Food Shopping and Storing Best Fitness Meal Delivery Services Trifecta takes the top spot on our list of meal delivery services for fitness By Tori Martinet Tori Martinet Tori Martinet, MS, RD, is a licensed registered dietitian based in Indiana who works with corporate clients, individuals, and athletes. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 7, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images Food is an important element of any fitness program. Not only does food give you fuel for exercise and movement, but it also helps your body recover from it. Meal delivery services can assist with this, both simplifying the cooking process and ensuring you’re getting adequate nutrition. Not only do these meal delivery services adapt menus for fitness, but they also accommodate plenty of other customer needs like varied budgets, food allergies and intolerances, and flexibility in the customer experience. To get you the support you need with your fitness goals, we rounded up a list of the best fitness meal delivery services on the market. Keep reading to get the rundown on our choices. Best Fitness Meal Delivery Services of 2023 Best Overall: Trifecta Best Value: Hungryroot Best for Low Carbs: Factor Best for High Protein: Snap Kitchen Best for Low Sugar: BistroMD Best for Vegans: Fresh N Lean 01 of 06 Best Overall: Trifecta Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 4.1 Key Specs Starting Price: $12.80 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Our testers enjoyed that Trifecta not only focuses on nutrition but also offers coaching and support to help its customers. Pros and Cons Pros Meals are fresh and ready to reheat Quality ingredient sourcing Choose from meal plans or build-your-own meal prep Cons Can’t choose meals on plans Overview Trifecta’s meals may be focused on nutrients, but ingredients are just as important to this service. If you’re looking to keep protein in a specific range while prioritizing humanely raised, grass-fed, and wild-caught proteins, Trifecta is an excellent choice. Meals are designed with physician and dietitian oversight, and arrive fresh and vacuum sealed for optimal enjoyment. You can select from the plans available, including vegan, paleo, and others, or choose the more custom “classic” meal prep option where you choose your own proteins and sides. Pricing and Plans Paleo Meal Plan: $110.99 per weekWhole30 Meal Plan: $110.99 per weekVegan Meal Plan: $99.99 per weekVegetarian Meal Plan: $99.99 per week Meals We Tried Kung pao grilled chicken with broccoli and roasted sweet potatoBeef skillet with roasted sweet potato and marinated cabbageHerb-roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetablesSlow-cooked rosemary thyme beef with root vegetablesSalmon Mexican bowl with tomato salsa and vegetablesGinger shrimp with herb-marinated sweet potatoCajun chicken andouille sausage and roasted vegetables 02 of 06 Best Value: Hungryroot Hungry Root Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 4.5 Key Specs Starting Price: $9.69 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Hungryroot’s approach to groceries-meets-meal-delivery gave us top-tier flexibility and full flavor with fitness-supporting ingredients. Pros and Cons Pros Service is all-in-one recipes and grocery Many diets and nutrition needs accommodated Recipes can be made in minutes Cons Credit-based purchase system can be confusing Meal options can be basic Overview Hungryroot is the only meal delivery service with the ability to fully swap your recipes for the week with groceries of your choosing, upping the value factor in our eyes. Though, we’re not sure why you’d want to with literally thousands of meals to choose from and over 25 different filters to ensure the meals are to your liking and dietary needs, whether you want something ready in five minutes or less, or want to make sure you’re getting some plant-based proteins in your diet. Hungryroot may not seem as fitness focused, but meals are filled with nutrient-dense ingredients that our dietitians know you need for fuel, landing it a place on our list. Pricing and Plans 2 servings with 8 recipes: $9.69 per serving2 servings with 7 recipes: $9.69 per serving2 servings with 6 recipes: $10.29 per serving2 servings with 5 recipes: $10.89 per serving2 servings with 4 recipes: $11.39 per serving2 servings with 3 recipes: $11.39 per serving4 servings with 4 recipes: $9.69 per serving4 servings with 3 recipes: $9.69 per serving4 servings with 2 recipes: $10.29 per serving Meals We Tried Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels sproutsSouthwest chicken and rainbow veggie tacos Thai peanut beef and broccoli stir-fry 03 of 06 Best for Low Carbs: Factor Factor Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 4.2 Key Specs Starting Price: $10.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Factor’s rotating menu of delicious dishes won our testers over, making low-carb dining both flavorful and satisfying. Pros and Cons Pros Most of the menu is low-carb friendly Meals ready in only two minutes Dietitians available for consultations Cons Fewer plant-based options Overview Factor specializes in single-serve, ready-in-minutes meals that are fresh and flavorful while being mostly low carb. Choose from meals like pesto salmon with creamed spinach and tomato butter haricots verts, or cheesy bacon ranch shredded chicken with portobello mushrooms and garlic broccoli. While the focus is on main courses, there are some fun add-ons like breakfasts, smoothies, and juices too. Pricing and Plans 6 meals per week: $12.99 per serving8 meals per week: $12.49 per serving10 meals per week: $11.99 per serving12 meals per week: $11.49 per serving14 meals per week: $11.19 per serving16 meals per week: $10.99 per serving Meals We Tried Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice and black beansCreamy Parmesan chicken with broccoli and tomatoesVegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polentaSmoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash 04 of 06 Best for High Protein: Snap Kitchen Snap Kitchen Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 4.1 Key Specs Starting Price: $11.34 per servingDelivery Area: 44 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Snap Kitchen’s assortment of ready-made meals makes it easy to get your daily dose of protein without sacrificing flavor. Pros and Cons Pros Easy protein-friendly search filter Tasty, globally inspired flavors Nutrient-based menu searchability Cons Not available nationwide Overview Snap Kitchen is known for its high-protein entrées and breakfast options, like the cheesy Tex-Mex migas with salsa roja that boasts 28 grams of protein, or the Korean BBQ glazed cod with ginger bok choy coming in at 33 grams of protein. While most meals will help you meet your protein goals, we love that Snap Kitchen’s online menu has easy-to-use filters so you can enter how much protein, carbs, and even sodium you want, and get an auto-populated list of recommendations. Just select the meals that meet your needs and your palate, and they’ll be delivered fresh and fully prepared right to your door. Pricing and Plans 6 meals per week: $82.99 ($13.84 per meal)12 meals per week: $135.99 ($11.34 per meal) Meals We Tried Baked ziti with Italian beef sausageStir-fry chicken and broccoli with garlic sauceChicken vermicelli bowl with Vietnamese dipping sauceHerb butter steak with bacon-roasted Brussels sproutsShawarma chicken bowl with lemon tahini saucePeach BBQ brisket with loaded cauliflower 05 of 06 Best for Low Sugar: BistroMD BistroMD Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 4.2 Key Specs Starting Price: $10.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It BistroMD makes dinnertime effortless with its physician-approved meal plans and freezer-friendly meals. Pros and Cons Pros Dietitian support available Several meal programs for varied needs Meals reheat in minutes Cons Single servings only Overview While geared mainly toward weight loss, BistroMD offers several meal programs that target health-related needs ranging from heart health to diabetes management to menopause. All of these plans include meals that are preapproved by the MD and dietitians on staff, and you can select your own options from a wide menu of dishes. Meals are frozen, which we love for extending shelf life, and they can be reheated in just a few minutes in the microwave. Pricing and Plans Pricing varies by plan, the number of meals, and meal periods. Sample plan pricing here is from the Signature Plan: 5 days of lunch and dinner: starting at $164.857 days of lunch and dinner: starting at $141.65 Meals We Tried Chicken, rice, and cheddar casseroleSalmon with dill mustard sauceTurkey breaks with cranberry apple chutneyOven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauceBaked pasta marinara with chicken sausageMeatloaf with honey bourbon glazeMojo pork with black beans and riceChicken pad ThaiGrilled salmon with creamy pestoLasagna with garden marinara 06 of 06 Best Vegan: Fresh N Lean Learn More Real Simple Star Rating: 3.7 Key Specs Starting Price: $8.49 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Our testers loved the vegan-specific meal program from Fresh N Lean, especially with its focus on adequate protein content for this specific group. Pros and Cons Pros Multiple diets accommodated Meals are quick and easy to reheat Free shipping in contiguous US Cons Only single servings available Overview Fresh N Lean truly caters to vegan diets for fitness, with fully prepared, fresh meals and both standard vegan and low-carb vegan meal plans. Simply select your preferred plan and Fresh N Lean will curate your meals for you. For folks with allergies, intolerances, or just general preferences, everything is gluten free and you can choose up to three ingredients to exclude from your plan. We also love that you can opt for à la carte meals and snacks if you want more choice, have greater nutrient needs, or just have a bigger appetite. Pricing and Plans Standard Vegan Meal Plan: Breakfast for 5 days: $10.49 per servingBreakfast for 7 days: $9.99 per servingLunch or dinner for 5 days: $12.99 per servingLunch or dinner for 7 days: $11.99 per servingBreakfast and lunch or dinner for 5 days: $9.99 per servingBreakfast and lunch or dinner for 7 days: $8.99 per servingLunch and dinner for 5 days: $10.49 per servingLunch and dinner for 7 days: $8.99 per servingBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days: $8.99 per servingBreakfast, lunch, and dinner for 7 days: $8.49 per serving Meals We Tried Grilled shrimp with caper dill aioli and roasted winter squashMoroccan mint grass-fed steak with spiced cauliflower and brown riceTikka chicken with turmeric-roasted cauliflower and quinoaBBQ turkey meatballs with white beansCajun salmon with Yukon potato and tomato rice Final Verdict Trifecta is everything you’d expect from a fitness-focused meal delivery service—and then some. This service goes above and beyond to give the right amount of guidance and customization when it comes to meal planning, whether you want a no-brainer solution or a bit more control. Add the fact that Trifecta’s meals all come freshly prepared and ready to reheat, and you’ve got a fitness meal delivery service that’s hard to beat. Compare the Best Fitness Meal Delivery Services Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping Best Overall: Trifecta $12.80 per serving 50 states Fresh No No Best Value: Hungryroot $9.69 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Best for Low Carbs: Factor $10.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Best for High Protein: Snap Kitchen $11.34 per serving 44 states Fresh No No Best for Low Sugar: BistroMD $10.99 per serving 48 states Frozen No No Best for Vegans: Fresh N Lean $8.49 per serving 50 states Fresh No Yes Guide to Choosing a Fitness Meal Delivery Service What to Consider When Selecting a Fitness Meal Delivery Service Price/Cost per Meal: Our favorite meal delivery services for fitness all come in between about $8 and $14 per serving, which means there’s something for a variety of budgets. Number of Meals per Delivery: Depending on the service you choose, you can have every meal of the day covered including breakfast, or you can simply snag a few dinners for the week—whatever works best for you. Flexibility: Most services will allow you to pause, change your plan, and even cancel your subscription with just a few clicks of a button. Menu Selection: Some services allow you to select your own meals, like Snap Kitchen or Hungryroot, while others like BistroMD and Trifecta will account for your preferences while letting the experts select the meals for you. Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: Aside from supporting fitness goals, meal delivery services can often accommodate other dietary needs like allergies, intolerances, and just general preferences or lifestyle needs such as vegan and vegetarian diets. How Much of Each Macronutrient Should You Eat When Trying to Build Muscle? Nutrient intake is an important component of muscle building alongside duration, intensity, and type of exercise. However, it can be tough to know exactly how much of each nutrient you need to eat. Most individuals who engage in moderate activity several times per week can meet their nutrient needs through a regular diet, but for folks who train at a higher quantity or intensity level, attention may need to be paid to macronutrients and total energy intake. While we recommend working with a licensed sports dietitian to get more specific assistance, appropriate macronutrient ranges for athletes looking to support activity and muscle growth can be found here: Carbohydrates: 6-10g/kg body weight Protein: 1.2-1.7g/kg body weightFat: 20-35 percent of total energy intake (calories) Frequently Asked Questions Do Meal Delivery Services Offer Plans for Athletes? Meal delivery services for fitness will offer plans to accommodate varied levels of activity. The vast majority of gym goers will be able to select from these plans and have their needs met nutritionally. However, if you are exercising at a high level, such as training several hours per day for an event like a triathlon, you may need additional food. We recommend consulting with a sports dietitian to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients. What Are the Benefits of Using Meal Delivery Services for Fitness? Adding in regular movement is wonderful for health, but when your schedule is already packed to the brim, it may seem like you don’t have time for it. Utilizing a meal delivery service for fitness not only eases the burden of making meals at home, making fitness more accessible, but it can also give you the support you need to be adequately fueled and recovered with your food. What Are the Top Meal Delivery Services for Gaining Muscle? Any meal delivery service among our favorites here would be great for those training to gain muscle—especially those that offer a balance of carbohydrates and protein, rather than a lower protein or lower carbohydrate option. These nutrients are both essential for muscle repair and growth with fitness. Can Meal Prep Help You Gain Muscle? Meal prep, whether done on your own or with the use of a meal delivery service like Trifecta, can help meet fitness goals. It is imperative to consume food regularly and to consume protein throughout the day when trying to gain muscle. This is much easier and more convenient when food is prepped and ready to go. Methodology Our team of food and nutrition experts took on testing over 40 different meal delivery services to provide you with the best options available. These services were ordered, cooked, and rated on every part of the experience, from the nutrition quality to the customer experience and even the sustainability of each service. Our team of data scientists took these ratings and compiled them to create our overall scores for which services are the best and most worth your time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Nutrition and Athletic Performance. 2009. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 41 (3), p. 709. Related Articles Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Best Organic Meal Delivery Services Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services Best Kids Meal Delivery Services Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services Best Frozen Meal Delivery Services The Best Meal Delivery Services That Make Cooking at Home Easier Than Ever Best Meal Delivery Services for Singles Cheapest Meal Delivery Services Best Baby Food Delivery Services Dinnerly Review Best Meat Delivery Services I Tried Sunbasket for 3 Weeks—Here's My Detailed Review Green Chef Review: Is It Worth It? I Tried Factor Meals for a Week—Here's My Honest Review Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies