Meal Prep, Food Delivery & Our Test Results

Meal Prep, Food Delivery & Our Test Results

Factor Meal Review

As a nutrition editor and registered dietitian, I’m always on the lookout for convenient and healthy meal delivery services. Factor, a meal delivery service designed by nutritionists, caught my attention with its promise of flavorful and nutritious meals. In this review, I’ll share my experience with Factor’s meal delivery service, including its sign-up process, meal variety, nutritional quality, and sustainability.

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Sign-up, Delivery, and Cancellation Processes

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Getting started with Factor was a breeze. I chose my meal plan, which included options such as Keto, Calorie Smart, Chef’s Choice, and Vegan & Veggie. I could also select the number of single-serve meals I wanted to receive each week, ranging from 6 to 18. Choosing more meals each week can help lower the average cost per meal.

The sign-up process was easy, and I was able to create an account by inputting my name and address. I could choose which delivery day I wanted, although the options were somewhat limited based on my location. After inputting my payment information, I browsed the offerings for the week and started choosing my meals.

If you want to modify your menu or make changes to your subscription, be sure to do so by the weekly cutoff date, which is listed online in your account information. If you wish to cancel your subscription, you can do so either by deactivating your account on the company’s website or by emailing customer service.

Meal Variety

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Many prepared meal delivery services have large menus that rarely change or rotating menus of just a few options. I was happy to discover that Factor’s menu changes weekly, and there’s a good variety of meals to choose from. In fact, I had a hard time narrowing down which ones to try.

I ordered the following items over the course of two weeks:

Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl
Tomato & Roasted Vegetable Risotto with Toasted Pine Nuts
Pesto Salmon with Creamed Spinach & Tomato Butter Haricot Verts
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
Smoky BBQ Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, and Green Bean Casserole
Creamy Parmesan Chicken with Roasted Broccoli and Tomatoes
Chickpea Curry
Roasted Garlic Braised Beef
Roasted Tomato & Feta Cavatappi
Caribbean-Style Chicken Breast

Nutritional Quality

Score: 5 out of 5

As a registered dietitian, I was impressed by the nutritional quality of each entree. The entrees I tried were nutritionally balanced, meaning that they each contained a lean protein, a healthy source of fat, and a generous serving of vegetables.

Factor has ensured that each entree is nutritionally balanced, containing a lean protein, a healthy source of fat, and a generous serving of vegetables. With that said, some of the entrees are high in sodium, and some dishes, especially those on the Keto plan, are high in saturated fat.

Ingredient Quality and Freshness

Score: 5 out of 5

Factor prides itself on featuring high-quality ingredients, including sustainably sourced seafood and antibiotic-free poultry. While I only tried the service for two weeks, I didn’t experience any issues with damaged or spoiled ingredients.

In fact, unlike many other prepared meal delivery services, Factor’s ingredients – especially the vegetables and proteins – tasted fresh and didn’t get mushy, dry, or rubbery after microwaving.

Ease of Prep

Score: 5 out of 5

Every meal I tried was easy to reheat when I decided to use Factor for my meal prep needs. All I had to do was remove the paper sleeve, puncture the plastic film once or twice, and microwave the meal on high for 2 minutes.

For those who prefer not to use a microwave, Factor meals also include reheating instructions for the oven.

Taste

Score: 4.5 out of 5

I found the ingredient quality continued to be excellent after reheating and didn’t experience any mushy vegetables or dry proteins – a major win for microwavable meals.

I also found the meals to be flavorful without being overseasoned, and I loved that each meal had a generous serving of vegetables.

The Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl stood out as my favorite. The quinoa was perfectly chewy, the sweet potatoes were soft but not mushy, and the pesto was zesty and flavorful without being overpowering.

The Roasted Tomato & Feta Cavatappi was another winner. It featured a sauce with a slight spiciness that was nice, along with juicy tomatoes, hearty noodles, and broccoli, which was soft without being mushy.

The only reason I didn’t award Factor a 5 out of 5 for taste is because, while the meals were satisfying, I can’t say that the flavor combinations were unique or differed greatly from what I’d typically make on my own.

Sustainability

Score: 3 out of 5

Factor’s delivery boxes, food containers, and laminated insulation are all recyclable. Additionally, the gel packs used to keep the food cold during transit are nontoxic and reusable.

However, some items, like the PET and cotton insulation layers, are not recyclable. I also found it a bit tricky to understand which materials could be recycled without searching for that information on the company’s website.

Another way in which Factor strives to be more sustainable is by using high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients in all its meals. All meals are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The service also uses sustainably sourced proteins, including antibiotic-free poultry and pasture-raised pork.

Cost

Score: 3 out of 5

While Factor isn’t the most expensive meal delivery service, and its per-meal pricing goes down the more you order, when you include shipping, the cost adds up. Here is Factor’s pricing:

6 meals per week: $13.49 per meal
8 meals per week: $12.99 per meal
10 meals per week: $12.49 per meal
12 meals per week: $11.99 per meal
14 meals per week: $11.49 per meal
18 meals per week: $10.99 per meal

Shipping is available within the contiguous United States and costs $10.99 per delivery.

Conclusion

Factor is a solid choice for those looking for a convenient and healthy meal delivery service. With its variety of meal plans, nutritionally balanced entrees, and commitment to sustainability, Factor has earned a spot on my list of recommended meal delivery services.

FAQs

What is Factor’s menu rotation?
- Factor’s menu changes weekly, offering a variety of new and exciting options to choose from.
Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
- Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time before the weekly cutoff date. You can also deactivate your account on the company’s website or email customer service.
Are Factor’s ingredients organic?
- No, Factor’s ingredients are conventional, but the service uses sustainably sourced proteins and organic produce whenever possible.
How do I reheat my Factor meals?
- Factor meals can be reheated in the microwave or oven, depending on your preference. Instructions are included on each meal package.