REVIEW: Factor Meal Delivery
I get asked a lot about meal delivery services…and if I would recommend them. And I usually have a 2-part answer.
If this helps you ensure that you have balanced meals - with minimal prep - and it reduces stress for you? Then hell yeah go for it!
Be aware of the macronutrients/nutrition label prior to selecting your meals. Often meal delivery services look like they are incredibly healthy easy options - which - a lot of times they are. BUT they can also be calorie bombs - especially with sauces & dressings. So if you have specific macro targets, this can make things tricky - as fats per meal can sometimes be upwards of 40-50g per meal - on a meal that is really healthy - but if that doesn’t work for your goals….then that meal is not going to be helping you.
So what do you do? Well, you do whatever you want. BUT here is what I did.
Since I am currently tracking macros (at maintenance), I do have specific protein, carb & fat goals that I aim to hit every day. I knew that ordering for ONE meal per day made most sense so that I could manipulate other meals to work around that one. And since lunch always feels like my least favorite meal…we went with that to make me feel like I was being taken care of in the middle of my busy work day.
So I knew I was looking for 1 meal per day, high-ish protein (25g+), Trying to keep fat under 30g if possible, and Gluten Free. I am constantly targeted in my algorithm by Factor, so I figured I’d start there! (next week I will be reviewing GARDEN CUPS - which will be delivered on Monday!)
I ordered 6 meals (duplicated the Shrimp Risotto and the Roasted Garlic Chicken.
OKAY - THE BREAKDOWN:
PROS:
EASY PEASY. It was so nice to have a meal that was made for me - that I didn’t have to think about - AND that wasn’t the super basic ones I end up making when in a rush. Also - having frozen meals makes it so that even though they don’t look pretty (see below lol) - they taste better when you heat them up than your meal prep food that you made 4 days ago lol.
They were delivered in a box that kept them cool, and went right into the fridge.
Cooking was just a few minutes in the microwave and you’re good to go!
They tasted pretty good!! The proteins (chicken and shrimp that I ordered) were juicy and tender, there was a lot of flavor (more than expected) - and the portions were perfect - not so small you are still hungry (have had that with other prepped meals with teeny tiny portions for like a CHILD lol).
There were a bunch of options that seem to rotate week to week - varying in higher or lower calories, gluten free options, high protein options, low carb, high fiber, etc.
I had a 50% off code for a first time user - initial cost for the 6 meals was $89.94, the code took off $44.99, plus $10.99 for delivery brought it to $55.96 for 6 meals. This is a subscription, so it would be more expensive if I were to continue. I cancelled it after this first order only because I am sampling out some other companies too. But trying it out for less than $10 a meal was a good deal!
CONS:
When placing your order - you enter your card info and pay first THEN choose your meal - which I did NOT like at all. I felt like I was going in blind just assuming there would be meals I would want. I probably would have ordered anyway even if I saw the meals first - but I didn’t love that paywall before you can see what is offered.
looked like a school lunch when you actually heat it up lol. I mean it definitely doesn’t look like the pictures. Still good - but aesthetically - ooof.
This isn’t specific to Factor, but with any meal delivery service, if you are tracking macros, you need to build your other meals around this since you can’t really adjust the ingredients. So pre-tracking, starting with this would be necessary - then build your day around this.
After the first order with the discount code…it’s a little pricey. Without that 50% code, you are at like $90 + $11 delivery, so it’s around $100 for 6 meals.
I can’t tell you whether or not that is worth it - I think for me - if I’m heading into a crazy busy week - I’m willing to spend a little more to have thing ready for me and not having to prep/cook/clean/etc.
The way I look at it - you are paying for the food, but you’re also paying for not having to shop for all the ingredients, wash, prep, season, cook, clean up after the prep, clean up after the meal, etc. So on a busy week - for me it would be worth it. But I can’t answer that for you! You are paying for the extra time, the peace of mind, and the ease of having the meal ready in 2 minutes with no cleanup.
WOULD I ORDER THEM AGAIN:
I’m not sure that Factor is right for me…but I’m not ruling it out. For me the PROs outweigh the CONs I’m excited to keep trying out other meal delivery companies, but if someone asked me if I recommend any companies? This would be on the list! If you’re on the fence - check out their site - if you have not ordered before, you will be given a 50% off code to try for a pretty affordable price! (but if you don’t plan to continue it - be sure to cancel your subscription after you place your order).
ENJOY!! If you try it, tag me on IG @hannahj28 - Click the link below to check it out!