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The 8 Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Our top picks include great taste, variety and ease of preparation.

Headshot of Amy Fischer M.S., R.D., C.D.N.By Amy Fischer M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
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Green Chef

We updated this story in May 2023 to reflect recent testing and to add more choices.


Carbohydrates serve as your body's main energy source, so it's important to choose the right kind and the proper amount, particularly if you're following a low-carb diet. The good news is that our nutrition experts are seeing the emergence of low-carb meal delivery services that offer both convenience and nutrition and at an affordable price.

Meal delivery services can be a great solution for putting delicious high-protein, low-carb meals on the table in no time. "These services have evolved over the years to meet the ever-changing demands of home cooks and to accommodate different dietary preferences and lifestyles," says Stefani Sassos, RDN, CDN and director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab. "You can choose traditional meal kits or fully prepared meals, all of which offer options like high-protein choices, keto-friendly meals and more."

To find the best meal delivery services, including low-carb ones, our dietitians conducted an extensive review of over 40 meal delivery services with more than 280 home chefs. Over the course of three months, our experts and testers evaluated each service, including traditional meal kits, semi-prepared meal kits and ready-to-eat options. We evaluated each on variety, nutrition, pricing, serving size, ingredient quality and availability. Below, we've rounded up the top-tested low-carb options.

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Green Chef

    Best Overall Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Green Chef

    Shop at greenchef.com
    Read more
  • 2
    Home Chef

    Best Value Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Home Chef

    Read more
  • 3
    Fresh N Lean

    Best High-Protein Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Fresh N Lean

    Read more
  • 4
    Sunbasket

    Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service for Diabetics

    Sunbasket

    Read more
  • 5
    Factor

    Best Keto Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Factor

    Read more

While we like that the best low-carb meal delivery services do the carb counting for you, our experts note that a low-carb dish isn't automatically a healthy one. Make sure to incorporate a variety of vegetables, lower-sugar fruits, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish, chicken, turkey and whole forms of soy.

    1
    Best Overall Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Green Chef

    Green Chef
    1
    Best Overall Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Green Chef

    Shop at greenchef.com
    Credit: Green Chef
    Pros
    • USDA-certified organic
    • Meals can be on the table in 30 minutes or less
    Cons
    • Some meals may be high in sodium

    Green Chef stands out as our top choice for individuals committed to a nutritious diet. The brand was a pioneer with the first keto meal kit, and it now offers multiple low-carb options that contain less than 50 g of carbs per serving, in addition to its keto menu. This company is USDA-certified organic and focused on sustainability. The chef-crafted meals are easy to prepare and can be cooked in 30 minutes or less, taking the guesswork out of adhering to a low-carb diet.

    How it works: Choose to feed two, four or six people, and pick three or four meals per week. Create your box by selecting the Low-Carb option; keto meals will also fall into the low-carb category although they may contain less carbs than you desire. You can mix in meals from any category and swap proteins. Low-carb options include meals such as Barramundi with Mango Salsa, Cabbage Slaw and Almonds and Spicy Southwest Turkey Soup. Once you make your selections, a kit with recipes and pre-measured ingredients will be delivered weekly.

    Lab results: Our testers gave this service high scores for quality ingredients, generous portion sizes, freshness and variety of meals and recipes. “I really liked the portion size of the meals. The flavor creativity was great,” reported one tester. Other testers commented that the recipes were very easy to follow with clear instructions and that they were able to try dishes they would normally not prepare at home. Our nutritionist did note that some people may find some meals high in sodium.

    PricingStarts at $12 per serving for four, at four meals per week; with an additional $10 shipping fee. Discounts are available.
    PackagingPackaging is made from recycled, reusable and/or compostable materials.
    AvailabilityContinental United States, except for parts of Louisiana as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
    TypeTraditional meal kit
    2
    Best Value Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Home Chef

    Home Chef
    2
    Best Value Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Home Chef

    Credit: Home Chef
    Pros
    • Traditional meal kits and ready to eat options available
    • High customer satisfaction rating
    Cons
    • Some meals are not suitable for a low-sodium diet

    When it comes to simplifying low-carb meal planning without sacrificing variety and flavor, Home Chef scores big points. It offers a "Carb Conscious" menu with meals that contain less than 35 g of carbs per serving. The brand's offerings are available online and at more than 2,000 Kroger grocery stores nationwide. Home Chef offers both prepared and low-prep meals and also pre-portioned ingredients that you can cook or assemble yourself at home.

    How it works: Start by choosing premeasured ingredients or the low- to no-prep meals. Next, choose "Carb Conscious" meals. You can indicate foods you may want to avoid, including items like mushrooms or pork. The final step includes how many people you’re cooking for and how many recipes you would like to receive. Low-carb options include Grilled Pork Chop with Dijon Cream, Chicken Salsa Verde Bowl and Tex-Mex Turkey Taco Salad.

    Lab results: Our testers liked that meals required minimal prep time or were easy to prepare with premeasured ingredients. Tester comments included that the portions were generous for two and that the quick-and-easy preparation made it great for dinner. One tester said, “These are a perfect variety to keep everyone satisfied and satiated.” Our nutrition pros appreciate the freshness of ingredients although noted that some meals may contain high sodium counts. We recommend that you always read nutrition labels, especially if you are following a low-sodium diet.

    PricingMeals range from $10 and $12 per serving. The minimum order is $48 (shipping is an additional fee). Meal kits available in stores are sold at a different prices. Discounts are available.
    PackagingCardboard boxes, bottles and jars are fully recyclable in curbside bins.
    AvailabilityDelivery available nationwide.
    TypeTraditional meal kits, Ready to eat
    3
    Best High-Protein Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Fresh N Lean

    Fresh N Lean
    3
    Best High-Protein Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Fresh N Lean

    Credit: Fresh N Lean
    Pros
    • Locally sourced and organic ingredients
    • Suitable low-carb options for vegans
    Cons
    • Some testers found packaging difficult to open

    Fresh N Lean was founded by brother and sister — and co-CEOs — Laureen and Thomas Asseo in 2010 to help their father ,who was experiencing health issues. Fresh N Lean sources most ingredients from a local farm in California and use grass-fed, free-range and cage-free animal proteins. Their low-carb meals are not only delicious but also portion-controlled single serving meals that can be heated in two-three minutes. Their menu features low-carb vegan options, as well as keto, paleo and Whole30 approved menus, which all contain low net carb options.

    How it works: Start by choosing your plan or pick from the a la carte options. Add the number of meals you would like, and then pick 5- or 7-day delivery. You can select up to three ingredients to exclude from your meal plan including cilantro, elk and curry. All meals are delivered on Friday. Low-carb menu options include: Mediterranean salmon, Spinach pesto with navy bean bowl, roasted vegetables with cilantro cream. Plus, there are limited breakfast items such as blueberry chia pudding.

    Lab lowdown: Our testers loved the convenience of meals and that everything just needed to be quickly re-heated, no additional preparation was necessary just heat and serve. They also loved the variety of meal plan choices. One tester remarked on the variety that they experienced along with surprises that they found "delightful." Another tester comments that the "food was not heavily seasoned, so it allowed for personal tastes.” One negative is that some testers had difficulty opening the packaging after it was heated.

    PricingMeals range from $10 to $13 per serving, plus shipping.
    PackagingCardboard boxes, bottles and jars are fully recyclable in curbside bins.
    AvailabilityDelivery available nationwide.
    TypeReady to eat
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    4
    Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service for Diabetics

    Sunbasket

    Sunbasket
    4
    Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service for Diabetics

    Sunbasket

    Credit: Sunbasket
    Pros
    • Organic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients
    • Dietitian and chef driven
    Cons
    • Can be expensive

    With easy-to-follow recipes and pre-measured ingredients as well as ready-to-eat meals, Sunbasket simplifies the enjoyment of healthy low-carb meals. The company's menu features a diverse range of dietary options including a diabetes-friendly menu (recipes are approved by the American Diabetic Association) with 20 to 70 g or fewer of carbs. The plan incorporates organic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients, healthy fats and more than 10 g of protein per serving and at least 5 g of fiber. All meals are created using a team of chefs and registered dietitians.

    How it works: Start by selecting meal kits or "Fresh & Ready" meals. Choose four or more servings from the weekly menu: meal kits offer two or four servings and "Fresh & Ready" meals are single servings. Low-carb menu options include Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps, Vietnamese Shaking Beef with Muoi Tieu Chanh Sauce and Green Goddess Steak Salad with Roasted Carrots.

    Lab results: Our testers liked that meals are customizable with one commenting that “there were a great variety of options for my week based on the amount of time I had each day.” Another tester noted that the portions were generous and the ingredients were fresh and creative. A third tester said, “My family does low-carb a few days a week, and this kit was customizable for our specific dietary needs.”

    PricingPre-made meals are sold at $10 per serving; meal kits start at $11.50 per serving. Delivery is free with your first order.
    PackagingMost of the packaging is recyclable or compostable, and the company is working to make it 100%.
    AvailabilityDelivery is available to most zip codes in the United States, excluding AK, HI, MT, ND and parts of NM.
    TypeTraditional meal kits, ready-to-eat
    5
    Best Keto Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Factor

    Factor
    5
    Best Keto Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Factor

    Credit: Factor
    Pros
    • GMO-free and refined-sugar free
    • 20-minute nutrition consultations available
    Cons
    • Breakfast options are restricted

    Factor differentiates itself by providing fresh, not frozen, ready-to-eat meals that are designed by registered dietitians and chefs. Factor uses high-quality and nutrient-dense ingredients to create satisfying low-carb meals that are GMO-free and refined-sugar-free. This service offers a diverse variety of dietary preferences including Calorie Conscious and Keto as well as weekly low-carb selections. Each meal is individually portioned, which eliminates the hassle of meal prep and planning.

    How it works: You start by choosing a dietary preference, then select how many meals per week you would like to receive. Factor also offers free, 20-minute nutrition consultations to help you select the best meals for your individual tastes and needs. Choose from six to 18 meals per week. Some plans with breakfast can provide two lighter breakfasts. Popular menu options include Creamy Parmesan Chicken with Tomatoes and Broccoli and Roasted Red Chili Mahi Mahi.

    Lab results: Our testers loved the convenience, with one commenting that the meals made a busy life easier, “especially when I don’t always have time to cook a meal.” Other testers commented on the freshness of the ingredients and how well-balanced the meals were. Our nutrition pros appreciate that subscribers were able to schedule a consult with a registered dietitian.

    PricingPricing starts at $11 per serving but can range up to $15. Delivery fees are $10.
    PackagingBoxes, bottles and jars are fully recyclable in curbside bins.
    AvailabilityDelivery available nationwide.
    TypeReady-to-eat
    6
    Best Prepared Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Territory Foods

    Territory Foods
    6
    Best Prepared Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Territory Foods

    Credit: Territory Foods
    Pros
    • Sustainably and locally sourced ingredients
    • Wide range of dietary options available
    Cons
    • Restricted delivery area

    Territory Foods uses sustainably and locally sourced ingredients to create fresh, nutritious and convenient packaged meals. Meals are developed by a team of registered dietitians and local, independent chefs. The menu presents a wide range of rotating options that can be customized to meet individual dietary needs including specific meals dedicated to a low-carb lifestyle with the low-carb and diabetes-friendly menus. The brand also offers meals by registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein and a Mediterranean diet menu, both of which offer select low-carb picks.

    How it works: Enter your zip code to see if delivery is available to your area: Territory delivers to select locations across the nation, with plans to expand its range in the future. Meals are delivered twice weekly, and you can order as many as 12 meals for each delivery date. Customers can also forego a subscription and enjoy as few as three meals in one order. There is a rotating weekly menu of approximately 50 low-carb meals per week to choose from. Favorite menu items include Lemongrass Chicken with Sesame Green Beans, Baja Shrimp with Poblano Sauce and Chili Lime Cabbage Slaw and Slow-Roasted Pork with Chorizo Marinara.

    Lab results: Our testers and experts favored the convenience of these ready-to-eat meals and enjoyed the creative menu options. Testers commented favorably on the generous portion sizes. Our nutrition pros appreciate that a full breakdown of macronutrients for every meal is available on the company's website.

    PricingMeals range from $12 to $20 per serving. Delivery fees are separate.
    PackagingAll packaging is made from recyclable or compostable materials.
    AvailabilityTerritory Foods strictly delivers to select cities and suburbs across the nation.
    TypeReady to eat
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    7
    Best Paleo Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Pete's Real Food

    Pete's Real Food
    7
    Best Paleo Low-Carb Meal Delivery Service

    Pete's Real Food

    Credit: Pete's Real Food
    Pros
    • Gluten-, dairy- and soy-free ingredients
    • Large portions
    Cons
    • Meals arrive frozen and require defrosting

    Pete's Real Food has its origins in the paleo philosophy of eating: All entrees are free of gluten, dairy, soy and added sugar. All of Pete's Real Food meals are pre-cooked and arrive frozen to be easily reheated at home. The menu includes many low-carb options that contain 25 or fewer grams of carbs per serving.

    How it works: Meals are delivered weekly on Friday, and you can order five to 17 meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner options. For those who are not totally committed to a low-carb diet, mixing and matching is allowed — for example, you can choose from Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Keto and auto-immune protocol (AIP) options. Portion sizes vary according to diet. Users can also choose add-ons such as double proteins or sides like bone broth. Menus change seasonally and rotate weekly. Popular low-carb meals include Ground Beef Chili with Kale and Spaghetti Squash and Dill Roasted Chicken with Sauteed Broccoli and Roasted Yams.

    Lab results: These chef-driven meals scored big points with our nutrition experts for using fresh ingredients and being made from scratch weekly. Testers enjoyed avoiding the mess of additional preparation, with one commenting that this pick is "great for busy people. Food was tasty and portions were large. Packaged nicely."

    PricingServings start at $14; minimum of 5 meals per order.
    PackagingBoxes, meal trays and natural fabric liners are recyclable.
    AvailabilityDelivery is available nationwide, including Hawaii and Alaska.
    TypeReady to eat (but arrive frozen)
    8
    Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery for Athletes

    Trifecta Nutrition

    Trifecta Nutrition
    8
    Best Low-Carb Meal Delivery for Athletes

    Trifecta Nutrition

    Credit: Trifecta Nutrition
    Pros
    • Organic, non-GMO, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients
    • Registered dietitian– and chef-driven meals
    Cons
    • Can be expensive

    Trifecta highlights athletes and fitness enthusiasts as its primary audience, and the meal plans are designed to support the nutritional goals of an active and sporting lifestyle. The brand stands out for offering a personalized app and a community-support concept. Trifecta's menus are created by registered dietitians and chefs. Ingredients are organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, sustainable and locally sourced. Their vacuum-sealed meals provide ready-to-eat dining solutions.

    How it works: Trifecta offers multiple meal plans, including paleo, Whole30, keto, vegan and vegetarian. The meals on the keto meal plan contain 10 g or less of net carbohydrates and an average of 2.5 g of dietary fiber in each meal. You can choose five to 14 entrées per week with the option to add on seven breakfasts. There are 10 to 14 new recipes available each week. Orders are customizable by opting to exclude up to two ingredients including beef, pork, tree nuts and mushrooms, among others. Popular keto menu choices include Beanless Chili Con Carne and Grilled Salmon with Pesto. Meals can last in your fridge for six to 10 days or in the freezer for up to three months.

    Lab results: Testers loved that the meals were healthy, convenient and fresh tasting. Our nutrition experts gave high scores to the locally sourced, organic ingredients and liked that the recipes are developed by a team of dietitians, chefs and doctors to create nutrient-dense meals.

    PricingPlans start at $105 per delivery. There is a $10 shipping fee included for all states except Alaska and Hawaii, which ship for $50.
    PackagingBoxes are made with recyclable materials and plastic trays are food-grade plastic and are 100% recyclable (just rinse them first).
    AvailabilityShips everywhere in the US.
    TypeReady to eat

    How we test meal delivery services

    line break

    The Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab tests numerous food products every year — from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes — to find those that offer high quality, performance, flavor and nutrition.

    At the heart of the Good Housekeeping review process is a team of individuals who range from nutrition and culinary experts to actual consumers. When we test meal delivery services, we assess and prepare meals from each brand mentioned above. For this test, we evaluated over 40 different meal delivery services, ranging from fully prepared options to traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards. We also enlisted more than 280 at-home testers across the nation to get feedback from a variety of regions, lifestyles and tastes.

    We tested the services over the course of three months. For each carb meal delivery service, we tried a total of 15 or more meals across our experts and testers. When making our choices, we weighed Lab and tester feedback on nutrition, overall satisfaction, food quality, variety, cost, recycling efforts and availability.

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    What to look for when selecting the best low carb meal delivery service

    line break

    Each of the companies reviewed for this story differentiates itself in some way. Some are sports oriented, some are Paleo and some are farm-to-table. Each has a distinct offering that might make it right for you. That should be a starting point when selecting a meal delivery service followed by the considerations listed below:

    ✔️ Type: Do you want to cook the food yourself? Are you willing to prep, or would you prefer pre-measured ingredients? Do you want to just heat a fully prepared meal? Consider the time and effort when choosing a meal kit.

    ✔️ Servings: Take into consideration whether you are cooking for multiple people on a low-carb diet. Many services are geared toward two to four servings per meal (though some go as high as six servings per recipe); others are packaged as single servings.

    ✔️ Fresh or frozen: Fresh meals are quick and convenient, but they can spoil if you can't consume them quickly. 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 in time. It's also smart to consider frozen foods, which you can store longer and thaw or heat as needed.

    ✔️ Dietary preferences: If you have any special dietary needs in addition to low-carb, such as a gluten restriction, you'll want to make sure that the service you choose offers enough variety to meet your individual parameters. Some services offer many more choices per week than others. Certain services will let you customize further and swap out items you may not want, which can be beneficial.

    ✔️ Pricing: The cost per serving tends to go down as you order more meals or servings. You'll typically be able to check the price ahead of placing your order. Keep in mind that companies will frequently 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 interested in using the service, you may both get a discount if you refer them.

    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

    line break

    The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews of meal delivery services and reviews products designed for a variety of dietary lifestyles.

    Amy Fischer is a registered dietitian nutritionist with an M.S. in clinical nutrition from New York University and a B.A. in journalism from Miami University of Ohio. 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 public relations and marketing for food company start-ups. She has written for Good Housekeeping about other meal delivery services, including best cheap meal delivery services, best vegan meal delivery services, and best seafood delivery services.

    Headshot of Amy Fischer M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
    Amy Fischer M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
    Contributing Writer

    Amy (she/her) is a registered dietitian with the Nutrition Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering nutrition- and health-related content and product testing. 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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