Fresh N Lean Review 2024: See Our Expert Take

Overview

Fresh N Lean’s ready-to-heat meals make it easy to enjoy wholesome food without spending hours in the kitchen. You get all the nutrients and all the flavor with none of the prep and cleanup.

This is far from the only prepared meal delivery service, and it’s also not the only service to specialize in diet-friendly plans. My colleague tested out some meals, and I’ve done some in-depth research to find out what Fresh N Lean has to offer and whether it’s worth paying the price for its prepared meals.

Overall, I think Fresh N Lean is great if you need to stick to a specific diet. Though it can be pricey, it has curated meals to suit keto, paleo, vegan, and other dietary needs. Read on to find out how my colleague got on when they tried this service for themselves.

Fresh N Lean’s Menu: Lots of Options for a Range of Specialized Diets

Fresh N Lean prides itself on its organic, locally-sourced ingredients. For meals that contain animal products, you’ll find only the highest standards in sustainability and animal welfare, ​​regardless of which plan you choose.

Meal Options: Choose From 8 Dietary Plans, Plus a Plan Just for Proteins

Fresh N Lean’s menu is divided into 8 meal plans plus a Bulk menu. Each plan serves a particular dietary niche. 

Let’s take a closer look:

• Protein+: Includes free-range animal protein with every lunch/dinner meal, paired with organic vegetables and whole grains.

• Keto: Clean meals that help you stay in ketosis, with daily meals totaling no more than 35 g carbs while being super high in proteins and nutritious fat.

• Paleo: High-quality animal products and organic vegetables, but without the grains or legumes.

• Standard Vegan: Focuses on plant-based proteins, organic vegetables, and whole grains.

• Vegetarian: Delicious plant-focused meals that include eggs and dairy in some meals.

• Mediterranean Diet: This menu features organic whole foods, healthy fats, and sustainably sourced proteins.

• Whole30 Approved: This menu is designed to fit within the restrictions of the Whole30 diet. Meals are similar to the Paleo plan but without any natural sweeteners.

• FNL Unlimited: This gives you access to the full menu. You choose your own selection of entrees, desserts, and snacks each week or subscribe to your favorites. 

The last option is Bulk which offers an a la carte menu of high-quality proteins, sides, breakfasts, and snacks. You can add a Bulk order to any meal plan, but you can’t mix and match between plans like you can with Factor. If you do want to mix and match, opt for the Unlimited plan.

Fresh N Lean Meals Offer a Trip Around the Globe 

There’s a wide range of cuisines available from Fresh N Lean, including more international options than a typical menu. Around half the menu is American or Americanized dishes, while the rest is evenly divided across a range of international cuisines. To give you an idea, my colleague tried out Kung Pao Chicken, Tuscan Chicken over Penne Alla Vodka, and Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken. Find out how some of these tasted in the cooking and eating section.

Fresh N Lean Doesn’t Let You Get Bored With Its Changeable Menu

The menu changes each week, with new dishes added occasionally. Dishes on the menu are repeated, but I can’t find any details on how often this happens.

 If you don’t update your order and select your own meals, you’ll get a chef-curated menu that aligns with your preferences. You can also add breakfasts like Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns, Banana Oatmeal, and BBQ Cowboy Breakfast with Chicken Sausage.

Customize Your Meal Selection but Not Individual Meal Ingredients

You can pick your own meals within your chosen plan. For the most customization, you can sign up for the Unlimited plan. This is really useful if you want prepared meals but don’t follow a strict dietary plan. You won’t be able to customize ingredients in the individual meals themselves, as is the case with prepared meal delivery services.

If you don’t select your meals, they will be chef-curated for you. It’s worth noting that my colleague had an issue with his delivery and was sent a pre-selected order with meals including lamb that he wouldn’t have chosen himself. So make sure you remove any ingredients you aren’t a fan of during the signup process.

Fresh N Lean Is Great for Those With Allergies

You can opt to remove up to 3 ingredients from a list of around 20 items, including olives, mushrooms, gluten, and Beyond Meat. There’s also an allergen filter that lets you exclude as many allergens as you need from a list of 8, including soy, fish, dairy, and egg.

Fresh N Lean states that about 90% of its menu is gluten-free, but it isn’t officially certified as gluten-free. If you have severe gluten allergies or celiac disease, you should exercise caution or opt for a certified gluten-free plan from Green Chef. 

The Vegan, Paleo, Protein+, and Whole30 plans are dairy-free, while the Vegetarian, Keto and Mediterranean Diet plans include dairy products. All of the snacks on the add-on menu are free from gluten, soy, and dairy.

Overall, there's definitely a lot of variety on the menu. If you follow a strict diet like Paleo, Whole30, or Keto, you’ll find plenty of choices. However, if you just want to order healthy, prepared meals for convenience, you might be better off with a service like Factor. Factor lets you mix and match between plans and is more affordable than Fresh N Lean.

Fresh N Lean’s Menu at a Glance

My Unboxing Experience With Fresh N Lean: Overall a Good Experience  

When my colleague’s Fresh N Lean box arrived, they noted that it wasn't in the best condition. However, it wasn't damaged enough to cause concern. The box was collected immediately after delivery, ensuring the contents stayed fresh.

Due to a delay with their original order, Fresh N Lean sent chef-selected meals as a replacement, making the meals a mystery. The individual meal packaging was durable, though the different container shapes caused them to shift around a bit during transit. There were no signs of leakage, and everything appeared clean and organized.

Fresh N Lean impressed with their use of drain-safe ice packs, which can be cut open, rinsed out, and recycled. According to the website, this type may not be standard issue, perhaps it depends on the shipping company. While there wasn't a dedicated recycling page on the website, the items were labeled for easy identification.

Despite not being super cold, the meals were chilled enough, thanks to all the ice packs. Labels on the meals were detailed, providing ingredients, nutrition facts, and multiple cooking methods. All meals had the same best-by date, although it seemed longer than typical for fresh prepared meals.

Cooking and Eating With Fresh N Lean: Some Meals Were More Enjoyable Than Others

Fresh N Lean offers a menu solely composed of prepared meals, so there’s never any prep. To avoid washing up completely, simply pick a dish, poke a couple of holes in the plastic film, and microwave it for 2-3 minutes.

However, my colleague decided that microwaving isn’t the best option for all Fresh N Lean’s dishes. They can also be easily reheated in the oven, an air fryer, or on the stove, which is useful if you don’t have a microwave. Just transfer the food from its plastic container into a more appropriate vessel first!

The instructions for Fresh N Lean’s meals allowed for seasoning to taste, and my colleague found that adding salt, pepper, and hot sauce improved the flavor of the meals. Naturally, you can adjust the amounts of any seasonings to suit your tastes and dietary needs.

The Plant-Based Sloppy Joe with Rice and Mushrooms didn’t go down well, as it looked really unappetizing, and the Beef, Lamb, and Eggplant Moussaka weren’t to their taste due to the ingredient combination. Despite not enjoying some of the meals, my colleague couldn't fault the portion sizes, which were more than adequate.

Even though the meals weren't ones they would have chosen, my colleague acknowledged that the ingredient quality was impressive and outshined many competitors. This highlighted Fresh N Lean's commitment to providing high-quality meals, even if the selection didn't suit their personal preferences.

My colleague's overall negative experience stemmed from not being able to pick their meals, resulting in options they didn't enjoy. However, the ease of cooking and the quality of ingredients were not at fault, suggesting that Fresh N Lean would be a good fit for those who enjoy the meal selections available.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta With Chicken and Ratatouille

This was one of the most unique dishes in my colleague's Fresh N Lean box. The variety of ingredients, including the toasted pine nuts, added a rich, buttery flavor and pleasant texture. The large chunks of chicken appeared to be minimally processed. This attention to detail made the dish more enjoyable compared to cheaper services.

Unfortunately, heating it in the microwave wasn’t the best idea. The chicken turned out drier than preferred, and the ratatouille became soft and a bit slimy. Heating it in the oven would likely improve these textures, even though it would take longer. Despite this, the dish was still enjoyable, earning an 8 out of 10, with potential for a higher rating if cooked differently.

Chipotle Lime Shrimp With Southwestern Cauliflower Rice

Despite typically avoiding processed seafood due to past experiences, they found the shrimp to be surprisingly decent. It wasn't rubbery, which is a high compliment for reheated shellfish, and the chipotle lime sauce added a delicious, zesty flavor without being overly spicy. The shrimp had a good texture and wasn't too chewy.

While the shrimp was enjoyable, the cauliflower rice fell short. My colleague noted that it didn't compare to real rice, but acknowledged that those on low-carb diets would appreciate this healthier alternative. They heated it in the oven, which was likely the best option as microwaving seafood often results in an unappealing texture.

Sweet Chili Shrimp With Peppers and Cauliflower Rice

This was similar to the Chipotle Lime Shrimp dish but featured a different set of flavors. My colleague found the ingredients to be of impressive quality, with the shrimp maintaining a good texture and not becoming rubbery. Despite the quality, the sweet chili and pepper flavors weren't their first choice, making the dish less appealing to them.

As with the other shrimp dishes, my colleague emphasized that microwaving shrimp is not advisable for the best taste and texture. Cooking it in the oven would yield better results, but the overall flavor profile still didn't match their preferences. They rated the dish a 7 out of 10, recognizing the ingredient quality but noting the flavors weren't to their liking.

Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken Quinoa Bowl With Feta

This was one of the most enjoyable dishes my colleague tested. Unlike most of the meals they received, this is one they might have chosen for themselves. They appreciated the subtle, bright flavors of Greek cuisine, with garlic, lemon, and feta cheese adding a lot of taste to the dish. The quinoa made it more enjoyable than the cauliflower rice found in other dishes.

Heating on the stove resulted in much better flavors compared to the muted taste of microwaved meals. The chicken was more tender, and the overall flavor was richer. The inclusion of healthy vegetables like broccoli and spinach added to the dish's appeal. Despite the extra cleanup, this dish earned an impressive 9 out of 10.

Lamb Ragu Over Spaghetti

One major issue my colleague had with Fresh N Lean was receiving lamb dishes despite not selecting lamb as a protein choice. Despite this, they decided to try the Spaghetti with Lamb Ragu. The red sauce was quite good but might have been better if paired with a different protein. My colleague added a lot of parmesan cheese to make it more palatable.

Heating on the stove with some olive oil was a smart move, as it prevented the pasta from becoming mushy and added extra flavor. The lamb's gamey taste wasn't preferred, but the olive oil and parmesan helped mask it. If you enjoy lamb, this dish could be a hit. For my colleague, it was a solid 7.5 out of 10.

Recipes Summary

Prices: Quite Expensive but Good Value for the Quality of Ingredients

Shipping & Delivery: Frustrating & Not as Described on the Website

Fresh N Lean delivers across the entire US. Packages are sent weekly for Friday delivery and guaranteed by Saturday (you’ll receive a tracking number). This means you can’t choose a delivery date from a range of options like you can with other services like Factor. However, the company’s FAQ mentions that delivery on other days is possible for an extra charge.

My colleague's experience with Fresh N Lean's delivery was far from ideal. You can't choose your delivery date, and there’s no guarantee of a consistent delivery day. The first shipment was held by UPS, despite Fresh N Lean's FAQ stating you don't have to be home for delivery. Tracking the package was confusing, as the account page didn't update in real-time and required manual tracking on the carrier’s website, which feels unintuitive.

After a missed delivery, the first package was held over the weekend and rendered unsafe to eat. Customer service sent a replacement within 48 hours with clear instructions to leave the package. However, the replacement meals were not the ones originally selected so not as enjoyable. They found the overall delivery experience to be frustrating and unsatisfactory.

While Fresh N Lean's standard delivery is weekly, you can adjust your delivery to bi-weekly, tri-weekly, or quad-weekly by emailing [email protected] or contact through the chat function.

How Fresh N Lean Works: Step by Step Guide

Fresh N Lean’s sign-up process is relatively simple and straightforward. You can easily narrow down your menu and subscription preferences, and the pricing structure is refreshingly transparent.

How to Sign Up for Fresh N Lean (Just 6 Simple Steps)

It’s easy to sign up for a Fresh N Lean subscription with just a few clicks.

1. Click “Get Started” on the homepage. Then choose whether you want a weekly meal plan or whether you’d like to choose your meals a la carte with the Bulk plan.

2. If you want a meal plan, the next step is to select the right plan for your diet. Bear in mind that you’ll only be able to choose meals from within your chosen plan – you can’t mix and match between diet plans unless you opt for the new Unlimited plan.

3. Customize your plan by choosing which daily meals you would like (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), and whether you want meals for 5 days or 7 days a week.

4. Next, you’ll be asked about extras. You can skip this step if you don’t want any. If you decide to add snacks you can change the quantity as you add them. The price of each extra is clearly marked.

5. Review your order summary to make sure you’re happy with everything you’ve added. You can still go back and edit your plan or add more extras at this point.

6. Sign up for Fresh N Lean by entering your email address and a password. To check out you’ll also add your shipping and payment details.

Then you’re ready to pick your meals. You’ll see any new meals or premium dishes at the top of the menu. You can also sort the menu by dietary preference to make it easier to find the most suitable options.

Managing Your Subscription

My colleague found the layout of Fresh N Lean’s website frustrating. The logged-out homepage, account page, and contact page all have different URLs, creating multiple windows and tabs. The account page seemed cluttered with ads for add-on items and referral program prompts. 

Any changes or modifications need to be made by Friday 11:59 pm PST. If you miss this cutoff, the changes will be applied to the following week’s delivery. Make any changes to your plan, dietary preferences, and address directly on the account page. But if you want specific information like details on past meals, you’re out of luck as it doesn’t appear to be available.

You can skip weeks but only up to 3 weeks ahead of time. A service like Blue Apron, on the other hand, allows you to pause your account too. It also can be managed from an app, unlike Fresh N Lean. This feels a bit outdated and my colleague didn't even receive any reminders for deadlines.

Customer Service: Outdated FAQ & Really Poor Live Chat Support

Navigating the website to locate the customer support was more challenging than expected. The poor layout makes it difficult for users to find the help they need quickly. Additionally, while there is a phone number, it’s only visible in your account or on the About Us page.

Fresh N Lean has a FAQ section, but it isn’t very comprehensive. Some essential information is present, but it’s not as detailed as it could be. My colleague noted a discrepancy regarding the ice packs: the FAQ mentioned they aren’t drain-safe, but the ones received were. This can be confusing for customers. 

While there is an email address ([email protected]) for support and they operate daily from 7 AM to 5 PM (PST), Fresh N Lean encourages the use of live chat for the fastest response. However, my colleague’s experience was far from fast. Even with a queue position of 2, it took over 45 minutes to get a response. 

The first interaction was positive, with a friendly agent resolving the issue quickly. However, the second experience was frustrating. After waiting an hour, the conversation yielded no useful information. The agent was unhelpful and eventually resorted to boilerplate responses. 

The inclusion of lamb meals, despite it not being a preferred protein, was never satisfactorily explained. The customer service definitely left much to be desired, especially for such an expensive service. Compared to the support offered by many of our top meal delivery services, it was very poor overall.

Canceling Fresh N Lean didn't require speaking to an agent but there were more steps than necessary. You can't pause your account; you have to cancel it outright. The process involves filling out a multi-question survey and encountering several pop-up messages tailored to your reasons for leaving.

After navigating through the survey and pop-ups, you’re presented with a final confirmation pop-up asking, "ARE YOU 100% SURE?" requiring you to type "CONFIRM" to end your account. The overall experience felt lengthy and somewhat tedious compared to other services like Green Chef.

How Fresh N Lean Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

• Fresh N Lean vs. Factor: While both services offer health-conscious prepared meals, Factor offers better value for money than Fresh N Lean. Factor’s responsive customer support also enhances the overall experience, making it a more attractive choice. 

• Fresh N Lean vs. Green Chef: Green Chef stands out with its diverse international cuisines and the use of organic produce and proteins free of antibiotics and hormones. Although Green Chef's meal kits require some preparation, the variety of meals and customization options make it a superior option to Fresh N Lean's ready-to-heat offerings.
  

• Fresh N Lean vs. BistroMD: BistroMD is the better choice for those seeking tailored, health-focused meals. It offers a wider selection of meals specifically designed for various medical conditions and weight-loss diets, instead of Fresh N Lean's more general healthy meal offerings.

The Bottom Line: Is Fresh N Lean Worth It?

If you're looking for heat-and-eat, diet-friendly meals, Fresh N Lean can meet your needs. It offers a variety of single-serving meals tailored to various diets, ensuring you can stick to your nutritional goals with minimal effort.

Fresh N Lean might not be the best choice for everyone, particularly if you prefer cooking your own meals or if you don’t follow a specific diet. The service’s appeal is strongest among those needing convenient, healthy meals that cater to particular dietary requirements.

My colleague had a mixed experience with Fresh N Lean. While the meal quality was decent, they received meals they didn't enjoy due to a delivery issue. The customer service response to this issue was less than satisfactory, involving long wait times and a lack of apologetic attitude, which was disappointing given the service’s high cost.

Despite the issues, Fresh N Lean does offer high-quality ingredients and a varied menu, making it a solid option for those on strict diets like paleo or keto. However, for those simply seeking healthy, prepared meals, another service like Factor might offer a better overall experience.

FAQs

How much does Fresh N Lean cost?

Fresh N Lean is not a budget meal delivery service. The pricing varies per serving depending on how many meals per week you order. This means that Fresh N Lean can be fairly expensive for smaller orders, but its high quality ingredients and diet-specific focus may make it worth the price.

Can Fresh N Lean's meals help with weight loss?

Combined with exercise, Fresh N Lean’s meals can help anyone lead a healthier lifestyle. For some, this journey may include weight loss, but Fresh N Lean doesn’t market itself as a weight loss company.

Is Fresh N Lean organic?

Yes, Fresh N Lean uses organic, non-GMO ingredients and free range, certified-humane animal proteins. It also uses recyclable and eco-friendly packaging whenever possible.

How do you cancel your Fresh N Lean subscription?

Fresh N Lean has a relatively straightforward cancelation process. You won’t need to speak to a representative, but you will have to complete a lot of questions to check if you are sure you want to cancel. For a more thorough walkthrough, check out this quick how to cancel Fresh N Lean blog post.