Balancing work, managing a household, and caring for kids can make it nearly impossible to find time to cook. For single parents, the challenge of getting good food on the table without sacrificing time and energy can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, meal delivery services have stepped in to bring convenience and healthy eating to even the busiest households. With just a few clicks, you can have meals tailored to your preferences delivered straight to your doorstep.
Here’s a detailed look at some top meal delivery services that can save you time, reduce stress, and help your family enjoy delicious meals with minimal effort. Plus, we’ll explore how these services are addressing sustainability and offer tips for getting the most out of your subscription.
What to Consider in a Meal Delivery Service
Before we jump into the specifics, it’s helpful to know what sets a meal delivery service apart. Parents, especially single parents, need a solution that fits into their lives seamlessly. Key factors include:
- Budget: Is the service affordable long-term?
- Time-Saving: Are the meals quick and easy to prepare or reheat?
- Kid-Friendliness: Does the service offer meals your kids will actually eat?
- Flexibility: Can you easily skip weeks, adjust servings, or customize menus?
- Quality and Nutritional Content: Are the meals well-balanced and healthy?
With these factors in mind, here are some top-rated meal delivery options and how they can make your life easier.
Freshly
Why single parents love it: Freshly delivers fully cooked, single-serving meals that are ready in three minutes or less. You don’t need to chop, sauté, or even wash a single dish. Every meal is made from fresh, never-frozen ingredients, offering higher quality and better taste.
Pricing and plans: Freshly starts at $9.58 per meal with plans that allow you to select 4 to 12 meals per week. The more meals you order, the lower the price per serving.
Unique features:
- No cooking required.
- Rotating weekly menu with 40+ options.
- Dietary accommodations for gluten-free and low-calorie diets.
- Packaging is recyclable and eco-conscious.
Best for: Parents so short on time that even quick meal kits feel like too much.
Standout meals: Homestyle chicken, creamy buffalo cauliflower, and steak peppercorn.
HelloFresh
Why single parents love it: For parents who enjoy cooking but hate the hassle of planning and shopping, HelloFresh provides the perfect balance. With pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards, you can easily prepare a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Pricing and plans: Plans start as low as $7.99 per serving, depending on the number of meals and servings you choose.
Unique features:
- Kid-friendly meals available in the family plan.
- Options for vegetarian, pescatarian, and calorie-smart diets.
- Fully flexible subscriptions allow you to skip weeks or switch plans anytime.
- 25+ recipes are offered weekly, so you’ll rarely run out of options.
Best for: Families with time to cook but no energy for planning or grocery shopping.
Standout meals: One-pan tacos, cheesy ravioli, and build-your-own flatbreads.
EveryPlate
Why single parents love it: EveryPlate keeps things simple and affordable while still delivering flavors your family will love. You get fewer frills but lots of value, which makes it a fantastic choice for parents on a budget.
Pricing and plans: EveryPlate offers budget-friendly plans starting as low as $4.99 per serving.
Unique features:
- Straightforward recipes with fewer ingredients to save time.
- Swap proteins or sides to suit your preferences.
- Reduced packaging to keep environmental impact minimal.
Best for: Budget-conscious families looking for crowd-pleasing weeknight meals.
Standout meals: Garlic chicken with mashed potatoes, pork carnitas bowls, and creamy mushroom pasta.
Yumble
Why single parents love it: Designed specifically for kids, Yumble eliminates mealtime battles by delivering pre-cooked meals your children will actually enjoy. Every dish is made with nutrient-rich ingredients and designed to appeal to picky eaters.
Pricing and plans: Subscriptions start at $6.99 per meal, with plans offering 4 to 12 meals per week.
Unique features:
- Focuses solely on meals for kids aged 1-12.
- Each meal comes with an activity sheet to keep kids entertained.
- Helps introduce new flavors while sneaking in veggies.
- Fully recyclable meal trays.
Best for: Parents of toddlers and young children who need quick, kid-friendly options.
Standout meals: Chicken pops with carrot fries, hidden-veggie mac and cheese, and breakfast waffles.
Factor
Why single parents love it: Factor provides ready-to-eat meals that are as healthy as they are delicious. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition, Factor is perfect for parents who want wholesome meals without the prep work.
Pricing and plans: Plans range from $11 to $15 per meal depending on your selection and quantity.
Unique features:
- Offers meal plans for keto, vegan, low-calorie, and high-protein diets.
- Meals are created by chefs and dietitians.
- Delivered fresh, never frozen.
- Includes optional add-ons like smoothies and healthy snacks.
Best for: Parents focusing on their wellness while juggling a busy lifestyle.
Standout meals: Shrimp alfredo, turkey chili, and plant-based harvest bowls.
Environmental Impact of Meal Delivery Services
One common concern about meal delivery services is their environmental impact. Excess packaging and the carbon footprint tied to shipping meals can make these services seem less sustainable. However, many companies are taking steps to minimize their impact on the planet:
- Recyclable or compostable materials: Many services, including Freshly and Yumble, use eco-conscious packaging to reduce landfill waste.
- Portion control: By delivering pre-measured ingredients or meals, companies cut down on food waste significantly. Households waste an average of 30% of food they purchase, but meal delivery services eliminate that by giving you only what you need.
- Carbon offsets: Some companies, like HelloFresh, invest in offsetting their shipping-related carbon emissions.
- Local sourcing: Others prioritize using locally sourced ingredients to lower transportation emissions.
If sustainability is a concern, take time to research how your chosen meal delivery service addresses environmental issues.
Tips for Maximizing Your Meal Delivery Service
Getting the best value from a meal delivery service isn’t just about picking the right one. Here are some tips to make sure your investment pays off:
- Plan Ahead: Review your menu options weekly and choose meals based on your family’s schedule. Select simpler meals for busier nights.
- Store Properly: Refrigerate meals immediately on delivery day and know the use-by dates to avoid spoilage. Consider freezing extra meals for later use.
- Mix and Match: If you have picky eaters, supplement their meal delivery options with staples they already love, like a side of fruit or veggies.
- Take Advantage of Promotions: Many services offer discounts for first-time users or referral programs. Use these to explore different companies at a lower cost.
- Batch Cook Extras: If you're using meal kits like HelloFresh, double up recipes when possible so you can have leftovers for lunch the next day.
Turn mealtime into quality family time and say goodbye to the nightly “what’s for dinner?” dilemma! Try one of these top meal delivery services today and make dinnertime something to look forward to.
