Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services

Green Chef is the top meal delivery service for low-carb diets

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Following a low-carb diet in an effort to lose weight or improve heart health? While ditching carbs isn’t necessarily the solution, and going overboard on a low-carb diet may increase your risk for other health problems, it remains a popular dietary plan. And for those who follow this lifestyle, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut at mealtimes—especially when it comes to planning and prepping meals that avoid such carbohydrates as pasta, potatoes, cereal, and other starches. An omelet for breakfast, salad for lunch, and fish and veggies for dinner again? 

Low-carb meal delivery services make it easier to stick to your protein- and fat-focused dietary plan. The best low-carb meal delivery services help keep you on track by offering a wide array of menu options, cutting down on your need to go grocery shopping, and making mealtimes a breeze. Whether the company sends individual ingredients with step-by-step recipe instructions or prepared meals that go from fridge or freezer to microwave, these services can help you save time and find the variety you’re craving. A registered dietician from our Medical Expert Board has reviewed this article for medical accuracy and claims.

Tested: 8 Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Best Overall : Green Chef


Key Specs
  • Starting price: $11.99 per serving
  • Delivery area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

With more than 30 weekly menu options that fall into a wide variety of specific dietary preferences—including Keto + Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fast & Fit, Mediterranean, and Gluten Free—you won’t have to sacrifice your health goals while keeping your taste buds happy.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Caters to a variety of dietary preferences

  • USDA-certified organic company

  • All packaging made from recycled, reusable, and/or compostable materials

Cons
  • One of the pricier meal delivery service options

  • Delivery not available in Alaska or Hawaii

Overview

Each Green Chef box contains fresh, sustainable, and premeasured ingredients alongside easy-to-follow and color-coded recipes with step-by-step instructions and photos. Much of the time-consuming prep work is already completed thanks to ready-to-heat sauces, chef-curated dressings, and chopped produce—which is why most of the recipes are ready in about 30 minutes. Don’t worry about all the cartons used, as Green Chef is the only meal kit that is both plastic and carbon offset, and nearly all the packaging materials are curbside recyclable in most areas of the U.S. Additionally, the brand supports local and family farms, artisanal suppliers, and craft economies. 

Pricing and Plans
  • Choose three or four meals per week
  • Available in two to six serving portions
  • Pricing ranges from $11.99 to $13.49 per serving 
Meals We Tried

 Meal Kits

  • Togarashi shrimp and vegetable fried rice 
  • Space Ranger chicken enchiladas 
  • One-pan white bean and poblano shakshuka 
  • Baked meatballs and romesco mayo 

Heat and Eat

  • Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame 
  • Chicken Alfredo pasta with peas

Best for High-Protein Low-Carb Diets : Fresh N Lean


Key Specs
  • Starting price: $8.49 per serving
  • Delivery area: 50 states 
  • Products Arrive: Fresh (though you can freeze them for up to six weeks)
Why You Should Try It

Looking for an added protein boost? Fresh N Lean is one of the best high-protein, low-carb meal delivery services when you choose its Protein+ plan—each meal in this category provides an average of 36 grams of lean animal protein.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Heat-and-eat meal delivery service

  • Offers seven specific plans: Protein, Keto, Paleo, Standard Vegan, Whole30 Approved, Low-Carb Vegan, and Mediterranean Diet

  • All meals are organic, non-GMO, and gluten free

Cons
  • The BPA-free vacuum-sealed trays can seem difficult to open but are easily pierced with a knife or scissors

  • Shipping cost for Hawaii and Alaska (all other states are free)

Overview

Nothing could be easier than popping a Fresh N Lean meal in your microwave — you’re always only minutes away from a well-rounded breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack with no mess and no fuss. Choose from more than 100 premade meals across the seven plans; each is made from organic ingredients and developed by chefs and nutritionists. Plus, you can amp up your protein count even more with bulk add-ons of cod, bison patties, chicken breast, seasoned salmon, and more. 

Pricing and Plans
  • $8.99 per meal for 15 meals each week, including breakfast
  • $12.99 per meal for five meals a week
Meals We Tried
  • Grilled shrimp with caper dill aioli and roasted winter squash
  • Moroccan mint grass-fed steak with spiced cauliflower and brown rice
  • Tikka chicken with turmeric-roasted cauliflower and quinoa
  • BBQ turkey meatballs with white beans
  • Cajun salmon with Yukon potato and tomato rice

Best for Low-Carb Keto Meal Diets : Factor


Factor
Factor
Key Specs
  • Starting price: $10.99 per serving
  • Delivery area: 48 contiguous states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Short on time? No access to a full kitchen? Skip the hassle of keto-focused meal prep and cleanup with Factor, which delivers fresh and ready-to-eat dietitian-designed meals, snacks, smoothies, desserts, and juices. 

Why You Should Try It

Short on time? No access to a full kitchen? Skip the hassle of keto-focused meal prep and cleanup with Factor, which delivers fresh and ready-to-eat dietitian-designed meals, snacks, smoothies, desserts, and juices. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegetarian, and Vegan options are available

  • Heat-and-eat meals that take just two minutes to prepare

  • All subscriptions come with a complimentary 20-minute consult with a registered dietitian

Cons
  • Delivery days aren’t flexible and are based on your location

  • Menu rotates weekly, yet a lot of the meals feature the same core ingredients, which can become repetitive

Overview

With Factor, you can choose from a rotating menu of 30-plus chef-prepared, dietitian-designed meals, but the options don’t end there. The brand also dishes up keto-friendly sweet treats and snacks, veggie-forward side dishes, grab-and-go options including smoothie bundles, and protein add-ons (from salmon to pork chops, these animal-based boosts make this one of the best high-protein, low-carb meal delivery service options) for the ultimate customizable meal plan. Be sure to take advantage of your free consultation with a registered dietitian for tailored advice on dietary goals and nutrition plans.

Pricing and Plans
  • Choose from six to 18 individual meals per week
  • Pricing ranges from $10.99 to $12.99 per meal 
Meals We Tried
  • Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice and black beans
  • Creamy Parmesan chicken with broccoli and tomatoes (keto)
  • Vegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polenta (vegetarian)
  • Smoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash (vegan)

Best Premade Low-Carb Diets : Paleo On The Go


Paleo On The Go

Paleo On The Go 

Key Specs
  • Starting price: $15.93 per serving
  • Delivery area: 50 states
  • Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It

Whether you’re looking for nut free, dairy free, nightshade free, soy free, grain free, gluten free, paleo, or AIP compliant, Paleo On The Go makes it easy to stick to your plan with meals that are ready to heat and eat. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Full Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet menu

  • Just thaw, heat, and eat

  • 100% gluten-free facility and the only AIP bakery in the U.S.

Cons
  • Priciest option but works with small farms to ensure free-range, pasture-fed animals and uses eco-friendly, recyclable packing materials

Overview

For those with an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis, the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet can help reduce inflammation, pain, and other health conditions by removing problematic ingredients from the diet. Paleo On The Go makes it easy to follow this seemingly limiting diet and does it with such finesse that you won’t feel deprived come mealtime. The meals (such as chicken tikka masala, chicken potpie, and Moo Shu pork taco kits) are ready to reheat and enjoy, and there are even desserts, such as carob cream vanilla cake and carrot cake muffins, to scratch your itch for something sweet.

Pricing and Plans
  • Build a box of eight, 12, or 16 items, and set a frequency of every two, four, or eight weeks
  • Pricing varies depending on the menu items selected, and meals start at $15.93 per serving
Meals We Tried
  • Homemade chicken potpie
  • Bacon apple chicken burger with maple cranberry sauce and collard greens with smoky bacon
  • Coq au vin with herb mashed Japanese white sweet potatoes
  • Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy and onion confit cauliflower mash 
  • Moo Shu pork tacos
  • German brats with sauerkraut and home fried potatoes
  • Polish stuffed cabbage rolls
  • Thai basil shrimp

Best for Low-Carb Paleo Diets : Pete's Real Food


Pete's Real Food Logo

Pete's Real Food

Key Specs
  • Starting price: $15.60 per serving
  • Delivery area: 50 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

From the attention to seasonal ingredients to the chef-driven menu that rotates weekly, Pete’s Real Food is a family-owned and -operated business offering delectable mix-and-match plans catering to paleo, vegan, keto, and AIP diets that are ready to heat and serve.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • No gluten or dairy

  • Heat and serve

  • Packaging materials are curbside recyclable

Cons
  • Delivered on Thursdays or Fridays only

  • Additional fee for shipping to all 50 states

Overview

Pete Servold, a classically trained chef from Le Cordon Bleu, has been making heat-and-eat paleo, vegan, and keto meals for more than 10 years, and everything from his sauces to spice blends is made from scratch using real ingredients. You’ll find dozens of new menus each week to help stave off boredom, and kids’ lunches are also available, which is a big time-saver for any busy parent.

Pricing and Plans
  • The Paleo meal plan comes with your choice of five, seven, or 10 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners delivered every week or every other week 
  • Five meals (dinner): $99.62
  • Seven meals (dinner): $137.20
  • 10 meals (dinner): $192.80
Meals We Tried
  • Grilled chicken with sautéed cabbage and green goddess potato salad
  • Chicken chili with oven-roasted tomatoes and spaghetti squash
  • Beef Stroganoff over sweet potato noodles
  • Chicken meatballs with cauliflower mash and sweet potato fries
  • Turkey burgers with lemon garlic asparagus and roasted purple potato wedges

Best for Weight Loss : Trifecta


Key Specs
  • Starting price: $11.49 per serving
  • Delivery area: 50 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It 

Anyone counting macros and looking to control portion sizes and calories will appreciate Trifecta’s focus on nutritionally balanced meals. This brand goes beyond meal delivery to also deliver additional resources, such as personalized weight loss plans, goal setting and nutritional education, community support, and daily activities and challenges.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Chefs use organic ingredients, grass-fed meat, and wild-caught seafood when possible

  • Meal prep option allows you to choose your favorite proteins, carbs, and veggies

  • Meal plan options include Clean Eating, Whole30 Approved, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, and Vegetarian

Cons
  • Shipping is $9.99 for the lower 48 states and $49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii

  • Shipping takes place on Fridays only

  • Meal plans are “chef’s choice,” so you don’t get to customize your selections

Overview

If you’re looking for a well-rounded meal delivery service that kicks things up an extra notch by refining and supporting your entire weight loss journey, then Trifecta is sure to impress. It begins with choosing the meal plan that best aligns with your lifestyle preferences, and then simply heating up the chef-selected meals that arrive on your doorstep each week. You’ll receive a full macro breakdown of each meal, and you can track them in the brand’s app, alongside workouts, water intake, and more (for an additional monthly fee)

Pricing and Plans

Choose from 5-14 entrées

  • Keto Meal Plan: $110.99 per week
  • Paleo Meal Plan: $110.99 per week
  • Whole30 Meal Plan: $110.99 per week
  • Vegan Meal Plan: $99.99 per week
  • Vegetarian Meal Plan: $99.99 per week
  • “Clean” Meal Plan: $110.99 per week
Meals We Tried
  • Kung Pao grilled chicken with broccoli and roasted sweet potato
  • Beef skillet with roasted sweet potato and marinated cabbage
  • Herb roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetables
  • Slow-cooked rosemary thyme beef with root vegetables
  • Salmon Mexican bowl with tomato salsa and vegetables
  • Ginger shrimp with herb marinated sweet potato
  • Cajun chicken andouille sausage and roasted vegetables

Best Low-Carb Meal Kits : Home Chef


Home Chef
Home Chef
Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

If you’re stumped for fresh low-carb meal ideas but still enjoy the process of assembling a meal, then Home Chef’s meal kits may be the solution for you.

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Serves up to eight people

  • Simple, flavorful recipes packed with protein and vegetables

  • Proteins are customizable, and you can order extra portions

Cons
  • Does not cater to specific dietary preferences like keto and vegan

  • Minimum order of $50

Overview

If you enjoy cooking but find shopping and discovering new low-carb recipes to be a chore, then you may want to consider Home Chef’s meal kits. Home Chef’s site makes it easy to filter for preferences, and you can customize your meal from there. The carb-conscious section alone contains over 90 different recipes, and with serving sizes that range from two all the way up to six, you can either cater to a night in with your partner or feed a whole family.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing varies based on order size and meal selection, but some examples include:

  • Two recipes per week for two people: $39.96 plus shipping
  • Two recipes per week for four people: $79.92 plus shipping
  • Two recipes per week for six: $119.88 plus shipping
  • Minimum order of two meals for two people
Meals We Tried
  • Crispy sweet chili shrimp rice bowl 
  • Creamy tomato and steak penne 
  • Gnocchi and red pepper cream 
  • Moo shu pork lettuce cups

Best Organic Low-Carb Meals : Daily Harvest


Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest
Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $6.79 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It

Grab-and-go smoothies, soups, bowls, flatbreads, and bakes make for a low-maintenance way to stay nourished from morning until bedtime. Each product is frozen at peak flavor, texture, and nutritional profile, which means you can enjoy seasonal flavors year-round. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • No stabilizers, fillers, or preservatives and free of dairy and gluten

  • Plant-based ingredients

  • Each ingredient is harvested at peak ripeness, then flash frozen to lock in maximum flavor, vitamins, and minerals

Cons
  • Company uses some non-organic produce, but these items are labeled on the website and food packaging

  • You need a lot of room in your freezer to fit even a small order

Overview

Smoothies, soups, and bowls all sound like a great idea for mealtime—until you’re stuck shopping, washing, peeling, chopping, and cooking all those ingredients. Instead, reach for premade smoothies, Harvest Bowls, Forager Bowls, and other healthy options from Daily Harvest. The best part? The ingredients are all easy to pronounce because they come from whole foods. 

Pricing and Plans
  • Choose from nine to 24 items delivered weekly or monthly
  • Soups and smoothies are $8.49 per serving 
  • Harvest Bakes are $11.99 each
Meals We Tried
  • Mint and cacao smoothie
  • Mango papaya smoothie
  • Hazelnut and chocolate bites
  • Tomatillo and pepper flatbread
  • Portobello and pesto flatbread
  • Sweet potato and wild rice hash
  • Brussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowl
  • Spinach and shiitake grits
  • Tomato and zucchini minestrone soup

Final Verdict

When choosing which meal delivery service is best for low-carb lifestyles, it largely comes down to deciding which brand best fits your personal preferences. If you’re keeping a close eye on your budget and don’t mind getting a little messy in the kitchen, Home Chef is an affordable option with plenty of variety. For a truly chef-curated experience that supports a family-owned business, choose Pete’s Real Food and enjoy its thoughtfully prepared menu of heat-and-serve options. And our overall pick for best low-carb meal delivery services goes to Green Chef, based on its organic sourcing practices, wide variety of meal plans, and focus on sustainability.

Compare the Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services 

Company Starting Price   Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping?
Best Overall: Green Chef $11.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No
Best for High Protein Low-Carb Diets: Fresh N Lean $8.49 per serving 50 states Fresh No Yes, except for Alaska and Hawaii
Best for Low-Carb Keto Meal Plans: Factor $10.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No
Best Premade Low-Carb Diets: Paleo On The Go $15.93 per serving 50 states Frozen No No
Best for Low-Carb Paleo Diets: Pete’s Real Food $15.60 per serving 50 states Fresh No No
Best for Weight Loss: Trifecta $11.49 per serving 50 states Fresh No No
Best for Low-Carb Meal Kits: Home Chef $7.99 per serving 48 states Fresh No No
Best Organic Low-Carb Meals: Daily Harvest $6.79 per serving 48 states  Frozen Yes Yes

How to Choose the Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services

There are several criteria you’ll want to compare, so we suggest beginning with what matters most to you. If nutritional value and ingredient quality are high on your list, then look for services that focus on nutrient density, sustainably sourced meats and seafood, and seasonal ingredients. If you’re passionate about saving the planet and eco-friendly endeavors, then select your service based on its carbon footprint, packaging materials, and community-based efforts. Price is another way to make a decision, but be sure you’re comparing apples to apples (price per meal) and that you understand portion sizes and additional charges (like shipping), too. Finally, look for a service that offers enough menu variety so that you won’t become bored after a few weeks. 

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services

First, determine if there’s a specific meal plan you’re interested in beyond simply low-carb — for instance, are you looking for the best high-protein, low-carb meal delivery service? The best low-carb prepared meal delivery service that doesn’t involve cooking? The best meal delivery service for paleo diets? Some of the services drill down to very specific needs, so feel free to get as picky as you’d like! Next, make sure they deliver to your ZIP code and on days of the week that you’re available to unpack the box before it spoils. Also, be sure the service offers you the option of skipping certain weeks (if, for instance, you travel). Finally, do you want to cook a meal based on the ingredients they send, or just reheat your food and skip the prep and cleanup? Different meal delivery services offer different options, so choose the one that best fits your needs.

Who Should Consider the Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services?

Meal delivery services are especially helpful for reducing time spent researching recipes, driving to the store, shopping for ingredients, and controlling your portions (you probably won’t have leftovers or second helpings). If you choose one that delivers prepared meals that only require a quick trip to the microwave, you’ll also save time by skipping the prep work, cooking, and cleaning. When choosing a low-carb meal delivery service on top of these other conveniences, some customers may find improvements in their health, such as weight loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between Low-Carb and Keto Diets?

While both meal plans do place a limit on the number of carbs you can consume each day, they aren’t interchangeable. On a true keto diet, you’ll ingest most of your calories from fats (around 70% to 80%, in fact) and keep carbs below 5% to 10% a day (the rest is protein). Alternatively, a low-carb diet typically delegates about 10% to 20%of its macros to carbs each day (roughly 130 grams or less). 

Are Low-Carb Diets Healthy?

Low-carb diets may help promote weight loss and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes because many processed and high-calorie foods are automatically eliminated (think: french fries, pastries, cereals, tortilla chips, and ice cream). However, following a low-carb diet also means limiting your intake of fruits and some vegetables, which could leave you deficient in certain vitamins and minerals (supplements may be necessary to round out your daily nutritional profile). It’s best to consult with your health care provider prior to starting any new diet. 

Are There Side Effects Associated With Low-Carb Diets?

Some people transitioning to a low-carb diet may notice such side effects as constipation, headaches, muscle cramps, bad breath, hunger, and lethargy. While most of these are short-term nuisances, it’s a good idea to see a medical professional if they persist.

Are Low-Carb Delivery Services Safe for Celiacs?

While many of the best low-carb delivery services do cater to gluten-free lifestyles, it’s impossible to know whether or not the kitchen is 100% gluten-free compliant in terms of cross-contamination risk. Unless the service you’re considering specifically notes that it’s safe for celiacs—such as Green Chef, Paleo On The Go, and Pete’s Real Food—it’s wise to assume it’s not.

Methodology

Our testers ordered from, cooked, and rated 40 different meal delivery services. We carefully scored each one based on meal selection, nutritional information, sustainability, and customer service as well as the flavor, freshness, and quality of each meal and ingredient. All of these factors helped us compile a list of our top low-carb meal delivery services across a variety of categories.

Fresh roast beef meat steak on plate with salad

istetiana / Getty Images

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