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Factor is a meal delivery service that provides fresh meals. Meal delivery services can make following a nutritious diet more convenient, but they may not suit smaller budgets.
Registered dietitians design the ready-made meals on offer from Factor. Chefs cook the meal before its delivery to the customer, who then only needs to reheat it.
The company says that it takes the stress out of healthy living. While meal delivery services can be costly, using Factor may help some people manage their weight or health conditions.
This article looks at what Factor offers and whom it might suit. It also discusses Factor menu options, the potential health benefits, and alternative meal delivery services.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried this service.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Factor: At a glance
- Offers fresh, never frozen, food.
- People can choose between 6–18 meals per week from a weekly menu.
- Costs around $81–198 per week, depending on the number of meals a person chooses.
- Has a Trustpilot score of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
- Has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) A+ grade rating.
Factor, previously Factor 75, is a meal delivery company. It states that its in-house dietitians work with chefs to create meals that are flavorful and nutritious.
Meals from Factor are not frozen. Instead, the company delivers them fresh to the customer, who has up to 7 days to eat them. Customers do not need to do any preparation other than heating the meals in the microwave or oven.
The available meal plans include between 6 and 18 meals per week, and there are 20 or more weekly menu options. The prices range from $10.99–13.49 per serving, depending on the plan a person selects, with free shipping.
Factor offers menus suitable for the following diets:
Customers can also filter their meal choices by allergens, but Factor says that it cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur in its kitchens.
Below are some advantages and disadvantages of the Factor meal delivery service for a person to consider.
Pros
- The company uses pasture-raised, grass-fed ingredients that are free of gluten, antibiotics, hormones, soy, and genetically modified organisms.
- The meals do not contain refined sugar.
- The service is convenient, as users only need to heat their meals in the microwave.
- The users have the option to purchase add-ons, such as extra protein, snacks, and soups.
- The company offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The meals arrive in recyclable containers.
- The company provides options for a variety of diets, such as keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
Cons
- People with food allergies may want to note there is a possibility of cross-contamination through a shared cooking area.
- The service is more costly than some other similar options.
- The company only ships meals to 48 contiguous states.
- The company offers limited options for vegetarians.
- The company’s options for breakfast items are limited.
- The service does not help users develop cooking skills.
- The sodium levels may be high in some of the meals.
Factor meal delivery service may suit someone who wants a balanced diet but has a busy lifestyle or is a less experienced cook. The meals can be convenient and take the stress out of shopping, preparing, and cooking.
Factor offers menus suitable for several specific diets, including paleo, gluten-free, and keto. However, it is important to note that the gluten-free meals may not be safe for individuals with celiac disease due to possible cross-contamination.
The company states that it delivers Monday through Wednesday and arranges delivery slots by zip code. It also notes that as long as people give a 4-week notice, they can skip a delivery if they happen to be away that week.
Factor provides a 15% discount for those who support and serve, including medical staff, service members, teachers, and first responders.
Factor claims to work with suppliers who offer high quality ingredients and strive to improve their animal-raising systems. It states it does not work with companies that mistreat animals.
The company website states Factor meals do not use ingredients containing genetically modified organisms, and many ingredients are organic.
Factor’s meats are from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals, and the eggs do not contain any antibiotics.
Factor meals include lunches and dinners. The company also offers limited breakfast items, as well as snacks and drinks. The following are some available options:
Breakfast
- paleo granola
- breakfast enchilada bake
- pancakes and sausage
- smoothies or juices
A person can also get bundles, which include breakfast bundles, smoothie bundles, and paired meals.
Main course
- chickpea curry
- honey-mustard chicken
- pesto salmon
- harissa-braised chicken
- jalapeño popper burger
Snacks and drinks
- oven-roasted mahi mahi
- vegan brownie energy bites
- tropical fruit smoothie
The Factor meal delivery service organizes meal plans based on the number of meals a person orders per week. Individuals can heat all of Factor’s meals in just a few minutes in the microwave or oven.
No matter how many meals they order per week, Factor subscribers can filter their options according to the following preferences:
- Vegan and veggie: All meals are meat-free.
- Calorie smart: All meals in this category have 550 or fewer calories.
- Keto: This category features low carbohydrate, high fat meals.
- Chef’s choice: This category features a range of choices suitable for any lifestyle, including keto, vegetarian, and calorie-conscious.
| Cost per meal | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| six meals per week | $13.49 | those who prioritize easy, wholesome food during the workweek |
| eight meals per week | $12.99 | working couples |
| 10 meals per week | $12.49 | working couples who prefer meals for the entire workweek |
| 12 meals per week | $11.99 | working parents or caregivers with small children |
| 14 meals per week | $11.49 | working households with one child |
| 18 meals per week | $10.99 | larger households |
Individuals can pause, cancel, or change their Factor meal delivery service plan at any time. To avoid unwanted charges and meals, the company advises a person to cancel their orders before the weekly cutoff time of 11:59 p.m. CT.
Factor delivery
Factor delivers to all U.S. states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
It states that people can store their meals for up to 7 days in the fridge.
People who wish to skip delivery dates can do so by updating their personal account. Factor recommends doing so before the cutoff date, which is typically on Wednesdays 11:59 p.m. central time (CT).
Factor packaging
Factor uses recyclable and insulated packaging. It also delivers meals in nontoxic and reusable gel packs that contain salt water and sodium polyacrylate.
It advises against disposing of ice pack contents in the sink or toilet, as these can clog pipes. A person may consider donating them to different organizations, such as Girl Scouts or a local food bank.
In addition, food containers are free of bisphenol A. It is a chemical present in various products, such as water bottles, dental fillings, and CDs.
The company packs the meals in crystallizable polyethylene terephthalate containers. This is a type of plastic that is safe for food storage. This packaging is also microwave- and oven-safe.
Factor has mainly positive online reviews. Trustpilot awards the company 3.9 out of 5 stars based on more than 35,800 customer reviews. Of them, 58% give five stars, and 8% give one star.
Negative feedback focuses on customer service issues, such as difficulty resolving concerns about credit card charges. Some people also note that the service is too expensive.
The company gets many positive reviews for the taste and quality of its food. People who say they would generally like to eat more healthily or follow keto diets seem particularly pleased.
Many meal delivery services online deliver either ready-made meals or meal kits. The table below compares Factor with its competitors.
| Pros | Cons | Highlights | Diet options | Cost | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factor | quality ingredients | expensive | reputation for good flavors | • keto • vegan • vegetarian • calorie-conscious | $10.99–$13.49 per meal | order or cancel weekly |
| Blue Apron | meals for 1–4 people | uses a lot of packaging | effective teaching to support those new to cooking | • vegetarian • diabetes-friendly • pescatarian • carb-conscious | $7.99–$11.99 per meal | order for up to 6 weeks in advance |
| Snap Kitchen | includes multiple diets | smaller portions than other plans | donates meals to frontline workers and first responders | • keto-friendly • Whole30 low carb • high protein • gluten-free | $11.34–$13.84 per meal | order or cancel weekly |
| Splendid Spoon | convenient way to eat fruits and veggies | expensive | limited choice between smoothies, soups, grain bowls, and noodles | • vegan • gluten-free | $9.99–$13.49 per dish | On-Demand Box or order or cancel weekly |
| Daily Harvest | high quality organic ingredients | expensive for certain items | ability to customize orders and freeze deliveries | • plant-based • vegan • dairy-free • gluten-free | $5.99–$11.99 per item | order on a weekly or monthly basis, customizable plans |
| Purple Carrot | variety of plant-based dinner options | difficult to prepare | a choice between prepared options and kits | • vegan • quick and easy • gluten-free • high protein | $11–$13.25 per serving | order weekly, option to customize |
| Hello Fresh | easy-to-follow recipes | does not reduce meal cleanup | family-friendly meal service | • meat and veggies • pescatarian and veggies • calorie smart • family-friendly | $8.99–$12.49 per serving | order weekly or monthly, option to customize |
Subscription meal services can be expensive, but there are cheaper ways to maintain a balanced diet on a busy schedule.
For instance, people can use a range of free online resources, such as MyPlate, to plan nutritious meals throughout the week ahead. They can then try to set aside time once per week to cook, and then freeze or store batches of meals for future use.
Alternatively, if a person finds the nutritional consultation aspect of Factor appealing, they can consult a registered dietitian for help designing a meal plan that suits them.
The table below compares Factor with other, similar food delivery services.
In this section, we answer some commonly asked questions about Factor.
Does Factor help you lose weight?
The Factor website says that the meals tend to average about 600 calories. People can also choose lower calorie meals. Therefore, Factor could be useful for someone who wants to lose weight.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to lose no more than
A person can use the
Factor enters its meals into apps such as MyFitnessPal and Carb Manager, which may make it easier for customers to track their nutrient intake.
How much does one Factor meal cost?
The cost of one of Factor meal varies, depending on how many meals a person orders.
If they order four meals per week, the cost is around $15 per meal. If they order 18 meals per week, the cost is closer to $11 per meal.
How much does Factor cost a month?
The monthly cost of Factor meals depends on the number of meals a person has each week.
That said, the monthly cost can range between $311.76–791.28.
Is Factor a good service?
Factor has a lot of advantages. It caters to different diets and offers ready-made meals, so people can heat them in the microwave and have meals ready in minutes. It also reportedly uses high quality ingredients, and many customers praise the flavor of the meals.
The company also focuses on providing environmentally-friendly packaging for its deliveries and the meals themselves.
However, it is an expensive service and will be unsuitable for those on a smaller budget.
Is Factor good for keto diets?
Factor meals should meet the needs of those on some special diets, including keto diets. A person subscribing to Factor can select the company’s “Keto” preference and see meal options with the appropriate ratio of carbohydrates, fat, and protein for this diet.
How does Factor’s nutritionist service work?
Individuals can book a free 20-minute nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian to discuss which Factor meals are right for them and to create a nutrition plan. As the dietitians design the meals specifically for Factor, they will be familiar with the brand and able to recommend appropriate meals.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, registered dietitians and nutritionists can help people manage the following:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- digestive issues
- weight loss or gain
- eating disorders
- sports nutrition
People may need more than the 20 minutes of support that Factor offers, but the service could put them on the right track in terms of their eating habits.
Individuals who want more information and help may wish to consult a dietitian privately.
What dietary requirements does Factor cater to?
In addition to low calorie meals, Factor offers low carbohydrate and keto meals. A short-term keto diet
A
Factor offers dietitian-approved meals that cater to various dietary needs.
For example, they may appeal to those who are health-conscious or who want to better manage their weight. The convenience of ready-made meals may also suit someone with a busy lifestyle or limited cooking skills.
However, meal delivery services can be expensive. Therefore, a person may prefer to plan meals weekly to make grocery store visits easier or cook in bulk and eat portions throughout the week.