Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Factor ($11/meal) - Chef-prepared, ready-to-eat, calorie-smart options
- Best for Cooking: HelloFresh ($8/serving) - Fresh ingredients with calorie-controlled recipes
- Best for Athletes: Trifecta ($13/meal) - Macro-balanced, organic ingredients
- Best Budget: MealPro ($9/meal) - Customizable macros at lower cost
You've calculated your TDEE and set up your calorie deficit. Now comes the hard part: actually eating the right amount of calories consistently. Meal delivery services can remove the guesswork by providing portion-controlled, calorie-counted meals directly to your door.
Weight loss planning toolkit
Use these calculators to set your targets before choosing a meal plan.
In this guide, we'll review the best meal delivery services specifically for weight loss and calorie control, comparing their nutrition info, taste, convenience, and value.
Why Meal Delivery Works for Weight Loss
- Portion Control: Pre-portioned meals eliminate the "just one more bite" trap
- Accurate Calories: Every meal has nutritional info - no guessing
- Decision Fatigue: Removes daily "what should I eat?" stress
- Time Savings: No meal planning, grocery shopping, or extensive cooking
- Reduced Temptation: Less exposure to unhealthy options
1. Factor - Best Overall for Weight Loss
Editor's Choice
Factor
From $11/mealFactor (owned by HelloFresh) delivers chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals that just need reheating. Their "Calorie Smart" menu features meals under 550 calories, perfect for maintaining a deficit without sacrificing taste.
Key Features:
- Calorie Smart meals: 550 calories or less
- Keto, high-protein, and vegan options available
- Ready in 2 minutes (microwave) or 7 minutes (oven)
- Fresh, never frozen meals
- Weekly rotating menu with 35+ options
- Dietitian-approved recipes
- Full nutritional info including macros
Sample Calorie Smart Meal:
Grilled Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
480 cal | 42g protein | 28g carbs | 18g fat
Calculator Relevance:
Perfect for users of our Calorie Deficit Calculator. If your target is 1,800 calories/day, three 550-calorie Factor meals plus snacks fits perfectly.
Pros: No cooking required, accurate calories, high-quality ingredients, excellent taste
Cons: More expensive than cooking, limited customization, shorter shelf life (7 days)
2. HelloFresh - Best for Home Cooking
Best Value
HelloFresh
From $8/servingHelloFresh delivers fresh ingredients with step-by-step recipes. Their "Calorie Smart" and "Fit & Wholesome" menus feature recipes under 650 calories per serving, with full nutritional breakdowns.
Key Features:
- Calorie Smart meals under 650 calories
- Pre-portioned ingredients prevent overeating
- Learn to cook healthy meals (skill building)
- Family-friendly options available
- Extensive variety (50+ weekly recipes)
- Flexible subscription (skip weeks easily)
- Nutritional info for every recipe
Calculator Relevance:
Great for users who calculated their TDEE and want to learn cooking skills while controlling calories. The pre-portioned ingredients teach proper serving sizes.
Pros: Most affordable option, teaches cooking, very flexible, family-friendly
Cons: Requires 30-45 min cooking, some packaging waste, calorie counts can vary with execution
3. Trifecta - Best for Athletes & Macros
Performance Focused
Trifecta Nutrition
From $13/mealTrifecta is the go-to meal service for serious fitness enthusiasts. All meals are organic, macro-balanced, and designed for specific goals like fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance.
Key Features:
- Macro-optimized meal plans
- 100% organic, sustainably sourced ingredients
- Keto, Paleo, Vegan, and Classic options
- A la carte bulk proteins available
- Used by professional athletes and CrossFit competitors
- Meals designed by registered dietitians
- 7-day freshness guarantee
Calculator Relevance:
Ideal for users of our Maximum Fat Loss Calculator who need precise macro control. Trifecta's protein-focused meals help preserve muscle during aggressive cuts.
Pros: Highest quality ingredients, macro-focused, athlete-approved, bulk protein options
Cons: Premium pricing, less variety than competitors, meal sizes may feel small
4. MealPro - Best Budget Option
Budget Friendly
MealPro
From $9/mealMealPro offers highly customizable meal prep with a focus on macros. You can adjust protein, carb, and fat content for each meal, making it perfect for specific calorie and macro targets.
Key Features:
- Customizable macro ratios per meal
- A la carte ordering (no subscription required)
- Bulk ordering discounts
- Frozen for longer shelf life
- Athlete and bodybuilder focused
- Clear nutritional labels
- Ships nationwide
Calculator Relevance:
The customizable macros make MealPro perfect for users who've calculated specific targets with our Weight Management Calculator.
Pros: Most customizable, no commitment, budget-friendly, long shelf life
Cons: Frozen (not fresh), simpler recipes, less gourmet
How to Choose the Right Service
Consider these factors when choosing:
- Your calorie target: Use our Calorie Deficit Calculator to determine your daily goal, then choose a service whose portions fit
- Cooking preference: Factor/Trifecta for no cooking, HelloFresh if you enjoy cooking
- Dietary restrictions: All services offer keto, vegan, etc. - check variety
- Budget: HelloFresh and MealPro are most affordable
- Goals: Trifecta for performance, Factor for convenience, HelloFresh for learning
Comparison Table
| Service | Price | Prep Time | Low-Cal Options | Best For |
|---|
| Factor | $11/meal | 2-7 min | <550 cal | Convenience |
| HelloFresh | $8/serving | 30-45 min | <650 cal | Home cooking |
| Trifecta | $13/meal | 2-5 min | Varies | Athletes |
| MealPro | $9/meal | 3-5 min | Customizable | Budget/Macros |
Final Recommendations
- Maximum convenience: Factor - just heat and eat with guaranteed calories
- Learn healthy cooking: HelloFresh - build skills while controlling portions
- Serious fitness goals: Trifecta - macro-optimized for performance
- Tight budget: MealPro - affordable with customization