Editor's Note: In 2024, we're all about prioritizing health and wellness, and finding little hacks to save time and money. Lucky for us, Hollie's favorite meal delivery service makes it super easy to eat healthy without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. Read on to discover our favorite new hack for healthier, better living in the new year!
Maybe you’re a bad cook. Maybe you don’t have time to hit the grocery store. Maybe you’re too lazy to whip out a knife and cutting board. Whatever the reason, meal delivery services are a holy grail for many.
As for me, my spouse travels often for work, and I don’t love cooking. I also work late, so I can’t spend hours hunched over the stovetop. However, I often feel that meal kits are just as much work and often come up short.
After reading that the Wall Street Journal called Thistle one of the best alternatives to traditional meal kits, I had to try it and compare it to the other meal kits.
Here's how I ranked them, based on taste, convenience, and cost:
#1. Thistle
You know that feeling when you’re so just so tired that you order some fast food and call it a day? 😴
Yeah…my eating habits have been poor lately. I was after meals that are healthy, convenient, and delicious, and Thistle delivered.
Firstly, I love that Thistle saves me hours that I would otherwise spend at the grocery store or in the kitchen. Thistle arrives ready-to-eat or heat, which means zero prep work required.
Their menu of meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices are created by nutritionists and chefs with what’s in season for maximum flavor and freshness. Unlike many meal delivery services, Thistle is also plant-forward, gluten-free, and dairy-free, without added sweeteners and preservatives. Just select the number of meals you want to receive and Thistle will deliver healthy meals straight to your door.
Also, hear me out: I absolutely LOVE their salads, like the Cashew Chèvre & Pink Quinoa Salad. 🥗 Most meal deliveries out there don't have a decent salad option, but Thistle’s are so good. Craving more substantial protein? You can choose meat add-ons, too.
The cherry on top is that Thistle is affordable: as low as $42/week (or $11.50/meal). I normally spend way more than that on groceries! No wonder the internet has been absolutely raving about them...
1 of 5
#2: HelloFresh
When you think of a “meal kit,” HelloFresh is likely the first one that comes to mind. The way this popular meal kit works is simple: choose the number of people (2 or 4) and number of meals per week (2-6), then select your recipes. Each box comes with pre-portioned ingredients, ready to be cooked.
The unique HelloFresh recipes got me out of my comfort zone, but I noticed some downsides. Firstly, the meals take WAY longer to cook than the recipe card says, so it’s not quick or easy. HelloFresh may be a viable option if you enjoy cooking, but otherwise I found it was pretty time-consuming, and definitely not the time-saving solution I was hoping for.
I also noticed there weren’t many vegan or gluten-free options, either, and a few of my fresh ingredients started to spoil before I’d even cooked with them.
#3: Marley Spoon
Just like HelloFresh, Marley Spoon delivers pre-portioned ingredients straight to your door, once a week. You can customize your meal kit plan to get the recipes you love and the right portion sizes to feed every member of your household. That said, I couldn’t sign up for more than 6 meals a week, and so I had to get my own groceries (or spend money at a restaurant) for every other meal.
Marley Spoon meals were tasty (all recipes are designed by Martha Stewart!), but for the price I was paying, I didn’t love that I still needed to spend so much time prepping in the kitchen. They have some interesting recipe options, but I was disappointed by their limited selection of breakfasts, snacks, and drinks.
#4: Sunbasket
Sunbasket is unique in that it offers two different meal plans: a traditional meal kit or ready-made meals. This is great if you’re itching to spend some cook, but that’s not me! Plus, I didn’t find the 20-50 minute prep/cook time to be accurate, and I often spent 1hr+ in the kitchen.
Sunbasket offers meals with farm-fresh and organic ingredients, but there aren't many options for Fresh & Ready meals, and they all had to be served hot. Sunbasket’s meals start at around $11-$14 per serving.
The verdict? It’s Thistle for me
After trying all four meal delivery services, Thistle is far and away the best one I’ve tried. I love the fully customizable meal plan with snacks and desserts, plus the option to order fresh meals like salads. They make it so easy to hit all my health & wellness goals, without breaking the bank.
If you are looking for fast, healthy, and easy meal delivery services, I’d recommend giving Thistle a try!
