The 6 Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Bodybuilding demands that you push yourself to the limit in the gym, along with rigorous exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition planning.

Due to the programs' recent surge in popularity, there are many meal delivery businesses. There are plenty that offers healthy options, but if you're a bodybuilder with little time to cook, you might choose something that caters to your particular requirements.

And other food delivery services fulfill that exact need.

We selected meal delivery services that would not only assist you in achieving your fitness objectives but will also spare you some time in the kitchen each week.

How we picked our bodybuilding meal delivery services

The following factors were taken into consideration when choosing the services covered in this article:

• Consumption of nutrients When searching for meal delivery services, we sought those that provide:

            • provide a balance of proteins, lipids,                and carbohydrates and are nutritionally sound.

• Each of the services listed has a wide range of meals on its menu.
• Ingredient quality: Businesses use premium, seasonal ingredients that are frequently sourced organically or sustainably.
• Delivery is available in the vast majority of U.S. locations.
• Value: Services offer good value for the money spent on them.
• Expert recommendations: We consulted board-certified sports dietetics specialists and registered dietitians to learn what qualities they seek in a meal delivery service that can aid in muscle growth.

Why you should believe in us

All of the meal delivery services on our list have been examined by registered dietitians to make sure they adhere to Healthline's brand integrity guidelines and wellness philosophy. Each service described in this article:

• has all of the ingredients, allergens, and nutrition information listed on its website or product packaging complies with USDA and FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations, uses a dependable shipper to handle its food products, and doesn't make any unsubstantiated health claims in its marketing materials or on its website.

Here are the top 6 meal delivery services for bodybuilders.

The top meal delivery services for bodybuilders, according to VHDWU

Best overall MealPro

$9 to $19 for each lunch

Shipping costs are determined at checkout (free for larger orders in select states)

Continental United States and specific regions of Canada are available.

Menus: Keto, Medical (meals geared to renal, heart-healthy, Crohn's, and other condition limits), Balanced a-la-carte, and Custom (vegetarian options available)

MealPro is a very thorough meal plan that enables you to:

• Choose your meals from the company's varied changing menu.
• Assemble your meals and consult a registered dietitian

Additionally, you don't need a subscription to choose individual meals from the a la carte menu. There aren't many services that provide the same level of adaptability and variety.

Meals for the keto diet and other medical problems are available on the menu. Additionally, you can make a unique package of meals by choosing:

• two sides
• a protein
• a topping

There are 18 or 20 prepared meals per week in each box, and you can adjust some recipes to add more portions of:

• protein
• veggies
• carbs

The company's menu offers the choice to boost the protein portion in each meal and provides comprehensive information on the nutritional value of each dish.

For an additional cost, MealPro provides registered dietitian nutrition coaching. A 1- or 3-month package of coaching services includes 4–12 one-on-one coaching sessions with a nutritionist.

A meal plan is then created for you according to your requirements, and a discount is given for your meal delivery.

Visit our detailed review of MealPro for more information.

Pros

• You can buy meals without a subscription.
• serves a variety of diets
• and meals examined by a licensed dietitian
• individual nutrition coaching with a registered dietician, which is optional
• Complete dietary details are available online.

Cons

• a minimum of 18 meals must be ordered.
• There is no simple way to filter meal options by allergens or nutritional information.
• severe food allergies might not be suitable

Best with registered dietitian support: Factor

Cost: $11 to $15 per meal
Shipping costs vary by location.
Contiguous availability in the United States
Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, and Protein Plus menus are available.

A changing menu of meals made by chefs and endorsed by dietitians is available at Factor.

The business provides meals to match a variety of dietary patterns, offering a range of choices like:

• low calorie
• paleo
• keto
• dairy-free
• plant-based
• low carb

Every week, you can order 4–18 meals.

Factor highlights that their meals are suitable for those with a variety of lifestyles, including weightlifters and athletes, in addition to offering meals based on diet type.

It is simple to assess whether meals satisfy your nutrient needs by looking at the comprehensive nutrition information, ingredients, and allergens provided for each meal.

The business additionally provides nutrition coaching plans that enable clients to regularly communicate with on-staff certified dietitians. The subscriptions include unlimited messaging, bi-monthly coaching sessions, and a free 20-minute assessment.

You will have access to a nutrition course to help you learn the fundamentals of healthy eating if you choose nutrition coaching.

What our tester says

"Of all the prepared meal delivery services I've used, Factor's meals had the best texture, and the flavors were perfect as well.

"The dishes stood out because of the flavors and sauces. The pesto in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl, for instance, was flavorful without being overwhelming.

"I enjoyed having the meals on hand for last-minute lunches because they are simple to reheat. In this hands-on review, you can learn more about my experience using Factor.

Pros

• nutrition coaching packages with a registered dietitian are available for purchase. Customers can order as few as four meals per week. MyFitnessPal and other apps provide nutrition information.

Cons

• pricier than other food delivery services; only sporadically available vegan and vegetarian options

Best organic Trifecta Nutrition

Price: $11–$16 per dinner ($10+ for materials used in meal preparation that yield 4 servings)
Shipping is $10 ($50 for Alaska and Hawaii).
State of the United States
Clean, Paleo, Whole30, Keto, Vegan, and vegetarian menus are available.

Trifecta Nutrition is an expert in offering nutritionally sound meals that promote muscle growth and performance. The business is renowned for finding top-notch components.

Several meal plans, including clean, ketogenic, paleo, vegan, and vegetarian options are available from the company.

Meals are offered with gluten-free components created with organic veggies, free-range chicken, sustainably fished seafood, and proteins from grass-fed cows.

According to the company's website, all Trifecta Nutrition meals, except for the a la carte selections, have between 350 and 500 calories, 20 to 40 grams (g) of protein, and a moderate to low amount of carbohydrates.

Additionally, the business provides a meal prep option that enables you to order specific precooked products in large quantities. As a result, you can create your meals, which might make it simpler for you to fulfill your macronutrient requirements.

You may track your meals with the help of Trifecta Nutrition's app, which also offers further advice on calorie requirements and nutrient levels.

The premium edition of the app costs $10 per month or $70 per year, and for that money, you can control meal delivery schedules, keep track of your workouts, and have access to a collection of movement demonstration videos.

For either five or seven days a week, you can purchase up to four meals daily.

What our tester had to say: 

"Overall, the meals from Trifecta maintained their flavor and texture nicely after being reheated. Each meal was extremely healthful and filled me up enough for a major entrée. Having said that, I did add a few more vegetables and seasonings to several dishes to enhance their flavor.

Trifecta offers a variety of plans to suit various dietary requirements, however, it's important to note that you can only choose two ingredient preferences, so it might not be the greatest option for finicky eaters.

Read our complete review to learn more about Trifecta Nutrition.

Pros

• Meals reviewed by a registered dietitian and shipped nationwide use organic produce and free-range/grass-fed proteins. An app is available for tracking nutrient intake and workouts.

Cons

• has a more expensive price point than other food delivery services.
• may not be suited for people with multiple dietary allergies or restrictions since it only allows you to add two ingredient preferences to your meal plan.

Best for special diets Territory Foods

Price per serving: $11 to $14
Shipping costs vary by location.
Select areas of the continental United States are accessible.
Paleo, keto-friendly, mixitarian, plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30, low-fat, low-carb, Mediterranean and pre-and postnatal menus are available.

Territory Foods is a meal delivery service that specializes in offering high-quality, sustainably sourced recipes based on ingredients accessible in your geographical region.

The organization collaborates with regional chefs who create meals in accredited kitchens across the nation. Registered dietitians are also employed there to review recipes.

Territory Foods emphasizes using products that are sourced responsibly and promises that every dish is devoid of gluten, dairy, and refined sugars.

For some dietary styles, including vegan, vegetarian, keto, paleo, low carb, low fat, and pre-and postpartum diets, you have a choice of possibilities.

This meal delivery service is our top pick for anyone wishing to complement their training while sticking to specific dietary needs due to the variety of diet types offered.

Each meal includes a complete ingredient list, allergy information, and full component data.

Every meal is additionally offered in Standard and Boosted serving sizes. Although the macronutrient and calorie content vary based on the meal, the Boost servings are slightly lower than the norm.

According to your schedule, you have the option of placing a one-time or recurring order for items.

Check out our comprehensive evaluation of Territory Foods to find out more information.

Pros

• easy to choose meals for particular diet types, can be ordered with or without a membership, and uses locally sourced foods

Cons

• not accessible everywhere in the United States
• For people with severe food allergies, no nutrition counseling or one-on-one access to a certified dietitian may not be suitable.

Best budget ICON Meals

Price ranges from $8 to $21 for single meals and $11 or more for meal bundles.
Shipping costs vary by location.
Contiguous availability in the United States
Custom a la carte and customized box menus with dietary needs filtering (gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, high protein, low fat, low calorie, and more)

ICON Meals might be worth a go for bodybuilders looking for an easy and economical meal delivery service. It's the most cost-effective choice on our list, with meals starting at $8.00.

You can place orders based on your unique demands because you don't need to subscribe to use the service. This can be useful if you frequently travel, want to vary the types of meals you eat, or just like the extra flexibility.

The brand not only has some high-protein options on its main menu but also allows you to build personalized meals by picking a protein and up to two sides.

Meals can be ordered separately or you can buy one of the company's meal boxes, which include a variety of fully prepared dinners.

You can purchase meal packs as:

• Chef box
• Keto box
• Lean box
• BLD (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) box

Additionally, customers can create their package with either 12 or 24 meals.

In addition to seasonings and a la carte protein and vegetable options, ICON Meals now provides a variety of protein-based snacks.

For the majority of the food options, nutrition statistics, ingredient listings, and allergy details are available online.

In-depth information about ICON Meals is available in this review.

Pros

• most dishes have nutrition information easily available online; flexible ordering options; affordable

Cons

• limited knowledge of where to source ingredients must place orders manually each time

Best frozen Muscle Meals 2 Go

Price per meal: $11–$16 ($5.00+ for a la carte items).
Shipping costs vary by location.
Contiguous availability in the United States
Lean, Train, Gain, and Keto meal plans are also available, along with Signature, Extra Protein, Low Carb, Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free menus.

A delivery service called Muscle Meals 2 Go offers meal plans for bodybuilders with the following labels:

• Train
• Lean
• Gain

The business also provides a ketogenic diet plan.

By choosing your preferred meals and the amount of protein you want to consume, you can even make your unique menu. Additionally, you can add on breakfast and snack options when ordering pre-cooked products by the pound.

The Lean, Maintain and Gain plans all include average macronutrient amounts, making it simpler for you to choose the one that best suits your requirements.

For instance, the Gain plan offers an average of 70g of protein per meal, compared to the Lean diet's average of 46g.

Immediately after cooking, meals are frozen, where they remain until you decide to thaw and enjoy them. Some people discover that this keeps the flavor of prepared meals longer.

The nine main allergens are not all listed, however, meals can be filtered by allergen preference. This choice is offered by the firm for lactose, soy, nuts, and gluten.

Pros

• Several bulk options are available
• Under each plan, the typical macronutrients offered (Lean, Maintain, and Gain)
• available customized menu options

Cons

• pricier than some other meal delivery services, with less information about the sources of the ingredients

How do these meal prep services compare?

Here is a quick comparison of the offerings on our list:

	Price	Availability	Ingredient quality	Dietary options
MealPro	$9–$19	• the continental U.S. and parts of Canada	• no GMO • antibiotic-free protein • hormone-free protein • no preservatives • no artificial flavors • sustainable seafood	• a-la-carte • keto • medical • vegetarian
Factor	$11–$15	• contiguous U.S.	• antibiotic-free protein • hormone-free proteins • no refined sugar • no GMO • humane and ethically sourced chicken	• keto • reduced calorie • extra protein • vegan • vegetarian
Trifecta Nutrition	$11–$15	• United States	• grass-fed meat • sustainable seafood • organic produce	• clean • paleo • Whole30 • keto • vegan • vegetarian
Territory Foods	$10–$14	• select locations in contiguous U.S.	• antibiotic-free protein • hormone-free proteins • sustainable seafood • no refined sugar	• paleo • keto • mixitarian • plant-based • vegetarian • vegan • Whole30 • low fat • low carb • Mediterranean • pre- & post- partum
ICON Meals	$8–$21	• contiguous U.S.	limited information available	• a la carte • gluten-free • dairy-free • high protein • keto, and more
Muscle Meals 2 Go	$11–$16	• contiguous U.S.	• antibiotic-free protein • hormone-free protein • no GMO • no preservatives	• lean (cut) • train • gain (bulk) • keto meal plans • extra protein • low carb • vegan • gluten-free • dairy free

What role does meal delivery play in bodybuilding?

The physically rigorous sport of bodybuilding involves strength training to increase muscular mass. You must therefore fulfill specific energy requirements to give your body the nutrition it needs to grow and repair muscle.

For your body to have the appropriate macronutrients — protein, carbs, and fats — and other key nutrients to satisfy the increased energy demand from strength exercise, an optimal diet is crucial.

By offering a scheduled meal service that doesn't demand the time or culinary expertise needed to cook meals at home, a meal delivery service can make it simpler to follow a bodybuilding nutrition plan.

How does bodybuilding alter the need for macronutrients?

Athletes, including bodybuilders, have unique dietary requirements since exercise increases the body's need for energy. Certain broad principles can help with bodybuilding meals and all of their nutrient requirements, even though individual nutrient needs vary.

When should I adjust my diet for bodybuilding?

Diet is a crucial component of every bodybuilder's daily regimen. As a result, dietary alterations frequently coincide with modifications to your exercise program.

To change your body composition, you must satisfy your nutritional needs and take into account various calorie needs. Your body will modify its calorie and nutritional requirements as your activity level changes.

But everyone starts from a different place. Some bodybuilders may need to consume fewer calories overall each day to lose weight and reduce their body fat percentage, while others will need to consume more calories overall to develop their lean muscle mass.

Additionally, adjustments will result from the competition schedule. You can discover that your calorie requirements are different before competitions than they are during the tournament itself.

For instance, "cutting" and a decrease in overall calorie consumption is frequently associated with competition season. To avoid losing both muscle and fat due to decreased energy intake, careful planning is required.

During the off-season, or "bulking," many bodybuilders focus on gaining lean muscle mass. This necessitates continuing your resistance training program while consuming more overall calories.

Some individuals maintain a bodybuilding lifestyle in addition to normal bulking and reducing periods. These people might be merely attempting to retain their existing physical state for a while.

The nutritional requirements at this period may be in between those of the bulking and cutting phases.

When it comes to changing your diet for bodybuilding, each goal and starting point calls for a unique strategy. You can design a personalized plan by consulting with a qualified dietitian or your physician to be sure you're getting the nutrients you need.

Below are some other general guidelines.

Carbohydrates

Depending on activity level, athletes' daily carbohydrate intake can range from 3-5 g per kilogram (kg) of body weight up to 8-12 g. This is according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Nutrient-dense carbohydrate foods are ideal for bodybuilders. It will be easier to ensure optimal nutrient intake if you get your carbohydrates from a variety of sources.

Additionally, the time of carbohydrate intake is often modified following each person's training plans. Bodybuilders might alter their carbohydrate consumption, for instance, if they're not actively training for a competition but are instead in the off-season.

Consuming 4 to 7g of carbs per kg of body weight per day is generally advised for bodybuilders.

Protein 

Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles. Bodybuilders and others who want to gain muscle mass must therefore pay close attention to their daily protein consumption.

For each kilogram of body weight, 0.8 g of protein is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). However, it is widely acknowledged that this value is insufficient for athletes.

In particular, when calories have been drastically cut back, the International Society of Sports Nutrition advises daily protein consumption of 2.3 to 3.1g per kilogram of fat-free body mass. It has been demonstrated that this approach retains lean muscle mass.

Your protein demands will differ based on whether you're in a bulking or cutting phase of the competition, similar to how your carbohydrate needs will.

Fat

Fat has the highest calorie content per gram of the three macronutrients.

To consume fewer calories overall, bodybuilders may limit their total fat consumption. However, other diet-based strategies have successfully altered body composition; therefore, adhering to a low-fat diet is not necessary.

According to some studies, bodybuilders can consume as little as 8% of their total calories from fat and as much as 33% of their total calories from fat.

The majority of guidelines for athletes state that daily fat intake should be between 20 and 35 percent of total calories while also making sure to get enough protein and carbohydrates.

However, research suggests that eating 20–30% of total calories as fat may occasionally be hazardous for bodybuilders who are calorie-restricting since the relative increase in fat intake jeopardizes daily protein and carbohydrate intake. If this is the case, cutting the percentage of total calories from fat to as little as 15-20% may be a preferable option if it enables you to maintain adequate carbohydrate consumption.

How to pick a bodybuilding meal delivery service

There are some important considerations to make while searching for a food delivery service.

Think about your unique nutrient requirements.

Find a provider that offers solutions that meet your exercise objectives.

Finding a meal delivery service that meets your needs is crucial, according to Jessica Isaacs, RD, a sports dietitian and the proprietor of Jessica the Sports RD.

Isaacs explains that although some services are oriented more toward a less active population trying to reduce weight, others are targeted more at an athletic population with macronutrients in line with what a highly active individual may need.

While some people might need to eat more protein-rich meals to gain muscle mass, others might need to find meals with different calorie or carbohydrate counts depending on their goals.

According to Isaacs, "everyone's specific calorie and macronutrient requirements will vary depending on body size, goals, training, and other factors."

"In general, I want to see meals that provide at least 25g of protein every meal and have the ability to raise the protein portion as needed for someone to gain or maintain muscle."

Customizing your meals to fit your specific nutrient needs will boost your bodybuilding ambitions if you're trying to gain muscle.

Analyze the macronutrient content of the meals.

Achieving body composition objectives, such as those aimed at gaining and maintaining muscle mass, requires a balance between total energy intake and macronutrient consumption.

Each meal delivery service provides a variety of calorie and macronutrient options.

Procedures for diet restriction and allergen research

It's critical to find a service that meets your demands if you have dietary limitations or adhere to a particular eating pattern. Severe allergies or other dietary requirements might not be possible to meet with some services.

A meal prep firm may or may not have a strong understanding of how to handle any allergies or avoidances while preserving the optimum nutritional profile, according to Isaacs.

If you have a food allergy, do some research on the meal delivery service and think about requesting information about their allergen rules from customer support.

Pick a program with variety.

Finally, pick a meal delivery service that offers a wide selection of menu items.

Eating bland baked chicken, plain rice, and steamed broccoli for every meal is not necessary or desirable while eating like a bodybuilder, according to Isaacs.

"People are more successful when they enjoy the items they are eating, which makes sticking to a diet lot simpler. A meal prep service should be able to offer tasty cuisine while also delivering on particular calorie and macronutrient needs.

Before making a purchase, read reviews and think about ordering a lesser quantity of meals to sample the menu.

By looking at the business website and the weekly recipe offerings, you can also discover a lot about diversity.

FAQs 

Can meal prepping help you gain muscle?

You can make sure you're receiving enough calories and protein to assist muscle building by meal prepping, which entails preparing ingredients and meals in batches.

Additionally, prepping meals in advance might reduce the time you spend each day in the kitchen, perhaps freeing up more time for training.

It could be a good idea to incorporate meal preparation into your daily routine if it saves you time and helps you stay to your nutritional objectives.

Is HelloFresh good for bodybuilding?

Your meals must have the proper amounts of calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates for muscle growth and recovery after exercise.

All meals on HelloFresh come with nutritional information, but it's up to you to decide whether the calorie and macro content suit your requirements and your goals.

A nutrition coach or trained dietitian might be able to offer advice if you're unsure whether HelloFresh would be a smart choice.

How much protein should you eat per meal to build muscle?

Your requirements for protein depend on:

parameters include activity level, age, body size, composition, and others Most people should start with about 25g of protein every meal, but you may need more, especially if you exercise frequently.

Experts advise consuming at least 1.6g of protein per kg (0.73g of protein per lb) of body weight each day. If you eat four meals a day, this translates to about 0.4g of protein per kg (0.18g of protein per lb) of body weight per meal.

What meal prep company do bodybuilders use?

Bodybuilders can select from a variety of food preparation services as long as the service satisfies their dietary requirements.

To make meal preparation at home simpler, several meal prep services are targeted toward bodybuilders and offer a combination of whole meals and meal components.

Additionally, these businesses provide high-calorie, high-protein meals that make it simpler for bodybuilders to achieve their macronutrient targets.

Which meal delivery services are best for muscle gain?

The finest meal delivery service for muscle gain is one that offers the ideal amount of calories and protein to assist in the development and repair of muscle.

Several meal delivery businesses now provide meals for bodybuilders with a variety of calories and macronutrients. Services for prepared meal kits include:

• Trifecta
• MealPro
• Factor
• ICON Meals

Consider your unique nutrient requirements when selecting the finest meal delivery service for muscle building, and make sure the provider delivers meals with nutrient ranges that suit your requirements.

The conclusion

There are numerous food delivery services made exclusively for bodybuilding.

These programs frequently accommodate specific dietary restrictions and typically offer a variety of programs for varied fitness goals.

Look for a business that matches your requirements and preferences, and take into account things like:

• menu variety
• nutritional value
• ingredient quality
• availability
• cost