7 Best Senior Meal Delivery Services 2024: Update

Meal delivery services are a convenient way to get nutritionally balanced meals that are quick to prepare. As we get older, it’s more important to focus on eating a low-calorie, nutrient-dense, balanced diet. This helps maintain your health, reduce the risk of injury, and manage any medical conditions.

Meal deliveries can cut down on grocery shopping and meal prep, and they can get you out of a food rut, too. But finding the best one to suit your diet or cooking ability, fit in with your medical needs, or suit your budget can be a hassle.

I’ve researched dozens of services to find the top ones that hit the mark. I wanted customizable and flexible services with a good choice of meals. I’ve found easy-to-prep kits and pre-made dinners to suit different dietary requirements. There’s no need to reach for processed convenience foods when you can have nutritionally balanced meals delivered to your door.

My top choice for seniors is Factor. It has a wide variety of meal options and provides fresh and nutritious ingredients. Its prepared meals are perfect if you no longer want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Keep reading to find out how it compares with other meal delivery services out there.

The Best Senior Meal Delivery Services Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Nutritionally Balanced Prepared Meals for Seniors

Factor offers an excellent range of nutritionally balanced prepared meals. For additional support, you can even consult with a registered nutritionist. This is great if you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure.

What’s on the Menu?

Every meal on the menu is clearly labeled, so you know exactly what to expect. Categories include Protein Plus, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegetarian, and Vegan. This makes it really easy to pick which recipe suits your dietary needs.

You can heat meals in the microwave, but they’re just as tasty as those done in the oven. When we tested the meals, we found that the meat stayed tender and the veggies don’t turn to mush. Some meals I highly recommend for the elderly are Pesto Salmon, Tomato & Romano Chicken, and Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop. 

Add-ons include smoothies, juices, breakfasts, and snacks. This means fewer grocery store trips and feeling happy knowing you’ve got healthy options when you fancy a snack. It’s worth looking through these. I liked the look of the Salted Peanut Energy Bites and the Keto Cheesecakes.

What Makes It Special?

Book a free 20-minute consultation with one of Factor’s in-house nutritionists. The nutritionist can advise which meals are best to help manage any health conditions. It’s also useful for weight loss advice to keep you on the right track with your eating habits.

Factor has a Protein Plus plan with each meal containing at least 30 grams of protein. As you age, it’s recommended you increase your protein intake to help maintain muscle mass, support bone health, and improve recovery time from injuries.

Is It Good Value?

The meals are delivered fresh and ready-cooked. Preparation is as simple as heating them up in the oven or microwave. This makes Factor an excellent choice if you want to benefit from nutritious meals without the extra hassles of grocery shopping or cooking.

To get the most nutritional benefit, Factor recommends you don’t freeze its meals. They’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Remember to check the “Enjoy By” date on the packaging to help you keep track of which dish to eat first.

Factor's prices drop with larger orders. You can get 18 meals for just $103.41 on your first order using our link. It might not be suited to those on a smaller budget, but if you want nutritionally balanced meals with zero prep, Factor provides exactly that!

2. Green Chef – Best Certified Organic Meals for Seniors

Green Chef is a premium meal delivery service. Every meal on its menu is certified organic and sustainably sourced. This means the meals are healthy and have minimal impact on the environment.

What’s on the Menu?

Green Chef caters to omnivores and other dieters. If you follow a plant-based diet, you can expect several vegan dishes each week. I liked the look of the Penne with Creamy Mushroom Sauce, which uses cashews to create a parmesan cheese topping.

Green Chef states that most recipes can be made in around 30 minutes, but when we tested the service, we found that this can vary depending on the dish. Recipes are easy to follow, though, and the results were always good.

Each week, you’ll discover a range of handy add-ons. You can order additional proteins like fish or chicken, as well as some breakfast and snack options like the Smoky Bacon and Cheddar Egg Bites.

What Makes It Special?

The Mediterranean diet is particularly good for seniors. It contains lots of heart-healthy fats and fresh veggies, which can help reduce cholesterol and have anti-aging properties. You can choose this meal plan when you sign up, but you can also mix and match across the entire menu.

Green Chef tests out its recipes with novice chefs to make sure the step-by-step recipes are easy to follow. This is good news if you’re new to cooking. I thought it was handy that sauces, spice blends, and marinades are all pre-prepared so you can focus on the peeling, chopping, grating, and stirring.

The cardboard packaging can easily be recycled curbside. Unfortunately, some ingredients are packed in plastic. This is to keep ingredients fresh, but if you’re concerned about the environmental impact, check local recycling facilities before you order.

Is It Good Value?

If you’re following a strict diet plan, Green Chef should make a particularly good choice. Meal planning and grocery shopping are much more complex if you follow a specialist diet, so it’s fantastic they’re so well-catered for. Meals that are tagged as “Gluten-Free” are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) making them a safe choice if you avoid gluten.

Prices start at $9.99 per serving and you can order a minimum of 3 meals for 2 people and a maximum of 4 meals for 6 people.

3. Blue Apron – Great Chef-Inspired Meals for Seniors

Blue Apron offers a varied selection of chef-inspired meals. With the emphasis on quality meals and quality ingredients, it’s nice to know they don’t come with a hefty price tag.

What’s on the Menu?

The plans cater to a range of dietary accommodations. There are plenty of recipes on the Wellness menu approved by nutritionists, including carb-conscious options and heart-healthy choices. If you’re cooking for 1, you could also opt for the Prepared & Ready meals. These single serving meals arrive fresh and can be heated up in a matter of minutes.

The variety of cuisines will definitely appeal to more adventurous tastes. I was impressed by the menu choices on offer. I liked the look of the Italian-inspired Soppressata and Truffle Honey Calzone and the Romesco Chicken and Poblano Pepper with a Spanish-style sauce. With flavors from across the globe, there’s something for everyone on the menu.

One of the best things about Blue Apron is the range of add-ons available. Each week, you can select additional snacks, breakfasts, and salads, so the menu isn’t just designed for dinners. Choose from options like Asparagus and Apple Salad or Buttermilk-Orange Snack Cake, and you’ve got all your daily meals covered.

What Makes It Special?

If you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen, you can choose from 2 less-prep options. The Ready to Cook meal kits contain prepared ingredients that only need to be thrown together and cooked. They may take a bit longer to cook, up to 45 minutes, though. The Prepared and Ready plan offers meals that just need to be heated in the microwave.

Don’t worry if you consider yourself a novice chef. Blue Apron meals come with visual recipe instructions that make putting your meal together a breeze.

If you want to try the service’s meals without subscribing first, go to the on-site Market. There, you can buy themed meal kits, like Fast & Easy Meal Kit and Wellness Meal Kit. 

Is It Good Value?

The delivery service can be adjusted to meet your schedule. Your subscription is easy to pause, and you can skip deliveries up to 5 weeks in advance. For more details about setting up and managing your subscription, check out our tested Blue Apron review. You can also use the app to quickly make changes to your order.

The minimum order is 2 servings of 2 Meal Kits per week. The minimum order for prepared meals is 4 servings per week, with prices starting at $4.00 per serving. There’s no strict maximum order as you can manually add meals. You can switch between meal kits and prepared meals from one week to the next or place separate orders to have both in the same week. Seniors aged 55+ can also get an exclusive discount by verifying your ID.

4. HelloFresh – Best for Meal Kit Variety

If you want to expand your culinary skills, HelloFresh is a great option. It offers a variety of meal kits that cater to different cuisines. Also, its vast menu caters to people with different dietary needs and requirements. 

What’s on the Menu?

Most meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less making it ideal for quick dinners. You can also see options up to 6 weeks in advance, which is great for meal planning. When you know you’ve got a busy week ahead, you can select more Easy Prep & Clean options to cut down on time spent in the kitchen.

There’s no need to stress about the mess either. Look out for kits labeled as “Easy Cleanup” or “One-Pot”, and clearing up the kitchen after dinner is a breeze. Some of the one-pan options include the One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes or the One-Pan Salsa Verde Pork Tacos.

What Makes It Special?

HelloFresh recipes put the fun into cooking and help you develop your kitchen skills. Learning new things is great for keeping your brain active and encourages you to become a more adventurous chef. We tested HelloFresh and found the recipes to be “foolproof”, so beginners are definitely welcome.

HelloFresh meal kits remove the hassle of grocery shopping. There’s no need to worry about forgetting that key ingredient when you return from the store. We’ve all been there! Everything is included for you to get cooking straight away.

Is It Good Value?

I really liked the flexibility around the subscription plans. Pausing or skipping a week is so simple, and you can even change your delivery day to make sure you’re home when your box arrives. Keep in mind that HelloFresh doesn’t cater to specialist diets. If you’re vegan, gluten-free, or on a keto diet, I recommend Green Chef instead.

The minimum order is 2 recipes for 2 people per week. If you prefer to rely on a meal delivery service for more meals, you can increase your order to 6 meals a week for 2, 4, or 6 people. 

Pricing is affordable, especially with larger orders. A 6-meal box for 4 costs $107.75 with our link, and shipping is a flat fee no matter the order size.

5. Home Chef – Best for Customization

Home Chef stands out for its wide selection of meal kits and some ready-to-eat recipes, catering to a broad range of tastes. Each dish features fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients, pre-measured for convenience. Also, you can personalize proteins in many of its meals.

What’s on the Menu?

There’s a range of different types of meals available on Home Chef’s menu. You can choose from a meal kit, easy-prep meal kits, bundles, breakfast, and dessert options. This gives you much more choice when it comes to planning your menu.

Home Chef suits chefs of all abilities. You can decide whether you want to prepare and cook your meal from scratch or select an oven-ready option. The meal kits generally take around 30 minutes and the express kits around 15 minutes. If you want a super-quick meal that simply needs reheating choose from the Fast & Fresh range.

You can easily filter calorie-conscious or carb-conscious recipes from the main menu. If you click on Recipe Categories in the Resources menu, you can choose recipes by allergen, such as soy, by ingredient, such as poultry, and by meal type, such as breakfast. This is really helpful for checking if your dietary needs and taste preferences are catered for.

What Makes It Special?

I love the Customize It feature on Home Chef’s menu. It makes your meals so much more adaptable and flexible. Meals with this feature let you change your protein option to the one you like best. For example, the Creamy Sausage and Kale Stuffed Peppers can be made with chicken, beef, or turkey, instead.

The recipe cards are clear to follow and the step-by-step photos help you visualize the whole process from start to finish. There are 3 levels of difficulty from beginner to advanced. However, it’s best to read through all the steps before starting to cook so you’re sure of exactly what to do. Read our tested review to find out more.

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef has a great menu and a meal personalization tool. But it seems a bit sparse in terms of veggie options. Still, it has several veggie options every week. If you want more veggie meals, I recommend Green Chef. Or if you prefer prepared meals, try Factor.

Home Chef has a minimum order of 2 meals for 2 people. If you’re cooking for one, you can easily save the extra portion and reheat it for lunch the next day. For the maximum order of meals (6 meals for 6 people), prices are only $9.99 per serving.

6. BistroMD – Best for Senior Diabetics

BistroMD has a meal plan designed specifically for diabetics. All meals on this plan support diabetics, pre-diabetics, and anyone who wants to eat carb-conscious meals. These dishes help you maintain healthy levels of blood glucose and are protein-rich, which helps regulate blood sugars.

What’s on the Menu?

All meals are generally low in sodium and fat, and high in protein and fiber. This can be beneficial for older adults who may have specific dietary requirements. Unfortunately, options are limited for those following a vegetarian diet. Check out Factor for vegetarian prepared meals. But BistroMD offers the Vegan plan with about 25 meals on the menu.

Weight-loss meals don’t have to be bland or boring either. Our reviewer liked the use of alcohol flavorings and the creative culinary twists. For more details, read our in-depth BistroMD review to find out about the different types of dishes on the menu.

Snacks can also be added to your menu for an additional cost. These are called EATS, which stands for Essential and Tasty Snacks. EATS are designed to boost your metabolism, which can contribute to weight loss. They include protein bars, nut mixes, and even cheesecakes.

What Makes It Special?

BistroMD is a medically designed weight-loss delivery service. You can choose to have a 5-day plan or a 7-day plan. Decide whether you prefer breakfast, lunch, and dinner or just lunch and dinner. Having a full plan prevents you from cheating on your diet and helps achieve any weight-loss goals.

When you sign up for BistroMD, its registered dietitians create a custom plan for you. This means your meals are designed to support your individual health needs as well as your weight loss journey. You can choose meals from various programs including the Heart Healthy program or the Keto Flex program.

Is It Good Value?

Recipes are all nutritionally balanced, so you can’t swap sides or customize recipes. However, you can contact customer services to arrange for meals with certain ingredients to be removed from your menu. The ingredients and nutritional information are included in every recipe so you can see at a glance what’s included.

The minimum plan is 5 lunches and 5 dinners per week. Prices start at $6.59 per serving and you can order up to 3 meals per day for 6 days and 2 recipes for the seventh day on the full plan.

7. Purple Carrot – Completely Plant-Based Meals

Purple Carrot is a great choice if you follow a vegan diet. Its meals feature fresh veg and plant proteins, without focusing on processed meat alternatives.

What’s on the Menu?

There are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes to try. Some tasty options I found on the current menu include Indian Butter Chickpea Tacos and Pesto White Bean Melts. The creative variety of dishes more than makes up for the limited number of weekly recipes.

I like that you aren’t just restricted to main meals. Purple Carrot offers breakfasts, snacks, and a “Plantry” that includes meat-free pantry staples. This cuts down the need to pop out to the grocery store for extra items and they can be easily added to your plan at the click of a button.

You can opt for meal kits or prepared meals. There are 16 prepared meals every week that can be heated up in 2 minutes. Meal kits serve either 2 or 4 people and take between 20 to 40 minutes to prepare. There are also “Less Prep” choices that take even less time to get on the table.

What Makes It Special?

Purple Carrot offers a range of meal plans that cater to different dietary needs. These include gluten-free, high-protein, and low-carb options.

Unfortunately, the packaging isn’t as eco-friendly as it could be. When we tested Purple Carrot, we found that there was a lot of plastic included in the box that was more difficult to recycle. 

Is It Good Value?

Plant-based meals are a good option for improving overall health and well-being. Research has shown that plant-based diets can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, lower your risk of diabetes, and reduce your cholesterol levels. They are also easier to digest and lighter on the stomach.

The cost of this meal delivery service may be a consideration for some seniors on a fixed income. The minimum order is 3 meal kits for 2 people per week, or 6 prepared meals per week. Prices start at $11.00 for the meal kits.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Senior Meal Delivery Services

Choosing the best meal delivery service can be a challenge particularly if you have special dietary needs. Read the following tips to help you decide.

• Nutritional value: The best meal delivery service needs to provide balanced and healthy meals that meet your nutritional needs. Look for meals that are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and low in calories. Investigate the quality of ingredients and whether they offer organic or non-GMO options, like Green Chef does.

• Ease of use: Decide whether you prefer zero-prep meals like Factor provides or if you’re happy to spend more time in the kitchen. You can opt for ready-to-cook meals, meal kits, or even a combination of both. Think about what would suit your cooking ability and lifestyle best.

• Health concerns: Consider your personal health concerns and find out if the meal delivery service can meet your needs. Some have plans with meals designed to support heart health or include diabetes-friendly recipes such as BistroMD.  

• Plan Flexibility: Make sure it's simple to pause or cancel your subscription to avoid being stuck in a contract for meals that aren't to your liking. Choose a service such as Home Chef that provides you with the option to tailor your recipes or change ingredients. This enables you to adjust recipes according to your preferences or dietary needs.
  

FAQ

What is the best diet for seniors?

Seniors with medical conditions should eat foods that support their needs. For example, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, select low-carb and low-sodium recipes. If in doubt, check with your medical practitioner for some nutritional guidance. Some delivery services, like Factor, have registered dietitians on hand to answer any queries.

Why should seniors consider using meal delivery services?

Meal delivery services are a convenient, safe, and healthy way to get nutritious meals. There’s no need to stress about planning meals or grocery shopping. Meals can be delivered ready-prepared or as meal kits depending on your level of skill in the kitchen. A service like Home Chef offers both kits and prepared meals.  

How do senior meal delivery services work?

Some meal delivery services also offer additional items. Green Chef has extra snacks, breakfasts, and proteins you can add to your weekly order. Food arrives fresh, frozen, or ready to cook and you can easily pause or cancel deliveries to suit your schedule.

Best Senior Meal Delivery Services in 2024 — Final Score