These days, the meal kit industry is so developed that it can serve truly any demographic—and that includes seniors. Meal kits offer many benefits for older adults, including the convenience and ease of food preparation and having groceries delivered at home.
Good nutrition is important at any age, and never more so than in our later years. Senior citizens must maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meat and fish, and whole grains.
However, as seniors age, it can be tricky to ensure they eat well, especially if getting around is a challenge. Even without mobility challenges, planning a weekly menu, grocery shopping, and cooking evening meals can be overwhelming.
The beauty of a meal kit service is that it can deliver either ready-to-cook or fully prepared meals right to your door. At The Meal Kit Review, we’ve looked into the meal kit services on the market in 2024 to update our recommendations of the companies that can best support the needs of those aged 50+.
Short on Time? Here Are the Top Meal Services For Seniors For 2024:
- #1 Best Meal Plan For Seniors: BistroMD
- Best Seniors Prepared Meals For One Time Order: Silver By BistroMD
- Best For Lean Protein and Carb-Smart Meal Kits For The Third Age: HelloFresh
- Best For Organic Meal Kits For Seniors: Green Chef
- Best For Healthy Prepared Meal Service: Factor
- Best For Easy-Prep Low-Calorie Meal Kits For Seniors: Home Chef
- Best For Classic Healthy Meals From Martha Stewart: Martha & Marley Spoon
In-Depth Review of the Best Meal Services For Seniors 2024
1. BistroMD - #1 Best Meal Plan For Seniors
Pros and Cons
Bistro MD Pros
- Meals are doctor-designed to support specific health needs & wellness
- Fully prepared microwavable meals are easy to prepare
- A full meal plan makes it easy for seniors to enjoy three healthy meals a day
- There is a good variety of recipes to suit every taste
BistroMD Cons
- Meals arrive flash frozen, not fresh
- Meal plans are single-serving only, which is not ideal for elderly couples
About the Service
Bistro MD provides doctor-designed, fully-prepared meals that arrive ready to heat and eat. Their focus on dishes tailored to health needs with low-calorie, low-carb, and lean protein meals makes them an ideal blend of healthy and convenient for older people.
In 2024, our meal kit testers were genuinely impressed by the quality and freshness of the food and the diverse range of flavors on the menu.
What Do You Get?
With BistroMD, you sign up for a program that aligns with your health needs, such as a heart-healthy program, a diabetic-friendly program, and a menopause support program.
After selecting a program, you’ll decide how many meals to get each week—the entire program with three meals a day for 5 or 7 days or the lunches and dinners-only program for 5 or 7 days.
Meals To Try From BistroMD
- Barramundi Sea Bass with Sweet Coconut Pineapple Sauce
- Vegetable Red Curry with Tofu
- Cranberry Harvest Turkey Meatballs
- Pork Tenderloin with Country Style Gravy & Mashed Potatoes
What Do Customers Think Of It?
BistroMD is often recommended to people looking for meal delivery for their aging parents. Customers say the meals are tasty and well-balanced.
Redditor @SnooChickens8268 says, “Bistro MD is also my favorite place to go. The meals are well prepared and have good macros.”
In a Reddit thread asking for help with meal delivery for aging parents, @kazzin8 recommends “BistroMD for more cost-conscious pricing” compared with other similar services.
2. Silver by BistroMD - Best Seniors Prepared Meals for One-Time Order
Pros and Cons
Silver By Bistro MD Pros
- Fully prepared, chef-cooked meals
- Great support for many dietary needs to support healthy aging
- No subscription commitment is required
- Many classic crowd-pleasing flavors suited to picky eaters
Silver by BistroMD Cons
- A non-subscription model can mean a higher price per meal
- Meals arrive flash frozen, not fresh
About the Service
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD believes food is medicine. This meal delivery company works to provide delicious, fully prepared meals that help support longer, healthier living with the nutritional needs of people 50+ in mind.
Our meal kit testers enjoyed the excellent flavor of the chef-prepared meals and the generous portions provided by Silver Cuisine.
What Do You Get?
With Silver Cuisine, there’s no need to commit to a subscription plan. Simply shop their full menu of prepared meals, add to your cart, and get healthy, delicious meals delivered to your home.
Silver Cuisine caters to many specialty diets, including Heart Healthy, low carb, menopause support, and Mediterranean, so you can find excellent dishes for your needs.
Meals To Try From Silver by BistroMD
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Yuca Fries
- Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dijon Dressing
- Pork Tenderloin with Plum Ginger Sauce
- Stuffed Shells with Vodka Marinara Sauce
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD customers like the a la carte options and the convenience of fully prepared, healthy meals for seniors.
One Reddit user, @Jujulabee, says they “liked the ability to select exactly what I wanted” when ordering A La Carte from Silver Cuisine by BistroMD.
Redditor @kittycatblues recommends Silver Cuisine by BistroMD as an excellent solution for a user looking for “ a good meal delivery service for my aging dad who will not cook.”
3. HelloFresh - Best For Lean Protein and Carb-Smart Meal Kits For The Third Age
Pros and Cons
HelloFresh Pros
- Great selection of weekly recipes to suit many preferences
- The menu clearly labels dishes for easy browsing to meet dietary needs like low-calorie and low-carb
- Ingredients arrive pre-measured and pre-sorted per meal for easy prep
- HelloFresh market lets you shop for add-ons for breakfast, snacks, and more
HelloFresh Cons
- All meals need to be prepared and cooked at home
- Not explicitly tailored to seniors’ needs
About the Service
HelloFresh is the most well-known meal kit company in the US, delivering pre-measured ingredients to make your choice of 100+ tasty recipes per week. This company isn’t marketed as a meal kit for age 50+ but still offers many low-calorie, low-carb, and great lean protein meals that are nutritionally balanced.
Our 2024 meal kit reviewers continue to be impressed by the high-quality ingredients in our HelloFresh boxes and love the added ease of having everything pre-sorted per recipe.
What Do You Get?
HelloFresh offers plans to feed 2, 4, or 6 people. Your weekly delivery can include 2-6 meals.
The Pescatarian and Fit & Wholesome plans include many dishes great for seniors, with lean protein and low-calorie options. Regardless of your plan, you can shop the full menu of 100+ recipes weekly. Plus, they’re clearly labeled to help you find meals that meet your needs, from calorie-smart to carb-smart, easy prep, and more.
Meals To Try From HelloFresh
- Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken with Parmesan Zucchini Rounds & Scallion Couscous
- Beef Ragu Zucchini “Lasagna”
- Peachy Keen BBQ-Rubbed Pork Chops with Lemony Green Beans & Garlic Rice
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup with Bacon, Cheddar, Sour Cream, Scallions & Hot Sauce
What Do Customers Think Of It?
HellFresh customers love the convenience of the service and the easy-to-make recipes, which allow them to eat more healthy foods without needing to go to the grocery store every week.
Redditor @Abigailleus says HelloFresh meals are “easy to make, and much healthier than going out.”
One Reddit user says their “parents have gotten HelloFresh for about 4 years, and we love it!”
4. Green Chef - Best For Organic Meal Kits for Seniors
Pros and Cons
Green Chef Pros
- Fully organic, healthy meals to support healthy aging
- Diet support for sodium-smart, gluten-free, Mediterranean, calorie-smart, and more
- Chef-designed recipes are delicious and always veggie-forward
- Add-ons offer healthy breakfasts and quick lunches
Green Chef Cons
- Some meals can take longer to prepare
- No fully prepared meal options
About the Service
Green Chef delivers USDA-certified organic ingredients to make delicious, chef-designed meals at home. Their dishes always include healthy veggies and can meet senior citizens’ needs thanks to a great selection of low-calorie and low-carb options.
Our 2024 testers loved the upscale flavors in our Green Chef meals and the high-quality organic ingredients we received.
What Do You Get?
Green Chef meals can serve 2, 4, or 6 people with 3 or 4 meals per week.
You can get weekly recipe recommendations with unique plans like Calorie-Smart, Plant-Based, Quick & Easy, and more. No matter what you pick, you can choose from the full menu of 40+ weekly options. Each dish has clear labels to help you find meals that are low in sodium, low in calories, and more, making it easy to meet the unique nutritional needs of seniors.
Meals To Try From Green Chef
- Balsamic Mushroom & Tomato Chicken With Creamy Spinach And Scallion
- Southwest Pork Fillet With Mango Slaw, Bell Pepper, Summer Squash, Corn, And Cotija Cheese
- Cobia With Lemon Aioli And Bulgar With Artichokes, Peas & Parmesan And Roasted Carrots
- Steak & Shrimp With Creamy Chive Sauce, Cheesy Mashed Butternut Squash And Roasted Broccoli
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Green Chef customers appreciate the dietary support and delicious flavors this meal kit company offers.
In response to a post looking for meal delivery for their older parents who eat gluten-free, Reddit user @tiltedsun says, “Their best bet might be one of the meal kit companies… like GreenChef.”
In a review of their recently enjoyed Sage Brown Butter Chicken Piccata meal from Green Chef, Redditor @cera84 says, “The flavors were on point and had a depth of different tastes.”
5. Factor - Best for Healthy Prepared Meal Service
Pros and Cons
Factor Pros
- Fully prepared meals, easy to heat and eat via oven or microwave
- Meals arrive fresh, never frozen
- Nutritionally balanced dishes with chef-designed taste
- Support for dietary needs like calorie smart, carb conscious, and fiber to support healthy aging
Factor Cons
- Some meals can be pretty high in sodium
- Certain premium dishes cost extra
About the Service
With Factor, you will receive fresh, never-frozen meals ready to simply throw in the microwave or oven. Their meals are chef-crafted for great flavor while offering science-backed nutrition approved by dietitians.
In 2024, our testers loved the convenience of these microwavable meals and that they always include healthy veggies and plenty of flavor.
What Do You Get?
Factor meals are always single-serving, so you just need to pick how many you want to receive each week. Get 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 fully prepared meals in your weekly box, chosen from the menu of 35 healthy options each week.
Meals are clearly labeled on the menu to help you find foods that meet your dietary needs, including low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb, and fiber support. You can also view full nutritional information for every dish to ensure you choose low-sodium options.
Meals To Try From Factor
- Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Fusilli with Italian Herb-Roasted Zucchini
- Barramundi Veracruzana with Chive-Butter, Green Beans, & Roasted Potatoes
- Chicken Pot Pie Pasta with Cauliflower & Broccoli
- Creamy Pesto Pork Chop with Spinach, Cauliflower “Rice” & Roasted Green Beans
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Factor customers love the convenience of fully prepared meals and the fact that they are delicious and nutritionally balanced.
Reddit user @Equal_Associate_8646 says, “I get [Factor] for my stepdad, who is paralyzed from the waist down. It’s so convenient.”
Another Redditor, @Azanskippedtown, says, “ I started ordering [Factor] for my elderly mother and stepfather. They love them! It’s super easy for them.”
6. Home Chef - Best For Easy-Prep Low-Calorie Meal Kits For Seniors
Pros and Cons
Home Chef Pros
- Express & oven-ready options are great for minimal prep
- Offers fully prepared lunches to simply heat and eat
- The customize-it feature lets you swap ingredients to suit your needs
- Support for dietary needs like low-calorie, low-carb, and vegetarian
Home Chef Cons
- Fewer weekly choices in each category
- Except for lunches, most meals require at least some prep
About the Service
Home Chef wants to help you prioritize eating meals at home. They deliver farm-fresh ingredients with a variety of options for prep time and effort. None of their classic meals are too complicated while still packing great flavor.
Our meal kit reviewers love that you can mix and match traditional meal kits with quicker, oven-ready options and remain impressed with the high-quality ingredients we receive from Home Chef.
What Do You Get?
With Home Chef, you can mix and match meal kits with oven-ready meals and fast and fresh microwavable meals each week. At sign-up, specify your dietary needs, including Carb-Conscious, Calorie-Conscious, and Pescatarian plans featuring plenty of lean proteins to fit senior diet needs.
Then, pick how many servings you want from 2, 4, or 6 and how many weekly meals you’d like in your box. You can get between 2 to 6 dinners delivered each week.
Meals To Try From Home Chef
- Buttermilk Chicken Schnitzel With Cucumber-dill Sauce And Zucchini
- Trout With Cilantro-pepita Gremolata And Roasted Squash
- Sheet Pan Pesto Butter Chicken With Lemon Green Beans
- One-pot Corn And Potato Chowder With Green Onions And Butter Crackers
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Home Chef customers like the flexible prep options and great flavors the meal kit delivers.
In response to someone looking for meal kits for their elderly parents who are tired of cooking, Reddit user @Moon_Beam89 says, “Home chef is great but… still requires some cooking,” adding that they recommend it.
In response to someone looking for meal kits that require limited prep, @nellelee21 has good things to say about the Oven-Ready meals from Home Chef. They say, “I was surprised at how good they were, with everything pretty much done for you!!”
7. Martha & Marley Spoon - Best For Classic Healthy Meals From Martha Stewart
Pros and Cons
Marley Spoon Pros
- There is a vast variety of recipes to choose from every week
- Meals to suit seniors’ dietary needs like low-calorie, low-carb, dairy-free, and extra nutritious
- One-pot meals are simple and easy to make
- Meals range from classic dishes to ethnic cuisine, suiting any taste preference.
Marley Spoon Cons
- Limited to no fully prepared options per week
- Some meals can require more advanced techniques to prepare
About the Service
Marley Spoon is the one-and-only meal kit that partners with home cooking queen Martha Stewart. They provide 100+ weekly chef-designed recipes using fresh ingredients, including Martha’s Best Meals.
Our meal kit reviewers love the upscale, restaurant-style taste of the meals and the clear recipe cards, which make them super easy to cook.
What Do You Get?
Marley Spoon subscribers can get meals for 2 or 4 people, with between 2 to 6 recipes in your weekly box.
You can pick a preference like low-calorie, low-carb, quick & easy, or picky eater approved and get weekly suggestions to suit the needs of the senior diet and your taste preferences, too. No matter what, you can pick anything from the full weekly menu!
Meals To Try From Marley Spoon
- Steak & Roasted Fall Veggie Frites with Savory Mustard Pan Sauce
- Greek-Inspired Pulled Pork Gyro with Olives & Tzatziki
- Martha’s Best New Orleans BBQ Shrimp & Grits with Cheddar & Spinach
- Peak Season! Spicy Butternut Squash Chili with Crema & Cilantro Lime Rice
What Do Customers Think Of It?
Marley Spoon customers like the variety of recipes and the generous portion sizes.
Reddit user @Electronic-Cry718 is impressed with Marley Spoon’s lean protein and vegetarian options, noting “tons of different options that have a really nice amount of protein—amazing to see tofu dishes, and I love having the option to upgrade to plant-based meats.”
@Freyorama on Reddit gives Marley Spoon’s Pepperoncini Shrimp & Green Beans high praise, saying, “This was so delicious. Everything was packaged perfectly. For a two-portion serving, the sizes were so generous!”
In a Nutshell – What Are The Nutritional Needs Of Seniors?
As we age, it is important to eat a healthy diet to maintain overall health. Older adults should try to limit sodium and saturated fats to support heart health. It’s also important to get enough lean protein to maintain muscle mass. Opt for sources like seafood soy products like tofu, and lentils.
In general, seniors have lower calorie needs than younger adults as their metabolism slows down. Opting for meals lower in calories can help maintain a healthy weight to avoid health complications and reduced mobility.
See full guidance for proper seniors nutrition in this article
Benefits of Using Meal Delivery Service As a Senior Citizen
Older adults still want to enjoy healthy, delicious food but may not always have the energy or mobility to prepare complicated dinners every night. Meal kits can help!
Best Diet Support For Senior Needs
Many meal kit companies offer great, tasty foods that meet the unique nutritional needs of seniors. Opting for a meal kit can make it easier to get good, healthy meals without the work of meal planning every week.
Ease of Use
Meal kits make it easy to get well-balanced food on the table by cutting out the work. They provide a list of recipes every week, and all you have to do is choose the ones that sound tasty! Then, all ingredients or even fully prepared meals arrive right at your home.
Time & Money Saving
Using a meal delivery service will save you time planning your meals and doing the grocery shopping each week. They can also save you money by ensuring you only get the ingredients you need and use each week.
Spice Up Your Culinary Life
If you’ve been making the same meals every week for years, dinner can start to feel more like a chore than something to enjoy. Meal kits can add new and exciting dishes to your weekly routine to keep dinner exciting.
Perfect Portions With Less Food Waste
It’s easy to forget about that bag of spinach in the fridge until it’s too late, but with meal kits, you’ll only have the fresh ingredients you know you’ll use. This reduces food waste, which is good for the planet and your wallet. Not to mention skipping the difficult task of cleaning out the fridge, which can get more difficult as we age.
Quality Ingredients
Finding high-quality ingredients you can trust can be a challenge. Meal kit companies source nutritious, quality produce and proteins, so you can rest assured you’re eating healthy foods that will meet your needs.
Our Methodology – Why Trust Us?
Our mission at The Meal Kit Review is to help you find the best meal delivery services to meet your needs. As part of our review process, our team of meal kit experts goes through every step of the process: we sign up, choose our meals, receive our deliveries, and cook and taste the food.
That way, we can use that hands-on experience to provide you with the information you need to pick the best meal kit for you at every stage of life, including older adulthood.
Bottom Line
Seniors have unique dietary needs that make it important to keep eating healthy, even when cooking and grocery shopping becomes difficult. Meal kits are a great way to make cooking easier, with pre-measured ingredients or even fully prepared meals delivered right to your door.
We’re confident that you will enjoy the added convenience and nutritional support no matter which meal kit company you choose. The best way to start is to try a few companies to see which ones you’ll like best!
