12 of the Best Diabetes-Friendly Meal Delivery Services in 2023
Meal prep of 12 of the Best Diabetes-Friendly Meal Delivery Services in 2023 is the practice of preparing the key elements of a dish
Sunbasket is our top pick for diabetes-friendly meal delivery, but there are several other great options as well.
If you have diabetes, a nutritious diet that promotes healthy blood sugar levels is critical.
However, it may be difficult to stock your fridge and pantry with the groceries needed to prepare diabetes-friendly meals. Plus, many people are short on time, making meal prep and planning that much trickier.
Fortunately, many meal delivery services offer diabetes-friendly options, such as low carb, plant-based, paleo, and keto meals. Research suggests that all of these dietary patterns can promote healthy blood sugar management (
Here are 12 of the best meal delivery services for people with diabetes.
We chose these meal delivery companies based on the following criteria:
- Suitability for people with diabetes: Some services offer a meal plan designed for people with diabetes, while others offer several menu items that are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables to support blood sugar management.
- Dietary options: We looked for services that provide options to fit a variety of dietary needs and preferences, such as plant-based, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly.
- Ingredient quality: The companies on our list source high quality ingredients, and some use organic produce and pasture-raised meats.
- Vetting: All the services included have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
Best overall
Sunbasket
- Price per serving: $11.49–$17.99 for meal kits, $9.99–$15.49 for prepared meals
- Servings: 2- or 4-serving meal kits, single-serving prepared meals
- Shipping: $9.99
- Delivery area: most areas in the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico
- Menus: Diabetes-Friendly, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Mediterranean
Sunbasket, which offers a variety of nutrient-dense meal kits that fit into many dietary patterns, is our pick for the best meal delivery service for people with diabetes.
The service offers a Diabetes-Friendly plan that is designed specifically for diabetes and approved by the American Diabetes Association. The meals on this plan contain at least 10 grams (g) of protein, 5 g of fiber, and 20–70 g or fewer of high quality carbs per serving.
What’s more, Sunbasket uses mostly organic produce and eggs, as well as wild-caught seafood. The company employs a team of registered dietitians who assess recipes to ensure that they’re nutritionally complete.
Meals are delivered weekly, and most can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. Sunbasket also offers a variety of diabetes-friendly snack foods, such as egg bites, bone broth, yogurt, protein bars, nuts, and jerky.
Here are a few examples of Diabetes-Friendly meals that Sunbasket offers:
- Spicy Balinese Chicken with Cucumber-Cabbage Salad
- Meatloaf with Spring Vegetables and Lemon-Dill Aioli
- Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Black Beans
Best for low carb diets
Snap Kitchen
- Price per serving: $11.34–$13.84
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: free
- Delivery area: most zip codes in the continental United States
- Menus: High Protein, Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, Whole30
Snap Kitchen offers fully prepared gluten-free meals that are suitable for people with diabetes.
Though the service doesn’t offer a meal plan specifically for diabetes, it does offer an assortment of low carb meals that are designed to provide approximately 30% carbs, 30% protein, and 40% fat.
Many people with diabetes follow low carb diets to help manage their blood sugar levels. In particular, low carb, high protein diets may help reduce blood fat levels and enhance weight loss in people with diabetes (
All meals are thoughtfully curated by a team of registered dietitians and prepared by chefs.
Examples of recent low carb options include:
- Herb-Crusted Salmon with Roasted Broccoli and Feta
- Coconut Curry Chicken Bowl with Thai Basil
- Turkey Chili with Beans and Cheddar Cheese
Best for weight loss
Factor
- Price per serving: $10.99–$12.99
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: $9.99
- Delivery area: most areas within the continental United States
- Menus: Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan, Vegetarian
Factor offers numerous meal plans, including an assortment of dishes that contain fewer than 550 calories per serving to support weight loss.
The company uses ingredients that are fresh, never frozen, and free of gluten, refined sugar, and GMOs.
The rotating weekly menu is packed with tasty dishes such as:
- Peanut Buddha Bowl
- Vegan Mushroom Marsala
- Falafel-Spiced Chickpea Bowl
While Factor does not have a menu for diabetes specifically, the service’s meals are created by a team of chefs and dietitians who ensure that each meal is nutritionally balanced.
The service also offers several meal plans, including Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan, and Vegetarian.
What’s more, Healthline Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, recently tried several prepared meal delivery services and named Factor her favorite thanks to its high quality ingredients and bold flavors.
Best paleo-friendly
Trifecta Nutrition
- Price per serving: $11.42–$15.85
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: $9.99 within the contiguous United States, $49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii
- Delivery area: throughout the United States
- Menus: Clean, Paleo, Whole30 Approved, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian
Trifecta Nutrition delivers high protein, low sugar meals, which are made with grass-fed meat and organic produce and free of gluten, soy, dairy, and GMOs.
Trifecta caters to several dietary patterns, including paleo — an eating pattern that promotes whole, nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruit, proteins, and healthy fats while eliminating grains, dairy, and added sugar.
Some research suggests that this eating pattern may aid weight loss and improve some metabolic markers. That said, the studies have been small, and more long-term research is needed (
Here are some examples of items from Trifecta Nutrition’s Paleo menu:
- Roasted Chicken Breast with Asparagus
- Sausage and Egg Scramble with Sweet Potatoes
- Korean Beef Bulgogi
Although you can choose up to two items to exclude from your menu, you cannot select specific meals or customize your weekly order.
You can choose between the Paleo plan and an a la carte option, which lets you select your own proteins, veggies, and carb sources.
What our tester says
All of the meals I tried were tasty and maintained their texture after reheating, which is a common issue with frozen meals. The service also boasts a diverse menu, meaning that it doesn’t feel repetitive or boring after a few days.
That being said, Trifecta may be slightly less convenient than other services, as it’s recommended to reheat meals using the stovetop or oven rather than the microwave. The service also doesn’t allow you to choose your own meals, which may be a dealbreaker for picky eaters.
— Healthline writer Rachael Link, MS, RD
Best keto-friendly
Green Chef
- Price per serving: $11.99–$13.49
- Servings: 2, 4, or 6 servings
- Shipping: $9.99
- Delivery area: most areas within the continental United States
- Menus: Keto + Paleo, Vegetarian, Vegan, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, Fast & Fit
Green Chef is a certified organic meal kit delivery service that accommodates several dietary patterns, including the ketogenic diet.
The keto diet is a very low carb, high fat eating pattern that’s linked to better blood sugar regulation in people with diabetes. On this diet, you consume no more than 50 g of carbs per day (
According to the company’s website, meals on the Keto + Paleo menu provide fewer than 15 g of carbs per serving.
With Green Chef, you can choose from tasty dishes such as:
- Sesame-Ginger Glazed Barramundi with Coconut Cauliflower “Rice,” Slaw, and Cilantro
- Creamy Chimichurri Chicken and Cabbage with Cilantro, Toasted Pepitas, and Roasted Zucchini
- Moroccan Shrimp Bisque with Zucchini, Tomato, Feta, Spiced Yogurt, and Almonds
Green Chef uses organic produce and partners with many local suppliers to provide high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients for all of its recipes.
Best for prepared meals
518 Kitchen
- Price per serving: $7.49–$26.99
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: free for orders over $150, $14.99 for orders under $150, $50 for Alaska and Hawaii
- Delivery area: throughout the United States
- Menus: Keto, Keto-Friendly, Low Carb, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Pork-Free
518 Kitchen specializes in keto meals that are gluten-free and made with high quality ingredients such as pasture-raised meats, organic eggs, and responsibly caught seafood.
All meals are fully prepared, making this a great choice for those seeking a convenient alternative to cooking.
Additionally, the meals are developed by the company’s in-house nutrition team, and nutrition stats, such as macronutrient ratios, are readily available to customers.
You can choose from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options, as well as keto-friendly bread.
Some examples of dishes from 518 Kitchen’s menu are:
- Keto Chicken Pot Pie
- Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri
- Salmon with Lemon Butter
You can also filter the menu to find low carb, vegetarian, dairy-free, and pork-free items.
Best plant-based
Purple Carrot
- Price per serving: $11–$13.25
- Servings: single-serving prepared meals, 2- or 4-serving meal kits
- Shipping: $8
- Delivery area: throughout the contiguous United States
- Menus: Chef’s Choice, High Protein, Soy-Free, Nut-Free,
If you love trying new ingredients and flavor combinations, you’ll want to check out Purple Carrot — a fully plant-based meal kit delivery service offering a new menu each week.
Purple Carrot does not offer a menu specifically designed to promote blood sugar management.
However, research shows that plant-based eating patterns such as vegetarian and vegan diets may improve many aspects of health. In fact, plant-based diets may help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and reach or maintain a moderate weight (
With Purple Carrot, you can choose from several plant-based meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, such as:
- Beans and Green Ragout with Swiss Chard and Chile Garlic Yogurt
- Coconut Ginger Congee with Crispy Tofu
- Smoky Tempeh BLTs
The meals are easy to prepare and come with preportioned ingredients and recipe cards.
Purple Carrot also offers a selection of fully prepared plant-based meals that you can simply reheat and enjoy.
Best for frozen meals
Mosaic Foods
- Price per serving: $4.99–$11.99
- Servings: single serving or family size
- Shipping: free for 12 or 18 items, $10 for 6 items
- Delivery area: most areas within the eastern and western United States
- Menus: Vegan, High Protein, Wheat-Free, Nut-Free, No Added Sugar
Mosaic makes it easier than ever to follow a plant-based diet by offering a range of nutritious veggie bowls, soups, smoothies, oat bowls, and pizzas that are delivered frozen and ready to reheat and enjoy.
The service offers both single-serving meals and family-size meals, which contain four servings each.
Though Mosaic does not currently offer a diabetes-friendly meal plan, most dishes on its menu provide 10–20 g of plant-based protein per serving and are rich in high fiber veggies to support blood sugar management.
All meals are also made without artificial ingredients or preservatives, and many dishes are even free of nuts, wheat, and added sugar.
Here are a few examples of items currently on the menu:
- Coconut Chickpea Curry
- Veggie Sausage and Gouda Oats
- Butternut Squash and Sage Pasta
Best for special diets
Magic Kitchen
- Price per serving: $10.50–$15 per serving for complete meals
- Servings: single serving or family size
- Shipping: starts at $18.95
- Delivery area: throughout the continental United States
- Menus: Diabetic-Friendly, Portion-Controlled, Dialysis-Friendly, Renal Diet, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Carb, Senior Diet, Vegetarian
Magic Kitchen is a meal delivery service that provides fully prepared frozen meals tailored to a variety of diet patterns, including a wide range of low carb and diabetes-friendly dishes.
You can purchase complete meals, bundle packs, or individual items, including snacks and desserts.
Most meals on Magic Kitchen’s diabetes-friendly menu contain 20–45 g of carbohydrates per serving and fewer than 700 milligrams of sodium.
A few examples of the service’s diabetes-friendly meals are:
- Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans
- Crab Cake, Brown Rice, and Mixed Vegetables
- Eggplant Parmigiana and Polenta with Spinach and Roasted Peppers
You can also filter the menu to find items that are low fat, gluten-free, dairy-free, low sodium, vegetarian, or suitable for people with kidney disease.
Best gluten-free
Splendid Spoon
- Price per serving: $13–$14
- Servings: 1–2 servings per item
- Shipping: free
- Delivery area: throughout the continental United States
- Menus: Higher Fiber, Higher Protein, Lower Calorie, Lower Carb, Lower Fat, Lower Sodium, Lower Sugar
Splendid Spoon specializes in providing plant-based, ready-made meals, smoothies, soups, and snacks to help you save time in the kitchen while squeezing more nutrients into your diet.
Additionally, all the meals are gluten-free and produced in a gluten-free kitchen to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Though Splendid Spoon doesn’t offer a meal plan for diabetes, you can filter the menu to find options that contain fewer than 20 g of carbs per serving to help keep blood sugar levels steady.
A few examples of low carb items on the menu are:
- Vegetable Bolognese Grain Bowl
- Cauliflower Tikka Soup
- Red Beet Quinoa Grain Bowl
Best for heart health
Diet-to-Go
- Price per serving: $9.71–$15.20
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: $19.98
- Delivery area: throughout the contiguous United States
- Menus: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, Mediterranean
Diet-to-Go is a ready-made meal delivery service that provides nutritionally balanced meals designed to improve blood sugar management and heart health.
The service offers several menus, including a Balance-Diabetes menu, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes that are low in carbs, sodium, fat, and cholesterol to support heart health and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Diet-to-Go also allows you to customize your menu based on your food preferences and dietary restrictions when placing your order.
Here are some examples of diabetes-friendly menu items:
- Greek Chicken with Quinoa
- Herbed Baked Salmon with Veggie Blend
- Cinnamon Walnut Cereal
Diet-to-Go offers weekly delivery to all areas within the contiguous United States for a flat fee, and meals are individually packaged, making this a convenient option for people who live alone.
Most affordable
Mom’s Meals
- Price per serving: $7.99–$8.99
- Servings: single serving
- Shipping: $14.95
- Delivery area: throughout the contiguous United States
- Menus: General Wellness, Heart-Friendly, Diabetes-Friendly, Renal Friendly, Cancer Support, Pureed, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Lower Sodium
Mom’s Meals offers meals that are designed to fit the dietary needs for specific health conditions, including diabetes. The Diabetes-Friendly meal plan includes meals that provide no more than 75 g of carbohydrates each.
Sample meals on the Diabetes-Friendly menu include:
- Cowboy Breakfast Skillet and Cranberry Apple Crisp
- Pasta & Meatballs, Marinara Sauce, and Green Beans
- Sweet & Sour Chicken, Stir Fry Vegetables, and Rice
Meals are more affordable than many other options, and they’re also easy to prepare. Each meal takes just 2 minutes in the microwave.
Another bonus is that while meals are delivered fresh, they last for 14 days in the refrigerator, so you can stock up for 2 weeks at a time.
source : https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/diabetic-meal-delivery