If you have heart health issues – whether it’s cardiovascular disease, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol issues, high blood pressure, or other heart health conditions – managing it through diet can be pretty overwhelming. Thinking of meal planning, finding exciting recipes, and ensuring you meet all the nutritional requirements can seem almost impossible.
The beauty of meal delivery services is that they simplify this process by doing all the hard work for you. They provide meal kits to cook at home or ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally balanced and low in sodium, essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some of the best healthy meal kit services to try in 2024.
Basic Rules For Heart-Healthy Diet
The basic rules of a heart-healthy diet that will support lower blood pressure are to keep portion sizes under control, eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, limit intake of unhealthy saturated fat, choose low-fat protein sources, and finally – reduce sodium intake.
To keep a heart-healthy diet and help lower blood pressure, it’s essential to watch the amount of salt. According to the American Heart Association, consuming no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day is recommended, ideally limiting it to 1,500 mg for most adults. (read more about it here)
Our Review Process
To create and update our reviews in 2024, our team conducted meticulous tests on leading meal kits and prepared meal services to support heart-healthy diets. We assessed these services based on several criteria: the taste of meals, cost-effectiveness, dietary support provided, quality of ingredients, sustainability of packaging and ingredient sourcing, and the overall nutritional value of the meals. This hands-on evaluation helped us curate a comprehensive list of the best heart-healthy meal delivery services, providing informed recommendations for those seeking convenient, healthy eating options that cater specifically to heart health.
Short On Time? Here Are Our Top Heart Healthy Meal Delivery Services:
Best For Heart Healthy Meals Made By Medical Specialists: BistroMD
Best For Organic Healthy Meal Kits: Green Chef
Best For Prepared Healthy & Balanced Meals: Factor
Best For Chef-Designed Meal Kits For Wellness Eating: Blue Apron
Best For Heart Healthy Food Delivery Service With Full Board Meal Plan: Diet To Go
Best For Heart-Healthy Meal Delivery With No Subscription: Balance by BistroMD
BistroMD
Best For: Heart Healthy Meals Made By Medical Specialists
BistroMD stands out as a meal subscription service specializing in heart-healthy meals crafted by medical specialists. Founded by Dr. Caroline Cederquist, BistroMD has a long-standing passion for promoting healthy nutrition. The service caters not only to heart health but also offers meal plans tailored for other dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and diabetic diets.
The heart-healthy program at BistroMD is rigorously designed to meet the American Heart Association’s guidelines for calories, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat. Subscribers can enjoy a full suite of meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—that are carefully crafted by nutritional experts and prepared by skilled chefs. This program eliminates the need for meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking, offering a convenient “heat and eat” solution.
Our team tested BistroMD’s meals in 2022 and again in early 2024. We were consistently impressed by the quality and flavor of the meals—far from the bland and boring fare one might expect from diet-specific food. Highlights included the hickory-smoked BBQ pork served with broccoli and the Cranberry harvest turkey meatballs accompanied by butternut squash and Brussels sprouts. The dishes were reminiscent of a hearty, home-cooked meal, thanks to the use of high-quality vegetables and moist meats, demonstrating BistroMD’s commitment to culinary excellence. The diverse menu, featuring over 150 different meals, ensures a wide variety of options to keep the diet interesting and enjoyable.
Heart-Healthy Prepared Meals To Try From BistroMD
- Jamaican Style Black Pepper Shrimp
- Chicken Spinach Meatloaf With Tomato Glaze
- Pork Tenderloin With Spiced Apple Chutney
- Oven-Fried Catfish with Spicy Tomato Leek Sauce
Green Chef
Best For: Organic Healthy Meal Kit Service
Green Chef stands out as my top pick for a meal kit service that specializes in USDA-approved organic and sustainable products. This service delivers meal kits filled with pre-portioned and prepped ingredients, making cooking at home both easy and quick. You have the flexibility to choose how many meals you receive each week—three or four—and can decide the number of servings per meal—two, four, or six.
Although Green Chef doesn’t specifically offer a heart-healthy program, many of its weekly menu options are categorized as “sodium smart,” making them suitable for your heart-healthy diet. You also have the option to browse the a la carte menu online, where you can check the ingredients list and nutritional values for each recipe, helping you select meals that best fit your dietary needs.
Our team tried several sodium-smart meals from Green Chef and was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the ingredients, the simplicity of the preparation, and the delicious results. The highlights were the Tilapia with Pesto Tomato Sauce Paired With Kale Couscous, and the Thai-Style Chicken Soup—both were flavorful and met my dietary needs perfectly.
Green Chef also offers meal options catering to various dietary requirements, including vegan, low-carb keto, Paleo, Mediterranean, low-sugar, and more. This range makes Green Chef an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing variety or taste.
Heart-Healthy-Friendly Meal Kits We Tried From Green Chef
- Chicken with Basil Pistou with Roasted Peppers, Artichokes, Fennel, and Rice
- Chicken with Ginger-Lime Aïoli Snap-Pea Slaw, Glazed Sesame Carrots, and Cashews
- Dijon Pork Chops with Roasted Carrots, Green Beans with Almonds
- Pecan-Crusted Sockeye Salmon with Creamy Kale, Shallot, and Roasted Carrots
Factor
Best For: Prepared Healthy & Balanced Meals
Factor shines as a meal service dedicated to flavor, variety, and nutritional integrity, truly living up to its goal of simplifying healthy eating. The service is particularly great at crafting meals designed by nutritionists to support heart health, alongside other dietary preferences like keto and high-protein diets. Factor provides flexibility in meal planning, offering options ranging from 6 to 18 single-serve meals per week, which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices.
The menu at Factor rotates weekly and features over 35 unique dishes, all made with fresh ingredients that hold up impressively well, even after microwaving. Our team tested the service over a two-week period, sampling more than ten meals, and we were notably impressed by both the quality and taste. A standout dish was the Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl, complete with Corn Salsa and Cilantro Sour Cream—classic, exceptionally moist, and flavorful!
It’s important to be cautious about sodium content. While Factor offers a range of health-conscious meals, some options may be higher in sodium than others, so it’s essential to review meal details if you are monitoring your sodium intake.
Factor goes beyond meal provision, offering a complimentary 20-minute nutrition coaching session with registered dietitians to assist in setting and achieving nutrition goals.
Overall, Factor excels in delivering delicious and nutritious meals, positioning it as an ideal choice for anyone looking for convenient, heart-healthy meal options during the workweek.
Heart-Healthy Meals We Tried From Factor
- Chimichurri Pork Tenderloin with Red Pepper Cauliflower Mash & Roasted Squash
- Stuffed Pepper Beef Casserole with Roasted Green Beans
- BBQ Chickpeas & Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Green Beans & Creamy Corn Grits
- Romesco Chicken Thighs with Braised Leeks, Roasted Potatoes & Paprika-Buttered Broccoli
Blue Apron
Best For: Chef-Designed Meal Kits For Wellness Eating
Blue Apron, the first meal kit service in the US, offers chef-designed recipes with pre-portioned fresh ingredients that make healthy eating both accessible and enjoyable. The service features a dedicated Wellness meal plan that includes nutritionist-approved options tailored for weight loss and overall healthy eating. Importantly, at least four meals from this plan are ideal for those seeking heart-healthy options.
One of the key benefits of Blue Apron is the transparency and control it offers. You can access the complete ingredients list, calorie count, and sodium content for each meal online. Since you do the cooking, you have the flexibility to adjust the amount of salt used in recipes, which is especially beneficial for maintaining heart health. This feature allows you to enjoy restaurant-quality meals that are both nutritious and tailored to your dietary needs.
The Blue Apron weekly menus offer meals for other nutritional needs, such as the Mediterranean diet, vegetarian diet, carb-conscious, and more.
Wellness Meal Kits We Tried From From Blue Apron
- Miso Chicken Ramen Noodle Bowls with Tomatoes, Corn, & Kombu
- Hearty Vegetable Grain Bowls With Avocado & Creamy Fig Dressing
- Cheesy Romesco Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Lentils & Farro
- Carb-Conscious Oregano Chicken & Fresh Tomato Pan Sauce with Farro & Zucchini
Diet To Go
Best For: Heart Healthy Food Delivery Service With Full Board Meal Plan
If you’re searching for a straightforward way to stick to a heart-healthy diet that also encourages weight loss, Diet-To-Go should be at the top of your list. This service has been in the healthy meal delivery game for a long time, offering a no-cooking required approach with a full board of prepared meals. Each meal is perfectly portioned and designed to be nutritionally balanced, making healthy eating completely effortless.
Diet-To-Go’s heart-healthy meals are meticulously calorie-controlled, with specific attention to managing carbs, sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol—key factors for a heart-healthy diet. When you subscribe, you have the flexibility to choose from several meal plans tailored to different dietary preferences, including classic balance, Mediterranean, vegetarian, or keto options. You can also decide whether you receive meals for 5 to 7 days per week.
Each delivery will include all the extras like sides, fruits, and even condiments. That means no grocery shopping, no meal prep, and zero clean-up! It’s an ideal solution for anyone looking to maintain a heart-healthy regimen without the hassle of cooking and planning.
Heart-Healthy Meals We Tried From Diet To Go
- Greek Chicken with Quinoa and Sauteed Spinach
- Herbed Baked Salmon with Three Grain Rice Pilaf, Broccoli, and Carrot Flan
- Santa Fe Chicken Burger with Roasted Veggie Blend
- Breakfast Waffles with Peaches & Apples in Syrup
Balance by BistroMD
Best For: Heart-Healthy Meal Delivery With No Subscription Needed
Balance by BistroMD, another innovative creation from bariatric medicine specialist Dr. Caroline Cederquist, offers fully prepared meals that arrive directly at your doorstep, all with a primary focus on supporting a healthy diet.
One of the standout features of Balance by BistroMD is the absence of a subscription or membership requirement, providing excellent flexibility for customers. You can order whatever you want, whenever you want, without any commitment to ongoing deliveries or minimum order requirements.
Balance by BistroMD offers an extensive selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that conform to heart-healthy dietary guidelines. These meals are both doctor-designed and chef-created, ensuring they meet the US Dietary Guidelines for sodium intake and are formulated to help lower blood pressure. This service is ideal for those looking to maintain a heart-healthy regimen without the usual hassle of meal planning and preparation.
Heart-Healthy Meals We Tried From Balance By BistroMD
- Grilled Salmon With Lemon Dijon Dressing
- Pork Enchiladas With Salsa Verde
- Grilled Chicken With Savory Almond And Date Sauce
- Macadamia Crusted Barramundi Seabass with Roasted Carrots
What To Look At When Choosing Heart Healthy Meal Delivery
When searching for a heart-healthy meal delivery service, there are several key factors you should consider to ensure that you choose an option that matches both your health needs and your lifestyle.
Here are some important aspects to take into account when selecting the perfect service to meet your needs:
Your Dietary Needs
Opt for a meal delivery service that caters to your specific dietary requirements, such as low-sodium or lean protein options, ensuring that every meal you get aligns with your health goals or diet preferences.
Meal Frequency
Consider the frequency of meal deliveries offered by the service, whether it’s weekly monthly, or customizable options, to ensure it fits into your schedule, lifestyle, and storage space.
Meals Variety
Look for a service that provides a diverse menu with a wide range of nutritious and flavorful options, including different cuisines and ingredients, to keep your mealtime interesting and fun – even when on a diet.
Price
Compare pricing plans and packages to find a service that offers affordability without compromising quality, ensuring you get the best value for your budget.
Ingredients Quality
Prioritize services that prioritize high-quality, wholesome ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers, ensuring that every meal is made with fresh, nutritious, and responsibly sourced components.
Sustainability
Consider the meal delivery service’s commitment to sustainability, including the use of eco-friendly packaging and responsible sourcing practices. Opting for a service that supports both your health and the environment allows you to make conscious choices that benefit both you and the planet.
Bottom Line
Try BistroMD pre-made meals or Green Chef meal kits for the best heart-healthy diet support!
If you need to maintain a heart-healthy diet lifestyle, takeout foods like pizza or Chinese, while incredibly fuss-free and tasty, are usually full of unhealthy fats and sodium – and therefore harmful to your heart health.
Meal delivery services offer an incredibly convenient solution, providing delicious meals—whether ready-made for quick heating or as meal kits for easy home cooking.
It is the perfect way to ensure you follow a healthy diet without any stress or fuss and with fewer visits to the grocery store.
