It can be challenging to prepare balanced, wholesome dinners, whether you’re struggling to find new and interesting recipes or meal planning simply feels like a daunting task at the end of the day.
I get it — cooking requires time and effort, and sometimes it’s all too tempting to opt for the convenience of fast food or take-out. As a registered dietitian, I’ve found that meal subscriptions are a great way to alleviate the stress of healthy eating. One such service that’s earned a spot on the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab’s list of the best meal delivery services for weight loss and the best low-carb meal delivery services is Factor. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering signing up.
What is Factor?
Factor Meals
Factor, also referred to as “Factor 75” or “Factor_” is a meal delivery service that offers freshly prepared dishes that arrive ready to heat and enjoy. With a weekly menu boasts 35 options that prioritize proteins like chicken, beef, pork and seafood, Factor’s meals are designed by culinary pros and approved by registered dietitians (an added bonus for me!).
Free from hormones, antibiotics and refined sugars, Factor’s dishes cater to various diets including keto, vegetarian and high-protein. Unlike some meal delivery services, there’s no need for any preparation or cooking — Factor meals just need to be heated up before eating. Unsure which meals align with your unique dietary needs or need additional support around your health and nutrition goals? Factor also offers access to a team of registered dietitians available for virtual consultations.
How does Factor work?
Philip Friedman
Joining Factor is pretty straightforward, whether using the website or the app. After I entered my email and zip code, I had to pick a weekly meal plan (options range from six to 18 meals). Then, I explored the extensive menu options, which features various chef-crafted dishes and add-ons like fruit smoothies and snacks.
Deliveries are available on Saturday through Wednesday, depending on location, and modifications to orders can be made until your cut-off time. (Factor requires a week’s notice to prepare its made-to-order meals, which the brand says ensures quality ingredients and helps avoid waste.)
My week’s worth of meals arrived in an insulated box with frozen gel packs to maintain freshness. (Factor recommends refrigerating your meals upon arrival for optimal taste and quality, lasting up to seven days.)
Meal choices
Though options are abundant in certain categories such as keto and high protein, other categories like dairy-free and vegetarian have fewer choices — and unfortunately, meal modifications aren’t not currently available.
Each meal comes with a detailed description, ingredient list and nutritional information that helped me make informed decisions. Alongside ready-to-eat meals, Factor also offers proteins, snacks, desserts and smoothies.
While there aren’t specific “meal plans” offered, I could filter options by different diet categories including:
Chef’s Picks: A wide range of balanced meals made with wholesome ingredientsKeto: Meals with about 15 grams or less of net carbsCalorie Smart: Portioned meals with roughly 550 calories or less per servingFlexitarian: Balanced meals packed with veggies and proteinProtein-plus: Satisfying meals with 30 grams or more of proteinVegan & Veggie: Plant-based, meat-free meals
What does Factor cost?
Factor offers a range of meal plans, from six to 18 servings per week, starting at $11 per serving. Choosing larger bundles, such as the 14- or 18-pack, provides greater value, particularly for those looking to eat multiple Factor dishes per day. By opting for bigger orders, you can reduce the cost per serving.
6-meal plan = $13.49 per serving8-meal plan = $12.99 per serving10-meal plan = $12.49 per serving12-meal plan = $11.99 per serving14-meal plan = $11.49 per serving18-meal plan = $10.99 per serving
Nutrition and ingredients
Factor meals typically range from 350 to 900 calories per meal, averaging around 600 calories. You can easily check the nutrition facts and ingredients for each meal by clicking on the meal images on Factor’s menu page.
Also, if you are looking for assistance in choosing meals aligned with health goals, you can schedule a complimentary nutrition consultation with one of Factor’s registered dietitians, which I thought was a nice touch, considering most meal delivery companies don’t offer this. While low-sodium options are not available, you can check the sodium content of each meal by clicking on its photo.
According to Factor, the brand prioritizes quality ingredients and ethical sourcing, collaborating closely with food purveyors and animal welfare experts. The company shares its U.S. Chicken Welfare Policy for transparency regarding its standards and future goals. “I like that it is free of preservatives, and uses mindfully sourced meats and eggs,” said one of our GH testers.
Detailed nutritional information for each meal is accessible on Factor’s menu, and allergen information is provided on the website and meal sleeves. Since Factor cannot accommodate all dietary preferences, I’d encourage customers to review ingredients before ordering to ensure each meal meets your dietary needs.
My experience testing Factor
Ordering and meal selection
I was happy that I could easily review all of the details before choosing a meal. Being a food enthusiast, I was especially attracted to the site’s beautiful photography, which made me feel hopeful that Factor’s dishes weren’t your typical microwaveable meals (which I find often suffer from uneven cooking and mushy or rubbery vegetables and meat).
When deciding on my meal plan, I went with Flexitarian (meals containing both animal- and plant-based proteins) to keep me satisfied and maintain my energy level. Despite my shellfish allergy and lactose intolerance, the wide array of meal choices allowed me to select without any restrictions. I typically strive for a well-rounded combination of protein, carbohydrates and veggies in each meal, and Factor’s offerings exceeded my expectations in providing nutrient-rich, balanced options.
Once I settled on my plan, I carefully selected six meals and chose my delivery date. Here’s what I ordered:
Unboxing the meals
When the box arrived, it was in good condition and all the ingredients were cool and fresh, thanks to the insulated packaging. Everything inside was well-organized, and the meals looked vibrant and high-quality. I also liked that the packaging was sustainably minded, with options for recycling, reusing or composting.
Prep and cooking
The best part? No prep, no cooking — just a quick poke with a fork to ensure proper heating, then straight into the microwave, which is exactly what I did. Alternatively, the Factor team recommends heating meals on a sheet pan in the oven. Each meal comes with specific heating instructions, which helped me feel confident. As an FYI, the meal trays are not suitable for convection or toaster oven use.
I loved the simplicity of it all, and one of our GH testers agreed: “It was easy to heat up the food — two minutes in the microwave, and the meals maintained pleasant flavor, texture and overall freshness.”
Note that all meals have to be fully heated to safe internal temperatures of 165° Fahrenheit. While I made sure I met that requirement (it’s crucial to make sure all parts of the meal are heated properly to avoid any risk of food borne illness!), I did find that one of my filet mignon meal needed an extra 30 seconds in the microwave to ensure it was warmed evenly. Overall, the instructions were clear and easy to follow, which kept the process moving quickly for me.
Philip Friedman
Taste and nutrition
I found Factor’s meals to be rich in flavor, showcasing thoughtful recipe development with masterful use of herbs and spices, which was a highlight for me compared to other pre-made options I’ve tried. The serving sizes were generous, providing ample portions which I found satisfying. My favorite was the Cilantro Lime Barramundi — and our testers agreed.
After trying the Salmon and Barramundi, one GH tester noted, “I liked the flavor of the main course as well as the overall portion size. The fish seemed like it was very good quality with nice consistency and meatiness. I also liked that the food wasn’t watery.”
One of the downsides was the mushiness of some of the sides. One tester who sampled the Baja Tofu Black Beans and Rice, a vegan option, commented, “While I didn’t mind the chewiness, the tofu and rice did feel a tad on the soggy side.”
Another tester added: “I didn’t love that the tofu was somewhat chewy. I think with the spicy flavors, it would have tasted better crispy. I also felt that the portion was a bit small for dinner because I eat a decent amount of food after working out.”
As for the Roasted Veggie Pesto Tortellini, a vegetarian dish, I found the pesto to be remarkably fresh, surpassing some jarred versions I’ve tried. The tortellini itself was cooked perfectly, with delightful flavor and texture. However, it lacked sufficient protein, a concern for one tester who follows a vegetarian diet and prefers protein-rich meals. “It did not have a ton of sources of protein, so it’s not something I’d look for in a pre-made meal since pasta is a pretty simple dish to make myself,” the tester noted.
Personally, I wasn’t a big fan of the filet mignon since the texture was a bit tough for my liking, but the sides (cheesy grits and roasted carrots) were very flavorful.
One drawback of the meals for me was the higher sodium content — ranging from 800–1200 mg — making them less suitable for individuals with heart or kidney concerns or individuals at risk. I would love to see Factor develop lower-sodium meal options.
While I appreciated the overall convenience, I wished the company provided recipe cards so I could recreate some dishes at home, particularly the Barramundi as I am always looking for new ways to prepare and enjoy fish. Despite this, the meals were of excellent quality, meeting my flavor expectations.
Who should order Factor?
Factor is perfect for busy individuals or couples who want to eat healthily without the hassle of cooking. It’s also a fantastic option for those following specific eating patterns like low-carb, keto or high-protein diets, whether you’re physically active or just starting your wellness journey and need a little support.
While it’s not specifically a meal delivery service for weight loss, Factor’s meals can support your unique health goals and the company offers complimentary nutrition consultations with registered dietitians, an added bonus compared to other healthy meal delivery services. Factor also integrates their platform with popular nutrition tracking apps like MyFitnessPal.
However, Factor isn’t ideal for those who are on a tight budget, have families or have a lot of dietary restrictions and needs.
Is Factor worth it?
Absolutely. In my opinion, Factor is a top-notch meal delivery service offering freshly prepared dishes ready to heat and enjoy. With a diverse menu, Factor caters to various dietary preferences, including keto, high-protein, vegetarian and more.
SIGN UP FOR FACTOR
While there are some drawbacks, notably the higher sodium content, I think the convenience and quality of Factor meals make it worthwhile. However, the service is a bit on the pricier side. “It’s way too expensive for me to ever consider buying it myself,” noted one GH tester. But if you’re able to budget for these meals, then it might be worth exploring.
Also keep in mind the meals come prepared, likely one of the reasons why it’s a bit on the pricier side. Another tester said, “I’ve always been overwhelmed by which meal delivery service to choose, but I definitely will be ordering Factor for my husband and me. I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they are.”
Having meals delivered eliminates grocery shopping and meal-prep hassle, and the nutrient-packed, delicious dishes are easy to enjoy with minimal effort. Plus, Factor provides access to registered dietitians for personalized support.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all different types of food products and services from healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services. Our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more.
In our most recent study of meal delivery services, which included Factor, we recruited over 300 home cooks across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs. All in all, we evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services, ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards to fully prepared options. We tested the services over the course of three months in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.
Valerie Agyeman is a women’s health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content. She has over 10 years of nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience.
More Top-Tested Meal Delivery Services
Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women’s health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert and regularly appears on networks including ABC’s Good Morning Washington, and she is a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health, The Thirty and Shape.
