Nutritionists Say They LOVE These Keto Meal Delivery Kits

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So, you’ve decided to try the keto diet. ICYDK, this lifestyle has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years. In fact, 23 million Americans followed the keto diet in 2022, per the International Food Information Council. But while the diet has its benefits, prepping keto-friendly meals can be a tedious task—enter keto meal delivery services.

There are quite a few limitations to keto, and anyone who has a busy schedule might roll their eyes over the amount of thoughtfulness and planning that has to go into each meal. "A keto-friendly meal delivery service can be a fun, easy way to adhere to the lifestyle," dietitian Anita Mirchandani, RD, says.

With keto, it can seem like making your own meals is sort of a must, especially since it's rare to find takeout that you can trust to be keto-compliant. (Seasonings and sauces often contain hidden sugars.) These top-rated brands deliver (literally) on their promises to meet your dietary needs.

Below, check out the best keto meal delivery services of 2023, according to Women's Health editors, nutritionists, and dietitians.

Fresh N' Lean

Fresh N' Lean has tons of variety for all of your keto meal needs. The Keto program is all about offering a sustainable approach to the diet rather than some some meal plans that can mimic the effect or feeling of crash dieting. People love Fresh N' Lean for many reasons, but mostly because every USDA-approved organic and GMO-free dish is (as the name would suggest) made freshly, and ready to eat in three minutes or under.

Testers agree that these meals are perfect for their busy lifestyles. Those who love seafood also note that many dishes come with fish as the main source of protein. One caveat reviewers mention is that the food tends to be on the saltier side, though.

Territory Foods

Get bored easily? Territory Foods' service features an ever-rotating menu of meals that come directly from chefs around the country. With a goal of using the most high-quality, clean ingredients, every dish is made to be dairy, gluten, and refined-sugar free.

Simply use the "keto-friendly" filter when looking through meals, but know that you're never required to pick only the keto-friendly options. That's a great bonus if you're using the service for the whole family.

Testers say they enjoy that Territory partners with local chefs to create hearty meals. They also note that the algorithm will pair you with meal options based on what you request, but you can swap out specific ingredients if need be. Testers say they also like that the packaging is biodegradable, making it a more sustainable option, overall.

Hello Fresh

HelloFresh is one of the more popular meal delivery services out there, and with good reason. But is it actually keto-friendly? Well, meals aren't specifically labeled as keto, but if you and bae are simply trying to cut carbs, they have a whole low-carb category (their most popular), which is called "Meat and Veggies".

In each box, you'll get the pre-portioned ingredients and instructions on how to prepare the meal yourself, making it a great at-home date night idea, too. It's also one of the most affordable options out there with meals starting at just $8. Simply substitute any ingredients you don't like or don't want to eat if you're on a pure keto diet.

When reviewing HelloFresh's meals, testers say that it would probably be cheaper to locally buy the ingredients needed for each of the recipes. However, they also believe that HelloFresh prevents them from wasting money buying random produce that may end up eventually rotting. With this meal kit, they're able to use all of the food they receive, since the ingredients come pre-portioned. Plus, some say a single meal is enough for two servings.

Factor

Factor is big on expert-approved dishes and plans. Mirchandani loves that they're all about high-quality ingredients, and dietitian Carlie Williams, RDN, specifically recommends Factor to her clients who are either on a fully keto diet or are just trying to lower their carb intake.

What really sets Factor apart, however, is that you'll get a dietitian assigned to you to help customize your meal plan. Then, you can meet with them regularly to discuss your progress and goals every step of the way.

Many testers compare eating Factor meals to reheating a home-cooked meal. They agree that the food tastes great, and it saves them more money than if they called a local restaurant for delivery. However, some customers complain that the meals and portions are rather small.

Green Chef

Green Chef is a fully USDA-certified organic brand, something Mirchandani loves about them. In each box, you'll get ingredients that come pre-portioned and paired with unique recipes like lemon dijon salmon, truffle linguine, and cheesy Italian meatloaf.

It's a great one to use for families—simply keep some rice, pasta, or any grain on the side for the people who aren't following a keto diet.

Testers note that the produce used in Green Chef's meals are very fresh, and that the meals are also easy to make. However, some feel that it takes too long to prep the food, and that many of the available options contain too much dairy.

Daily Harvest

Loved by several Women's Health editors, Daily Harvest offers tons of veggie-packed frozen meals that are so yummy, you may forget they're actually healthy. Their keto-friendly soups, broccoli rice bowls, pot pies, and almond milk lattes are easily whipped up in your microwave or blender within minutes. Just be sure to click "keto" when you filter. (You can even filter meals by ingredients you don't enjoy, like cilantro or bananas.)

"It’s so important to include nourishing plants in your day, no matter what diet you’re following, and Daily Harvest makes it easy and delicious," nutritionist Jenn LaVardera, RD, says.

Testers say that while Daily Harvest's food typically requires some amount of preparation, the recipes are delicious. They also love that you can choose from options with different calorie amounts. Still, some say that it might not be ideal for those who do a lot of exercise throughout the week, as the meals may not be satiating.

Pete's Real Food

People who combine the keto diet with Paleo-based eating will love this one. Pete's Real Food (previously called "Pete's Paleo") has both individual and family plans. So yeah, feel free to cross "cooking meals" and "prepping for family dinner" off of your weekend to-do list.

Founded by chef Pete Gibaldi to make eating healthy food delicious and easy, you'll get new meals every week. Expect fun dishes like bacon egg Brussel sprouts and enchilada meatballs. Plus, the vegan meals aren't just salads and stir-fried veggies—past dishes have included kale pesto with butternut squash and pad Thai, for example.

Testers like that the food is prepared before it's delivered because it requires a smaller time commitment from them. They also note that it's a great option for sustainable buyers who want to invest in a company with a smaller carbon footprint. However, some users feel that there should be more customization options and slightly larger portions.

Sun Basket

For Sun Basket's keto-specific meals, simply select the Carb-Conscious Meal Plan, which features a rotating menu of recipes that you get to pick from. Each dish is crafted to be super filling with at least 25 grams of protein per serving, along with healthy fats from nuts, avocados, and oils.

Sun Basket used to just send you pre-portioned ingredients along with recipes, but now they also have heat-and-eat options, so you can choose whichever suits your lifestyle more.

Testers say that while these meals are expensive, the food tastes great and the ingredients are high-quality. They agree that the portion size is enough for two servings, many times leaving leftovers for the next day. Users also point out that the prep time is relatively short.

Performance Kitchen

Choose Performance Kitchen, and you'll get freshly-made, low-sodium meals under the guidance of a registered dietitian who will customize a keto-friendly meal plan for your specific needs and goals. With dishes like creamy chicken with bacon or chicken cashew satay, trust that the whole fam will definitely want to share.

What makes Performance Kitchen really unique is that they also work with their registered dietitians to build custom meal plans for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, renal conditions, inflammatory diseases, and even heart disease.

Testers say that this brand delivers meals that come with quality ingredients, great texture, and filling portions. On the other hand, some customers say that some meals lack flavor.

How our team chose the best keto meal delivery services

Over the past few months, several Women's Health editors and three nutritionists tried and tested a variety of meal delivery services, dubbing the above as the best for those who are on a keto diet. The criteria was based upon price, meal variety, how widely available they are, and nutritional information.

Meet the experts

• Anita Mirchandani, RD, is a New York City-based registered dietitian for ARM Nutrition

• Jenn LaVardera, RD, is a registered dietitian based in Southampton, New York

• Brea Lofton, RDN, is a New York City--based registered dietitian and nutritionist for Lumen

• Carlie Williams, RDN, CPT, is a registered dietitian for Factor75 in Minneapolis, MN

What is the keto diet?

"The simplest form of a keto diet focuses on large amounts of protein and fiber while cutting out most carbs," Mirchandani says. That's why a keto-friendly meal delivery service can be an easy way to live with dietary restrictions, she explains. And, who knows? You may even have fun learning some more recipes or trying new dishes.

A keto-friendly lifestyle encourages your body to switch to a high-fat, low-carb diet, which basically shifts your body's metabolism away from using carbs as the primary source of energy. Instead, it uses fats and goes into a state of ketosis.

Ideally, your protein intake will also be lower than your fat intake to avoid having too much protein converted into glucose, which can disrupt ketosis, Lofton says. Five to 10 percent of your diet should be carbs, 15 to 25 percent should be protein, and the remainder should be healthy fats, she explains.

At the end of the day, keto isn't for everyone and can be hard to maintain long-term. Plus, its effects on health are still being studied, so it's best to consult your doctor or a dietitian if you'd like to try it.

Are keto meal delivery services as healthy as cooking your own keto meals?

While getting your meals delivered can be convenient, there is no general idea of what is considered "healthy" by each delivery service. "Determining whether they are as healthy as cooking your own keto meals would depend on various factors, such as the nutritional content of the meals provided, an individual’s cooking skills and knowledge, and more," Lofton says.

For starters, some meal services have all the nutrition info in the back with each ingredient measure, which can be helpful for people who like to track those details. You'll also have extra assistance with portion control since the meals are usually pre-packaged.

Still, some companies may use preservatives to give the food a longer shelf life. You also won't know where your ingredients are being sourced from or the quality of them.

By cooking for yourself, you'll have more control over how you prepare your food and how much of certain ingredients make it on your plate. Your food is also more likely to taste the way you would want it to. "Preparing your own keto meals provides you with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of nutrition, cooking techniques, and food quality," Lofton says.

But, still, there is a convenience factor to getting meals delivered, so it's ultimately up to your preferences.

Can you get ready-made keto meals?

Yes, keto meal delivery kits are a real thing and there are a bunch of options for you to choose from. You can grab keto meals packaged as healthy frozen plates you can throw in the microwave, or as something you can cook yourself without the pain of chopping up your own veggies, portioning out ingredients, and looking for keto-friendly recipes.

That's why Mirchandani says she'd recommend a keto meal delivery service to her clients who have particularly busy lifestyles. These services can also help you diversify your weekly menu, so you aren't stuck eating steak and steamed veggies all the time.

Plus, most of these meal delivery services are probably ones you've heard of. Yup, brands like Factor, Green Chef, and HelloFresh now all have keto-friendly plans, so you can sign up the whole fam and cater to everyone's unique dietary restrictions or preferences with ease.

How to choose the best keto meal delivery service

With all the options on the market, it can be hard to determine which is the best keto meal delivery service for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Nutrition content and menu diversity

In short, the more transparency, the better. Having several options to choose from is always a plus. At the same time, you want to make sure that the meals are low in carbs and high in healthy fats. "The service should provide clear and detailed nutrition information for each meal, including the total and net carbohydrate content, fat content, protein content, and calorie count," Lofton says. This will also help you track your nutrients, if that's something you like to do.

Delivery schedule

Every service has a different timeline and location limit for meal deliveries. Maybe you want deliveries on a set rotation, or perhaps you'd prefer something more flexible that allows you to select or push back your delivery dates.

Cost

Some services are more expensive than others. Take some time to determine if the price of the delivery meals is sustainable. Figuring this out before making the investment will prevent you from potentially falling off track with keto meals.

Ingredients and additives

Most services will share where they get their produce from. Keep an eye out for any mentions of additives or other preservatives. You can also check if it's possible to customize your meal by swapping in different proteins, veggies, or carbs. "This factor ensures that you're getting nutritious and healthy options, which would be vital when following a macro-focused diet like a keto meal plan," Lofton says.

Read more about the best meal delivery services below

Best Meal Delivery Services | Plant-Based Vegan Meal Delivery Services | Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services | Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services | Paleo Meal Delivery Services

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