already done. Our pick for best overall cheapest meal delivery service goes to Dinnerly. Additionally, Dinnerly provides a market where you can purchase premade meals and food groceries, as well.

Within that time frame, meals rotated to new selections already. The meal kits were a hit for Nicole, who tried the turkey taquitos and pastrami-crusted steak with an everything bagel potato; they were both delicious to her.

It has better ingredient quality and definitely less sodium than a TV dinner, but with very similar taste vibes.

Our expert dietitian Perry Nix, RD, likes that Dinnerly provides affordable meals to avoid going out to eat, which improves our diet as well as saving money. Good for: Those wanting an inexpensive prepared meal delivery with organic ingredients. Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal delivery service that has a variety of meal plans to choose from.

In addition, you can select exact meals from their A la carte section. I was surprised! What stood out to dietitian Perry Nix was the protein amounts provided in each prepared meal.

Additionally, the one issue Kate ran into was that it was a hassle to cancel her meal subscription. She actually had to call customer service…who does that anymore?

Customers can choose between 10 and 21 weekly healthy meals geared toward weight loss. You can eat meals after just microwaving them for a few minutes. Meal plans include options for specific diets, like keto, mediterranean, plant-based, or low carb diets.

RELATED: Best Weight Loss Programs. Unfortunately, eating too few calories for a prolonged time can actually damage your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.

HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals. They provide six different plans, including plant-based, pescatarian, and quick and easy meals. Additionally, 40 different recipes are available each week, and proteins and sides can be swapped out as needed.

The subscription is flexible, as you can skip a week, pause, or cancel your account at any time. Meal kits include ingredients and recipe cards, and you prep and cook your meals for two people or four. Our product tester, Ashley Little, has used HelloFresh for several years, and enjoys the ease of ordering and customizing your weekly meals.

There is quite a bit of customization, an aspect that appealed to dietitian Perry Nix, RD, as well, particularly for family-friendly options. Also, since you cook these meals at home, the kids can help prepare their meals, which inspires them to taste new foods.

Still, with its low price and discounts, this meal service is worth a shot. Good for: Meal kits that have variety up to par with grocery shopping. Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery, in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all of the ingredients to make it.

There are many options for types of food to choose from, and you can even order extra groceries that you might need as well. You do have to cook though, so if that's not interesting to you, this won't be the right plan. This feels less like a meal service and more like grocery shopping, according to GGR head of content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, who tested out Hungryroot.

The ease of prep was fantastic for a meal kit service, according to Kate. But it was so easy—not a lot of chopping, because everything is prepackaged and ready to throw in a skillet. There is an abundance of variety with Hungryroot, particularly for those with dietary restrictions.

Also, Kate was a bit overwhelmed by the initial quiz at the start—asking lots of questions before you even get to see the meal options. Nevertheless, this is a solid service that provides high-quality ingredients for a relatively inexpensive price. Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike.

Mosaic has a wide selection of frozen veggie bowls, family meals, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls. Dishes vary from smoothies to pizzas and flatbreads, and even soups and oat bowls. Family-friendly meals were also available, which dietitian Perry Nix, RD, enjoyed.

Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that promote immune health, improve vision, and support strong bones and a healthy metabolism. Make sure to check if they deliver to you though, as their delivery is limited to certain parts of the U. RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder Benefits.

Good for: Families needing meal kits with options for all family members. Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends you everything you need for a fun, tasty meal right to your door.

Blue Apron is our favorite budget-friendly meal delivery service for families. With wellness and veggie plant-based options available in their preferences, Blue Apron also provides family-friendly options for kid-friendly meals, as well as a fast and easy quick prep option.

RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef. Our tester, Sarah Carlton, enjoys the meal kits overall, although some meals shine brighter than others.

On the other hand, the Salmon was packed with flavor and so good. The quality of the ingredients impressed Perry Nix, RD. Meal kits, on the other hand, consist of weekly shipments of recipe cards and all the corresponding ingredients to cook those recipes.

There are five main factors to consider when choosing the best affordable meal delivery service for your household. For individuals, prepared meals may be more convenient, but meal kits are often a better choice for families.

Families who follow specific diets like gluten-free, vegan or keto will need to choose meal delivery services like Purple Carrot or Green Chef, which are more expensive than some others. Additionally, if you eat organic that will limit your options as well.

Only Green Chef offers exclusively organic meal kits. Finally, you should review the menu before you sign up and make sure that there are plenty of options that you and the other members of your household will enjoy.

When choosing a meal delivery service, what to avoid really comes down to your personal preferences and budget.

Fortunately, you can view the menu for all of these services on their websites before signing up. In fact, I have tested all of the services on this list for myself, in addition to several others.

We were able to use my first-hand experiences to help guide our decisions for the best cheap meal delivery. Additionally, we considered price per serving, specialty diets and customer reviews to ensure that we included highly-rated meal kits that offered affordable options for people with many different dietary needs and preferences.

Meal delivery services are weekly subscriptions that send pre-prepared meals or meal kits with recipes and ingredients to your door each week. Some, like Nutrisystem, send monthly shipments.

Meal delivery services are available at a wide range of prices. Many of them cost around eight to ten dollars per serving, but they can range from five to fifteen dollars per serving. Meal delivery services can be a good fit for athletes, depending on their unique nutrition needs.

Typically, athletes need to prioritize protein intake and may need to time their carbohydrate intake around athletic events. Most meal delivery services feature protein-rich meal options and you can adjust the size of your carbohydrate serving if needed. Cheap meal delivery services can save your family hours each week.

Although they are typically more expensive than grocery store prices, there are several affordable options that can save money compared to regular dining out. Be sure to choose a meal kit that fits within your budget, is a good fit for your dietary needs and contains plenty of options that your household enjoys.

Sign In. SI Tickets. SI Shop. Deals Fitness Health Nutrition SI Tickets SI Shop Sleep Tech. By Matthew Dustin, fitness coach Feb 12, By Gabrielle Hondorp Feb 9, By Pete Nastasi, certified sports nutrition coach Feb 9, By Ashley Zlatopolsky Feb 8, By Sarah Falcone, BSN, RN Feb 8, By Anna Marie Clear, MS, RD, CPT Feb 8, By SaVanna Shoemaker, RD Feb 8, By Nikki Daigle, CPT Feb 7, Home Chef offers meal kits and oven-ready meals with more customization options than other brands.

Customers can edit or change meals before 12 p. Central Time on Fridays, including upgrading, swapping, or doubling up on certain ingredients. The meal kits come with step-by-step recipe cards, and some of the ready-made meals are very quick to prepare.

The company does not offer many diet-specific boxes, such as allergen-friendly, vegan, or keto boxes. The table below breaks down the cost of a main menu plan.

In choosing brands to include in this article, Medical News Today assessed the following criteria:. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process.

Learn more here. Affordable meal delivery services can benefit various groups, such as disabled people, older people, and those with medical conditions that may limit their ability to shop for or cook meals.

Areas in which people do not have easy access to food due to financial or geographical reasons are called food deserts , although this term faces criticism from some.

population lives in low income, low access LILA areas, meaning that money and access to supermarkets are barriers to getting nutritious food.

There are LILA areas in every U. Meal delivery services may help people in LILA areas access balanced and nutritious meals, although they may still be too expensive for those on very tight budgets.

Meal delivery services will rarely be cheaper than grocery shopping in stores. People opting for a meal delivery service may wish to consider certain hidden costs that come with these services, including:.

A person can explore the following options to help make meal planning easier if they do not wish to use a meal delivery service. Services such as PlateJoy can help people plan meals. This platform provides the customer with a shopping list and recipes to try.

This may be especially helpful for busy people, those new to cooking, or those who are getting used to a new diet. PlateJoy is available for purchase online. A person may wish to prepare several meals ahead of time so it is easier to provide individual meals throughout the week.

However, preparing even a few meals or meal components for the week ahead may make a difference. Many grocery stores now sell precut vegetables and other ingredients to help people reduce their meal preparation time.

Using ingredients such as frozen vegetables, shredded cheese, and canned sauces may help save time and reduce stress for those who have less ability to cook or are building experience in the kitchen. CSA baskets and meat shares support local food producers and provide customers with quality, local ingredients.

Delivery may be available, depending on the organization. Using these ingredients, people can follow whatever recipes they choose or create their own. Learn more about preparing healthy meals on a budget. Dinnerly and EveryPlate are two of the cheapest weekly meal delivery options that offer three recipes with two servings each.

It is unlikely that meal delivery services will save people money compared to grocery shopping in-store. This is because these services may not provide meals suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and may not offer snacks or drinks.

Additionally, it is unlikely that portion sizes will be big enough to provide leftovers. People can choose 2—6 meals per week for 2—4 people. It also cannot easily compete with buying groceries in-store, which is typically cheaper overall.

This is because people do not have to pay for shipping, and they can buy and cook ingredients in bulk, preparing leftovers to stretch across the week. People may wish to consider signing up for a meal delivery service to save them time and build their cooking experience. However, these services may not always be cheaper than grocery shopping in stores.

Meal kit deliveries may help people learn to cook, discover new ingredients, and reduce food waste. Although there are various expensive, specialized meal kit options on the market, many affordable options are also available. Original Medicare generally does not cover meal delivery services.

Medicare Advantage and Medicaid may offer meal delivery, but the benefits may vary…. Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends out recipes and premeasured ingredients to people who want to cook at home. Learn more.

Many people eat and grocery shop on a budget, so knowing how to prepare convenient, healthful, inexpensive meals is key. Here, find a 7-day meal plan…. Some meal delivery services offer dedicated Mediterranean diet menus.

This diet can have important health benefits, including weight loss and diabetes…. Prepared meal delivery services can save time and money. Learn more about the best services to purchase from here.

My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. By Steph Coelho, CPT and Hayley Osborne — Updated on July 25, On this page Our picks Comparison How we chose Who could benefit Hidden costs Benefits Drawbacks Alternatives FAQ Summary.

How we vet brands and products Medical News Today 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. A quick look at the cheapest meal delivery services. The cheapest meal delivery services for SHOP NOW AT DINNERLY. Pros Prices per serving can be very affordable. People can choose from more than recipes each week.

Cons Recipe cards are available only online. The website does not clearly list diet-specific menus. Pros The service offers generous student discounts. The packaging can keep food at the correct temperature for 48 hours. New customers can get meals at a very low cost.

Cons The brand does not offer a wide range of menus for special diets.

Discounted meal plans - Buy in bulk our Healthy Meal Plans starting at $ per meal. Healthy, prepared meals are delivered to your door with free shipping and no subscriptions Best online meal subscription deals and discounts for February · Daily Harvest · EveryPlate · Purple Carrot · HelloFresh · ButcherBox (meat delivery) Get $/meal and $1 steak (limited time only!). Enjoy affordable meal kit delivery and easy recipes with America's Best Value Meal Kit service Dinnerly, like Every Plate, is a budget meal delivery service with meals starting at just $ per serving. However, they have a huge catalog

Most reviewers are very happy with EveryPlate, although some say that they occasionally receive bad produce in their box. Nutrisystem is a comprehensive weight loss meal delivery service that includes low-calorie meals for an individual. They offer specific plans for men, women, people with diabetes and people over 55 years old.

In addition, they offer a partner plan for couples. Their meals and snacks are either frozen or shelf stable, but require zero prep other than heating—with the exception of smoothies or protein shakes that may need to be mixed with liquid.

However, although they can be very helpful for weight loss according to reviewers, the meals are low in veggies and highly processed. Highly-processed food has been linked to several poor health outcomes, including digestive issues, type 2 diabetes, depression and heart disease.

Additionally, because these meals are for individuals or their partner plan for two , Nutrisystem may not be a good solution for families of three or more. Check out our Nutrisystem Review for more information. Green Chef is a traditional meal kit that specializes in high-quality organic ingredients and caters to specialty diets such as keto , paleo, vegan and gluten-free.

Naturally, this focus on high-quality ingredients means that their prices are higher than other meal kit services. Still, their prices are fair and competitive for what they offer.

Reviewers also love Green Chef. Note that occasionally Green Chef may need to substitute some non-organic ingredients in your box, depending on availability. All of these will be clearly labeled. For more information, check out our in-depth Green Chef review.

Purple Carrot is an exclusively plant-based meal kit service that offers both traditional meal kits and ready-to-heat meals, making it a good choice for vegan families and individuals alike.

Overall, the service has great reviews from customers, although many say that some of their produce items regularly arrive in poor condition.

They also offer several gluten-free options each week. Still, it may not be a good fit for families with picky eaters because the recipes tend to feature bold, regional flavors. However, they have a huge catalog of weekly options, including several that require minimal prep.

This makes Dinnerly a better fit for families on a budget who also need meals that come together quickly. Some of their recent menu options include No Chop!

Low-Cal Chorizo Tacos and Ready Made! Cheesy Chicken Penne Alfredo. Many reviewers love the variety that Dinnerly provides, but they do say that occasionally produce arrives in bad shape. Overall, the sheer variety of Dinnerly—along with its low price—makes it a great fit for most families without special dietary needs.

They even offer some low-carb and dairy-free meals. HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal kit delivery services. They offer a wide variety of meals each week, including crowd-pleasing choices and more unique dishes.

For singles, a two-serving plan provides a dinner and one serving worth of leftovers for lunch the next day. It can save a lot of money compared to dining out for lunch and dinner. Other than occasional shipping issues, reviewers rate HelloFresh highly—with many saying that they cook at home much more since starting their HelloFresh subscription.

Meal delivery services are companies that ship prepared meals or meal kits to your doorstep each week.

There are several different meal delivery services to suit nearly all budgets and diet preferences. Meal delivery services are convenient and they can help you save time and money.

They also may help you incorporate healthier meals into your routine and they can add some variety if you find yourself in a cooking rut. By eliminating the need to meal plan and grocery shop, meal delivery services provide convenience and save lots of time.

Even if you choose a meal kit that requires you to prep and cook the ingredients, you may still save a couple of hours each week of planning and shopping.

If you find yourself eating out or ordering out regularly, meal delivery companies could also help you save money. Many meal delivery services also feature well-balanced, nutritious meals that prioritize fresh produce and healthy protein sources.

They can be a good way to introduce your family to healthier meals. Finally, meal kit services often feature large selections of meals from different types of cuisine. They can add some much-needed variety if your dinners have been feeling stale.

There are two different types of meal delivery services: prepared meal delivery and meal kit delivery. Prepared meal delivery services send single-serving meals that are completely cooked. They only require reheating and they may be sent fresh or frozen.

Meal kits, on the other hand, consist of weekly shipments of recipe cards and all the corresponding ingredients to cook those recipes. There are five main factors to consider when choosing the best affordable meal delivery service for your household.

For individuals, prepared meals may be more convenient, but meal kits are often a better choice for families. Families who follow specific diets like gluten-free, vegan or keto will need to choose meal delivery services like Purple Carrot or Green Chef, which are more expensive than some others.

There is an abundance of variety with Hungryroot, particularly for those with dietary restrictions. Also, Kate was a bit overwhelmed by the initial quiz at the start—asking lots of questions before you even get to see the meal options. Nevertheless, this is a solid service that provides high-quality ingredients for a relatively inexpensive price.

Mosaic is a frozen meal delivery service that offers plant-based options for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Mosaic has a wide selection of frozen veggie bowls, family meals, pizzas, smoothies, soups, and oat bowls.

Dishes vary from smoothies to pizzas and flatbreads, and even soups and oat bowls. Family-friendly meals were also available, which dietitian Perry Nix, RD, enjoyed.

Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that promote immune health, improve vision, and support strong bones and a healthy metabolism. Make sure to check if they deliver to you though, as their delivery is limited to certain parts of the U.

RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder Benefits. Good for: Families needing meal kits with options for all family members.

Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service that sends you everything you need for a fun, tasty meal right to your door. Blue Apron is our favorite budget-friendly meal delivery service for families.

With wellness and veggie plant-based options available in their preferences, Blue Apron also provides family-friendly options for kid-friendly meals, as well as a fast and easy quick prep option. RELATED: Blue Apron Vs HelloFresh Vs Home Chef. Our tester, Sarah Carlton, enjoys the meal kits overall, although some meals shine brighter than others.

On the other hand, the Salmon was packed with flavor and so good. The quality of the ingredients impressed Perry Nix, RD. These ingredient standards support the environment, farmers, and animal welfare.

A fault that Perry notes is that Blue Apron is fairly limited when it comes to dietary preferences. RELATED: Best Meal Delivery for Weight Loss. There are no subscriptions, you can order at the frequency to like. Our favorite prepared meal delivery on a budget is Clean Eatz.

Clean Eatz allows you to pick six meals from their meal plans—including keto, high-protein, and gluten-free plans—and then a quantity of these six-meal packs.

Only being able to choose six meals at a time with limited variety might not be what some are looking for; still, with a decent amount of protein in each meal and delicious ingredients, Clean Eatz provides good value at a pretty low price.

Busy parents will rejoice in picker-eater approved menu items with hidden vegetables and wholesome ingredients from Little Spoon, a kid-specific meal delivery service.

Little Spoon has meal options for babies who are not yet eating solid foods, little ones moving to bite-size pieces, toddlers eating finger foods, and smoothies for on-the-go snacks.

Subscription plans offer biweekly delivery cadence that can be skipped, paused, or canceled at any time. For the picky eaters in your household, we suggest Little Spoon. Providing meals for all age ranges, from infants to toddlers to young kids, Little Spoon exposes kids to a variety of flavors and ingredients at a young age.

Dietitian Perry Nix, RD, speaks on the importance of diversifying the foods a child is exposed to early on. Senior editor and certified nutrition coach Nicole Davis tested out these meals directly with the source: her two oldest children.

The kids, being moderately picky in their foods, had mixed reactions to some meals. Whether or not Little Spoon is right for you and your children will mostly depend on how your children like it. However, with organic ingredients that are non-GMO, this is a great meal service for kids. You can read our in-depth thoughts in our Little Spoon review.

Not every meal service we tried made our top picks; here are a few honorable mentions we tested:. Obviously, one of the biggest factors we accounted for on these meal delivery services was the price that these meal services brought to the table pun intended.

There are more benefits to an inexpensive meal service besides the money. You can still have many of the benefits of meal services while staying on budget. Finding a meal delivery service that fits in your budget will help you save money.

You buy just the meals you need at affordable prices, and can save on the cost of a grocery run in many cases. Meal prep for the week can take up a lot of time, which is a huge perk of meal delivery services.

Meal kits provide just the right amount of ingredients for your meals, with many ingredients prepared already, so it minimizes the time needed to prepare and cook meals. Additionally, prepared meals can just be put in an oven or microwave to heat up, virtually eliminating prep time completely.

Many meal services provide plans and options for people with specific dietary restrictions or needs. Also, anyone following keto, low-carb, paleo, vegan, or pescatarian diets will often find options through meal delivery services. This takes out a lot of the hassle of having to find the right meals for your exact needs.

Often at the grocery store, you may have to purchase more food than you want or need for the week, like purchasing a bag of onions when you only need one. Plus, many meal services source their ingredients sustainably through local organic farmers, which also impacts the environment in a positive way.

With trying to be frugal with your money, here are some things to look out for:. Many meal delivery services offer a first-time discount, which can vary depending on the company.

These discounts can be substantial, although prices may jump back up after a bit of use. Here are a few of our best picks for meal services that offer consistently inexpensive meal options:.

Many meal delivery services have smaller minimums and meal plans to cater for just one person. The cost of HelloFresh varies depending on the number of meal portions you order each week. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. The Rogue Dog Sled 1. This is where the Rogue Echo Sled comes in. A beefy sled at a great price.

Read more. We take a deep dive into common treadmill dimensions and considerations if you want to make room for one in your home. Our Bowflex review gives you the good, bad, and ugly of these adjustable dumbbells. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Check Out the 14 Best Treadmills for Your Home Gym View More.

Best Online Workout Programs Learn More. This includes physicians, certified trainers, elite-level coaches, and more.

Learn more about our experts. GGR Score: 4. Check Price. Cons Fresh ingredients need to be cooked within 4 days of delivery Meal selection only after signing up and entering payment information. Bottom Line Skip the food shopping and the chopping—Dinnerly is a meal kit service that sends you fresh ingredients right to your door with most of the food preparation already done.

Low minimum of meals Over meals to choose from. Cons Very little customization when choosing meal plans Meals can be pricey. Bottom Line Fresh N Lean is a prepared meal delivery service that has a variety of meal plans to choose from.

Product Highlights Meal service that delivers ingredients and recipes 6 different plans available, including vegan and pescatarian options Can swap out different proteins and sides Can purchase between 2 and 6 meals, in portions to feed 2 or 4 people 40 weekly recipes to choose from Sourced from U.

farmers 6 meal plans to choose from. Cons Customer reviews complain about ingredient inconsistencies Some reviews claim meal portions are small. Bottom Line HelloFresh is a subscription meal delivery service that provides ingredients and recipes for weekly meals.

Video