Healthy meal delivery services offer value to a variety of people in numerous situations. From Lily Aldridge-approved cleanses to a range of gluten-free options, these services make it easy to prep nutritious meals at home.

For singles looking to de-prioritize kitchen time and avoid impulse buys, these meal kits for one are worth the investment. When searching for the right meal kit service, consider cost, menu selection, flexibility and ability to accommodate dietary goals or restrictions.

Cost

A healthy meal delivery service for singles can be an affordable option, especially if it reduces the number of meals you order out or buy from restaurants each week. In addition, many of these services offer nutritionally sound options for people with specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free or diabetic diets. Some also make it easy to stick to calorie, sodium, sugar, saturated fat and carb limits.

The best healthy meal delivery services use good-for-you ingredients, making them suitable for any diet or eating style. Some also cater to special dietary restrictions, such as Whole30, ketogenic, and paleo diets. Others have meal programs that help you lose weight, build muscle, and more. And some meal kits are designed for families, such as those offered by Mosaic Foods.

These meal delivery services can be a convenient option for people who do not have enough time to shop for groceries or cook at home, as well as those living in low-income, high-access (LIHA) areas, which are defined by the USDA as urban populations more than 1 mile from a supermarket and rural residents more than 10 miles from one. Some companies also provide affordable deliveries to people with disabilities or medical conditions that limit their ability to shop and cook. Other services are focused on sustainability, offering recyclable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, local ingredients and more.

Variety

Depending on your meal preferences and cooking skills, you may want to consider services that offer a mix of kits and ready-to-eat meals. Kit-style meals typically include pre-portioned ingredients that you cook yourself, while ready-to-eat entrees require only a quick heating in the oven or microwave. Both options make it easy to try new recipes and cuisines without the fuss of preparing a full dinner.

Another factor to consider is how many meals the service provides per week. If you’re looking to lose weight or get in shape, you might choose one of BistroMD’s multiple meal programs, which offer a variety of low-calorie meals. If you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian, you might prefer to subscribe to a service that offers meals with organic, non-GMO, and sustainable ingredients.

Many consumers also care about the quality of the food they eat and where it’s sourced from. Look for services that advertise the use of fresh, organic ingredients, and offer meal choices made from grass-fed meat or wild-caught fish. Some services offer special dietary needs options, including keto and vegan, while others are geared toward general nutritional goals or dietary restrictions, such as diabetes. For example, Factor offers a range of vegan meal plans that fit the varying needs and tastes of health-conscious singles.

Flexibility

Whether you prefer to cook yourself with meal kit options or heat prepared meals from a service that delivers ready-to-eat meals, healthy dinners for one should be easy to make. Look for a service that offers clear-cut instructions and recipes with easy-to-follow ingredients or that provides microwave-ready entrees with minimal prep time, like Freshly or Factor.

Most meal delivery services allow customers to select a number of meals per week, but the menu selection varies among companies. Some have a rotating menu that can give you a taste of many different foods or cuisines, while others have a more static menu with more entree choices.

The best healthy meal delivery services for singles offer a variety of food options that meet a range of dietary needs. For example, some cater to specific diets such as vegan and vegetarian or accommodate a range of allergies or sensitivities. Others can be good choices for anyone who wants to lose weight or tone up, as they focus on low-calorie or lower-carb meals.

Some meal delivery services also offer add-on groceries, which can help you create a balanced diet without having to visit the grocery store. These may include ingredients to prepare your own meals, snacks, or drinks. It’s important to review the available add-ons and grocery options for each company before choosing a service to ensure they provide value for your unique situation.

Sustainability

Healthy meal delivery services for one person should be eco-friendly, and the best ones advertise their use of sustainable practices such as recycled packaging and carbon offsets. They also often advertise organic, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught fish. Their pre-portioned meals help reduce food waste, which is especially helpful for singles since unused ingredients tend to go bad quicker than larger amounts of produce or protein. Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Deputy Director Amy Fischer recommends Green Chef, which offers a range of healthy meal kits that fit a variety of diets and lifestyles and uses certified organic ingredients.