Trifecta Review 2023: Not Just for Athletes

Overview

Trifecta is designed for those who seek a significant transformation. This could be burning fat, getting toned, or building muscle. Trifecta is used by top athletes worldwide and offers maximally optimized nutrition for specific fitness goals. With its variety of meals, you can put your diet on autopilot without getting tired of your weekly routine.

I’ve studied Trifecta's offerings to give you a detailed review. I evaluated the menu, quality, variety, and ease of ordering. I also assessed the convenience of the delivery, the freshness of the food, and the longevity of the vacuum-sealed meals.

Trifecta is a good choice for more than just elite athletes. It offers balanced, nutritious meals designed to support various fitness goals. Trifecta's meals are high quality, convenient, and made for those who value nutritious food but lack the time or expertise to prepare such meals. Keep reading to find out if Trifecta is right for you.

What’s on the Trifecta Menu

Meal Options

All of Trifecta’s single-serving meals are fitness-focused. So you can expect plenty of lean meats, seasonal vegetables, and wholegrains to support a healthy lifestyle. Most meals sit within the range of 300 to 500 calories per portion. You’ll also find that all meals are free from ingredients containing gluten. 

In addition to using organic produce, the company promises high-quality ingredients. These are sourced from family-run suppliers across the board, including grass-fed meat and sustainably sourced seafood. 

There are 4 meal plans to choose from: 

• Clean – healthy, macro balanced meals high in quality protein, organic veggies, and wholegrains (rice, protein pastas, quinoa)

• Paleo Whole30 Approved – dairy- and grain-free meals high in grass-fed protein and organic veg

• Keto – low-carb dishes packed with healthy fats and protein

• Plant Based – 100% vegan high-protein meals made with organic ingredients

You can either choose your own meals or have them curated for you. If you pick the Chef Selected option, you will be able to exclude 1 ingredient if you have an allergy for example. Read the Customization section for more on this. 

There’s also the Classic menu, which features the same 9 meals every week. You can add these to your order at any time. Look out for dishes like Chicken Breast with Sweet Potato and Mixed Vegetables, or Salmon with Brown Rice and Mixed Veg. 

If you want to assemble your own meals, there’s also the à la carte Meal Prep option. Although this might be a more affordable option, you’ll have to count calories and macros yourself. Here, it’s your choice of protein, veggies, and carbs, then simply create the meals you want at home.

The options can get a bit repetitive, though, so I’d recommend choosing a meal plan instead. After selecting a plan, you choose from 5, 7, 10, or 14 entrees per delivery. Note that you can choose whether to add breakfasts or not unless you order 5 entrees when they are added automatically. 

If you’re not entirely sure which meal plan is best for you, you can take a quick quiz. This asks about your health goals and food preferences. You can do this without being signed in, but annoyingly, you have to enter your email address at the end of the quiz to get your results.

There’s a great range of free online tools and resources. You’ll get access to lots of calculators (like macro and keto) and downloadable “toolkits”, which include meal planning templates and clean-eating food lists, workout plans, shopping lists, and more.

Download the Trifecta app to start keeping track of everything, from calories and water intake to exercise. The app also allows you to manage your subscription and track your orders.

Customization

Trifecta allows for some customization in its meal plans. You can choose to exclude 1 ingredient from your selected meal plan. However, this comes with a caveat – excluding an ingredient will also decrease your menu selection, as it will exclude all meals that feature it. This limitation might be restrictive if you have multiple dietary restrictions or allergies. 

If your allergen isn't listed, Trifecta cannot accommodate it. The ingredients you can exclude vary depending on the meal plan you select. These include: 

• Beef

• Pork

• Salmon

• Shellfish

• Turkey

• Tree nuts

• Mushrooms

• Impossible meat

• Tofu

• Vegan Chicken

• Spicy

Trifecta isn’t certified gluten-free, but it doesn’t use any ingredients containing gluten. I checked in with customer services to confirm this, as there didn’t seem to be any mention of it on the site even in the FAQs. 

For those with stricter dietary needs, Trifecta recommends the Meal Prep or Classic menu. These options offer more flexibility in building a diet that caters to specific requirements but will severely limit your meal options.

Unboxing

Trifecta emphasizes its green packaging. With its eco-friendly approach, the meal delivery service includes components like a cardboard box, ice packs, ClimaCell® panels, and plastic trays. Most local facilities can recycle the plastic trays and ice pack linings, whereas the box and panels are biodegradable and fit for curbside recycling. 

The company stands out with its environmental efforts. Choosing Trifecta means participating in a 40% carbon footprint reduction compared to regular dining or grocery shopping.

Every Trifecta meal is delivered fresh and vacuum-sealed. Thanks to the ClimaCell® panels and ice packs, the meals remain cool during transit, ensuring they reach you fresh and never frozen. 

After unpacking, store your meals in the fridge, where they'll remain fresh for up to a week. For a longer shelf life, keep them in the freezer, where they can last up to 3 months. This vacuum-sealed method ensures a longer life than typical home-prepped food.

Cooking with Trifecta

Cooking with Trifecta is a breeze with its ready-to-heat meals. Trifecta provides clear heating instructions for each meal. There are recommendations for an air-fryer, oven, stove-top, and the microwave, which is the quickest way. Be sure to read the instructions for each meal, as Trifecta has tested them to ensure optimal results.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Pibil Style Shrimp is a standout option from the Clean meal plan. What caught my attention is its blend of black beans and bell peppers, which adds a nutritional punch to the dish. Pibil-style cooking is a Yucatecan method that brings out a smoky, tangy flavor in the shrimp. It looks packed with flavor and color.

From the Plant Based meal plan, Ginger Citrus Tofu looks like a tasty choice. I like the interesting combination of ginger and citrus, promising a refreshing zest. Accompanied by carrots and toasted sesame seeds, it creates a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, providing a well-balanced plant-based meal.

Chicken Bacon Primavera from the Keto meal plan is an appealing pick. This recipe grabbed my attention with its classic pairing of chicken and bacon, complemented by Parmesan cheese. The green beans add a touch of freshness to the dish, making it a satisfying low-carb option.

I like that recipes can be eaten for lunch or as an evening meal. If you choose to add breakfasts, you can find options like egg scrambles, frittatas, oatmeal, and chia puddings.

Prices

The prices in the table refer to the Clean, Keto, and Paleo Whole 30 plans. The Plant Based plan is cheaper and works out at $104.93 for 7 entrees, $144.90 for 10 entrees, and $195.86 for 14 entrees per week.

The costs in the table don’t include breakfasts that you can add to every plan. For example, if you add breakfasts to a 7 entree order, the total is $214.99. Using our exclusive coupon is a great way to bring down costs even further: Get $120 off your first 6 boxes with code DR120.

If you order items from the Meal Prep or Classic menu, here’s an idea of weekly costs:

• Proteins – $16.99 to $37.99 for 4 servings

• Carbs – Around $10 for 4 servings

• Veggies – Up to $19.99 for 4 servings

• Classic menu – From $11.49 to $15.99 per meal

The minimum order with Trifecta is $119, which gets you around 10 meals on the Classic menu. I think that’s still a pretty good deal for convenience. Shipping is a flat rate of $9.99 per delivery. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, shipping costs $49.99. 

Shipping & Delivery

Trifecta delivers to all 50 states, which isn’t common among meal delivery services. While it's great news that it serves Alaska and Hawaii, it does come with a significant surcharge.

Deliveries usually occur on Fridays or Saturdays, depending on your zip code, within an 8 am to 8 pm window. Although this may seem like a broad time range, don't worry if you're not home when it arrives, as your food will stay cold thanks to the ice packs.

Trifecta partners with FedEx, UPS, and GSO for its deliveries. As soon as your package is in the hands of the courier, Trifecta sends out a tracking number via email, typically on Thursdays. This allows you to expect your delivery on Friday, or Saturday at the latest. If you prefer real-time updates, you can sign up with your carrier using the tracking number provided.

How Trifecta Works

Ordering with Trifecta is easy. If you choose Meal Prep or the Classic Plan, ordering is similar to making any online purchase. To place a subscription for 1 of the 4 meal plans, follow the steps below.

How to Sign Up

1. Click on Get Started then choose your plan and how many entrees you want. Unlike some delivery services, you can’t mix and match between plans.

2. Now it’s time to exclude any ingredients you don’t want in your meals. You can also decide whether to have your meals chosen for you or if you want to select them yourself.

3. Create your Trifecta account. You can use a Google or Apple account if you prefer.

4. Enter your shipping address.

5. Complete your billing information. You only have the option to pay by credit card. 

Shipping is calculated after you’ve entered your address information. In most cases, it’s a flat rate of $9.99, unless you’re located in Hawaii or Alaska when it’s a hefty $49.99 (sorry, guys). 

Managing Your Subscription

To modify your Trifecta order, make changes before Friday preceding your next delivery. This includes updates to your order, pausing your subscription for a week, or canceling your account altogether. This gives Trifecta the necessary time to adjust your order as per your request.

Trifecta's subscription is set by default to weekly deliveries, but you can easily customize this. If you'd prefer deliveries bi-weekly, every third week, or even once a month, you can email [email protected] and update your preferences. This level of flexibility is not commonly found in other meal delivery services, particularly those with a weekly default setting.

You can make changes directly through the website or using the Trifecta app. And if you're not entirely satisfied with your first order, Trifecta offers a 100% money-back guarantee for up to 7 meals or $119 worth of meal prep food. Simply reach out to the customer success team within 10 days of your delivery, and they'll handle the rest.

Customer Service

Getting hold of Trifecta’s Customer Success Team is easy. You can contact them by email or phone or type into the live chat. It's available 7 days a week, 8 am to 5 pm PST, to answer any questions you have.

Outside these hours, you can leave a message and an agent will reply by email. I tried this and received a response the next working day. I also asked to speak to an agent in the chat and was transferred straight away. 

That said, there’s also a pretty robust FAQ section on the Trifecta website that might be able to answer any questions you have before signing up. There’s also a search bar to easily find answers, but I was surprised to find there were no FAQs about the menu being gluten-free. 

You’ll be required to state your full name and email address before asking a question. So keep that in mind if you’re wary about giving out your information. 

How Trifecta Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

Trifecta vs. Factor

Factor stands out with its premium, chef-prepared meals. Its meals are dietitian-approved, use organic produce, and antibiotic and hormone-free meats. Factor provides a more flexible and diverse menu compared to Trifecta and meals are much more affordable.

Trifecta vs. Green Chef

Green Chef offers certified organic meal kits catering to various dietary preferences. Green Chef's sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly packaging make it an excellent choice for environmentally-conscious consumers.

Trifecta vs. Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem is a better option for weight loss-focused consumers. Its pre-packaged meals and snacks are designed to help you stay within your daily calorie limit. Nutrisystem provides personalized meal plans and support like access to dietitians and weight loss counselors.

The Bottom Line: Is Trifecta Worth It?

Trifecta is best for those seeking healthy, ready-to-eat meals tailored to various fitness goals. Its range of meal plans, including keto, paleo, and plant-based, are geared toward diverse dietary preferences. Plus, it isn’t just for athletes, it suits anyone looking to make lasting dietary changes.

However, it might not be ideal for those with particular dietary needs. An alternative like Factor may suit you better, or you can check out our post on the best meal delivery services for athletes. Trifecta is all about convenience, making it easier for you to stick to your health and fitness goals.

FAQ

How much does Trifecta cost?

Trifecta's cost depends on the meal plan you select and the number of meals you order. For set meal plans, the most affordable option is the Vegan Plan, priced at $104.93 for 7 entrees. Keto, Paleo, and Clean plans are slightly more expensive. Remember that ordering more meals doesn’t affect the average cost per serving.

Is Trifecta organic?

Trifecta aims to use organic ingredients whenever possible. Other ingredients are ethically sourced and environmentally responsible. Additionally, all meals are free from gluten. The meals have low sugar and salt levels and are low in saturated fat.

Is Trifecta Gluten free? 

Yes, Trifecta's meals are suitable for those with gluten intolerance. While not officially certified gluten-free, none of its recipes contain ingredients with gluten.