How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest. Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services.

How we test meal delivery services. Each service in this article: is in compliance with U. Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials.

How to choose an affordable meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest? Is HelloFresh cheap?

What is the average price for meal delivery services? Do meal delivery services actually save you money? The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History.

Nov 28, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. Nov 14, Medically Reviewed By Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT. Share this article. Read this next. Thinking of Trying a Meal Prep Service? These Black-Owned Companies Have You Covered.

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Taking a Daily Multivitamin May Help Slow Cognitive Aging and Boost Memory Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory. Your Guide to Working with a Dietitian Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions.

What Is Liquid Collagen and Can It Boost Our Health? Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

Reviews ethics statement. Grocery shopping doesn't have to be expensive. In an effort to save money and eat healthier, I challenged myself not to eat out for two weeks. Full disclosure: I lasted eight days cooking all of my meals before I splurged on a burrito bowl at Chipotle. For those of you looking to increase your at-home cooking but not your spending -- who are stronger-willed than I am -- I've got 10 tips for how to plan out your healthy budget meal prepping, before going to the store, at the store and once you're home.

For this challenge, I focused on affordable, nutritious, filling foods. As a college student on a shoestring budget with limited cooking supplies, I hope these tips will be helpful for anyone looking to save money on balanced, simple home-cooked meals. You can also check out our stories on whether it's cheaper to buy groceries online or in the store , and if meal kits are worth the money compared to regular groceries.

Everyone is different, so think about what you need to fuel your lifestyle. Are you active? Do you have dietary restrictions? Do you have an allergy that makes getting the right nutrients more difficult?

For the best bang for your buck, the base of your meal should aim to have all three macronutrients : a carbohydrate, a protein and a fat. To make a fully balanced meal, include fruits and vegetables wherever possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , only one in 10 adults in the US eats enough vegetables and fruits cups of veggies and 1.

To help you plan, check out our story on which fruits and veggies are most affordable right now. So how do you set a budget for groceries? This will also vary depending on the price of groceries where you live, but will help as a general guideline if you're not sure where to start.

For basics such as bread, milk and butter, I recommend a store like Aldi or Trader Joe's, which have business models that keep prices lower than many other supermarkets. So, check out these options if you have one near you for most basic items before heading to another store.

Read more: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services. This seems self-explanatory, but many people end up impulse-buying goods they don't need. The grocery store is designed so we do! Before you go, look up easy recipes online, open up a cookbook or plan to double up on recipes you can already make.

There are plenty of websites, YouTube channels and TikTok videos dedicated to healthy meal-planning. If you're meal prepping, write down the ingredients for each meal, and how much of each are needed. By making a grocery list, you can focus on exactly what you need and stick to it.

After pre-chopping and preparing all those veggies, fruits, meats and snacks for the week, you'll need to store them in something. Try these Bayco glass storage container set. If you need some meal inspiration, here are a few of my go-to recipes and ingredients for different meals:.

Read more: Best Meal Prep Containers to Buy for Get down on the bottom row and take the time to read the nutrition label to see if what you're buying is actually providing the nutrients you're looking for, whether that's fiber, vitamins, or protein.

Check out our guide on what to look for and avoid on nutrition labels. I know you want to get in and get out of the store as fast as possible, but a couple extra minutes could save you money.

Many companies have reduced their food portion sizes while keeping prices the same. Cross-check between brands and different sizes for the best deal by dividing the total price by the total weight. While you have your calculator out, try totaling as you shop.

You will start to remember item prices, and you won't be startled at the register. Everyone knows store brands are usually cheaper than premium brands, but the margin is higher than you'd think. Pay attention to the sales at the store. Many grocery stores release a weekly ad that you can scan beforehand.

Pick out the items you want to use and try to plan your meals for the week around discounted items. If you know you buy an item often and it's on sale, stock up on it. Lots of in-season fruits are less expensive , too.

Missing Extremely cheap, filling, protein rich etc. You can use them in soup, curry, tacos Vegetarian meals are almost always cheaper than meat A quick look at Healthline's picks for the cheapest meal delivery services ; Most affordable: EveryPlate | Skip to review ; Best for families

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Cheap meal prep solutions - Budget Friendly Meal Prep ; Sausage and Vegetable Skillet. $ recipe / $ serving ; Mini Broccoli Cheddar Quiches. $ recipe / $ each ; Double Missing Extremely cheap, filling, protein rich etc. You can use them in soup, curry, tacos Vegetarian meals are almost always cheaper than meat A quick look at Healthline's picks for the cheapest meal delivery services ; Most affordable: EveryPlate | Skip to review ; Best for families

Although taste is subjective, we ultimately chose companies that scored high points overall with testers. When finding the best meal delivery service to fit into your lifestyle and budget, there are a few key things to consider:. There are also options that fall in between: Food is partially prepped and requires minimal extra work to get a balanced meal on the table quickly.

You'll want to take a look at the plans the different services offer and keep in mind that while some services may start at a low price that is for a large order. You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of ordering, so you can see how much it will cost for your specific needs and servings per week.

If you are cooking for more than four people, check to make sure the service will accommodate your family, as some services only serve a max of four people per meal. Frozen meals can avoid waste whereas fresh options can spoil if not eaten immediately.

Most services allow you to skip a week and adjust your plan along the way, which can be a strategy to help keep costs down if you can't use the food quickly.

Some options, like Dinnerly, have robust vegetarian menus, for example, whereas other services may offer only a handful of vegetarian meals to choose from each week. Certain services will let you customize further and swap out proteins, which can be beneficial. Most services will give you a discount on the first box and additional discounts if you are a first responder or in the military.

And if you know a friend or family member who is using the service, you may both get a discount for the referral. Some meal delivery services can be pricey — and most also involve shipping fees. But it's worth keeping in mind that they also tend to be healthier and less expensive than takeout.

There's also the benefit of skipping a trip to the grocery store and not having to spend time coming up with meal ideas and hunting for recipes. Many meal kits offer assistance with meal prepping, chopping and more , cutting down on prep time too.

You'll also get the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques and try new foods that may not be in your regular mealtime rotation. If you'd rather not bust out all your pots and pans every night, prepared meal delivery services can also offer a smart solution. While prepared options do come at a premium, you're ultimately paying for the convenience, which may be worth it for you.

These types of melas are typically comparable with the cost of takeout but have one standard shipping fee since the meals come together. This article was originally written by registered dietitian Amy Fischer. It was most recently updated by registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos.

As a dietitian and working mother, Stefani is passionate about putting balanced meals on the table for her family without having to spend a ton of time or money at the grocery store. She personally uses meal delivery services as a way to change up her family's normal dinnertime routine and to get introduced to a variety of new foods and unique preparation methods.

Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

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sign in. Best Flower Delivery V-Day Gifts For Kids V-Day Gifts For Women V-Day Gifts For Men Amazon Valentine's Gifts. Our top picks: 1. Best Overall Cheap Meal Delivery Service Dinnerly Shop at dinnerly.

Shop at dinnerly. Best Value Cheapest Meal Delivery Service EveryPlate Shop at everyplate. Shop at everyplate. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Beginners Hello Fresh Hello Fresh Shop at HelloFresh.

Shop at HelloFresh. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Wellness Blue Apron Blue Apron Shop at blueapron. Shop at blueapron. Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service for Families Home Chef Shop at Home Chef. Shop at Home Chef. Best Plant-Based Cheap Meal Delivery Service Mosaic Foods Mosaic Foods Shop at mosaicfoods.

Shop at mosaicfoods. Plans Two or four people and two to six meals per week. Packaging The box, separator and thermal liner are all curbside recyclable. The bottles and containers can be disposed in plastic recycling bins.

Availability Delivery throughout the contiguous United States. Pros Lowest cost meal kit per serving Lots of comfort food options Add-ons like sides and desserts also available Includes recipe cards with step-by-step pictures Kit includes everything you'll need to create the meal.

Plans Two or four people and three to six meals per week. Availability Delivery to the vast majority of the continental USA. Pros Large weekly menu selection Easy-to-follow recipe cards with clear pictures Full recipes and nutrition information available on their website Solid and well-organized packaging.

Packaging Fold and discard the box with other household recyclables. Availability Delivery to all states across the continental US. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Pros Inventive and flavorful recipes Over 70 weekly menu options Variety of WW-recommended selections High-quality, fresh ingredients Ready-to-cook and heat-and-eat options also available.

Plans Two or four people and two to four meals per week. Availability Delivery to the contiguous United States. Pros Can feed up to six people Multiple meal kit options, including quick minute meals Over 30 weekly meal options Also available for purchase in Kroger grocery stores.

Plans Two, four or six people and two to six recipes. Packaging Boxes and dividers are made from partially recycled cardboard and are curbside recyclable. The meal bags 5 and ingredient bags 4 can be recycled at all locations that accept plastic bags.

Availability Delivery available nationwide to the vast majority of the United States. Pros Large selection of all vegetarian meals Prepared options that require no prep or cleanup Selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner Free shipping for and item boxes. Cons Requires ample freezer space Limited availability compared to other services.

Free shipping for and item boxes. Plans 6-, and item boxes available. Packaging Everything that comes in the box is fully curbside recyclable. Availability Mosaic delivers to most major metro areas in the Eastern and Western US.

How we test meal delivery services. Stefani Sassos. What to look for when selecting the best cheap meal delivery service. Are meal delivery subscription plans worth it? Comprehensive meal delivery service buying guides. Best Overall Meal Delivery Services Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services Best Affordable Meal Delivery Services Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services Best Organic Meal Delivery Services Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Services Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services Best Keto Meal Delivery Services Best Paleo Meal Delivery Services Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services Best Kids Meal Delivery Services.

Why trust Good Housekeeping? Stefani Sassos, M. Amy Fischer M. Contributing Writer. Watch Next. Product Reviews.

The box, separator and thermal liner are all curbside recyclable. Fold and discard the box with other household recyclables. If you know you buy an item often and it's on sale, stock up on it. Lots of in-season fruits are less expensive , too. Many large stores have apps or websites, so lookout for online-specific discounts and deals.

Coupon websites such as Coupons. com have a section entirely for grocery stores. Selecting the items you'd like to buy beforehand also helps you diversify your meals as you incorporate new on-sale items. The key to buying groceries is not to get fancy -- you don't need that pricey truffle oil that you're only going to use in one recipe ever.

Keep it simple with the ingredients you know you'll use and use a lot. Save the experimenting for when you have more money. Ingredient-prepping is less daunting than meal-prepping, so if you have similar bases while varying the spices and sauces, you'll be able to stretch a handful of ingredients into different meals.

Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables aren't the enemy. A study showed that not only are frozen vegetables and fruit nutritionally comparable to fresh ones, but frozen produce may actually retain vitamins more efficiently than fresh produce stored in the fridge for five days or more.

Canned items are processed more than frozen produce, but they are both harvested and preserved at peak ripeness. Regardless, eating frozen and canned foods are a great way to add essential vitamins and minerals into your diet easily and affordably. The steps you take after grocery shopping are crucial to efficiently using the food you just bought.

Take steps to preserve your food in the fridge longer , including your fruits and veggies , and organize your kitchen to save money and stay motivated to eat the good food you just bought. Happy meal prepping! For more tips on healthy meal preparation, check out expert picks on the best fish to grill , and the best air fryers.

Meal Delivery. Dieting Program Guides. Vitamin and Supplement Guides. Why You Can Trust CNET. Wellness Nutrition. Meal Prep on a Budget: Try These 10 Healthy and Affordable Meal-Prepping Tips Grocery shopping doesn't have to be expensive.

MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik Writer Intern. MaryBeth is a writer intern with the CNET Home team covering a wide array of topics such as appliances, tech, money, wellness and health. She is finishing her undergraduate degree in political science and communication studies at Davidson College in North Carolina, where she works to reduce sexual violence.

She believes in the power of information, racial and gender equity, communication and a good sit-com. See full bio. MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik. This story is part of 12 Days of Tips , helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.

Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service in See at Cnet. png","imageCaption":" ","imageCredit":"","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screen-shotatam. Pro Meal Prepping Tip! More from 12 Days of Tips Want Free Meal Kits? Use This Hack to Get Months of Cheap Food Obsessed With Fridge Organization Videos on TikTok?

Here's How You Can Do It Too Cleaning Your Fridge? Make Sure to Toss Out These Foods. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice.

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