Texas-based Snap Kitchen is a subscription meal delivery service for fully cooked, healthy heat-and-eat meals with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The company also offers in-store pick-up services in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. They’re also available at a select few locations of Whole Foods Market.
So then, why are we checking out Snap Kitchen alternatives? Well, Snap Kitchen comes with its own limitations – they don’t deliver everywhere in America, their menu provides limited options for vegans and vegetarians, and delivery is somewhat of a sore spot for them.
However, they excel at crafting a menu that consists of meals which are free of preservatives, added hormones, artificial sweeteners, and also soy and gluten. On top of that, these are chef-crafted meals approved by dieticians. It could not get any better than this – but it does, thanks to the 4 alternatives reviewed in this post. This will definitely help you make a more well-informed decision.
What Is Snap Kitchen?
Snap Kitchen, a meal delivery service, surely knows how to make the sign-up process a snap. Creating your Snap Kitchen account requires you to select the meal plan and delivery dates. Menu filters are in place if you wish to sort out the options by protein type, calorie count, diet category, allergens, and specific target ranges for sodium, carbs, and fiber.
Snap Kitchen meals are freshly prepared meals and are thus not frozen. Only microwave heating is needed to get the meals ready – either that or a conventional oven. The serving size is good for 1 person only, and it’s all calorie- and portion-controlled. Most of the meals have less than 500–400 calories plus healthy, fresh ingredients and fewer carbs.
So, if portion control is a big part of your diet, along with easier-to-digest ingredients and lighter yet satisfying and filling low-carb meals, Snap Kitchen is an excellent meal delivery service for you.
About Snap Kitchen Pricing
Here is the simple and sweet Snap Kitchen cost breakdown:
| Meals per week | Price per serving | Total cost per week |
| 6 meals | $12.67 per serving | $75.99 |
| 12 meals | $10.50 per serving | $125.99 |
If it’s your first time ordering Snap Kitchen meals, you get a 50% discount on your weekly subscription box.
Snap Kitchen Pros and Cons
Pros
- Gluten-free fully prepared meals
- Low-calorie, low-carb meals
- Extremely affordable subscription
- Many menu filters in place for specific dietary demands
- Free shipping
Cons
- Vegan and vegetarian options are lacking.
- Single-serve portions only.
About Snap Kitchen Menu and Meals
The extensive and monthly rotating Snap Kitchen menu has meal plans that make room for dietary preferences and restrictions, such as the ones listed below:
- High protein
- Low carb
- Soy-free
- Gluten-free
- Keto
- Paleo
- Whole30
You get to choose from over 30 entrees – new ones are added, and old items are removed on a monthly basis. You can either select your meal plan and let Snap Kitchen pick the meals for you, or you can choose the meals on your own – both options are available.
One look at Snap Kitchen lunch and dinner meals and you instantly know that the company is mainly focused on these kinds of meals. Even breakfast options are to be found on the menu.
The freshness, flavor, and quality of the meals are very basic yet solid. The meals are not excessively creative; rather, these are comforting, traditional dishes that offer diverse flavors. World cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, Indian, Mexican, and also regional American are a part of the menu. And no matter the meal, everything is incredibly tasty, fresh, high quality, and well-seasoned.
If you order salmon, it’s going to be juicy, succulent, well-cooked, and paired with collard greens made delicious and savory. The steak is perfectly medium and tender with vegetables that don’t become soggy or limp. Other meals include hearty, comforting shepherd’s pie, mac and cheese, quinoa bowl (with bison), and a lot more.
This type of food provides a sufficient amount of fuel for your tank. The calorie count per serving is between 300 and 800. Most of the dishes are big on animal protein and vegetables on the side. Pasta (the gluten-free kind made using brown rice), quinoa, legumes, etc. are included as well.
For the most part, the meals are low-carb. However, there are some high-carb options, such as beef enchilada bake, baked ziti, pasta primavera, and spaghetti turkey bolognese. But even here, the greater portion of calories will be coming from protein and healthy fats.
Snap Kitchen Alternative #1 –HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a weekly meal subscription service that offers ingredients grouped together by recipes. These are quick and easy cooking kits that make home cooking fun and not feel like a chore. Not only that, but HelloFresh is popular for its wide selection of meal kit recipes and affordable prices.
It gets a lot easier to cook a meal at home when most of the prep work is already done. The ingredients arrive fresh and proportioned. Everything from whole foods to seasonings, spices, and sauces has been portioned and is ready to cook.
The meal selection process should take you minutes to get through and place your first order. HelloFresh gives you several different meal preferences to pick from. However, even if you end up picking only 1–2 meal preferences, you can still select meals from the entire menu.
For example, say you pick the Family Friendly meal option, but you want to try a meal kit that’s labeled Pescatarian or Fit & Wholesome. You don’t have to go back to modify your meal preferences. You can easily add those meals to your cart.
For recipe inspiration, their Cookbook offers hundreds of different cuisines that you can look at and cook during your free time.
The packaging includes recyclable insulated liners, gel packs, BPA-free plastic, and bags made from recycled material. Most of the packaging is eligible for curbside pickup or can be taken to a nearby recycling facility.
HelloFresh Cost
HelloFresh’s meal plans vary according to the number of servings you choose. Starting from 2 and 4 servings per meal kit, you can select between 2 and 6 recipes per week. HelloFresh is affordable if you plan to order more meals per week.
Shipping, on the other hand, is $9.99 per order. But new customers are eligible for free shipping and some percentage off on their first order.
Here’s what you pay per serving with 2 servings each:
- 2 meal kit recipes – $12.49 per serving
- 3 meal kit recipes – $9.99 per serving
- 4 meal kit recipes – $9.79 per serving
- 5 meal kit recipes – $9.79 per serving
- 6 meal kit recipes – $9.79 per serving
Here’s what you pay per serving with 4 servings each:
- 2 meal kit recipes – $9.79 per serving
- 3 meal kit recipes – $9.49 per serving
- 4 meal kit recipes – $9.29 per serving
- 5 meal kit recipes – $9.29 per serving
- 6 meal kit recipes – $8.99 per serving
HelloFresh Pros and Cons
Pros
- Meal delivery service designed for families.
- Suits a wide variety of dietary needs (low carb, low calorie, high protein).
- Some gluten-free, organic, and vegan recipes are included.
- Recipes are easy to follow and beginner-friendly.
- Cooking time varies between 15 and 45 minutes.
- Wider delivery area within the United States.
- Packaging is durable and recyclable.
Cons
- You cannot swap ingredients.
- Does not cater to dietary restrictions.
- Not a lot of vegetarian and vegan recipes.
HelloFresh Menu
For a meal kit family-friendly food delivery service, HelloFresh is quite a hit. It offers so many meal kit recipes that you’d never run out of options. It caters to varied tastes and meal preferences including diet plans:
- Vegetarian
- Low-calorie
- Pescatarian
- Vegan
- High-protein
- Low-carb
On their menu, you’ll find pictures of every meal along with helpful labels:
- Easy Cleanup
- Quick
- One-Pan
- One-Pot
- Fast & Fresh
- Premium Picks
- 10-Min Lunch
This just makes the meal selection process easier and more fun.
HelloFresh caters to a generalized category of diets, it’s not the ideal choice for you if you’re on a restrictive diet plan like vegan, keto, paleo, or Mediterranean. Even their low-calorie, low-carb, and high-protein meals are limited, but they are enough for people to try new recipes every week.
HelloFresh is a good personalized meal kit delivery service because it lets you explore different options when it comes to cooking healthy meals at home. It does not restrict you to one diet plan, and that can be a refreshing thing for most people who are not following specialized diets.
If your goal is to lose weight, HelloFresh’s meals can be a good start since most of their meals have around 650 calories per serving. It’s good for people on a calorie-deficit diet or intermittent fasting.
Here are some low-carb, high-protein, low-calorie meal recipes that can aid weight loss:
- Sun-Dried Tomato Spaghetti (Calorie Smart)
- Parmesan Chive Chicken & Potatoes (Carb Smart)
- Organic Chicken Katsu (Protein Smart)
- Spiced Turkey Patties with Lemony Sauce (Protein Smart, Calorie Smart)
On that note, HelloFresh only goes so far as to list down all the ingredients in each recipe. They do not provide a complete allergy-friendly meal kit service. You can read the recipe ingredients and find the ones that match your personal needs.
Snap Kitchen Alternative #2 –Green Chef
Contrary to HelloFresh, Green Chef is best suited for those who are on a specific diet plan. The diet can be organic, keto, paleo, low-calorie, high-protein, and gluten-free. Green Chef has a unique menu featuring a limited variety of meal kit recipes that are chef-recommended.
The Green in Green Chef refers to how plant-forward and organic the ingredients used in each meal kit are. Even meat ingredients like chicken, beef, seafood, and turkey are sustainably sourced. Sauces, marinades, spices, and other seasonings are whole food-based and not processed, containing GMO or added sugars and preservatives.
Just like any other meal kit delivery subscription, select your meals one at a time. They are served in 2 or 4 serving per meal kit. Based on your location, you have the option to select the delivery day. The delivery time is spacious, usually for about 12 hours, and the parcel will be kept at your doorstep in case you’re not at home.
The ingredients are packed with plenty of cool insulation including gel packs. So, even if your order stays outside for a couple of hours, the ingredients inside won’t spoil, including the meat. To make unpacking easier, each meal kit recipe has a separate bag. The ingredients are labeled and color-coded.
Green Chef Cost
The cost of Green Chef varies depending on the meal plans you select and the number of servings you order each week. It ranges from $11 to $13.5 per serving. Without factoring in the shipping cost which is $10 per order, the most popular meal plan consisting of 4 meals with 2 servings each costs not more than $100 per week.
You can also order meals with 4 or 6 servings per meal kit. Here’s a quick breakdown of the meal prices, which does not include the shipping fee.
| 2 servings per meal kit | 4 servings per meal kit | 6 servings per meal kit | |
| 2 meal kit recipes | – | $12.99 per serving | – |
| 3 meal kit recipes | $13.49 per serving | $12.49 per serving | $11.99 per serving |
| 4 meal kit recipes | $12.99 per serving | $11.99 per serving | $11.99 per serving |
Green Chef Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports special diets like keto, paleo, vegan, etc.
- Organic and plant-based ingredients.
- A fine choice for beginners.
- Plenty of low-calorie and high-protein meals.
- You can experiment with different flavors or diets.
- Most of the prep work is already done.
- Meal kit packages are sustainable and easy to store.
Cons
- No meal modification.
- Not suitable for allergies.
- Some of the meals have a smaller portion size.
- $10 shipping on all orders.
Green Chef Menu
There are several reasons why Green Chef is the perfect choice for a healthy meal prep delivery service. For starters, their recipes are straightforward and beginner-friendly. Every meal kit has a recipe card that features lots of photos and cooking instructions. Other information like the estimated cooking time, ingredient list, nutrition facts, and cooking tips are also printed.
Expect to have a recipe cooked and ready to serve within 45 minutes. Some recipes on the menu might take longer to cook than their estimated cooking time.
Another important thing to mention is that you need to have the basic pantry items like salt, pepper, oil, butter, etc. because Green Chef does not include them in the meal kits.
Here are some healthy low-calorie meals from their menu:
- Cheesy Artichoke Sandwiches (Plant Based, Fast & Fit)
- Spicy Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry (Calorie Smart, Keto, Gluten Free, Paleo)
- Beef Taco Salad with Guacamole (Calorie Smart, Keto)
- Caribbean-Spiced Tilapia with Mango Salsa (Calorie Smart)
Green Chef’s menu also includes several Add-ons that you can purchase for an extra cost. A la carte proteins, lunch, breakfast, dessert, and snacks make up the menu. Some of the food items are vegan and keto, with healthy salads as well.
Out of all the meals you cook that Green Chef offers, the portion sizes of the meals are balanced and satisfying. Lighter meals that include sandwiches and salads could feel less filling, but it is perfect for people on a weight-loss diet or a calorie-deficit diet.
Because Green Chef is so supportive of healthy diet plans like keto, low-calorie, high protein, and more, it encourages people to adopt a more balanced lifestyle approach without compromising on taste.
Snap Kitchen Alternative #3 –Fresh N Lean
Fresh N Lean caters to specific dietary categories, including protein, keto, paleo, vegan, Whole30, Mediterranean, and Low Carb Vegan. Fresh N Lean takes care of everything, including grocery shopping, meal planning, meal prepping, and cooking.
The pre-packed meals are dietician-designed and chef-cooked. Every diet plan has a restricted nutrition breakdown so you can see exactly what you will gain per meal.
In general, Fresh N Lean’s menu caters to people who do not want to consume lots of calories per meal. The means are USDA-certified and do not contain any preservatives, fillers, additives, or artificial ingredients. The menu is 100% whole food based, which means clean nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Their menu consists of over 100 different recipes catering to specific diet plans. The only drawback to this that can be noticed is that you cannot mix and match the dietary plans. However, Fresh N Lean does offer a Bulk meal plan where you can choose your preference for protein, veggies, oats, and other ingredients.
All meals are single-serve and freshly cooked and packed, not frozen. Once the package arrives, you can stack them easily in the refrigerator and microwave a meal when you want to. Some people even choose to store the meals in the freezer to prolong their shelf life, that’s okay too.
Speaking of packaging, the setup is minimal and recyclable. Some of the packaging may also be compostable. The meals arrived stacked one on top of the other with proper labels on each of them.
Fresh N Lean Cost
The price of Fresh N Lean’s meals starts from $9.99 per serving. However, the total cost of a meal plan depends on the type of meal plan you choose, the number of meals you get per week, and if you add any bulk items or snacks to your plan.
For more meals per day, the cost is lower, Fresh N Lean lets you pick from 1 to 3 meals per day. Having said that, Fresh N Lean does feature a minimum order value of $85 that must be met. On the plus side, shipping is free of cost all around the United States.
Fresh N Lean Pros and Cons
Pros
- Personalized meal plans for special diets.
- Best choice for vegetarians and vegans.
- Certified gluten-free and organic.
- Wide variety of meals that are easy to heat.
- Ideal for weight loss and increasing energy.
- The freshness/flavor of the ingredients is
- Includes breakfast, snacks, entrees, and a la carte items.
- The more you order, the more you save.
- Minimal and recyclable packaging.
Cons
- The meals may be expensive.
- The quantity of portion size is low.
Fresh N Lean Menu
If you follow a specific dietary pattern, Fresh N Lean is the right choice for you. The service is designed for people who want to adopt healthier eating habits but don’t have the time to micro-manage the nutrition of their meals.
The menu features the following dietary meal plans:
- Protein+: Meals in this category are protein-powered most of all. They are ideal for an active lifestyle and if you’re looking to get the most out of each meal, protein-wise with fewer calories per serving.
- Keto: Keto is a low-carb diet focusing more on the consumption of healthy fats, premium proteins, and nonprocessed foods.
- Paleo: Another restrictive diet, just like keto, paleo meals have a bit more carbs per serving. But premium proteins, healthy fats, and nonprocessed foods are essential.
- Vegan: This meal plan boasts organic ingredients, plant-based proteins, and lots of seasonal ingredients. All the meals you choose in the vegan plan are USDA-certified, which makes vegan eating more accessible.
- Whole30 Approved: Great for a metabolic reset, this diet plan is good for fat loss, increasing energy levels, and keeping you full for longer to avoid overeating.
- Mediterranean Diet: Whole foods that are rich in healthy fats, low in calories, protein-dense, and fiber-rich are included in this diet. Though restrictive, the meal variety is abundant, and all ingredients are organically grown.
- Low Carb Vegan: Lots of times, people complain of eating too much carb on a completely vegetarian diet. And vegetarian meals without carbs taste too bland or dull, especially for picky eaters. This diet plan refines your diet without compromising on meal variety or flavor.
- Bulk Meals: If you’re unsure about your meal preferences, you can opt for the Bulk meal plan because it allows more flexibility in meal planning. You can choose which ingredients you want and pay per serving.
Snap Kitchen Alternative #4 – Trifecta Nutrition
Supporting an active lifestyle, Trifecta Nutrition is yet another prepared meal delivery service. Its mean plans include clean, keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and Whole30. From the moment you land on their homepage, you know that these guys are fitness-forward, even more so than other meal delivery services out there. No wonder they’re so upfront about nutrition.
Their nutritional precision really stands out, which works in your favor if you’re really particular about your diet and fitness goals (especially for weight loss). Macronutrient breakdown, calorie load, and ingredients list – all of this is clearly printed on each and every label.
Trifecta Nutrition meals are already cooked, so that means only reheating is required. Also, just because these are premade meals doesn’t mean taste is compromised for convenience. Trifecta Nutrition’s heat-and-eat meals are consistently delicious and well-seasoned too. It’s the best meal delivery service for athletes and a weight loss diet plan.
Trifecta Nutrition Cost
Let’s say you order a single entree only per day for 7 days of the week. That would be around $108, no matter the meal plan you select, except for vegan and vegetarian, which cost $91 per week.
For 2 meals and 3 meals, you will have to pay about $210 and $300, respectively. For 3 vegetarian/vegan meals, the total bill amount per week does not exceed $226–$230.
Moving on to the a la carte food items, these are all priced separately. For example, hard-boiled eggs cost $10.99, and meat or seafood is priced at $26–$27.
Bonus points to Trifecta Nutrition for including the shipping fee right into the meal subscription prices.
Trifecta Nutrition Pros and Cons
Pros
- Organic food and seasonal ingredients.
- A variety of popular meal plans for different diets.
- Very filling portion sizes.
- A la carte and grocery options are included too.
- Fitness and nutrition tracking app.
Cons
- Very little meal customization is allowed.
- Some meals are not the most flavorful.
Trifecta Nutrition Menu
Chef-designed meal plans are all the range in Trifecta Nutrition menu.
Here are your options:
- Keto: High-quality protein, low-carb, low fat
- Paleo: Paleo protein, organic produce
- Clean: Whole grains, organic veggies, high-quality protein
- High Protein Vegan: Plant-based protein, organic produce
- High Protein Vegetarian: Plant-based protein, organic produce, gluten-free whole grains (no gluten, legumes, soy, dairy, and grains)
- Whole30: Plant-based protein, organic produce, eggs (no gluten, legumes, soy, dairy, and grains)
Apart from these meal plans, there’s a separate Meal Prep section and Classic meals as well. The Classic meals are simple and well-balanced (meal prep kits included for preparing larger servings more effortlessly).
Trifecta Nutrition meals are all made without adding any artificial ingredients, preservatives, dairy, or refined sugar. Lastly, the micronutrients and macronutrients are measured and portioned very carefully.
Why Pick These Alternatives Over Snap Kitchen?
For lots of menu variety: HelloFresh’s menu suits a wide variety of taste preferences, even for picky eaters. Whether you’re ordering meals for yourself, for two people, or an entire family, there are lots of delicious and easy meal kit recipes to try.
For more plant-based meals: Green Chef makes a health-conscious diet and lifestyle look simpler and easier than ever, with a focus on more plant-based and whole foods. The meals are easy to prepare with high-quality ingredients and affordable pricing.
For certified healthy meals: Fresh N Lean is a certified gluten-free meal delivery service, making it highly suitable for people with a gluten allergy. Similarly, the ingredients are USDA-certified and FDA-compliant. All the ingredients are sustainably sourced, including the meat which is antibiotic- and hormone-free, and the beef is grass-fed.
For weight loss meals: Every Trifecta Nutrition meal is macro-balanced and dietitian-approved – no more than 250–500 calories per serving. What makes it even better is the high-protein content, which helps in regulating appetite and keeping you full for longer.
5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Meal Delivery Services Like Snap Kitchen
Snap Kitchen, as a healthy meal delivery service, provides us with a good number of compelling reasons for choosing them for weekly meal deliveries.
1. For Convenience
A meal delivery service that delivers ready-to-eat or premade meals with preportioned ingredients is just what you need when your daily schedule is packed with tasks to do, like work, workout, read, socialize, or just unwind and relax.
You don’t have to worry about food because the meal delivery service will eliminate time-consuming, effortful steps such as meal planning, meal prep, grocery store visits, and then cooking from scratch. This is surely convenience at its best!
2. For Tailored Meals That Fit Your Dietary Preferences
Snap Kitchen and Snap Kitchen-like meal delivery services set themselves apart from the crowd (especially from takeout food) by crafting meal plans and menus that cater to some of the most common and even unique or specific dietary needs, preferences, and restrictions. This includes dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, keto, paleo, etc. meals.
These, even though they are diet-friendly, are nourishing meals that also taste delicious. So, there’s no compromising on one thing for another.
3. For Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients
The main focus should be top-quality, fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, which is something Snap Kitchen doesn’t neglect at all. The company’s approach to sourcing local ingredients is sustainable, which further enhances the nutritional value and taste of its dishes.
Local communities are actively supported, and environmental impact is reduced along the way. Add to this the fact that you’re consuming fresh, wholesome ingredients and you double up on the dose of satisfaction.
4. For Chef-Crafted Meals
When you know that professional chefs are responsible for coming up with the menu, your expectations rise. So, here’s Snap Kitchen which lives up to those expectations by offering the most delicious and nutritious chef-crafted meals.
These are hugely flavorful and also inspired by international cuisines – Tex-Mex delights, Mediterranean-style salads, Asian-inspired stir-fries, and so much more.
The menu is weekly or monthly rotating, so you never get bored of eating the same thing all the time. The ever-changing menu also gets rid of the problem of not finding something new and exciting to eat.
5. For Transparent, Full Nutrition Information
A proper nutritional breakdown is provided for every meal, including the number of calories, macronutrient information, and a list of ingredients. So, you know how much protein, for example, or carbs or fats you’re consuming. This really helps with making well-informed choices that align with your diet plan, fitness goals, health conditions, and the like.
The End Note
Snap Kitchen is one of the best premade meal delivery services that offers fresh meals and delivers them right to your doorstep each week.
They take care of lunches and dinners, and sometimes even breakfasts, so you don’t have to spend time in the kitchen. Weekly meals can easily be stored in your freezer or fridge to be consumed later. All you have to do is heat the meal quickly and you’re all set.
But there are many Snap Kitchen alternatives that also cater to those with a busy lifestyle. These too have delicious meals on their menu that accommodate various dietary preferences while also tantalizing the taste buds.
