Green Chef has this nutritionist's full endorsement. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Green Chef)
When it comes to losing weight, what you eat is a major piece of the puzzle. And if you're short on time — or unsure of where to start — the best weight loss meal delivery services can be a real game changer. From veggie-forward meal kits to preportioned, ready-to-eat meals, these services can save you hours spent planning, shopping and cooking — removing one of the biggest obstacles people face when trying to improve their diets.
Many people find weight loss challenging because they burn out or feel that eating healthy isn't sustainable, says registered dietitian Gabriella Nowicki. "I believe these meal services can help alleviate that," she adds. And research seems to agree. One large (though older) study found that meal planning makes it more likely for people to stick to their diet consistently — a key factor for successful weight loss.
Healthy meal deliveries take the guesswork out of planning balanced meals. "Many of the meal delivery services provide a 'Nutrition Facts' label with their recipes so that when selecting meals, a customer knows exactly what they are getting and can better support their macronutrient, micronutrient and caloric needs," says dietitian Rebecca Blake of Fay Nutrition. This is especially beneficial for folks just learning how to prepare healthy foods and can be an excellent introduction to mindful eating, Blake adds.
And it's not just about the number on the scale. Losing weight — when deemed appropriate by a health care professional — can greatly improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It may even have a positive effect on your gut health, fertility and mental health.
There's no one "best" diet for everyone, so when hunting down the best weight loss meal delivery services, we made sure to include something for everyone, whether you're into keto, low-carb, Mediterranean or plant-based vibes.
As a multicertified personal trainer and nutritionist, I'm all about helping people live healthier, more balanced lives without the stress. So, with the help of Yahoo editors (and a whole lot of taste-testing), I dug into 17 of the top meal kits and premade deliveries to see which ones actually walk the talk. Ready to find meals that support your goals and taste like something you'd actually want to eat? Let's dig in.
Update, July 14, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best meal delivery service for weight loss remains unchanged. We added additional testing data for the nine meal delivery services we tried that didn't make our final list.
When choosing the best meal delivery services for weight loss, there are several key factors to consider:
Price per serving: Meal delivery service costs can vary significantly depending on how many meals you order per week, the number of servings per meal and your dietary preferences. Prices typically range from $10 to $16 per serving. Don't forget to factor in shipping costs — most services charge around $9 to $10 per delivery, though some can go as high as $19.95.
Meal type: Some services offer fully prepared meals that require zero prep and can be reheated in minutes. Others provide meal kits that involve a bit of cooking but often come at a lower cost per serving. "The nice thing about these services is that you can customize your box with meals that require less prep or fewer dishes," says Wagner. "Some even offer completely prepared meals that may result in a more balanced plate than what people would make on their own," she adds.
Nutrition content: To support your weight loss goals, it's important to choose meals with the right balance of nutrients for your needs. Michael Hershey, MS, RDN, recommends looking for meals with at least 20 grams of protein and 8-15 grams of fiber. He explains that protein and fiber are digested more slowly and may help keep you full for longer. "If you are staying full longer, it is more likely that you'll stick to an appropriate amount of daily calories," Hershey adds. Keep in mind that nutrient needs vary by individual — if you're unsure about your ideal intake, consider consulting a registered dietitian.
Dietary needs: Some services, like Purple Carrot, cater to just one eating pattern, while others, like Green Chef, offer options for a wide variety of dietary preferences. Choosing a service that lets you filter by dietary preferences (like keto, gluten-free or plant-based) can simplify the meal selection process and save you time.
Weekly menu options: If you're a relatively picky eater or dislike eating similar recipes week after week, it's a good idea to choose a service with a large selection of rotating meals to pick from.
Taste: Above all, you want your meals to be delicious. Taste can be subjective, so it's a good idea to read reviews or try a few different services to find one that suits your palate.
Eco-friendly packaging: Meal delivery services are notorious for using lots of plastic. When possible, opt for services that use mostly recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging materials to help lessen your carbon footprint.
To create this list of the best meal delivery services for weight loss, Yahoo editors and I tested 17 different options. We evaluated cost, menu variety, ingredient quality and freshness, ease of preparation, eco-friendly packaging — and, most importantly, taste.
We also consulted registered dietitians and paid close attention to key factors that support weight loss, such as diet-specific meal plans (like keto, Mediterranean or plant-based), balanced nutritional profiles and built-in tools like food tracking, portion control or access to expert guidance. We also considered extras like breakfast, snack and dessert add-ons to help you stay on track throughout the day.
Not all the services we tested made our final list, but some may still be a good fit depending on your needs. Here's a closer look at the other contenders and what they bring to the table:
Blue Apron: Our pick as the best healthy meal delivery just narrowly missed this list. While the meals were flavorful and the nutrition on point, the company's menu is more limited than Green Chef's and not as accommodating of specialty diets.
HelloFresh: A meal kit classic, HelloFresh is a great choice for families and offers good value. While we found Green Chef to be more flavorful and Dinnerly more budget-friendly, HelloFresh was a close contender thanks to its Fit & Wholesome meal plan, which features balanced meals — all under 650 calories per serving.
Sunbasket: If ingredient quality and creative flavor combinations are your top priority, then you'll love Sunbasket. This premium meal delivery service also caters to an impressive number of diets, including diabetes-friendly, Mediterranean, pescatarian and carb-conscious. The catch? It isn't cheap. In fact, it's one of the most expensive options, with prices ranging from $10 to $30 or more per serving.
Home Chef: For those who enjoy meal kits but are short on time, Home Chef is a solid choice. The company specializes in oven-ready and quick prep meals that are ideal for busy professionals and families. While many of its entrées can fit into a healthy diet for weight loss, the service doesn't offer the same level of support, like diet-specific meal plans and nutrition coaching, as others on our list.
EveryPlate: Another budget-friendly pick, but we simply found Dinnerly's options to be more flavorful and a bit more generous in the vegetable department.
Daily Harvest: Known for its colorful smoothies and plant-based menu, Daily Harvest is unique in that it's one of the few services with items available at nationwide supermarket chains. Offering mostly organic ingredients, the service may be a good option for singles looking to boost their produce intake. That said, we found the quality varied greatly between products, and some items were too low in calories to be considered a complete meal.
Diet-to-Go: While it isn't the best-tasting prepared meal delivery we tried — trust us, you'll want to have some seasonings on hand — this service is one of the few that offers a diabetes-specific meal plan. Registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Sheila Patterson recommends Diet-to-Go because it provides blood-sugar-friendly meal options that simplify portion control and nutrient balance, which she says are important for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Territory: Territory offers fresh, never frozen prepared meals made without gluten, dairy and added sugar. The meals were flavorful and packed with good-for-you ingredients. Honestly, if it wasn't for the hefty price tag — $14 to $18 per meal — it would've given Trifecta some serious competition.
Mosaic Foods: This fully plant-based company specializes in frozen prepared meals made from high-quality ingredients. We appreciated that most items were high in protein and featured a variety of plant-based ingredients. However, what stood out the most were the family-size meals, which feature at least four different types of vegetables and arrive in oven-safe trays. Flavorwise, Mosaic's entrées were hit-or-miss, which is why it ultimately didn't make our list.
Meal kit delivery services can support weight loss by providing portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced meals that simplify healthy eating. Many cater to specialty diets — like keto, Mediterranean and plant-based — which can help improve consistency and adherence. However, not all meal kit recipes are low in calories or focused on health. Plus, since most services supply only one meal per day, your overall daily and weekly food choices remain crucial for reaching your weight loss goals.
Meal delivery services can help you save money by reducing food waste and cutting out grocery trips. They're also generally cheaper than ordering takeout. However, whether they're cost-effective depends on your eating habits and lifestyle. If you're already a meal-planning pro who preps regularly, these services may end up costing you more.
Most meal delivery services allow you to skip a week or cancel your subscription anytime, providing flexibility to adapt to your changing needs. However, it's always a good idea to check the specific cancellation policy of your chosen service.
Gabriella Nowicki, MS, registered dietitian with additional certifications in nutrition support and oncology nutrition
Rebecca Blake, RD, clinical nutrition subject matter expert, speaker and clinical health care operations executive with Fay Nutrition
Sheila Patterson, RD, certified diabetes educator and owner of the Sugar Dietitian
Megan Huff, RDN, owner of Nutrition by Megan, specializing in managing and preventing chronic disease by taking a holistic nutrition and lifestyle approach
Sarah Wagner, MPH, LD, registered clinical dietitian at Memorial Hermann Health System
Michael Hershey, MS, RDN, LD, owner of Michael Hershey Nutrition, specializing in weight loss, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and general nutrition
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.