I’ve used Factor Meals on and off since 2020. Life was different then, living in northern California during the pandemic and working from home. After going back to the office and working full time, I am always looking for accessible meal delivery services to avoid the grocery store as much as possible.
I don’t enjoy cooking and prefer meal delivery services that come ready to heat up and eat. If it’s going to take me longer to cook than I would on my own, I am probably not interested.
On another note, one thing I dislike about meal delivery service reviews is the fact that they show they plated and beautiful. I want to see what they look like coming out of the box, not plated and manipulated. Does anyone else feel that way or is just a me problem?
Before trying Factor Meals I had a few questions:
- Do Factor Meals taste good? Yes! They do taste good but after a while it feels like the same flavors which can get kind of boring.
- Are Factor Meals worth it? If you are someone who hates cooking or looking for fast, healthy meals than they are worth it.
- What is a Factor Meals discount code? You can $150 on your first box using this link.
Unlike many food delivery services, Factor Meals are pre-prepared. They come ready to heat up, and you just pop them in the microwave and cook. This was important to me because I don’t feel like cooking most of the time. I’m not a huge leftover person, so it’s nice to have prepackaged meals for lunch or dinner. I also bring them to work a lot. I also find many food delivery services have recipes and cooking that take twice as long as something I would cook by myself. For me, the point of meal delivery services is easy, fast, and tasty.
About the brand Factor:
Factor takes a straightforward approach to nutrition by offering chef-prepared, dietitian-approved meals designed to simplify healthy eating. Their philosophy revolves around real, whole-food ingredients and balanced nutrition, making it easier for individuals to maintain sustainable, health-conscious lifestyles without the hassle of meal prep.
Nutritional Philosophy and Science
Factor believes in providing well-rounded meals with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Their meals are crafted to deliver essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, supporting overall health and wellness.
Ingredient Standards and Quality
Factor is strict about the quality of their ingredients. They’ve banned over 160 ingredients that don’t meet their safety and efficacy standards. This rigorous five-step vetting process focuses on health impacts, ingredient integrity, and customer expectations. Factor continuously updates their ingredient list based on evolving dietary science to ensure meals remain health-conscious and free of unnecessary additives.
Whole Food Focus
Factor prioritizes whole-food ingredients, ensuring each meal is rich in micronutrients, proteins, and healthy fats. Their meals incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains to create balanced, flavorful dishes. By using minimally processed foods, Factor aims to deliver optimal nutrition in every bite.
Dietitian-Approved Standards
Factor’s meals are crafted and reviewed by registered dietitians, ensuring each dish aligns with the latest nutritional guidelines. These dietitians collaborate with chefs to balance taste and health, refining meals based on customer feedback. This process guarantees that Factor Meals offer both high nutritional value and satisfying flavors.
Why Factor Meals?
The tagline is Healthy Eating, Made Simple. Sounds ideal to me!
They provide fresh meals, already prepared and microwaveable. They ship directly to your house and stay fresh for up to 7 days in the fridge. They use Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to keep meals fresh.
What does that even mean? They lower the amount of oxygen in the container, slowing food’s natural breakdown. MAP technology allows food to last longer without preservatives. Grocery store products like fresh salad mix use the same method.
What Makes Factor Meals Different?
- Only uses fresh ingredients from trusted partners
- Free of hormones, antibiotics, gluten, refined sugars, and GMOs
- Designed by dietitians: Dietitians work with chefs to ensure meals are packed with nutritional quality
- Subscriptions include a 20-minute consult with a registered dietitian
Another feature that sets Factor Meals apart is their attention to portion control. I appreciate how balanced the meals are. They offer portions in several different options ranging from 400 calories to 800. This has been particularly helpful in maintaining my fitness goals while keeping things convenient.
Diet-Friendly:
Is Factor Meals diet-friendly? I don’t follow a strict diet, but they offer options for plant-based, low-carb, keto, and low-calorie. Many meal delivery services lack vegan or vegetarian choices, but they offer a full selection. Besides plant-based meal delivery services, Factor probably has the best vegan and vegetarian options.
In addition to regular meals, they offer high-protein options specifically for athletes or those focused on muscle gain. This makes them a versatile choice, whether you’re training for an event or just trying to eat healthier.
Meal Variety and Options:
Factor Meals changes their menu weekly. Some favorites stick around, but new options are always available. This is important to avoid boredom. One of the reasons I enjoy meal delivery services is the variety without the hassle of shopping and cooking.
Interested in seeing the current Factor Meals menu? You can check it out here.
I’ve noticed that the Factor Meals menu caters to seasonal ingredients, which is a nice touch. It keeps things fresh and exciting, and I’ve discovered new flavors I wouldn’t have thought to try on my own.
My Experience with Factor Meals:
They arrived insulated, which is crucial in the Mojave Desert where temperatures soar over 100. Proper insulation ensures food doesn’t spoil. Everything looked great, and I stored them in the fridge, ready for work or home meals. I’ve used Factor off and on since 2020, and I’ve never had a meal come “bad.” I’ve had meals I haven’t cared for as much, but nothing has ever come that isn’t edible.
The meals are carefully packaged, and I’ve never had issues with leakage or broken containers. This adds a layer of reliability that not all meal delivery services provide.
Calories and Portions:
Most Factor Meals range between 400-800 calories. I don’t recall anything exceeding 800 calories.
Choosing the meals is simple. You can order between 4-36 meals per box. I typically get 8 meals, which lasts the week (not always, but usually!). You can also choose your delivery day, a rare feature that adds great flexibility. I pick Tuesdays.
Customization Options:
You can select the same meals or mix it up. They offer premium add-ons like steak or mahi mahi. I tried a steak meal ($9.99 extra), but it wasn’t impressive. However, the mahi mahi ($6.99 extra) was delicious, and I reordered it.
Here are a few Factor meals I’ve tried:
- Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits: I’m not a huge fan of cauliflower being turned into anything but cauliflower, but the Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits is one of my favorite current meals. I was surprised. It is a bit spicy but tastes good.
- Salmon and Veggies: Salmon meals have been consistently good. I was skeptical about delivered fish, but the fresh salmon impressed me. The seasoning was great, and I almost always add this to my orders.
- Caribbean Chicken and Zucchini: Another favorite. Slightly spicy chicken breast with zucchini. Simple and filling.
What Didn’t I Like?
Some meals became watery, which I couldn’t explain. I follow the microwave instructions exactly but still encountered watery meals. Customer service couldn’t explain it either.
In about one third of the meals I’ve found the vegetables to be bland and boring. I don’t need anything super exciting here, but I would be happier with vegetables that have some flavor to them. I can steam some bland broccoli at home.
I’ve also found it can get boring to only eat Factor Meals. While their meals are good and rotate a little, they feature mostly the same options week after week. That is a big reason I opt to change it up.
Are you looking for a Factor Meals discount code? You can also save up to $150 on your first box by using this link!
Other meal delivery services I’ve tried:
- Factor Meals Review (Update for 2023)
- Trifecta Meal Service
- Metabolic Meals
- ICON Meals Review
- HelloFresh
- Fresh N Lean Meal Delivery Service Review
- FlexPro Meals Review
You can see more product and gear reviews here.
Questions for you:
Do you have a favorite meal delivery service?
What are your tips for meal prepping?