The Best Postpartum Meal Delivery Services for Busy Parents

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The fourth trimester is said to be the most crucial period for new moms. Certain nutrients are depleted during childbirth, so eating nutritional foods is necessary for postnatal healing and recovery. To restore your health following the delivery of a baby, getting a postpartum meal service can tremendously help you in nourishing your body and mind. Prepared meals, in particular, can make a difference when you need something delicious, healthy, and fast. 

While there are many meal delivery services nowadays, some offer meals specifically for the postpartum period. These can be set up ahead of time or at any time during the post-pregnancy period. Unlike meal kits, these heat-and-eat meals are convenient when you’re in a time crunch. To help you choose the right service for you and your family, we’ve selected our favorites across a variety of categories. A registered dietician from our Medical Expert Board has reviewed this article for medical accuracy and claims.

The 9 Best Postpartum Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Best Prepared Meals : Territory Foods


Territory Foods logo

Territory Foods 

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $12 per serving
  • Delivery Area: Most states 
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Territory’s decentralized marketplace model allows for local sourcing and delivery, ensuring customers get the freshest meals ready in minutes. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Large, rotating menu

  • Various eating plans for specific diets

  • Sustainable ingredients

  • Detailed macro info

Cons
  • Shipping costs vary

  • Shipping costs double for more deliveries

  • Some plans can seem restrictive

Overview

New parents looking for a specific, better-for-you meal plan will enjoy the pre- and postpartum offerings from Territory. Developed by dietitians and created by local chefs, these fresh, single-serving meals are made with whole, nutrient-rich, easily digestible ingredients. There are other meal plans to choose from, such as vegan, paleo, Whole30, Mediterranean, and more. None of the meals contain gluten, dairy, and refined sugars, for added peace of mind.

Meals We Tried
  • Beef Birria de Res with Salsa Rojo
  • Salmon and Spinach Croquette with Arugula Sala and Lemon Caper Vinaigrette
  • Chicken Shawarma Quinoa Bowl with Pickled Red Onions and Tahini Sauce
  • “Sattvik” Red Dal Kitchari with Coconut Yoghurt and Turmeric Cauliflower

Best Organic : Sunbasket


Sunbasket

 Sunbasket

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $10 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 47 states
  • Products Arrive: Prepared meals and kits—fresh
Why You Should Try It

A USDA-certified organic service, Sunbasket takes pride in offering quality, organic ingredients. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • Organic produce

  • Various dietary offerings

  • Unique customization options

  • Transparent about product ingredients

Cons
  • Delivery days vary by location

  • High sodium content in some meals

Overview

When you know where your food comes from, it can be easier to make the right choices for your health. That’s why Sunbasket values transparency regarding where it gets its ingredients from. Committed to providing quality ingredients, the company partners with the country’s top farmers, ranchers, and seafood/meat purveyors to provide USDA-certified organic produce, sustainably sourced seafood, and responsibly raised meat. Sunbasket offers more customization, variety, and add-ons than most meal kits, creating a great customer experience.

Meals We Tried  

Fresh & Ready: 

  • Broccoli Mac & Cheese
  • Chicken Chow Mein with Broccoli, Mushroom, and Toasted Garlic
  • Beef Donburi Rice Bowl with Edamame and Kimchi-Lime Vegetables
  • Burrito Bowl Al Pastor with Plant-Based Impossible Beef

Meal Kits: 

  • Sea Scallops over Fresh Fettuccine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
  • Snapper with Romesco, Vegetables, and Almonds
  • Burmese Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry 
  • Sirloin Strip Tacos with Zucchini Scallion Salsa

Best for Budget : Revive Superfoods


Revive Superfoods

Revive Superfoods

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $7 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 50 states and Canada
  • Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It

Revive Superfoods challenges the belief that eating healthy is time-consuming and expensive, offering quick, convenient, and affordable superfoods. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Convenient and affordable

  • Plant-based superfoods

  • Loyalty rewards program

Cons
  • No opportunity for customization or choosing delivery dates

  • Expensive shipping costs

Overview

If you find that breastfeeding is increasing your appetite, Revive Superfoods’ preportioned, single-serving light meals can help keep your hunger pangs at bay. Its menu is made up of smoothies, soups, oat bowls, and snack bites, all of which are made from clean, whole ingredients that are flash-frozen at peak nutrition. Meals are offered in convenient on-the-go cups so you can get proper nutrition anywhere, anytime. What’s also great about these offerings is that they stay frozen until you eat them, so they are easy to store until needed. 

Meals We Tried  
  • Hazy Cocoa Smoothie
  • Pink Dragon Smoothie
  • Acai Twist Smoothie
  • Chipotle & Black Bean Supermeal
  • Lentil & Sun-Dried Tomato Supermeal
  • Avocado & Quinoa Supermeal
  • Chickpea & Pomegranate Supermeal
  • Guajillo Tortilla Soup
  • Artisan Bean & Tomato Soup

Best High Protein : Factor


Factor

Factor

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Factor seems primarily focused on keto/low-carb eating plans, but it also offers “protein plus” meals suitable for parents looking to increase their protein intake. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • Up to 18 meals per week

  • Offers a variety of add-ons

  • Complimentary nutrition consultation

Cons
  • Meals can only be selected after the order is placed

  • Single-serving only

Overview

Breastfeeding can make new moms ravenous, so Factor has a solution for curbing the hunger that comes with the demands placed on a healing body. While the majority of Factor’s entrées fall under the “keto” category, the company also included a “protein plus” plan offering satisfying, ready-made meals with 30 grams of protein or more. If that's not enough, there’s also a variety of add-ons to choose from, like smoothies, snacks, sides, and desserts. Transparency is crucial to Factor, so nutrition information is provided for every ingredient and recipe. 

Meals We Tried  
  • Mango Salsa Salmon with Coconut Rice & Black Beans
  • Creamy Parmesan Chicken with Broccoli & Tomatoes
  • Vegetable Ratatouille with Mascarpone Polenta
  • Smoked Tofu Almond Stir-Fry with Edamame Succotash

Best Gourmet : CookUnity


Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 45 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

CookUnity connects talented chefs and busy food-loving parents who want to sample gourmet dishes in the comfort of their homes. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • Diverse menu options across a range of dietary habits

  • Up to 16 meals per week

  • Just heat and serve

  • Sustainably sourced ingredients

Cons
  • Not much information about nutrition standards

  • Single-serving meals

  • No customization options

Overview

For postpartum parents who miss going out to eat at restaurants but don’t have the time or energy to do so, CookUnity’s chef-crafted meals are a great substitute. The company brings more than 70 award-winning chefs to prepare fresh, fully cooked gourmet dishes ready to heat and eat. The menu is full of diverse options across a range of dietary habits, including gluten-free, keto, paleo, and vegan. 

Meals We Tried  
  • Coconut Lime Hanger Steak
  • Carnitas Street Tacos
  • Butternut Squash Ravioli
  • Chili Roasted Shrimp

Best Plant-Based : Daily Harvest


Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest.

Daily Harvest 

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $7 per serving
  • Delivery Area: Nationwide
  • Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It

Daily Harvest makes eating more organic, sustainably sourced fruits and vegetables easy by offering about 80 nourishing, chef-crafted options for any time of day. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • Flexible delivery

  • Discounts on bulk items

  • Free shipping on first order

Cons
  • Limited nutrient descriptions

  • Not all items are filling

  • Not suitable for those following a high-protein diet

Overview

Busy parents who are looking to boost their daily fruit and veggie intake will find Daily Harvest’s food offerings healthy and satisfying. Featuring around 80 nourishing chef-crafted foods, the company makes it easy for people to eat a diverse variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Think an acai and cherry smoothie, broccoli and “cheeze” harvest bowl, edamame and wild rice green curry soup, or kale and sweet potato flatbreads. Ingredients are frozen at peak ripeness, typically within 24 hours of harvest, to lock in flavor and nutrients. 

Meals We Tried  
  • Mint + Cacao Smoothie
  • Mango Papaya Smoothie
  • Hazelnut + Chocolate Bites
  • Tomatillo + Pepper Flatbread
  • Portobello + Pesto Flatbread
  • Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash
  • Brussels Sprouts + Tahini Harvest Bowl
  • Spinach + Shiitake Grits
  • Tomato + Zucchini Minestrone Soup

Best Frozen : Mosaic Foods


Mosaic Foods
Mosaic Foods.

Mosaic Foods

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $8 per serving 
  • Delivery Area: Not disclosed
  • Products Arrive: Frozen
Why You Should Try It

Mosaic Foods takes out the stress of cooking and offers frozen, veggie-centric meals handcrafted by chefs at its kitchen in New York’s Hudson Valley. 

Pros and Cons
Pros
  • Plant-centric diet

  • Company with a social mission

  • Transparent about ingredient lists

  • Flexible delivery dates

Cons
  • Little evidence-based nutrition

  • Made in a facility that processes other allergens

  • Subscription-based plans

Overview

Frozen food has a bad reputation: It’s unhealthy, unsatisfying, and packed with artificial ingredients, but Mosaic Foods is on a mission to change that. The company has come up with a selection of convenient foods, including oat bowls, vegan soups, pizzas, veggie bowls, and family meals, craveable for any omnivore to eat at any time of the day. Each item is sustainably packaged and provides full ingredients, nutrition information, and disclosure of potential allergens, so customers know exactly what they’re getting in each meal.

Meals We Tried  
  • Spicy Dan Dan Noodles
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Pasta Bake 
  • Mac & Greens
  • Pozole Verde
  • Veggie Kebab Platter
  • Coconut Chickpea Curry

Best Gluten-Free : Snap Kitchen


Snap Kitchen

Snap Kitchen

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11 per serving
  • Delivery Area: Not disclosed
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Snap Kitchen’s meals are prepared in a dedicated gluten-free facility, with options for paleo, low-carb, and keto diets. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • 100% gluten-free

  • Fully prepped meals

  • Diverse cuisines and flavors

Cons
  • Limited plant-based options

  • Only six or 12 meals per week

  • Single-serving meals only

Overview

Snap Kitchen is ideal for health-minded individuals who are already familiar with “high protein,” “keto,” and “paleo,” and who are just looking for convenient meals to fit those categories. When ordering from the website, you can easily filter by dietary needs and preferences, including calorie, carb, and sodium content. The company features a rotating menu of more than 30 entrées, all free of gluten, soy, preservatives, added hormones, and artificial sweeteners. 

Meals We Tried 
  • Baked Ziti with Italian Beef Sausage
  • Stir-Fry Chicken and Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
  • Chicken Vermicelli Bowl with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce
  • Herb Butter Steak with Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts
  • Shawarma Chicken Bowl with Lemon-Tahini Sauce
  • Peach BBQ Brisket with Loaded Cauliflower

Best Allergy-Friendly : The Good Kitchen


The Good Kitchen
The Good Kitchen.

The Good Kitchen 

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $12 per serving 
  • Delivery Area: Not disclosed
  • Products Arrive: Fresh 
Why You Should Try It

If there are certain ingredients you need to steer clear of, you can count on The Good Kitchen to help curate your menu according to your specific needs and diet. 

Pros and Cons 
Pros
  • Expanded menu variety

  • Flexible plans

  • Sustainable and responsibly sourced meals

Cons
  • Lack of information on how its diet-based guidelines are created

  • No live chat customer support

  • Confusing shipment timeline

Overview

When we eat healthier, we feel better. That’s why The Good Kitchen offers meals free of dairy, eggs, shellfish, and tree nuts for those with food allergies or sensitivities. With meals curated by chefs, the company makes meals that use only healthy fats, clean proteins, and sustainable ingredients. With particular attention to finding a healthy blend of fats, carbs, and fiber, The Good Kitchen aims to provide you with meals to optimize your daily energy level.

Meals We Tried  
  • Beef Shepherd's Pie
  • Bison and Beef Sloppy Joe with Potato Leek Gratin
  • Chicken Satay with Cilantro Rice and Broccoli
  • Chili Lime Chicken with Fajita Veg and Cilantro Cauliflower Rice
  • Miso Glazed Wild Boar Meatballs and Hibachi Zucchini
  • Tomato, Asparagus, and Spinach Frittata with Yukon Potato Hash

Final Thoughts

These nine meal delivery services made our list for a variety of reasons. These include the freshness of foods, varied meal offerings, use of top-notch ingredients, customizable menus, and reasonable pricing. The postpartum recovery period is an important time for physical healing of the body after birth, and so meals that are easy to heat up can tremendously help moms and the whole family to feel nourished and energized. 

Compare the Best Postpartum Meal Delivery Services

Company Starting Price   Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping
Best Prepared Meals Territory Foods $12 per serving Most states Fresh Yes No
Best Organic Sunbasket $10 per serving 47 states Prepared meals and kits, fresh  Yes  No (free shipping on first order)
Best for Budget Revive Superfoods $7 per serving 50 states & Canada Frozen Yes No 
Best High Protein Factor $11 per serving  48 states Fresh Yes  No
Best Gourmet CookUnity $11 per serving 45 states  Fresh Yes No
Best Plant-based Daily Harvest $7 per serving Nationwide Frozen Yes Yes
Best Frozen Mosaic Foods $8 per serving  Not disclosed Frozen Yes  Yes (only  for 12 items and above)
Best Gluten Free Snap Kitchen $11 per serving  Not disclosed Fresh Yes Yes (for weekly shipping subscribers)
Best Allergy Friendly The Good Kitchen $12 per serving Not disclosed Fresh  No  No 

Guide to Choosing a Postpartum Meal Delivery Service

Factors to Consider

  • Price/Cost Per Meal: Postpartum meal delivery services are often priced per serving and can go from as low as $6 to as high as $12 per serving, depending on your order. The per-serving prices may look inexpensive, but it adds up quickly if you choose smaller orders. Bulk orders are the way to go; the more you order, the lower your price per serving will be. 
  • Number of Meals Per Delivery: Knowing how many meals you want each week helps you plan, get the right amount of food, and identify the specific servings you need. This will help eliminate food waste and save shipping costs, too. 
  • Flexibility: The ability to change delivery dates, include add-ons, and pause or completely stop your subscription determines how flexible a meal delivery service is to customers’ needs.
  • Menu Selection: Most meal delivery services for postpartum showcase what they offer through a menu selection so you can set your meal and dietary preferences. Most categorize the selection, so it's easier for you to navigate menus online.
  • Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: Recipes that indicate nutritional and caloric information can help you achieve your health goals and meet your nutritional requirements. The information allows you to determine how many specific grams of carbohydrates, proteins, and/or fat you need in your diet.

Who Should Consider Postpartum Meal Delivery Services? 

New moms and first-time, busy parents may find postpartum meal delivery services to be a huge time-saver. Parents can save time on grocery shopping, meal prep, cooking, and cleaning by signing up. Postpartum and postnatal care are essential for the mom’s and baby’s health, and taking away the stress of planning or cooking meals can be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Should You Eat After Giving Birth?

    It's important to keep your body fueled with healthy foods after giving birth. This includes:


    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Whole grains, such as oats, quinoa, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread
    • Lean protein, including fish, poultry, tofu, beans, seeds, nuts, and lentils  
    • Dairy, like yogurt, milk, cheese, and eggs
  • What Meals Are Good for Postpartum Recovery?

    • Hearty soups
    • Protein-rich foods 
    • Complex carbohydrates 
    • Healthy fats
  • Can You Freeze Meals from Meal Delivery Services?

    Yes. Some meals on the list are delivered frozen, while others are prepared fresh. When you receive frozen meals, move them into your freezer to keep them cold. Fresh meals, meanwhile, are best eaten immediately. It’s always good to check the date on the package for exact best-by dates. 

  • Are Meal Delivery Services Healthy?

    Meal delivery services are transparent about their ingredients so customers can make informed food choices. Some companies work with a registered dietitian to ensure their chef-driven meals fit a wide range of dietary preferences. Meals from these companies often include healthy carbs, clean protein, and good fats, and are often prepared with no refined sugar, oils, artificial preservatives, and other additives. 

  • Are Meal Delivery Services Cheaper than Takeout?

    Meal delivery services tend to be cheaper than takeout. Some companies offer meals for as low as $5 per serving, but the majority price their meals between $8 and $12 per serving, making it cheaper than food ordered from a restaurant but a little more expensive than fast food joints. 

Methodology

We’ve researched, ordered from, and tested 40 meal delivery services to determine which should be included in the list. We’ve considered various factors, including postpartum meal offerings, customizable menus, cooking/preparation times, costs, accessibility, sustainability initiatives, shipping fees, and customer service. We also considered nutrition and how companies use such information to educate potential customers before choosing which companies made our list.

Happy young family, beautiful mother with two children, adorable preschool boy and baby in sling cooking together in a sunny kitchen

sandsun / Getty Images

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