17 Weight-Loss Meal Delivery Services Taste-Tested: The Winners and What They Really Cost
A dietitian-reviewed Yahoo Health test named six top picks, from Dinnerly at $5.89 a serving to Purple Carrot at $14.25. Here is how they compare once shipping is added, and what research says about whether prepared meals help with weight loss.
- TrifectaBest overall$13.49
- Green ChefBest organic$12.99
- Purple CarrotPlant-based$14.25
- DinnerlyBest budget$5.89
- BistroMDDoctor-designed$10.99
- FactorHigh-proteinSee site
By the Food & Consumer DeskFact-checked against the published reviews, a peer-reviewed trial and USDA food-cost dataUpdated November 9, 2026Scope U.S. services; prices change often
The promotional email promises 60% off your first box. You click, pick a “calorie-smart” plan, and three weeks later you are paying full price for meals you are not sure are helping. Weight-loss meal delivery is a crowded, expensive category, and the menus all look similar on a phone screen. That is why independent taste tests have become one of the main ways shoppers sort the options.
One of the most widely shared this year comes from Yahoo Health. Its review, written by certified trainer and strength coach Rachel MacPherson and medically reviewed by registered dietitian Kelli McGrane, describes taste-testing 17 meal kit and prepared-meal services (some versions of the page list 18) for meals that support weight-loss goals and taste good. This article summarizes what that test found, adds the costs readers actually pay once shipping is included, and compares them with a separate review and the research on prepared meals. We did not conduct our own taste test.
What We Know
- Yahoo Health published its review on June 11, 2026; it was medically reviewed by a registered dietitian.
- Listed prices: Trifecta from $13.49, Green Chef $12.99, Purple Carrot $14.25, Dinnerly from $5.89 and BistroMD from $10.99 per serving.
- BistroMD plans run about 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,400 for men, according to the review.
- A 2016 trial in the journal Obesity linked prepackaged portion-controlled meals to greater short-term weight loss.
What Is Still Unclear
- The review does not publish a scoring rubric or name the services that did not make the cut.
- Some winners’ full details, including Factor’s price, were not visible in the published excerpt.
- Prices and promotions change frequently, so figures here may already differ at checkout.
- Long-term weight-loss results for specific delivery brands have not been studied independently.
Meet the Winners: Six Services, Six Different Jobs
The Yahoo Health picks are not interchangeable. Some are meal kits, where ingredients arrive pre-portioned and you cook. Others are fully prepared meals you reheat. One is a calorie-controlled program designed around weight loss. Knowing which type you want narrows the field quickly.
How the Test Was Run, and Its Limits
According to the review, testers taste-tested and evaluated the services, using trial periods for some, with the goal of finding meals that support weight loss and still taste good. The page does not publish a scoring rubric, the full list of services that were tried, or why the others were cut. It also gives the same “best overall” label to two services, Trifecta and Purple Carrot. None of that makes the picks wrong, but it does mean readers should treat the list as informed opinion rather than a lab comparison, and check calories, protein and price against their own needs.
Best overallTrifecta
Trifecta delivers fully prepared single-serve meals for a wide range of diets, using mostly organic ingredients, and adds a tracking app and online community. The review’s trade-offs: it is expensive and offers single-serve entrees only, so it does not work for family dinners. Listed price starts at $13.49 per serving with $9.99 shipping.
Best organicGreen Chef
Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic company offering several meal kit plans with easy recipe cards and generally flavorful dishes. The review noted few vegan options each week and that only some ingredients are organic. Price is listed at $12.99 per serving, with $10.99 shipping.
Plant-basedPurple Carrot
Every Purple Carrot menu item is vegetarian-friendly, and the service sells both meal kits and prepared meals with creative recipes. Some meals take more prep, and the menu is not always kid-friendly. At $14.25 per serving it was the priciest pick, though shipping is free on orders of $100 or more and $12 below that.
Best budgetDinnerly
Dinnerly starts at $5.89 per serving and offers a large weekly menu with simple recipes. Registered dietitian Megan Huff, quoted in the review, said it “is affordable and offers low-calorie and low-carb meal options.” The drawbacks: digital-only recipe cards, limited allergen labeling on packaging, few vegan options and $10.99 shipping.
Doctor-designedBistroMD
BistroMD’s physician-designed plans target about 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,400 for men, with Signature meals around 40% protein, roughly 25 to 30 grams, plus dietitian support. The review flagged texture and flavor as weaker than others, high shipping at $19.95, and that its calorie levels may be too low for many people. Prices start at $10.99 per meal.
High-proteinFactor
Factor was the high-protein pick. Its full section was not visible in the published excerpt, but shipping was listed at $10.99 for the first box and $13.99 after that. Check Factor’s site for current per-meal pricing.
Starting Price per Serving, Before Shipping
The Shipping Fee Changes the Ranking
Starting prices are what companies advertise. Shipping is where the real cost moves. Among the top picks, per-box shipping ran from $9.99 to $19.95, and some services charge more after the first order.
Shipping Charged per Box
| Service | Type | Price per serving | Shipping per box | 10 servings plus shipping | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifecta | Prepared | From $13.49 | $9.99 | $144.89 | Single people tracking macros |
| Green Chef | Meal kit | $12.99 | $10.99 | $140.89 | Organic-focused home cooks |
| Purple Carrot | Kit or prepared | $14.25 | $12, free at $100+ | $142.50 | Plant-based eaters |
| Dinnerly | Meal kit | From $5.89 | $10.99 | $69.89 | Tight budgets, simple cooking |
| BistroMD | Calorie program | From $10.99 | $19.95 | $129.85 | Structured, doctor-designed plans |
| Factor | Prepared | Check site | $10.99 first, $13.99 after | Varies | High-protein, no cooking |
Do Prepared Meals Actually Help You Lose Weight?
There is some evidence they can, mainly by taking portion decisions off the table. In a 2016 randomized trial published in Obesity, researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine assigned 183 adults with overweight or obesity to eat two portion-controlled prepackaged meals a day, two higher-protein prepackaged meals a day, or meals they chose themselves. All groups got a one-to-two-hour counseling session with a dietitian.
Prepackaged Meals vs Self-Selected Diet After 3 Months
Participants eating prepackaged meals also saw total and LDL cholesterol fall and reported more confidence in sticking with the plan, with similar meal satisfaction to the control group. The study ran only three months and lacked detailed dietary intake data, and the authors called for longer research on adherence. It tested portion-controlled meals in general, not any of the brands in the Yahoo review.
Choosing Your Lane: Kit, Prepared or Program
Before comparing brands, decide how much cooking you will realistically do and how much structure you want. These four lanes cover nearly every option; prep times shown are typical ranges, not brand specifications.
A second ranking shows how much “best” depends on the tester. Garage Gym Reviews, whose list was updated Nov. 6, 2026, says its team tested more than 40 services on cost per meal, ease of preparation, ingredient quality, calorie count, variety and taste. It named Diet-To-Go best overall and EveryPlate best budget pick, while agreeing with Yahoo Health on Green Chef for organic and Purple Carrot for vegetarians. Two reviews, two different winners: the “best” service is the one that matches your lane, calorie needs and budget.
The Hybrid Approach Most People Can Afford
You do not have to outsource every meal. Many people get most of the benefit by using delivery only for the meals they most often skip or overeat, such as weekday lunches or late dinners, and cooking simple meals the rest of the week. At Dinnerly’s listed price, five servings a week costs $29.45 plus $10.99 shipping, about $40, compared with roughly $145 for 10 servings of a premium prepared service. The structure that helped participants in the UCSD trial came from two controlled meals a day, not all of them.
Reading the Labels on Menus
| Menu label | What it usually signals | What to check | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calorie-smart or lighter | Lower-calorie recipes; thresholds vary by company | Calories and protein on the Nutrition Facts | Small portions that leave you hungry |
| High-protein | Meat, fish or legume-heavy meals | Grams of protein per serving | High sodium and saturated fat |
| Keto or low-carb | Very few carbohydrates | Fiber and saturated fat | Low fiber; hard to sustain |
| Organic | Some or all ingredients certified organic | Whether the company or only some items are certified | Organic does not mean lower calorie |
| Dietitian- or doctor-designed | Professional input on menus | Who designed it and the calorie target | Plans may be too low for active people |
| Plant-based | No meat; may include dairy or eggs | Protein per serving | Lower protein unless legumes or tofu feature |
| Introductory discount | Steep first-box savings | Price from the second or third box | Auto-renewal at full price |
Your First Eight Weeks With a Meal Service
These milestones are a practical way to test a service without overcommitting. They reflect common subscription patterns, not any company’s official policy.
- Day 0Note the skip and cancel deadline before ordering.
- Week 1Discounted first box; log calories and fullness.
- Week 2 to 3Full-price boxes begin; recheck the real cost.
- Week 4Review weight, energy and budget.
- Week 8Keep, switch, pause or cancel.
- Pick your lane firstKit, prepared, calorie program or DIY, based on time and cooking interest.
- Set a calorie and protein targetAsk a clinician if you are considering 1,400 calories a day or fewer.
- Price two boxes, not oneAdd shipping and the post-promotion price.
- Fill gaps with groceriesUse delivery for the meals you most often skip or overeat.
- Read the cancellation termsA federal click-to-cancel rule was struck down by an appeals court in 2025, so terms depend on each company and state law.
- Reassess at 4 and 8 weeksKeep the service only if it is working for your body and budget.
- Calories per meal listedPlus protein, fiber and sodium.
- Shipping under $12 per boxOr a free-shipping threshold you will meet.
- Skip a week easilyOnline, without a phone call.
- Allergen labelingOn the package, not only in the app.
- At least 20 menu choicesVariety helps prevent burnout.
- Post-promo price knownBefore entering a card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best meal delivery service for weight loss?
Yahoo Health’s 2026 review named Trifecta best overall, with Green Chef for organic, Purple Carrot for plant-based, Dinnerly for budget, BistroMD for doctor-designed plans and Factor for high protein. Another review chose Diet-To-Go, so the best fit depends on your needs.
How much do weight loss meal delivery services cost?
Among Yahoo Health’s picks, starting prices ranged from $5.89 to $14.25 per serving, plus $9.99 to $19.95 shipping per box. For 10 servings, that is roughly $70 to $145 a week at listed starting prices.
Do meal delivery services actually help you lose weight?
They can help by controlling portions. A 2016 UCSD trial found adults eating two prepackaged meals a day lost about 8% of body weight in three months versus about 6% on a self-selected diet, and 74% versus 53% reached 5% loss.
What is the cheapest meal delivery service for weight loss?
Among Yahoo Health’s picks, Dinnerly was cheapest at a listed $5.89 per serving, plus $10.99 shipping. Garage Gym Reviews named EveryPlate as its budget pick.
Is a meal kit or prepared meal better for weight loss?
Both can work. Prepared meals require only reheating and make portions predictable. Meal kits cost less per serving in some cases and teach cooking skills, but take 20 to 45 minutes to make.
How many calories should a weight loss meal have?
It depends on your total daily needs. BistroMD’s plans target about 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,400 for men, which reviewers note may be too low for many people. A doctor or dietitian can help set a target.
Are meal delivery services cheaper than groceries?
Usually not. USDA’s 2026 food plans work out to roughly $2.74 to $4.30 per meal for one adult, while delivery picks start around $5.89 to $14.25 per serving before shipping.
Can I cancel a meal delivery subscription anytime?
Most services let you skip weeks or cancel online, but terms vary and often require notice before a weekly cutoff. Check the cancellation policy before your first order.
The Short Version
Yahoo Health’s dietitian-reviewed taste test of 17 weight-loss meal delivery services named Trifecta, Green Chef, Purple Carrot, Dinnerly, BistroMD and Factor as top picks. Starting prices ranged from $5.89 to $14.25 per serving, and shipping from $9.99 to $19.95 a box can change the ranking. Research suggests portion-controlled meals can modestly boost short-term weight loss. Choose your lane first, price at least two boxes including shipping, check the post-promotion rate, and talk with a clinician before committing to a plan under 1,400 calories a day.
Omisha is a health writer passionate about turning complex medical research into clear, actionable content readers can trust. She covers everything from nutrition and mental wellness to chronic disease management, always grounding her work in credible science and real-world relevance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading up on the latest health studies or exploring new wellness trends to write about next.
