It’s that time of the year again. Whether you’re just thinking about New Year’s resolutions or actively gearing up to make some changes, there’s one resolution we’ve all had top-of-mind at some point: eating healthier.
Honestly, my calendar is packed more often than not, so I usually forgo cooking at home in favor of less-than-healthy takeout. For that reason, I’m turning to meal kit delivery services to help me out in the new year. With so many options to choose from, I decided to put two popular meal kits to the test: RealEats and Freshly. Which one will I be serving up in 2023? Let’s find out.
If you’re looking for customization… RealEats
With RealEats, you’re able to swap out your sides to build a meal that you will enjoy from start to finish. I love being able to play around with and customize my meals with RealEats, pairing my favorite veggies and grains with a complementary protein. They even have yummy add-ons, ranging from breakfast dishes to sides of soup or an extra portion of vegetables. Dishes like Honey Soy Whitefish with a Sesame Veg Medley and sides like my all-time favorite, Butternut Squash Soup, caught my eye instantly because of how creative & colorful they were.
Freshly, on the other hand, has prepared meals that come as they are. So, for example, if you enjoy Chicken Parm but not broccoli, you won’t be able to switch out the broccoli for an alternative side.
If you’re in the mood for something tasty…RealEats
I’m not sure if it’s the packaging, the customization, or the fact that RealEats simply uses more appetizing ingredients and flavors, but I found RealEats to be better tasting than Freshly. I personally couldn’t get enough of the Thai Coconut Chicken or the Garlic Lime Shrimp. Nothing is basic about RealEats–for snacks, you’re looking at options like St. James Smokehouse’s Scottish Smoked Salmon and Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups (yum). I found that RealEats strikes the perfect balance between using simple ingredients and packing in the flavor, while Freshly’s meals were a bit bland and needed some extra seasoning.
If you have dietary preferences…it’s a close tie
I was pleased to see that both RealEats and Freshly offer a wide variety of options for individuals with dietary preferences or restrictions. RealEats has options for low-calorie, Keto, Mediterranean Diet, vegetarian, plant-based meals, wheat-free, soy-free, carb-conscious, dairy-free, and heart healthy meals.
On the other hand, Freshly also offers gluten-free options, and can cater towards dairy-free, peanut-free, plant-based, low calorie, and carb-conscious needs. I personally have been leaning into the Mediterranean diet, so I was super happy to see that RealEats offers meals within those fairly specific categories!
If you’re looking for a longer shelf-life…RealEats
Freshly indicates a shelf life of about 3-5 days. RealEats, on the other hand, offers meals that are farm-fresh for up to a week. Since I have a busy schedule and other plans frequently pop up, the difference in having dependably fresh food for one week as opposed to 3 days is a serious game-changer.
If you’re looking for elevated–but fast–food preparation…RealEats
With RealEats, meals come in sous-vide style BPA-free plastic packs. These packs seal in the freshness, so whenever you want to prepare your meal, you can fire up the stove and boil them to perfection in just under 6 minutes. The meals from Freshly, on the other hand, arrive in microwave-ready containers. With Freshly, I felt like I was opening up TV dinners from the ‘70s, and maybe it’s just me, but that wasn’t particularly appetizing.
My meal kit delivery service of choice…RealEats
It’s probably no surprise that I’ll be choosing RealEats from here on out. From their expansive menu to their longer shelf-life and more appealing packaging and food prep, RealEats reigns supreme over Freshly.
However, the fact that RealEats is putting me on the fast track to achieving my New Year’s resolutions by eating healthy (and deliciously) is what really won me over. Because who says we can’t do it all in 2023?
