How Much Do Diabetes Meal Delivery Services Cost?

The per meal cost ranges from around $5 to $15, however, the average is around $10 or less. Cost will vary depending on the type of ingredients used (for example, animal protein costs more than plant-based meals and organic animal protein will cost even more) as well as the volume that is ordered. Most companies offer value plans so the more meals you get per week, the less each meal will cost. And some companies offer free shipping while others add a flat rate for all deliveries.

What Are Meal Delivery Services for Diabetes?

Meal delivery services for diabetes vary based on the company. In general, they are lower in total carbohydrates (or more specifically “net carbohydrates,” which are calculated after accounting for fiber) and emphasize minimally processed vegetables, fruits, and whole grains plus contain a source of lean protein. Some companies have designated menus that are aligned with dietary recommendations from the American Diabetes Association, while others rely on internal criteria developed by their own team of nutrition professionals and medical experts. If a company does not have a meal plan specifically for diabetes, we made sure that the nutrition information was available prior to ordering and that the menu contained a good variety of balanced meals that emphasize complex carbohydrates. It is important to keep in mind that each individual may need different amounts of carbohydrates per meal, so even if a meal plan is labeled as diabetes-friendly, it is important for the customer to review the nutrition information for the meal plan and each recipe and determine if this is in line with their personal needs (some may actually be too low in carbs).

Are Diabetes Meal Delivery Services Worth It?

Meal delivery services that cater to those with diabetes can be helpful for individuals who are newly diagnosed and unfamiliar with how to plan meals for blood sugar control. These services can also assist those with limited time for meal planning and meal preparation as well as people who feel overwhelmed counting carbohydrates. Having pre-portioned meals on hand can be extremely beneficial and may be a huge support for someone trying to manage their diabetes since blood sugar is directly impacted by food choices.

How Do I Choose a Diabetes Meal Delivery Service?

First and foremost, before choosing a meal delivery to help manage your diabetes, it will be valuable for you to have information from a registered dietitian or physician about the ideal range of carbohydrates, per day and per meal, to help you with meal planning. You will also need to consider whether you have any other needs for therapeutic diets, such as a heart-healthy or gluten-free diet, to help narrow down which companies are right for you. Some important considerations include: Cost: If this is going to be used as a regular service, long-term costs need to be considered, including shipping costs Serving Sizes: Some meal delivery services may only offer single servings while others offer bulk ordering or meals with multiple servings for larger households Variety: If you plan on ordering regularly, consider the variety within the menu as well as and how frequently the menu changes if you don’t want items on repeat Meal Types: Some meal delivery services focus solely on lunch and dinner while others include breakfast and snacks and beverages Other health goals : Consider whether you have any other dietary needs such as a low sodium or heart healthy diet. Some low carb menus may just focus on lowering carbs for each meal but have higher amounts of sodium or saturated fat or inadequate fiber

Best Diabetes Meal Delivery Services of 2022, According to a Dietitian

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Meal delivery services offer convenience for many individuals and families nationwide by providing pre-portioned ready-to-cook meal kits or pre-made ready-to-heat meals for home delivery. For those on therapeutic diets to help manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, these services can not only offer convenient easy-to-prepare meals but also help individuals stay compliant with their diets and ease the stress of meal planning on their own.

The companies on this list stand out because of the quality of their meals as well as their transparency around nutrition information. Some companies have specific plans for those with diabetes while others consistently offer meals that are lower in refined carbohydrates and added sugar and higher in fiber (key recommendations for blood sugar balance).

Best Overall: BistroMD
Best for Seniors: Mom’s Meals
Best for Weight Loss: Diet-To-Go
Best for Couples: Blue Apron
Best Budget-Friendly: Dinnerly
Best for Singles: Freshly
Best for Variety: Snap Kitchen
Best for the Whole Family: Sunbasket

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: BistroMD

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $9.50
Delivery Area: 48 states
Number of Recipes: 150

Why You Should Try It

Founded by a physician, we like that BistroMD’s meal delivery service offers a large menu selection and a variety of evidence-based therapeutic meal plans, including one for diabetes management.

Pros

Registered dietitians and doctors on staff
Specializes in therapeutic diets
Focuses on high-fiber foods and calculates net carbs

Cons

A lot of language around weight loss, diet culture
Can’t customize individual meals
Some meals may be too low in calories or carbs without an additional side or snack

BistroMD delivers single serving frozen meals designed by a team of doctors and dietitians to be nutritionally balanced for different therapeutic diets, including a diabetes-friendly program. According to the website, all meals on the BistroMD diabetic program contain 25 grams or less of net carbohydrates. A registered dietitian is available for individual consultation to make sure the plan meets your needs. Note that BistroMD is marketed as a weight loss program but it can still be used for those trying to maintain weight. (It will just take a conscious effort to overlook the communication that focuses on weight loss.)

Pricing and Plans

Customers can choose the Full Program which includes meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or just choose to receive lunch and dinner. Pricing is outlined below for the BistroMD Diabetic Plan:

Full program, 7 days: $219.80 plus $19.95 shipping
Full program, 5 days: $187.35 plus $19.95 shipping
Lunch and dinner, 7 days: $188.86 plus $19.95 shipping
Lunch and dinner, 5 days: $149.90 plus $19.95 shipping

Best for Seniors: Mom’s Meals

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $7.99
Delivery Area: 50 States
Number of Recipes: 28

Why You Should Try It

Mom’s Meals is a ready-to-heat meal delivery service specifically for individuals with special dietary needs due to different medical conditions often associated with seniors and the elderly population.

Pros

Long refrigerator shelf-life
May be covered by insurance (Medicare)
Registered dietitians on staff

Cons

Mixed reviews on flavor and quality
Small portions
Shipping not included

Mom’s Meals was created with the senior population in mind. Designed in consultation with a team of registered dietitians, Mom’s Meals offers nine different therapeutic menu options including one that’s designed for people with diabetes. Meals tagged as Diabetes Friendly will have less than 75 grams of carbohydrates per meal. This amount is notably higher than other low carb menus on this list and on the upper end of the recommended carbohydrate intake for those with diabetes, but it’s still within a balanced range; we like that the sources of carbohydrates are nutrient dense and the carbohydrate content for all menu items is available if a customer is looking for an item even lower.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing for Self-Pay is $7.99 per meal (+$1 more for Pureed, Renal, and Gluten Free) plus a Flat Rate Shipping Fee on all deliveries which is $14.95 per delivery. Orders can be placed for boxes of 10, 14, and 21 but the per meal pricing remains the same prior to shipping. In addition to Self-Pay, Mom’s Meals can also help facilitate ordering meals under Medicare and Medicaid plans.

Sample Meals We Tried

Chicken with southwestern vegetable hash, ranchero sauce, and brown rice
Turkey meatballs and garlic basil butter sauce over brown rice and seasoned Scandinavian blend vegetables

Best for Weight Loss: Diet-To-Go

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $8.50 per serving
Delivery area: 48 states
Number of recipes: 300

Why You Should Try It

Designed by a team of registered dietitians and chefs, Diet-To-Go offers five-week rotating menus for weight loss, including a plan specifically for those with diabetes.

Pros

Meals can be customized
Extensive recipe selection
Registered dietitians on staff

Cons

Visually outdated website
Use of diet-culture language
Shipping not included

Diet-To-Go is a meal delivery service intended to provide pre-portioned meals for individuals wanting to lose weight (the service can also be used for individuals who just want to maintain a healthy diet). Diet-To-Go has four different menu plans: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, and Vegetarian. The Balance-Diabetes plan is designed to help you manage your blood sugar with heart-healthy nutritionally balanced meals that all contain less than 45 grams of carbohydrates per meal and at least 15 grams of protein. All meals arrive frozen and are delivered once or twice weekly.

Pricing and Plans

All plans are available in five- or seven-day options with two (lunch and dinner) or three (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) meals per day. Shipping is $19.98 for weekly deliveries, shipped every Monday, but if you live in an area for local delivery, shipments go out twice weekly (Tuesday and Friday) and each delivery charge is $9.99 per shipment.

The price breakdown of the Balance-Diabetic plan per week is as follows:

Balance-Diabetic

5-day option with two meals: $130.99
5-day option with three meals:$153.59
7-day option with two meals: $174.99
7-day option with three meals: $192.99

Sample Meals We Tried

Herb-crusted tilapia
Porcini mushroom chicken
Greek pasta salad with tuna
Barbecue chicken

Best for Couples: Blue Apron

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $7.49
Delivery Area: 48 states
Number of Recipes: 25

Why You Should Try It

Blue Apron is one of the original meal kit delivery services and still stands out as one of the best; its Wellness Menu provides great low carb and diabetes-friendly options.

Pros

Variety of menu options and flavors
Mix of meal kits and ready-to-heat
Collaboration with registered dietitians

Cons

Limited customization
No separate diabetes-friendly menu
Full nutrition information missing from some recipes online

Blue Apron offers both meal kits and pre-made ready-to-heat meals for home delivery. Customers can choose from four different menus: Signature, Vegetarian, Wellness, and Signature for Four (larger portions of the Signature menu). Within each menu, meals are tagged with different labels such as Carb Conscious, WW Recommended or 600 Calories or Less. The Carb Conscious recipes focus on replacing refined carbohydrates with high fiber whole foods and have 48 grams or less of net carbohydrates per serving, which are good options for people with diabetes.

Pricing and Plans

Signature Plan for 2: $9.99 per serving for 2 recipes per week, $8.99 per serving for 3 or 4 recipes per week
Signature Plan for 4: $8.99 per serving for 2 recipes per week, $7.99 per serving for 3 recipes per week, $7.49 per serving for 4 recipes per week
Wellness Plan for 2: $9.99 per serving for 2 recipes per week, $8.99 per serving for 3 recipes per week
Vegetarian Plan for 2: $9.99 per serving for 2 recipes per week, $8.99 per serving for 3 recipes per week

Best Budget-Friendly: Dinnerly

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $4.69
Delivery Area: 48 states
Number of Recipes: 25

Why You Should Try It

Dinnerly offers easy-to-prepare meal kits designed for quick weeknight meals at a great value with a regular selection of low-carb menu options, which cater to folks living with diabetes.

Pros

Simple and fast meal preparation
Registered dietitian on staff
Vegetarian boxes available upon request

Cons

Meal prep instructions don’t have photos
Does not regularly offer breakfast or snacks
Shipping not included

Dinnerly is a simplified meal kit service, promising dinner preparation in five steps or less to take the stress out of weeknight meals. Many of its meals are developed in collaboration with its registered dietitian to ensure nutrient density. Low-carb recipes contain less than 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving and keto dishes contain less than 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Pricing and Plans

All plans below will also incur additional $9.99 flat rate shipping per delivery.

Box for 2 People

3 recipes (6 portions): $38.34
4 recipes (8 portions): $47.92
5 recipes (10 portions): $58.90
6 recipes (12 portions): $69.48

Box for 4 People

3 recipes (12 portions): $68.28
4 recipes (16 portions): $87.84
5 recipes (20 portions): $105.80
6 recipes (24 portions): $119.76

Sample Meals We Tried

Chicken shawarma pita with tzatziki
Sesame-ginger beef with green beans & rice
Monster mash-ed potato bowl with gravy (Halloween week!)
Low-carb steak & garlic sauce with roasted green beans & tomatoes
Low-cal chicken tacos with shredded cheddar & fresh tomato salsa

Best for Singles: Freshly

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $8.49
Delivery Area: 48 states
Number of Recipes: 60

Why You Should Try It

Freshly offers certified gluten-free single serving ready-to-heat meals made with fresh ingredients. Among a variety of menu options, Freshly offers a Carb-Smart option that focuses on nutrient-dense, lower-carb meals.

Pros

Certified gluten-free
Registered dietitians on staff
Prioritizes complex carbs

Cons

Soft textures due to nature of microwaved meals
Static menu (may lack variety for some who order regularly)
No vegetarian low-carb menu

Freshly offers a static menu of about 60 different menu items, with options to order anywhere from four to 12 meals per week. Freshly’s low carb, diabetes-friendly meals are available as part of its FreshlyFit meal plan offers “Carb-Smart” meals that focus on thoughtfully designe,d nutritionist-approved meals with 20 grams of carbs or less. Meals are vegetable- and protein-forward and feature whole foods that are high in fiber (although we were disappointed to see there are no completely vegetarian meals designated as low carb). Nutrition information for all items is available prior to ordering, so you can see the exact carb content.

Pricing and Plans

Freshly’s plans are straightforward based on the number of meals ordered per week. Shipping cost is influenced by how much you order and where you are located but typically ranges between $6.99 and $11.99, depending on the plan.

FreshlyFit Meal Plan

4 meals per week: $11.49 per meal
6 meals per week: $9.49 per meal
10 meals per week: $8.99 per meal
12 meals per week: $8.49 per meal

Sample Meals We Tried

Zingy buffalo chicken, loaded cauliflower
Coconut lemongrass pork bowl, cauliflower rice & roasted veg

Best for Variety: Snap Kitchen

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $11.34 per serving
Delivery Area: 44 states
Number of Recipes: 36

Why You Should Try It

Snap Kitchen specializes in ready-to-heat fresh gluten-free meals, including low carb options, made without preservatives, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, or other unwanted additives.

Pros

Quality ingredients free of artificial additives or preservatives
Registered dietitians on staff
Can filter menu by carbohydrate content

Cons

No plant-based, low carb options
No customization

Snap Kitchen first opened as a brick-and-mortar establishment in Austin, Texas, and now offers fully cooked, fresh, ready-to-heat meals for home delivery. The website has menu filters for a variety of special diets, including Paleo, Whole30, High Protein, Low Carb, and Keto—which nearly all fit into a diabetes-friendly meal plan. All meals are gluten-free, made with nutrient-dense ingredients that are free of artificial additives. Protein, fat, and carbohydrate content (including fiber and sugar), as well as sodium content, are all available for each menu item prior to ordering. We like that customers can filter the menu by the amount of carbs.

Pricing and Plans

Snap Kitchen offers two types of subscription plans for any diet category. Shipping is always free.

6 meals per week: $83 ($13.84 per meal)
12 meals per week: $136 ($11.34 per meal)

Sample Meals We Tried

Cod piccata with garlic-roasted cauliflower
Almond-crusted salmon with roasted carrots & zucchini
Turkey meatloaf with potato-turnip mash & green beans
Steak street tacos and Spanish rice pilaf with salsa verde

Best for the Whole Family: Sunbasket

Key Specs

Price: Starts at $9.99
Delivery area: 46 states
Number of Recipes: 32

Why You Should Try It

Sunbasket offers a variety of nutrient-dense meal kits as well as ready-to-heat meals for a variety of dietary preferences, including diabetes-friendly meals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Certified organic
Variety of menu options for all meals of the day
Menus developed in collaboration with registered dietitians

Cons

Shipping only free on first order
Higher per meal price due to use of premium ingredients
No customization

We like Sunbasket for its variety of menu options, meal types, and serving sizes for the whole family. Sunbasket offers the ability to filter for Diabetes-friendly and Paleo-friendly meal options as well as a Carb-Conscious Meal plan. Detailed nutrition information for each meal is always available before ordering, but Sunbasket defines its Carb-Conscious meal plan as containing less than 35 grams of net carbs and at least 10 grams of protein per serving.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing is categorized between Meal Kits and Fresh & Ready Meals, but customers can mix and match items from both menus. Shipping is free for the first delivery and is $9.99 per box thereafter.

Meal Kits:

5 meals per week: $11.49 per serving
4 meals per week: $12.49 per serving
3 meals per week: $13.49 per serving
2 meals per week: $14.49 per serving

Fresh & Ready Meals:

10 meals per week: $9.99 per serving
8-9 meals per week: $10.99 per serving
6-7 meals per week: $11.99 per serving
4-5 meals per week: $12.99 per serving

Final Verdict

BistroMD is our top pick because of the strong medical and nutrition expertise that has supported the company’s development and menu planning. We like the emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods that are high in fiber, lean protein, and good fat. The company also offers a variety of therapeutic options for those with multiple health conditions and has meals available for every meal occasion of the day, every day of the week. This makes it a good solution for someone relying on a meal delivery service as a way to support long-term eating habits as opposed to a short-term fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Diabetes Meal Delivery Services Cost?

The per meal cost ranges from around $5 to $15, however, the average is around $10 or less. Cost will vary depending on the type of ingredients used (for example, animal protein costs more than plant-based meals and organic animal protein will cost even more) as well as the volume that is ordered. Most companies offer value plans so the more meals you get per week, the less each meal will cost. And some companies offer free shipping while others add a flat rate for all deliveries.
What Are Meal Delivery Services for Diabetes?

Meal delivery services for diabetes vary based on the company. In general, they are lower in total carbohydrates (or more specifically “net carbohydrates,” which are calculated after accounting for fiber) and emphasize minimally processed vegetables, fruits, and whole grains plus contain a source of lean protein. Some companies have designated menus that are aligned with dietary recommendations from the American Diabetes Association, while others rely on internal criteria developed by their own team of nutrition professionals and medical experts.
If a company does not have a meal plan specifically for diabetes, we made sure that the nutrition information was available prior to ordering and that the menu contained a good variety of balanced meals that emphasize complex carbohydrates. It is important to keep in mind that each individual may need different amounts of carbohydrates per meal, so even if a meal plan is labeled as diabetes-friendly, it is important for the customer to review the nutrition information for the meal plan and each recipe and determine if this is in line with their personal needs (some may actually be too low in carbs).
Are Diabetes Meal Delivery Services Worth It?

Meal delivery services that cater to those with diabetes can be helpful for individuals who are newly diagnosed and unfamiliar with how to plan meals for blood sugar control. These services can also assist those with limited time for meal planning and meal preparation as well as people who feel overwhelmed counting carbohydrates. Having pre-portioned meals on hand can be extremely beneficial and may be a huge support for someone trying to manage their diabetes since blood sugar is directly impacted by food choices.
How Do I Choose a Diabetes Meal Delivery Service?
First and foremost, before choosing a meal delivery to help manage your diabetes, it will be valuable for you to have information from a registered dietitian or physician about the ideal range of carbohydrates, per day and per meal, to help you with meal planning. You will also need to consider whether you have any other needs for therapeutic diets, such as a heart-healthy or gluten-free diet, to help narrow down which companies are right for you. Some important considerations include:
- Cost: If this is going to be used as a regular service, long-term costs need to be considered, including shipping costs
- Serving Sizes: Some meal delivery services may only offer single servings while others offer bulk ordering or meals with multiple servings for larger households
- Variety: If you plan on ordering regularly, consider the variety within the menu as well as and how frequently the menu changes if you don’t want items on repeat
- Meal Types: Some meal delivery services focus solely on lunch and dinner while others include breakfast and snacks and beverages
- Other health goals: Consider whether you have any other dietary needs such as a low sodium or heart healthy diet. Some low carb menus may just focus on lowering carbs for each meal but have higher amounts of sodium or saturated fat or inadequate fiber

Methodology

This list was curated after testing and assessing dozens of meal delivery services and reviewing the nutrition information provided across menu plans. Priority was given to companies with designated “Diabetes Menu Plans” or the equivalent as well as those with statements on their websites about offering meals in line with the American Diabetes Association or having registered dietitians on staff. Providing reliable nutrition information for counting carbohydrates prior to ordering was also an important factor. The rating from the company’s Verywell Fit review was also used as a data point. Additionally, this summary was reviewed by a fact-checker and a medical review board member for accuracy.

For this list in particular, the focus was not necessarily meal delivery companies that offer low-carb, high-fat eating plans such as keto but companies that focus more on including nutrient-dense carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables and a balance of good fat and protein. Some companies in this list do feature diabetes-friendly meals on a “low carb” menu, but we gave preference to ones that are not overly restrictive or unbalanced overall.

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