Best Low-Calorie Meal Delivery Services 2021 - Top Choices for Those on a Diet
Trying to stick to a low-calorie diet can be tough. We’re surrounded by temptations at the grocery store and take-out is always just a phone call away. Meal delivery services are here to save the day and help you stay the course. Our experts have tried dozens of platforms to bring you the best, so read on to discover the top choices for taste, price, convenience, and more.
Switching to a low-calorie diet isn’t just for those looking to lose weight – it can be a gateway to better health for just about anyone willing to give it a go. Some platforms provide very rigid diets to stick to, while others offer a more relaxed service so you can easily dip your toes in. We’ve covered both prepared meals as well as DIY meal kits to give you a good idea of what the market has to offer.
Overall Best Prepared Low-Calorie Meals
Prepared meal services feature dishes that are ready to heat and eat upon arrival. The dishes are chilled or frozen, and will last in the fridge for around one week.
Overall Best Low-Calorie Meal Kits
A meal kit is a box of fresh ingredients that you’ll prepare yourself at home. Each meal kit comes with a detailed set of cooking instructions and is designed for both rookie and experienced chefs alike.
Overall Best Prepared Low-Calorie Meals
Prepared meal services feature dishes that are ready to heat and eat upon arrival. The dishes are chilled or frozen, and will last in the fridge for around one week.
Starting price
- More than 150 dishes to choose from
- Prep time of just 3 - 5 minutes
- Free shipping
- Low-calorie meals and weight loss experts
Weight Loss
Vegetarian
Low Carb
Diabetic
Popular Nutrisystem Meals
Overall Best Low-Calorie Meal Kits
A meal kit is a box of fresh ingredients that you’ll prepare yourself at home. Each meal kit comes with a detailed set of cooking instructions and is designed for both rookie and experienced chefs alike.
Starting price
- Choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 meals per week for 2 or 4 people
- Meals ready in 20 - 60 minutes
- $8.99 shipping
- Veggie, family-friendly, and calorie smart options
Gourmet Meals- Vegetarian
Plant Based- Low Carb
Low Calorie
Popular Hello Fresh Meals
Pork & Pepper Enchiladas with Pico de Gallo & Lime Crema
- Prep & Cook Time 35-40 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Mild
Meal Overview
Saucy, smothered, hearty, and delicious: This enchilada bake has everything you could possibly want. You’ll start by wrapping tortillas around a filling of spiced ground pork and sautéed bell pepper, then coating the bundles with a healthy glug of zesty tomato sauce and a sprinkle of Mexican cheese. Bake until piping hot and bubbly, then top with lime crema and pico de gallo and dig into all that deliciousness.
In Your Box
- 1 Roma Tomato
- 2 Scallions
- 1 Lime
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 4 Sour Cream (ContainsMilk)
- 10 Ground Pork
- 1 Tex-Mex Paste
- 1 Southwest Spice Blend
- 6 Flour Tortillas (ContainsWheat)
- 1⁄2 Mexican Cheese Blend (ContainsMilk)
- 1 1⁄2 Tomato Paste
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 950 kcal Calories
- 56g Fat
- 22g Saturated Fat
- 74g Carbohydrate
- 12g Sugar
- 4g Dietary Fiber
- 39g Protein
- 140mg Cholesterol
- 2060mg Sodium
Black Bean & Poblano Burritos with Monterey Jack, Pico de Gallo Cilantro Lime Rice & Guacamole
- Prep & Cook Time 35-40 min
-
Difficulty Level
Expert
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Master the art of building the perfect burrito with this recipe. First, assemble your fillings—here, you’ve got fluffy cilantro lime rice, hearty spiced black beans and poblano, and Monterey Jack cheese. Next, get your salsas and condiments ready: smoky red pepper crema, refreshing pico de gallo, and guacamole. Now for the best part: stuffing the tortillas with just as much of each component as your heart desires, so you get a burrito that’s perfectly customized. Roll it all up, then dig into burrito bliss. Now THAT’S a wrap!
In Your Box
- 1⁄2 Jasmine Rice
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1 Poblano Pepper
- 1 Roma Tomato
- 1⁄4 ounce Cilantro
- 1 Lime
- 13 2⁄5 Black Beans
- 1 Veggie Stock Concentrate
- 1 Southwest Spice Blend
- 2 Flour Tortillas (ContainsWheat)
- 1⁄4 Monterey Jack Cheese (ContainsMilk)
- 4 Smoky Red Pepper Crema (ContainsMilk, Soy)
- 4 Guacamole
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 890 kcal Calories
- 28 g Fat
- 10 g Saturated Fat
- 128 g Carbohydrate
- 11 g Sugar
- 14 g Dietary Fiber
- 22 g Protein
- 30 mg Cholesterol
- 1640 mg Sodium
The Factors We Use to Rank Top Low-Calorie Meal Service Providers
Meal variety and type– Low-calorie meals often get a bad rep for bland taste and lack of exciting ingredients. That’s why our mission is to hunt down only those platforms that offer the best in terms of variety. All of the services on our list have extensive menus or offer creative ways to enjoy low-calorie dishes
Prep and cook time– We always strive to find a balance between those who are looking for instant convenience and those that really enjoy the cooking experience. That being said, the meals we’ve selected should never take more than an hour to prepare from scratch, with many being ready in just 20 – 40 minutes
Average meal prices – We understand everyone is working from a different weekly budget. It’s important for us to get a good mix of platforms to cover singles, couples, families, and those looking for a more gourmet experience
Weekly meal options– We like to mix things up as much as you, so rotating weekly options are a big consideration when we review platforms. We’ve tried to pick out the ones that have a significant variety each week and don’t repeat meals
How Do Prepared Low-Calorie Meals and Meal Kits Work?
Prepared meals– Prepared meals have been pre-cooked by the provider before being chilled and delivered to you. Most can be cooked in the microwave in just a few minutes, but these are a far cry from unhealthy instant dinners of the past. Most have been designed by top chefs to ensure each meal is delicious and packed with nutrition. Perfect for busy families that just don’t have the time to cook
Meal kits– A great choice for fans of cooking, or those that are looking to take it up as a new hobby. Meal kits provide you with a box of fresh ingredients each week for your chosen meal plan. You take on the role of the chef and will rustle up tasty dishes from scratch following the instruction cards. Difficulty can vary so complete novices might want to do a little research on the menu before buying
Best Low-Calorie Prepared Meal Delivery Services for 2021
1. Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem’s total diet plan will ensure your meals constitute no more than 1,600 calories per day. It’s a strict regime, but it’s been proven to help customers lose weight quickly.
| Avg. Meal Price | $10 per day or $3.33 per meal |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 3 - 5 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free Shipping |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
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You can check out some weight loss stories over on the Nutrisystem website and most customers that stick to the plan are able to lose two lbs per week on average.
The Bottom Line
With so much industry experience, Nutrisystem has pulled together an impressive range of dishes and an excellent low-calorie meal plan.
2. Diet-to-go
Like Nutrisystem, Diet-to-Go is a low-calorie weight loss program. It’s a little more expensive but has a range of specialist diets like keto, vegetarian, and diabetes.
| Avg. Meal Price | $6.80 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Two to five minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $19.95 |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
All new customers receive a 20% discount on their first order and if you don’t like what’s on offer you can cancel with no charges.
The Bottom Line
The meal portions are very strictly controlled here, meaning it’s an ideal option to hit short-term weight loss goals. Plus, meals are cooked fresh and taste great.
3. Fresh N Lean
Fresh N Lean is the go-to choice for gym-goers looking for a calorie-controlled diet. Alongside the low-cal option, you’ll find keto, meat, and protein plus diets to ensure you’re getting most of your calories from healthy proteins.
| Avg. Meal Price | $10.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Two minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
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All meals are designed by a team of top chefs and dieticians and are intended to help athletes reach peak performance.
The Bottom Line
We can’t fault Fresh N Lean for the way it controls calorie intake. You might want to give it a go if you’re planning on starting a new exercise regime.
4. BistroMD
Another entry that’s designed to support weight loss, BistroMD has some impressive credentials to back it up. Meals have been concocted by a team of medical doctors and will provide you with essential micronutrients.
| Avg. Meal Price | $7.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 2 - 5 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $19.95 |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
There are more than 150 items to choose from on the menu each week and new dishes are being added all of the time.
The Bottom Line
BistroMD has a strong track record of helping customers with weight loss whilst providing one of the most innovative and tasty menus we’ve seen.
5. Good Kitchen
Good Kitchen is a low-calorie provider with a difference. It aims to provide nutritious meals cooked from sustainably sourced and healthy ingredients. Meals are never frozen and are made from 100% organic produce.
| Avg. Meal Price | Around $13.99 per serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Four minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $6.99 |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
Good Kitchen is actually a great choice for families. The meal plans are flexible and there are plenty of kid-friendly options.
The Bottom Line
Good Kitchen might not be designed specifically for weight loss, but the nutritional information lets you easily count calories and plan meals.
Best Low-Calorie Meal Kit Delivery Services for 2021
1. Hello Fresh
As America’s most popular meal kit service it’s easy to see why Hello Fresh is able to offer the best choice of low-calorie meals.
| Avg. Meal Price | $7.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 20 - 60 minute meal kits |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
|
Enjoy vegetarian, pescetarian, and other specialist diets alongside low-calorie options.
The Bottom Line
Hello Fresh has more than enough variety to keep most customers interested and the low-calorie options are delicious to boot.
2. Butcher Box
Butcher Box exclusively delivers only fresh meat. There are no meal kits, but the platform has hundreds of meat-based recipes on its website for you to try. It has made our low-calorie list as all of its produce is fresh, lean, and ethically sourced.
| Avg. Meal Price | $5.40 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Dependent on what you decide to cook |
| Shipping Cost | Free Shipping |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
While you’ll need to provide other ingredients yourself, the Butcher Box recipe list is extensive and has some very impressive suggestions on there.
The Bottom Line
Butcher Box is a meat-eaters paradise and the produce is very reasonably priced for what you get.
3. Marley Spoon
With Martha Stewart’s seal of approval, all of the dishes at Marley Spoon are gourmet classics. You’ll find plenty of low-calorie options on offer from a huge back catalog of recipes.
| Avg. Meal Price | $8.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 30 - 40 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
|
Each dish has been prepared so you can cook it in just six easy steps. Even novices should have no trouble at all here.
The Bottom Line
There’s a reason Martha Stewart has been so consistently popular over the decades and the flavorful, simple dishes on offer will help you stick to your calorie-controlled diet.
4. Green Chef
Green Chef doesn’t have a specific low-calorie plan, but many of its meals are under 600 calories. Nutritional information is easy to find and you’ll quickly find what you need on the menu.
| Avg. Meal Price | $11.49 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 20 - 40 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Costs scale with order size |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only (excluding parts of Louisiana) |
| Sample Meals |
|
Green Chef prioritizes organic ingredients, gluten-free meals, and offers keto and paleo diets. It’s one of the healthiest meal kits on our list.
The Bottom Line
With most of Green Chef’s dishes coming in at around 600 calories or under, you don’t need to worry about constantly checking the nutritional information. It would be nice to have a little more flexibility, but each menu choice is usually pretty tasty.
5. Purple Carrot
This vegan and plant-based platform is a great way to keep the calories down.
| Avg. Meal Price | $11.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 10 - 30 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
Purple Carrot has recently started to offer additional grocery items too. You can pick up chocolate bars, truffle pouches, and vegan cheeses.
The Bottom Line
Meal kits don’t come much fresher or packed with micronutrients than Purple Carrot. Its rotating weekly menu of around 14 meals is a great way to count those calories.
How to Choose the Best Low-Calorie Meal Delivery Service
Check nutritional information – While this might sound obvious, a lot of customers can overlook checking the nutritional information before they commit to a meal package. All the providers on our list provide detailed ingredient breakdowns and calorie counts, making it easy to find which ones will work for you
Price – A big deciding factor for lots of customers. We’ve tried to keep our list towards the reasonable end of the scale. Most of the options here have similar costs to those you’d find when grocery shopping, but there are one or two gourmet options for those that want a treat too
Freshness of ingredients – Some might prefer meals cooked from 100% fresh ingredients, while others might find the weight-loss aspects of a service are more important and are happy to opt for processed foods. While most services offer fresh ingredients, it’s always worth checking before you buy
Meal variety – One of the old cliches about low-calorie diets is that they tend to include lots of boring meals. Luckily, this just isn’t the case these days and lots of platforms are able to deliver a huge amount of variety. Simply browse through some of the menus on our list to see what we mean
Subscription models – You’ll find that a lot of low-calorie platforms are specifically geared towards weight loss. This usually means strict plans and every meal of the week is covered. If you’re not ready to commit full time to a diet like this, there are plenty of other more flexible low-calorie options to pick too
Summary
Sticking to a low-calorie or weight loss diet has never been easier or more affordable. In fact, we’re so spoiled for choice that it can be difficult to choose a platform. We’d recommend trying out a few different ones and seeing which works best for you. Each of our selected providers has no long-term contracts and you’re free to cancel after your first week with no extra charge. This means your wallet won’t take a huge hit for giving these services a try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I Talk to a Physician Before Going Low-Calorie?
Yes. If you’re making a full-time switch to low-calorie, or are trying to lose weight, we’d always recommend a quick chat with your physician. All of the meals here are perfectly safe, but making a sudden switch to low-calorie can be a shock for some.
Do I Have to Be On a Weight Loss Diet to Try Low-Calorie Meals?
No, not at all. In fact, many customers will try low-calorie meals as a lifestyle choice. You can opt to have as few or as many meals as you’d like per week.
What Are Some Health Benefits of Going Low-Calorie?
Besides the obvious weight loss benefits, some dieters also experience increased energy, are at lower risk of diabetes, lower cholesterol, and improved sleep.
