Best Whole Food Meal Delivery Services 2021 - How to Eat Healthily
We all know how important it is to get whole foods in our diet, but our busy lifestyles mean that we’re surrounded by processed meals on a daily basis. That’s why our foodie experts have tasted their way across the meal delivery industry to track down the healthiest and most nutritious dishes on offer. Read on to find the best in the business for price, taste, and convenience.
There’s no denying the health benefits of whole foods. These ingredients are pure and unprocessed, meaning none of the nutrition is lost from farm to table. Meal delivery services are a great way to save you the hassle of trawling through the supermarket looking for the freshest ingredients, and you can have tasty meals delivered right to your door. Plus, the weekly menus ensure you’re getting your daily allowance of essential vitamins and minerals. We’ve covered both prepared meals as well as meal kits so you have the widest choice possible.
Overall Best Whole Food Prepared Meal Delivery Service
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 Whole Food Meal Kit Delivery Service
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 Whole Food Prepared Meal Delivery Service
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
- Choose 9, 12, or 24 meals to be delivered each week
- Prepped in 3 to 10 minutes
- Free shipping
- Vegan and vegetarian meals
Healthy
Nourishing
Organic
Clean Meal
Popular Daily Harvest Meals
Overall Best Whole Food Meal Kit Delivery Service
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
- 3 or 4 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people
- Meals ready in 20 - 40 minutes
- Shipping costs scale with the delivery size
- USDA organic certified vegan meals
- Healthy
Paleo
Keto
Vegetarian
Plant Based
Balance
Popular Green Chef Meals
SALMON WITH RED PEPPER SAUCE broccoli puttanesca with tomato Kalamata olives & capers
- Prep & Cook Time 20-25 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Melt-in-your-mouth pan-seared salmon is covered in an INSANELY flavorful roasted red pepper sauce for a quick, flavor-packed dinner! Serve it over rice or noodles.
In Your Box
- 1 Salmon
- 3 Mustard-Herb Seasoning
- 6 Kalamata Olives
- 1 Roma Tomatoes
- 1 Garlic
- 168 Broccoli
- 55 Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette
- 10 crapers
- 1 Yellow Onion
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 720kcal Calories
- 59g Fat
- 10g Saturated Fat
- 14g Carbohydrate
- 5g Sugar
- 5g Dietary Fiber
- 33g Protein
- 75mg Cholesterol
- 470mg Sodium
PORK CHOPS WITH TRUFFLE ROSEMARY SAUCE with jasmine rice with kale, roasted red peppers & dates
- Prep & Cook Time 25-30 min
-
Difficulty Level
Moderate
-
Spice Level
Not spicy
Meal Overview
Truffle zest and rosemary are the perfect aromatic match, combining the distinctive earthiness of black truffles with rosemary’s woodsy notes of evergreen, citrus, and pine. After searing pork chops and cooking kale with roasted red peppers, and dates, you’ll use the same pan to create the creamy truffle rosemary sauce. The pan juices mingle with mushroom stock concentrate and cream cheese for a rich and savory elixir that you’ll want to spoon over everything.
In Your Box
- 1 Pork Chops
- 1 Dried Rosemary
- 1 Garlic
- 80 Lacinato Kale
- 1 Mushroom Stock Concentrate
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1 Truffle Zest
- 1 Cream Cheese
- 1 Jasmine Rice
- 27 Roasted Red Peppers
- 30 Dates
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- 860kcal Calories
- 48g Fat
- 14g Saturated Fat
- 66g Carbohydrate
- 14g Sugar
- 4g Dietary Fiber
- 44g Protein
- 135mg Cholesterol
- 770mg Sodium
The Factors We Use to Rank Top Whole Food Meal Service Providers
Meal variety and types– This is always our most important consideration and each of the platforms we choose is guaranteed to have a wide variety of different dishes and diets covered
Prep and cook time– None of the dishes on our list should take more than an hour to cook from scratch, and many can actually be ready in 30 minutes or less. Plus, you’d be surprised at just how many prepared meals are offering whole foods these days
Weekly meal options– We understand that not everyone will need all of their meals covered each week. That’s why we’ve got lots of flexible options for you so you can fit meal delivery services around your busy schedule
Average meal price– We’ve made sure no one has been excluded and are on a mission to prove eating a whole food diet doesn’t need to be expensive
How Do Whole Food Prepared Meals and Meal Kits Work?
Prepared meals– Each meal is cooked by the provider using only fresh, whole-food ingredients. Dishes are then chilled and shipped out to you and can be heated through in the microwave in just a few minutes. Since every dish has been made fresh you’ll find none of the nutrition is lost
Meal kits– The ultimate in freshness, meal kits provide you the opportunity to cook restaurant-quality dishes from scratch in your own home. The service provider will ship your ingredients out on a weekly basis alongside cooking instructions. Most dishes are simple to make and are a great way to get balanced nutrition
Best Whole Food Prepared Meal Delivery Services for 2021
1. Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest is one of the most popular prepared meal services in the US. It offers smoothies, flatbreads, soups, harvest bowls, and more from a fully a la carte menu. All ingredients are made from whole foods and presented as close as possible to how nature intended.
| Avg. Meal Price | Around $7.99 per meal |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 3 to 10 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free shipping |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
The platform supports regenerative farming methods and all produce is ethically sourced.
The Bottom Line
Daily Harvest’s selling point is that it uses 100% organic and whole-food ingredients. It doesn’t get much better in the prepared meal business and all at a price point you can afford.
2. Freshly
Freshly doesn’t offer a 100% whole food menu but the majority of its dishes meet the right criteria. Each dish is chef-cooked before being shipped to you, sealing in the flavor and freshness.
| Avg. Meal Price | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Just a few minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Varies based on location |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
Keep an eye out for Freshly’s refer a friend bonus. You could both get some pretty nifty discounts.
The Bottom Line
Freshly is a perfect choice if you like filling, home-cooked classics. Meals are made all the better by being packed with nutritious ingredients.
3. Fresh N Lean
Fresh N Lean keeps its meals simple, with lean meats and fresh veg being the basis for most dishes. There are no processed ingredients here and carbs are kept to a minimum.
| Avg. Meal Price | $10.99 per meal |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Around three minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
Fresh N Lean is a great way to bulk up if you’re looking to build muscle. Plus, plans are designed around having every single meal of the week covered.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for clean, healthy ingredients and a diet plan to help boost your gym performance, then look no further than Fresh N Lean.
4. Home Bistro
Home Bistro offers the ultimate gourmet prepared meal experience. It’s a little expensive, but the meals taste great and there’s a wide range of dishes made with whole food ingredients.
| Avg. Meal Price | $23 per meal |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Just a few minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free shipping |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
You can find a selection of dishes devised by award-winning Iron Chef, Cat Cora. Home Bistro really does have some of the finest meals on the market.
The Bottom Line
While the platform might be pricey for some, you’re definitely paying for a high-quality experience here. Ingredients are fresh, meals are healthy and delicious, and the service is flexible enough that you can use it as a one-off treat if you don’t want to commit to long-term deliveries.
5. Sakara
Sakara isn’t just a whole food meal service, it’s a whole lifestyle detox. Its meals are specifically designed around resetting your gut and helping you change your life. All the dishes are organic, vegan, and come packed with nutrition.
| Avg. Meal Price | $23 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | Four minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
You should note this is a very strict diet and you won’t get to choose your meals. Dishes have been designed to help improve digestion, reduce bloat, boost energy, and increase focus.
The Bottom Line
Sakara is offering a total lifestyle overhaul with its meal service and, while expensive, it’s definitely worth trying if you’re looking for ways to eat healthily.
Best Whole Foods Meal Kit Delivery Services for 2021
1. Green Chef
Green Chef is firmly focused on living green, which means its dishes are 100% organic and packed with nutritious whole foods. Customers can try out keto, paleo, plant-powered, and balanced menus.
| 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 |
|
You’ll find the odd ingredients that don’t quite fit the criteria of whole foods. Luckily, Green Chef lets you plan your menu up to three weeks in advance so you know what to expect.
The Bottom Line
With around 15-20 different meals to choose from each week you’ll find more than enough to keep you interested. The platform is a great choice for those that want to eat only 100% organic ingredients.
2. Blue Apron
Blue Apron doesn’t have a specialist organic menu, but it makes our list because so many of its dishes contain whole foods. What’s more, all ingredients are sustainably sourced and GMO and hormone-free.
| Avg. Meal Price | $9.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 20 - 50 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | Free shipping for those ordering more than three meals per week |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
|
Blue Apron might have the most exciting menu we’ve ever seen from a meal kit service. It changes every week and is consistently inventive, catering to a number of dietary requirements.
The Bottom Line
Blue Apron always has something new to offer. From Mediterranean specials and carb-conscious options to vegetarian and diabetes-friendly meals, you can be sure there will always be something to keep you interested.
3. Sunbasket
Sunbasket offers an impressive paleo diet that is made up of 100% whole food ingredients. There’s a good variety of other dishes too and you can find vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free meals too if you want to mix things up a bit.
| Avg. Meal Price | $11.99 per serving |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 20 - 40 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $6.99 |
| Shipping Regions | Continental US only |
| Sample Meals |
|
If the main meals aren’t quite filling enough, you can add some interesting extra protein packs to your order. You could try the jumbo lump crab cakes, sustainably raised Atlantic salmon, or organic ground turkey to name a few.
The Bottom Line
With a rotating menu of paleo and whole-food meals, a reasonable price point, and an impressive display of extras, it’s easy to see why Sunbasket is so popular. Plus, meals are easy to make and shouldn’t ever take more than 40 minutes.
4. Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh is the largest meal-kit provider in the US, and the cheapest on our list. It’d rank higher in our selection but it doesn’t have quite as large a range of whole foods on offer as other platforms. Still, its veggie, calorie-smart, pescetarian, and family packages will keep most customers happy.
| Avg. Meal Price | $7.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 20 - 60 minute meal kits |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
|
Hello Fresh is the perfect way to build confidence when cooking and all meals can be prepared in just a few easy steps.
The Bottom Line
We don’t expect Hello Fresh to lose its crown as the nation’s most popular meal kit any time soon. It’s able to offer excellent meals at a very reasonable price, managing to pack plenty of whole foods into your diet.
5. Marley Spoon
All of Marley Spoon’s meal kits are based on the recipes of Martha Stewart. The weekly menu is constantly changing as more of her classics are added each week. Alongside complex gourmet options, you’ll also find plenty of simple dishes that are made with fresh whole foods. Not every week will be packed with whole food options, but its tasty menu is definitely worth trying.
| Avg. Meal Price | $8.99 |
|---|---|
| Prep & Cook Time | 30 - 40 minutes |
| Shipping Cost | $8.99 |
| Shipping Regions | All 50 states |
| Sample Meals |
|
All meals can be cooked in under 40 minutes and the ethos of the platform is to encourage novice chefs to get into the kitchen.
The Bottom Line
The platform offers around 25 meal options each week, and you’ll find plenty of dishes with whole foods to cover your plan. Shipping is a little expensive but more than worth it for the quality of the dishes.
How to Choose the Best Whole-Foods Meal Delivery Service
Organic – For many fans of whole foods, the diet goes hand-in-hand with organic ingredients. We’re seeing more and more platforms push for USDA certification and it’s getting easier to find organic and GMO-free kits. Still, not every provider is there yet, so you might want to check before you purchase
Sourcing– As with organic produce, being able to enjoy ethical and sustainably sourced food is another big part for many whole foods dieters. Some platforms are better than others, and those offering ethically farmed goods usually display these credentials proudly on the website
Price– An obvious consideration for anyone new to meal delivery. You’ll find the average meal prices tend to hover around $7 – $10 for those on the lookout for whole foods. Once you factor in the convenience of home delivery, it can often work out cheaper than the grocery store
Variety– Whole foods don’t have to be boring and you can find lots of innovative ways to spice things up. Take a quick look over the menus of the providers on our list to get an idea of just how much variety is out there
Summary
With whole foods becoming an increasingly popular addition to the American diet we’re seeing a corresponding growth of offerings from meal delivery platforms. There’s never been a better time to taste what the industry has to offer and you could soon be signed up for a healthy, flavorful, and exciting delivery service.
What’s more, most platforms offer impressive introductory offers with big discounts on your first order. We’d recommend making use of this and trying out a few platforms over the course of a month. It’s a great way to get a healthier diet whilst discovering which platform is best for you.
FAQ
What’s a Good Ratio for a Whole Food Diet?
Nutritionists recommend you use the 80% – 20% rule, where 80% of your meals are made from whole foods while 20% can come from complex carbs like bread and pasta.
Are There Any Benefits to a Whole Foods Diet?
Some studies have shown that cutting out processed foods and dialing back on carbs can improve concentration, boost energy levels, help prevent diabetes and even slow down cognitive decline.
Will I Lose Weight on a Whole Foods Diet?
This really depends on your calorie intake. While whole foods are definitely recommended for an overall healthier lifestyle if your goal is weight loss we’d always recommend consulting a professional before starting a new diet.
