Many diets have come and gone over the years, but the most well-known diet for weight loss is eating fewer calories. The problem is that it can be hard to feel full and satisfied after a low-calorie meal.
Fortunately, many meal kit delivery services offer low-calorie meals full of great flavors to help combat this challenge! Using the right meal kit service, you can enjoy a good dinner and stay on track with your weight-loss goals.
With so many meal kits on the market, knowing which ones are best for sticking to a healthy diet can be challenging. Our team keeps up-to-date on the current low-calorie meal kits on the market and has re-tested these services in 2024 to give you the most current information to help you choose.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Low-Cal Meal Delivery Services For 2024:
- #1 Best Low-Calorie Organic Meal Service: Green Chef
- Best Variety Low-Cal Diet Meal Kits: HelloFresh
- Best Full Week Prepared Low-Calorie Meal Plan: BistroMD
- Best For Large Variety Of Low-Calorie Prepared Meals: Factor
- Best For Easy-Prep Low-Cal Meal Kits: Home Chef
- Best For Classic Healthy Martha Stewart Meals: Martha & Marley Spoon
- Best Cheapest Low-Cal Meal Kits: EveryPlate
- Best for Variety of Affordable Low-Calorie Meal Kit Service: Dinnerly
- Best For Chef-Designed Low-Calorie Meals: Blue Apron
In-Depth Review of the Best Low-Cal Meal Delivery Services
1. Green Chef – #1 Best Low-Calorie Organic Meal Service
Pros and Cons
Green Chef Pros
- Uses organic certified ingredients
- Option to specify a Calorie Smart plan
- The menu includes a variety of meal styles
- Add-ons of healthy organic snacks, breakfasts, and more
Green Chef Cons
- No pre-made meal options
- It can be pricey compared to others due to organic ingredients
About the service
Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic meal kit company that provides high-quality ingredients for creating delicious recipes at home. Its Calorie Smart plan is perfect for getting recommended low-calorie meals to enjoy each week.
Our testers appreciate the healthy, high-quality ingredients in each delicious recipe and the ease of following them.
What Do You Get?
Green Chef is a weekly meal delivery service with plan options for 2, 4, or 6 people. Your box can include 3 or 4 dinner recipes. They also offer add-on options for breakfasts, snacks, and quick meals.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Green Chef
- Honey Mustard Pork Chops With Lemon Rice With Kale Salad With Cabbage, Apple, & Sunflower Seeds
- Garlic Honey Chicken With Pearl Couscous With Kale & Roasted Red Peppers And Almonds
- Truffled Mushroom Flatbreads With Kale, Mozzarella, Parmesan, And Honey Drizzle
- Shrimp Bowls With Chipotle-lime Aioli With Corn And Roasted Red Pepper Rice, Cilantro, And Toasted Cashews
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Green Chef customers enjoy the high-quality organic produce and the ease of using weekly menu labels and nutrition facts to pick healthy, low-calorie meals.
Reddit user @Current_Werewolf_991 says, “ I’ve done green chef a few times now and I’ve been amazed, the food tasted good and kept me full, so I’ve been losing weight finally.”
Another Redditor @MarzipanFairy credits Green Chef for helping with her weight loss, noting, “I have been happy with Green Chef, my husband and I have lost over 150 lbs in the past year.”
Our Dietitian Take on It
“Green Chef makes it easy to find calorie-controlled meals without sacrificing flavor. Their Calorie Smart meals contain 650 calories and include lean proteins, including chicken, shrimp, and pork. Generous vegetable servings add volume and lots of fiber to make the meal filling.”, says Kathryn Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC.
2. HelloFresh – Best Variety Low-Cal Diet Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
HelloFresh Pros
- Over 100+ weekly recipes to choose from
- Fit & Wholesome plan recommends calorie-balanced recipes
- Reasonable prices per meal
- Shop HelloFresh market for healthy snacks, breakfasts, and more
HelloFresh Cons
- Some Premium meals cost more
- No pre-prepared oven-ready options
About the Service
HelloFresh is one of our favorite meal kit services and the most popular meal kit in the US. This meal kit service offers a low-calorie Fit & Wholesome plan that includes over 25 calorie smart meals to choose from each week.
Our meal kit testers enjoy HelloFresh’s consistent quality and convenience and the diversity of recipes available.
What Do You Get?
HelloFresh has plans for 2 or 4 people, and you can get 2 to 6 meals in your weekly meal delivery. The Fit & Wholesome plan gives you weekly recommendations from their Calorie Smart menu, but you can still choose from the full 100+ meal options. HelloFresh also has add-on options for healthy breakfasts, snacks, and more.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From HelloFresh
- Pan-Seared Sweet Soy Glazed Pork with Roasted Carrots & Broccoli
- Honey-Sesame Shrimp & Wonton Salad with Cucumber, Carrots, Peanuts & Scallions
- Tuscan-Spiced Chicken & Cheesy Broccoli with Garlic-Tomato Pan Sauce & Roasted Carrots
- Ricotta Tomato Ravioli with Toasted Panko, Lemony Zucchini & Parsley
What Do Customers Think Of It?
HelloFresh customers love that the service helps them cook more at home and that the nutritional information is readily available on their website and in many common calorie-tracking apps.
@RagnaRoslynz on Reddit says, “Along with learning how to actually cook, HelloFresh has also played a big part in my finally losing weight in a sustainable way.”
Another Reddit user, @Any-Cardiologist-814 says, “I love that all the macros are easily accessible so it takes the guesswork out of tracking. I use My Fitness Pal and a lot of the HF meals are in there.”
Our Dietitian Take on It
“HelloFresh Calorie Smart meals also provide a satisfying dish at 650 calories or less. The variety of flavors and spices used help keep the meals interesting so you don’t feel like you are missing out. Generous protein servings and loads of vegetables add protein and fiber to keep you full and energized until the next meal.” says Kathryn Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC.
3. BistroMD – Best Full Week Prepared Low-Calorie Meal Plan
Pros and Cons
BistroMD Pros
- Doctor-designed to support health and weight loss goals
- Plans to cover every meal of the day
- Recipes tailored to specific needs like menopause, diabetes-friendly, and heart-healthy
- Heat and eat eliminates the need for prep
BistroMD Cons
- Food arrives frozen
- Only single-serving plans offered
About the Service
BistroMD is a meal kit service designed by a real doctor to help you lose weight healthily. The science-backed meals are nutritionally balanced to support healthy, sustainable weight loss while meeting other health goals like managing diabetes or menopause.
From our recent experience, we were impressed with how fresh the meals tasted despite being frozen and the incredible taste and range of flavors.
What Do You Get?
With BistroMD, you sign up for a specific program based on your goals – the signature weight loss plan, gluten-free, heart-healthy, keto flex, diabetic, menopause, or vegan. With any program, you can choose to get 5 or 7 days of breakfast, lunch, & dinner or the lunches & dinners only plan. All programs include only single-serving meals.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From BistroMD
- Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole
- Beef Burrito Bowl
- Butternut Squash with Chicken Meatballs
- Mushroom Couscous with Roasted Beets
What Do Customers Think Of It?
BistroMD customers are impressed with the variety of meals and the nutrition offered in each meal.
On Reddit, @Proper_Professor_113 says, “I have been pleasantly surprised at how good the meals have been… you are satisfied but not full.”
Meanwhile, @lostbrains rates BistroMD highest in their search for a meal it to support weight loss, saying, “ They have a vast variety of meals in the 300-400 range, and they are pretty low in fat and sodium. They also taste great! “
Our Dietitian Take on It
“Bistro MD’s Signature program creates low-calorie meals that are ready to eat in 5 minutes or less. They are well-balanced and contain a good amount of protein. Most meals are 350 calories or less, which is relatively low and may not have the staying power a slightly higher-calorie meal would provide. This may lead to unhealthy snacking or overeating at subsequent meals,” highlights Kathryn Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, and CLC.
4. Factor – Best For Large Variety Of Low-Calorie Prepared Meals
Pros and Cons
Factor Pros
- Fully prepared, oven-ready meals
- Fresh, chef-designed meals are never frozen
- All meals optimized to support wellness and balanced nutrition
- Offers a Calorie Smart plan to recommend low-calorie recipes
Factor Cons
- No traditional meal kit options to cook yourself
- Plans offer single-serving meals only
About the Service
Factor specializes in fresh, fully prepared meals that are microwave-ready and provide a balanced nutritional profile. It also offers breakfast, snacks, and quick lunch add-on options, like many meal kits.
During our 2024 review of Factor, our testers appreciated the easy, no-prep meals that are healthy and delicious with minimal effort.
What Do You Get?
Factor plans offer single-serving dishes, with the option to receive 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 microwave meals per week. You can choose the Calorie Smart plan during sign-up to get recommended low-calorie recipes. Factor also lets you shop for healthy add-ons like snacks, breakfast, and quick lunches.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Factor
- Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl with Roasted Corn Salsa & Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
- Vegetable Ratatouille with Mascarpone Polenta
- Truffle Butter Filet Mignon with Potato-Leek Mash & Roasted Carrots
- Fiery Korean-Style Shrimp with Ginger Scallion Black Rice, Roasted Peppers & Broccoli
What Do Customers Think Of It?
People who’ve tried Factor love the convenience of nutritionally balanced heat and eat meals and well-balanced macros.
Redditor @hweers says, “I feel like it has really helped me with portions and calorie counts, and… it allowed me to not stress over my meals.”
@aredentsentiment on Reddit says, “Factor has a lot of great options under 600 calories and… I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried.”
Our Dietitian Take on It
“Factor’s Calorie Smart meals have the lowest calories compared to other meal services, topping out at 550 calories per meal. The convenience of having a low-calorie meal ready in minutes may be the key to success for some when counting calories. Another bonus is that many meals contain foods that some who are dieting may consider off-limits, like potatoes and pasta, so you won’t feel deprived even when eating a bit lighter” confirms Kathryn Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC.
5. Home Chef – Best For Easy-Prep Low-Cal Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
Home Chef Pros
- The menu has traditional meal kits plus oven and microwave-ready meals
- Customize your proteins and sides for many meals
- Calorie Conscious plan to recommend low-calorie options
- Option to specify allergens & foods to avoid when signing up
Home Chef Cons
- There are not as many weekly menu options as some services
- Some Premium options come at an additional cost
About the Service
Home Chef Meal Delivery wants to help you learn to cook at home. They have a vast selection of easy-to-cook recipes, including their Calorie-Conscious meals marked with an apple symbol on the weekly menu.
Our testers love the taste of Home Chef meals and the ease of browsing the diverse menu.
What Do You Get?
Home Chef plans come with servings for 2, 4, or 6 people. You can choose between 2-6 meals in your weekly delivery. Home Chef also offers a Family Plan with family-style meals beginning at 4 servings. During sign-up, you can pick the Calorie Conscious plan to support a diet lifestyle.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Home Chef
- One-sheet Cheesy Spinach-stuffed Chicken With Roasted Broccoli
- Lemon Piccata Butter Salmon With Ratatouille Zucchini Ribbons
- One-pan Beef And Poblano Fiesta Salad With Nacho-taco Cheese And Avocado
- Roasted Cauliflower Tostadas With Corn And Bean Salsa
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Home Chef customers appreciate the ease of sorting the menu for low-calorie meals and how tasty and filling the meals are.
@PleaseCoffeeMe says Home Chef helps them eat healthily, noting, “I find I am eating more veggies”
Another Reddit user, @MinkieTheCat likes that it saves them time and money, adding, “less wasted food and I don’t have to figure out what’s for dinner and make sure I have all the ingredients.”
6. Martha & Marley Spoon – Best For Classic Healthy Martha Stewart Meals
Pros and Cons
Marley Spoon Pros
- Enjoy meals designed by Martha Stewart
- High-quality, pre-measured ingredients
- Massive variety of recipes per week, including low-calorie options
- Choose a Low-Calorie plan at sign-up for weekly recommendations
Marley Spoon Cons
- Ingredients don’t come sorted by recipe
- Recipes sometimes use specialized tools and skilled techniques
About the Service
Martha & Marley Spoon offers a great selection of 100+ weekly meals, several of which were designed by Martha Stewart herself. The company’s weekly menu features around 30 clearly labeled low-calorie meals.
The Meal Kit Review’s testers enjoyed the quick and easy recipes we tried in 2024, which felt like restaurant-quality dishes.
What Do You Get?
Marley Spoon plans serve 2 or 4 people, and you can get as few as 2 or as many as 6 meals in your weekly box. You can also shop the Marley Spoon market for add-ons like extra proteins, snacks, and quick lunch options. Pick the low-calorie plan at sign-up for weekly low-calorie recommendations.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Martha & Marley Spoon
- Za’atar Roasted Salmon with Feta & Shepherd Salad
- Grilled Chicken & Zucchini with Peach Salsa
- Shrimp Tostadas with Black Beans & Lime Yogurt
- Everything Bagel Chicken & Oven Fries with Scallion-Sour Cream Wedge
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Fans of Marley Spoon like the weekly menu variety and learning to make fancier meals that are still easy to cook.
New Marley Spoon customer @Such_Play_1524 was immediately impressed with their box, saying, “this looks way better and fresher then anything I’ve tried before.”
@realjnyhorrorshow on Reddit says, “The recipes are fantastic and straightforward.”
7. EveryPlate – Best Cheapest Low-Cal Meal Kits
Pros and Cons
EveryPlate Pros
- A great affordable option for delicious low-calorie meals
- Recipes are easy to prep and use fewer ingredients
- Clearly labeled Calorie Smart menu options every week
- Flexibility to increase or swap proteins, veggies, and more
EveryPlate Cons
- No specific low-calorie plan is available
- Ingredients don’t come sorted per recipe
About the Service
The EveryPlate service provides tasty meals on a budget. It reduces costs by using less packaging and fewer ingredients in its recipes. Compared with many companies, it has a surprising number of low-calorie options on the menu each week.
Our testers were impressed with the quality of the produce, especially for the low price, and with the taste of the meals, even though they used fewer ingredients.
What Do You Get?
EveryPlate has plans with servings for 2, 4, or 6 people. Your weekly delivery can include between 3 and 6 meals. Although EveryPlate does not offer a specific low-calorie plan, its menu clearly labels all Calorie Smart options, making them quick and easy to find.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From EveryPlate
- Cumin Beef Lettuce Wraps with Lime Crema, Green Pepper & Onion
- Chicken Sausage & Tomato Soup with Israeli Couscous & Parmesan
- Apricot Dijon Chicken with Pan Sauce & Roasted Veggies
- Greek Taverna Pork Chops with Cucumber-Tomato Couscous Salad
What Do Customers Think Of It?
When talking about EveryPlate, customers love that it removes the stress of meal planning, helps them reduce eating out, and allows them to enjoy healthier meals at home.
Reddit user @Acceptable_Mode5837 says EveryPlate helps them eat at home more often, saying, “ it keeps me from ordering out a lot more often and gives me control over how the food is prepared.”
@Topiaryontop says, “for nutrition, convenience, and meals that my family will consistently enjoy. EP is the only meal kit service we have used that hit all of those marks week after week.”
8. Dinnerly - Best for Variety of Affordable Low-Calorie Meal Kit Service
Pros and Cons
Dinnerly Pros
- Low-cost option for healthy diet meals
- Recipes are easy to prep yet delicious
- Specify a low-calorie preference to get recommended recipes
- Menu options for many dietary needs, including dairy-free, low-carb, and vegetarian
Dinnerly Cons
- Ingredients don’t come pre-sorted per recipe
- Recipes can be less inventive than some meal kits
About the Service
Dinnerly is one of the cheapest meal kit services, focused on providing simple, delicious, and affordable meals! The Dinnerly meals are not only super cheap compared to others, but their menu is also incredibly diverse. Their meals cater to many needs, including healthy, low-calorie, vegetarian, low-carb, kid-friendly, and more.
Our meal kit testers love that the simple and easy recipes are still flavorful, saving you money and time.
What Do You Get?
Dinnerly offers 2 or 4 people plans, with 2 to 6 meals in each delivery. There are 100+ weekly recipes, with a few Saver options that save even more money! There are usually around 30 vegetarian options each week.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Dinnerly
- Seared Steak with Creamed Corn Gratin
- Tortelloni Marinara with Pesto & Parm
- Tex-Mex Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Salsa & Cheddar
- Low-carb Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes, Orzo & Feta
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Dinnerly customers love the value that the meal kit service provides. It offers tasty, low-calorie recipes that are easy to make on a budget.
Reddit user @imhereforthemeta likes the crowd-pleasing recipes, saying, “with dinnerly I feel like they always have something to meet everyone’s needs.”
@3Gilligans says they “prefer Dinnerly because they have more low-carb options” that meet their diet needs.
9. Blue Apron - Best For Chef-Designed Low-Calorie Meals
Pros and Cons
Blue Apron Pros
- It uses sustainably sourced, high-quality ingredients
- There is an excellent variety of recipe styles
- Low-calorie recipes clearly labeled on the menu
- Includes microwave- and oven-ready meals
Blue Apron Cons
- It does not offer specific low-calorie plans
- Only a few low-calorie meals per week
About the Service
Blue Apron is a well-known meal delivery service that’s been on the market for many years. The company focuses on keeping dinner interesting with a menu that includes delicious chef-designed meals—many of which are also low-calorie!
At the Meal Kit review, we love the consistently high-quality ingredients and the service’s tasty microwave-ready meals for busy people.
What Do You Get?
Blue Apron offers a traditional meal kit plan or a prepared & ready plan, and you can mix and match these recipes as well! The traditional plan serves 2 or 4 people, and you can receive between 2 and 5 meals in your weekly delivery. There are usually around 3-5 low-calorie menu options per week.
Low-Calorie Meals To Try From Blue Apron
- Tomato Basil Fettuccine with Spinach & Thyme Breadcrumbs
- Calabrian Shrimp & Orzo with Tomatoes & Romano
- Greek-Style Chickpea & Couscous Bowl with Tzatziki & Feta
- Salmon Piccata with Garlic Rice & Roasted Broccoli
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Blue Apron customers like the new recipes and techniques Blue Apron introduces them to, making it easy to cook at home while supporting your diet.
On Reddit, @syrusbliz says, “BA has introduced us to foods and spices we would never have considered on our own.”
@buits has used Blue Apron since 2015 and loves the convenience, noting, “it’s an excellent way to not have to think about what you are cooking for dinner.”
Benefits of Using Meal Delivery Service For Your Diet
Best Diet Support
Planning out what to make and shopping for ingredients are the most challenging parts of sticking to a healthy, low-calorie diet. Research conducted to follow the dietary behaviors among meal-kit users found that meal kits make it easier to keep a healthier lifestyle and stick to your diet by recommending healthy meals and sending ingredients right to you.
Ease of Use
We all know cooking at home is healthier, but it is hard to do when we are busy. With meal kit delivery services, preparing low-calorie meals at home is quick and easy. Most services have meals that come together in as quick as 20 minutes with clear recipe cards to follow.
Time & Money Saving
Meal kit delivery services cut out the time it takes to find tasty diet meals to enjoy each week – and they let you skip the grocery, too! You can save time by having weekly recipe recommendations; having dinner planned for you also saves costs on takeout or restaurant meals.
Spice Up Your Culinary Life
It is easy to get bored when eating a low-calorie diet if you repeat the same go-to meals. With a meal kit service, you can discover new and exciting dishes that still support your diet.
Perfect Portions With Less Food Waste
Portion size is a big factor when supporting a healthy diet, and meal kits help provide perfect portions for every recipe. You’ll get pre-measured ingredients with just enough for each recipe, cutting down on food waste and helping you stick to the correct portion sizes.
Quality Ingredients
High-quality produce and meats don’t just taste better – they’re better for you, too. Most meal kits on the market source fresh products that are as good – if not better – than the local supermarket. That means you’re getting healthy foods that support a wellness diet right to your front door.
Our Methodology – Why Trust Us?
Our mission at The Meal Kit Review is to provide accurate, helpful information so you can choose the best meal delivery service. We take a hands-on approach to our review process, and our testers go through the full ordering process for each meal kit—from signing up to receiving the box, prepping the meals per the instructions, and, of course, tasting them.
Bottom Line
You can’t go wrong with these low-calorie meal kit companies if you want to monitor your calorie intake while balancing a busy lifestyle. Using a low-cal meal delivery service will take the guesswork out of finding recipes, shopping for ingredients, and calculating the calories and nutrition.
With one of these low-calorie meal kits, you can enjoy and feel good about what you eat. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, manage a health condition, or add more healthy ingredients to your diet, any meal kit services can help you reach your wellness goals.
