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There are meal delivery services that provide prepared meals that may suit bodybuilders trying to lose weight or build muscle.
- Best bodybuilding meal service for different diets: Trifecta | Skip to review
- Best prepared meals with higher calories: Factor | Skip to review
- Best customizable meal service: Icon Meals | Skip to review
- Best meal prep service for plant-based diets: Sprinly | Skip to review
- Best option for no meal prep: Snap Kitchen | Skip to review
- Best subscription-free meal service: MealPro | Skip to review
Below is a list of some of the best meal delivery services for bodybuilders.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best bodybuilding meal service for different diets: Trifecta
- Meals: Clean Eating, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, or meal prep plans
- Menu: Changes weekly
- Price per meal: from around $15
Trifecta says it offers macro-balanced meals that are all high in protein and low in calories.
The company’s dietary plans include paleo, clean eating, vegetarian, vegan, and keto.
Each plan includes options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a person can add entrées if they require.
Trifecta’s menus change weekly, and some examples of its meals include salmon and wild rice, oatmeal walnut bake, Korean beef bulgogi, crispy tofu skillet and turkey bacon cheddar frittata.
Trifecta also offers a meal prep à la carte menu. A person can select precooked ingredients and make a meal at home.
The following table describes the average nutritional information in Trifecta’s meal plans.
| Average calories | Average fat | Average carbs | Average protein | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean eating meal plan | 450 | 17 g | 45 g | 29 g |
| Paleo meal plan | 440 | 20 g | 35 g | 30 g |
| Keto meal plan | 400 | 28 g | 10 g | 32 g |
| Vegan meal plan | 430 | 15 g | 55 g | 21 g |
| Vegetarian meal plan | 430 | 15 g | 55 g | 21 g |
Pricing and cancellation
The vegan and vegetarian plans start from $99.99 per week, with the rest of the plans costing between $110.99-$119.20 per week.
When purchasing a subscription, people can choose from 5 or 7 days a week. Meal options include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a third entree. Choosing all options for 7 days a week costs around $415.
Customers can cancel at any time, and there is a 7-day money-back guarantee. The company does not offer a free trial.
Pros
- meals are free from soy, gluten, dairy, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- the meals are reportedly low in sugar
- uses sustainable ingredients and packaging to reduce food waste and carbon footprint
Cons
- most meals are 500 calories and under, which may not be enough for people who are bodybuilding
- more expensive per meal than some other competitors
Best prepared meals with higher calories: Factor
- Meals: high protein, paleo, keto, low calorie, or plant-based
- Menu: changes weekly
- Price per meal: from around $11
Factor rotates its menu options weekly, with meal plans to suit various diets.
Bodybuilders may prefer Factor’s high protein, paleo, keto, low calorie, or plant-based meals. A person can filter their search on the company’s website by these categories.
Some example meals include sage chicken with butternut squash macaroni, black bean and rice enchilada bowl, cilantro-jalapeño pork chop, Indian-style vegetable rice, and Peruvian shrimp bowl.
The following table describes the nutritional information of the example meals.
| Calories | Fat | Saturated fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein | Sodium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sage chicken with butternut squash macaroni | 800 | 42 g | 15 g | 68 g | 18 g | 9 g | 42 g | 860 mg |
| Black bean and rice enchilada bowl | 480 | 23 g | 8 g | 54 g | 9 g | 8 g | 16 g | 830 mg |
| Cilantro- jalapeño pork chop | 710 | 52 g | 16 g | 11 g | 6 g | 3 g | 50 g | 810 mg |
| Indian- style vegetable rice | 440 | 23 g | 3.5 g | 52 g | 13 g | 8 g | 15 g | 840 mg |
| Peruvian shrimp bowl | 580 | 48 g | 13 g | 14 g | 5 g | 4 g | 28 g | 879 mg |
Pricing and cancellation
A person can choose to have 4–18 meals delivered per week, starting at around $11 per meal. The cost per meal reduces if people order in bulk, while shipping is free.
To cancel a subscription, people must call Factor’s customer service number or email the company with their full name and registered address.
Pros
- most of the meals have a higher calorie count than other services on the market, which may suit those who require more calories per day
- offers a 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian
Cons
- no full meal service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- some reviewers state that the meals are not flavorful
Best customizable meal service: Icon Meals
- Meals: lean, build, chef boxes, or custom meals
- Menu: changes weekly
- Price per meal: from around $5.50
Icon Meals offers gluten-free meals that it claims are clean and lean with a variety of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables.
It primarily caters to the following diets: low calorie, low fat, high protein, and dairy-free
Some example meals include big chicken Philly cheesesteak, beef pizza, Diablo shrimp, and salmon, saffron rice, and green beans.
The following table shows the nutritional values of these example meals.
| Calories | Fat | Saturated fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein | Sodium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big chicken Philly cheesesteak | 380 | 24 g | 12 g | 4 g | 2 g | 1 g | 38 g | 430 mg |
| Beef pizza | 440 | 19 g | 7 g | 34 g | 4 g | 4 g | 34 g | 660 mg |
| Diablo shrimp | 420 | 16 g | 2.5g | 44 g | 2 g | 2 g | 25 g | 450 mg |
| Salmon, saffron rice, and green beans | 270 | 7 g | 1.5 g | 27 g | 1 g | 2 g | 25 g | 180 mg |
People can choose either 12 or 24 meals per week. Icon Meals divides its boxes into breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals.
The company offers other products, including protein coffee, protein butter, sauces, and seasonings.
People can also buy ingredients in bulk by the pound to cook or reheat at home.
Pricing and cancellations
Custom meals begin at around $5.50 per meal, and boxes cost around $10.63. The company offers one-time purchases and a subscription, and has just launched a budget box. Shipping is not free.
Icon Meals does not detail its cancellation policy.
Pros
- allows for customization by choosing from 11 different proteins and 13 sides
- people can replace certain foods with lower-carb alternatives
Cons
- may not be suitable for people who prefer not to eat meat protein, as there is only one protein option for vegetarians and vegans
- does not offer free shipping
Best meal prep service for plant-based diets: Sprinly
- Meals: 6, 12, or 18 meals per week
- Menu: changes weekly
- Price per meal: from around $16 per meal
Sprinly offers plant-based meal boxes. Most meals use organic ingredients, are gluten-free, and are low in sodium. The company only uses extra virgin and cold-pressed olive oil or toasted sesame oil in its dishes.
Some meals on the menu include mac and “cheese”, pesto pasta, vegetable tikka masala, and sesame crusted tofu.
| Calories | Fat | Saturated fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein | Sodium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac and “cheese” | 502 | 13 g | no information | 86 g | no information | 5 g | 11 g | 476 mg |
| Pesto pasta | 657 | 32 g | no information | 77 g | no information | 10 g | 18 g | 384 mg |
| Vegetable tikka masala | 925 | 7 g | no information | 61 g | no information | 15 g | 14 g | 293 mg |
| Sesame crusted tofu | 514 | 12 g | no information | 85 g | no information | 9 g | 22 g | 475 mg |
Pricing and cancellations
Every week, Sprinly offers six new choices that subscribers can choose from. People can opt for six, 12, or 18 meals per week, ranging from $109 to $289 per week.
People can cancel their Sprinly account by going to their account settings. People must delay or cancel their order by Thursday 11:59 p.m. EST.
Pros
- does not add sugar to its meals
- only caters to plant-based diets, which means vegans and vegetarians may find a wider menu choice than with other services
Cons
- only offers six meal options per week
- more expensive than several other options
Best option for no meal prep: Snap Kitchen
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Menu: changes seasonally
- Price per meal: from around $11.34
Snap Kitchen offers a weekly subscription delivery service. All menus change seasonally.
The company offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Some example meals include peach BBQ brisket with loaded cauliflower, romesco steak with charred broccoli, herb chicken with Mediterranean sauce and green beans, and devilled egg salad.
| Calories | Fat | Saturated fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein | Sodium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peach BBQ brisket with loaded cauliflower | 570 | 28 g | 10 g | 25 g | 14 g | 6 g | 56 g | 1250 mg |
| Romesco steak with charred broccoli | 480 | 30 g | 4.5 g | 19 g | 7 g | 9 g | 40 g | 840 mg |
| Herb chicken with Mediterranean sauce and green beans | 330 | 16 g | 8 g | 13 g | 5 g | 3 g | 35 g | 740 mg |
| Deviled egg salad | 230 | 20 g | 4 g | 3 g | 1 g | 1 g | 9 g | 550 mg |
Pricing and cancellations
People can choose either 6 or 12 meals per week. A weekly delivery begins at $82.99. The company offers free delivery.
Snap Kitchen states that people can pause or cancel their subscriptions at any time.
Pros
- offers fresh, never frozen, meals that its chefs prepare
- people do not need to prepare or cook any ingredients, making it a convenient service for those with minimal time to cook meals
Best subscription-free meal service: MealPro
- Meals: a la cart and customizable meals
- Menu: changes throughout the year
- Price per meal: from around $9
MealPro provides customizable and pre-prepared meals. The company offers high protein, low carb, keto, and high calorie meal plans.
Additionally, MealPro offers meals suitable for certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, Chron’s disease, and celiac disease are available too.
Rather than a set meal plan, people can choose 18 or 20 meals. Options include BBQ bean chicken, steak teriyaki, fish and chips, turkey bolognese, and lentil Brussels sprouts.
| Calories | Fat | Saturated Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Protein | Sodium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBQ Bean Chicken | 429 | 10 g | 1 g | 43 g | 30 g | 15 g | 47 g | 1030 mg |
| Steak Teriyaki | 541 | 12 g | 3 g | 64 g | 25 g | 4 g | 46 g | 1171 mg |
| Fish and Chips | 710 | 33 g | 8 g | 58 g | 0 g | 0 g | 43 g | 759 mg |
| Turkey Bolognese | 687 | 12 g | 4 g | 77 g | 0 g | 0 g | 65 g | 384 mg |
| Lentil Brussel Sprouts | 476 | 8 g | 3 g | 77 g | 10 g | 23 g | 28 g | 998 mg |
Pricing and cancellations
MealPro prices each meal individually. People can expect to spend anywhere from around $9–20 per meal.
If a person chooses an 18-meal box, they will have to pay for delivery. The delivery charge depends on a person’s ZIP code. The 20-meal box has free delivery.
People can pause, delay, or cancel their recurring deliveries within their account page.
Pros
- people can choose to subscribe or have meals as a one-off purchase
- meals come vacuum-sealed for freshness
Cons
- fewer options for vegans and vegetarians
- people have to commit to 18 or 20 meals as there is no smaller trial box
The following table compares the services in this article.
| Amount of meals per week | Meal options | Menu | Price per meal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifecta | 5–7 | • Clean Eating • Paleo • Keto • Vegan • Vegetarian | changes weekly | from around $15 |
| Factor | 4–18 | • high protein • paleo • keto • low calorie • plant-based | changes weekly | from around $11 |
| Icon Meals | 12 or 24 | • lean • build • chef boxes • custom | changes weekly | from around $5.50 |
| Sprinly | 6–18 | none | changes weekly | from around $16 |
| Snap Kitchen | 6 or 12 | • breakfast • lunch • dinner | changes seasonally | from around $11.34 |
| MealPro | 18 or 20 | none | changes throughout the year | from around $9 |
Medical News Today chooses meal kits for bodybuilding based on the following criteria:
- Meal options: Services that offer a variety of flavorful options to help prevent people from becoming bored of eating from limited menus.
- Macro- and micronutrients: Services that offer enough nutrition to help support the body when building muscle.
- Convenience: A mix of services that offer meal kits and prepared food to suit most people’s schedules.
- Cancellation: Services that have transparent cancellation policies.
When choosing a meal delivery service, research is important. A person can consider the following factors:
- Are the meals fresh or frozen?
- How many meals can a customer order each week?
- Does the company rotate its menu regularly?
- Does the service offer meals for different diets and tastes?
- Is the service cost-effective? Are there additional costs for add-ons and delivery?
- Are reviews generally positive across various sites?
- How flexible is the subscription? Is it easy to cancel at any time?
Meal delivery services vary, and it is worth considering the benefits of different options. A person might prefer prepared meals or meal kits, which include recipes and ingredients to prepare and cook at home.
A person might instead prefer to have meal kit deliveries each week. These kits contain pre proportioned ingredients and simple, quick recipes that they can modify.
Anyone with questions about what to include in their diet might benefit from consulting with a registered dietitian. These health professionals can help design a customized diet that may improve athletic performance and help with safe weight gain or loss.
A bodybuilder should find a registered dietitian who specializes in this area or is familiar with a bodybuilder’s daily dietary requirements.
Bodybuilding is a unique sport with its own set of challenges. Bodybuilders do not undergo assessments of their physical performance but of the symmetry, muscularity, and definition of their bodies.
The three phases of bodybuilding include:
- the muscle-gaining phase, or the “off-season”
- the phase of dieting and otherwise preparing for a competition
- the competition
When planning their diet, a bodybuilder should focus on macronutrients — carbohydrates, proteins, and fats — and calories.
- 55–60% carbohydrates
- 25–30% protein
- 15–20% fat
During the off-season, a bodybuilder should increase their caloric intake by about 15%.
A
- 15–30% of their calories from fats
- 2.3 to 3.1 grams of protein per kilogram of lean body mass per day
- their remaining calories from carbohydrates
Research from 2019 shows that bodybuilders should consume slightly more calories during the off-season and gain about
Because the dietary needs of bodybuilders change throughout the year, it is important for meal services to allow them to select different meal plans and skip deliveries accordingly. Additionally, other athletes may have different needs.
Here we answer some common questions about these services.
Are frozen bodybuilding meal prep delivery services less healthy than fresh ones?
Are bodybuilding meal prep delivery services suitable for muscle gain?
Bodybuilding meal prep delivery services may be suitable for muscle gain so long as they provide the macronutrients a person requires.
Additionally, when building muscle, bodybuilders should eat around 15% more calories than is typical. For example, a person who usually eats 2,000 calories needs to consume a diet of around 2,300 calories per day.
Are there any foods you should avoid when selecting a meal prep delivery service for bodybuilders?
People may wish to avoid foods that are high in fat when selecting a meal prep delivery service for bodybuilding. Additionally, individuals may wish to ensure they avoid meals with low carbohydrates and very low or high amounts of protein.
Various services deliver full meals or meal kits designed for bodybuilders and other athletes.
The best choices for bodybuilders offer a variety of high protein meals featuring high or low amounts of calories to accommodate a person’s bodybuilding phase.
Meal delivery services can be convenient, but they can also be expensive and unsuitable for certain individuals. Anyone looking to save time and money might also consider planning meals weekly to reduce trips to the store or cooking in big batches for easy-to-reheat meals.
Before choosing a meal delivery service, check for reviews on multiple websites. Online bodybuilding communities may also have recommendations and give honest reviews of these services.