Model Kate Moss once famously stated that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” to which my response is HELLO, Kate, have you ever tasted perfectly cooked lasagna noodles baked to bubbling ecstasy chock full of robust meat sauce and fresh ricotta? Pretty sure that tastes better than skinny, jus sayin’.
Though to be honest, I don’t know how skinny feels because I’ve always been more consumed with how things taste.
Cooking and eating for good health or even weight loss can seem a bit daunting, not to mention a time-consuming task for many, myself included; and this is coming from a professional private chef! That's why it can be a game-changer to find meal delivery services for weight loss.
Though I’ve been in the business of creating healthy meals for others for their weight loss and optimal health, I know that not everybody has access to a private chef or nutritionist that can calculate how much of what types of food you should consume to meet your health needs.
Enter frozen prepared meals service bistroMD where food actually tastes as good as skinny feels. These ready made meals address numerous nutritional needs but manage to also not taste like, to be blunt, hospital or diet food.
Read on to learn everything about this meal delivery service, the science (yes science) behind it, and most importantly, if the bistroMD program is a good match with your budget, diet, and goals!
BistroMD At A Glance
- Best Match For: Dieters looking for a flexible doctor-designed meal plan with delicious dishes that support weight loss.
- Commitment Level: Subscription with weekly delivery
- Availability: The contiguous US (No Alaska or Hawaii)
- Value: $9.5-$13/meal depending on the program you choose; $19.95 shipping fee; 25% off and free shipping on first order
- Type: Fully prepared frozen meals for weight-loss and healthy ready-to-eat snacks
How BistroMD Works (pss... it's science!)
OK, before we get into what delicious meals you'll have access to with this meal delivery service, we would be remiss if we didn't discuss the kickass science that motivates bistroMD.
Many of the meal delivery services we review provide healthy, ready to eat frozen meals delivered straight to your door, which is exactly what bistroMD does in a nutshell.
What sets bistroMD apart from other meal services providing frozen meals is their extensive and varied meal plans which are designed by actual doctors to address very real health needs and concerns.
They're not just selling convenience. They're selling good health.
Dr. Caroline Cederquist, bistroMD's co-founder, is a bariatric specialist. Her background led her to focus a large part of the company on her passion for and research on Metabolic Dysfunction and how an individual’s hormones affect the way they metabolize food.
With bistro md, Dr. Cederquist provides an easy entry to healthier meals that are created to speak to one's hormonal makeup.
All of the recipes utilized by bistroMD are both designed by medical professionals and cooked by professional chefs.
The bistroMD nutrition information is clear and approachable, so you know exactly what you are getting and how you benefit from it.
BistroMD Meals
Subscribers choose between five different custom meal plans that are designed for different dietary and lifestyle needs.
Users can choose between the following:
You'll also have the option of selecting a seven-day program, in which enough food for an entire week (that’s seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners) is sent.
Once you sign up and are enrolled, you have until the previous Sunday at midnight to change any of your orders and to update your meal plan to your tastes preferences and/or dietary restrictions.
Each package also comes with a printed out menu for the week, so your meal intake can be easily tracked.
BistroMD’s five-day program, or workweek plan, provides five breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. This is the perfect plan for those who want the flexibility to eat what they’d like on the weekends.
If you desire more flexibility and freedom, you can hop onto a call with a bistroMD specialist to coordinate a meal plan that works for you.
Many people, for example, would prefer receiving only bistroMD lunches and dinners.
A customized plan will allow you to do that while still meeting your weight loss and health goals.
The plans are further customized between men and women in order to account for the differing ways each processed food and lose weight.
The plans are based on a daily intake that averages 1200 calories a day. For men, the average is closer to 1400 calories a day.
Once you’ve picked the plan that best suits your lifestyle, you’ll then receive a customized plan from the bistroMD team of dieticians.
Your next move is to set up your meal preferences and to pick the meals you’d like to receive each week. Don’t worry if you decide later that a different bistroMD plan would work better for you, you can switch to another one with ease.
If you're a snacker who constantly needs to have treats nearby than bistroMD is certainly your match. It has a snack program, which is helpfully called EATS or Essential and Tasty Snacks.
EATS allows customers to have healthy snacks on hand, which the company says allows them to lose weight faster. The EATS snack program provides customers with 14 snacks per week so you can indulge twice a day!
BistroMD Menu
BistroMD meal services do not use trans fats, preservatives or food coloring. No serving will have more than 600mg sodium and 3.5g saturated fat.
Another plus is that all of the meat they source is hormone-free. Meals are chock full of fresh ingredients and much of the produce is sourced from local farmers markets.
Here are just a few dishes that attracted our attention:
more examples of bistroMD’s many delicious offerings
Those requiring bistroMD’s diabetic menu should of course plan to talk to their doctor first, as they should before starting any new diet plan and as the company itself recommends.
Once you’ve gotten the go-ahead, diabetics can expect to receive meals that are low on carbohydrates and high on lean meats and whole grains. Read who we’ve voted as our top-rated low carb prepared meal delivery services.
This is to ensure that your blood sugar remains stable while you enjoy meals that are fulfilling and tasty. Because maintaining a healthy weight is essential for diabetics, this plan focuses on ways you can do so safely.
The bistroMD menopause plan is built along those same lines. Because your metabolism changes during menopause, diets that may have worked for you previously may no longer be sufficient.
It is not unusual to gain weight during menopause, which can be distressing to some.
To help keep that weight off, bistroMD’s menopause menu focuses on your body’s changing metabolism while also preparing your system for the changes it is going through.
Those who need the menopause menu can expect dishes like the Beef Steak and Ale Stew and the Oven-"Fried" Catfish with Spicy Tomato-Leek Sauce.
Finally, bistro md also offers a Heart Healthy menu for those who are concerned about their salt intake or have a history of heart disease in their families.
Those on the heart-healthy meal plan should not worry about missing out on flavor.
Items on this specialty menu include items like Roasted Cauliflower and Lentils with Charred Red Pepper Sauce and Merlot Meatballs with Grits.
BistroMD Cost, Shipping, and Delivery
Let's breakdown how much bistro md meal plans costs:
- Full Program 7 Days – $189.95 - You will receive 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, and a cheat night
- Full Program 5 Days – $159.95 - You will receive 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners
- Lunch & Dinner 7 Days – $159.95 - You will receive 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Lunch & Dinner 5 Days – $129.95 - You will receive 5 lunches and 5 dinners
New customers receive 25% off and free shipping. Standard continental US shipping is $19.95.
Bistro MD ships within the continental US; they do not currently deliver to Hawaii and Alaska.
All meals arrive frozen and tightly packed into a box. Each meal is packaged separately and should be placed in your freezer as soon as you open your package.
FAQS
BistroMD is a meal service for people who want to lose weight, and it has positive customer reviews. The service delivers nutritious prepared meals to your door every week.
Depending on your program of choice, BistroMD meal plans can range from $89.96 to $134.96 per week. If you opt for the full program, you can save some money per meal.
BistroMD meals arrive frozen, and you should store them in the freezer when you receive them. In the freezer, your meals will last as long as one year beyond the production date.
BistroMD meals take up to 6 business days to go from their freezers to your doorstep. You will receive an email with tracking information once your box is given to FedEx.
Yes, you can cancel bistroMD by going to your mybistroMD account, clicking the “My Account” tab, choosing “Plan", clicking "Cancel My Plan" and clicking continue to further complete the cancel request. Their cancelation deadline is Wednesday at 5PM Eastern Time for the next week.
No, you cannot use insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid to pay for bistroMD meals.
Making bistroMD meals is easy. Place the entree onto a baking dish and follow the heating time outlined on the package. Once the meal reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, let it cool for a couple of minutes before consuming.
You can find specific calorie information on your bistroMD meal package. The general plan provides 1,100 to 1,400 calories per day and are 30-35% complex carbs, 20-25% healthy fats, and 50% lean protein.
BistroMD delivers to the continental US (excluding HI or AK).
Yes, you should store bistroMD meals in the freezer. All of the meals arrive frozen to preserve the nutrients and flavors of the ingredients. Freezing also helps lengthen the shelf-life of your meals.
Yes, you can recycle bistroMD packaging. The large insulation, box, and meal sleeves are curbside-recyclable. You can recycle the bags and plastic trays with other plastic items once the dry ice is gone.
Balance by bistroMD is a healthy meal delivery service that can be ordered a la carte, without memberships or recurring orders.
BistroMD can be worth the money for people who want a convenient way to get healthy meals without grocery shopping and meal prepping. It’s also a great choice for people who want an easy-to-follow weight loss program.
You can unsubscribe from bistroMD any time by logging into your mybistroMD account. From there, go to “Plan” and select “Cancel My Plan.” If you need more assistance, contact the bistroMD customer service team.
Standard bistroMD shipping is $19.95 for packages. Once your order ships, you will receive tracking information from FedEx. You can usually expect your delivery within 5 or 6 business days.
Yes, bistroMD has plenty of vegetarian meal options made from plant-based ingredients. Some meals do contain dairy, so not every vegetarian meal is also vegan. BistroMD also has seafood meals for pescatarians.
No, BistroMD does not deliver to Hawaii or Alaska. The service only ships within the contiguous United States.
“My Night” is a one night break from bistromMD’s 7-day program. You get one free night to choose your own meal and renew your dedication to the program.
No, bistroMD is not available in Canada, nor is it available in Alaska or Hawaii. BistroMD ships only in the continental US.
bistroMD Costs
A weekly plan brings you breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for $9.50 to $13 per serving. There is a flat $19.95 shipping fee, and first orders receive 25% off and free shipping.
Food for Thought: Should You Buy BistroMD Services?
Let's outline what you really came to this review for and that's determining if bistro md is a good match for you!
Right off the bat we'll ask you to consider your budget because, though we can earnestly say we love bistromd's philosophy and products, we're not fans of the hefty price tag that is attached to shipping.
In short, if you're looking for a meal delivery service on the cheaper side, then bistroMD may not be sustainable long term.
Bistro MD is also not a great match for vegetarians and not a match at all for vegans.
Though bistro MD is so inclusive of so many health related diets, we find it curious that their menu isn't more vegetarian forward or doesn't even provide any vegan options. Click here for vegan meal delivery services.
Now lets discuss who bistro md IS a good match for.
If your budget is flexible and you're looking for a reliable weight loss program, then bistro MD is definitely the way to go.
We appreciate bistroMD's approach to weight loss. There's no bogus dieting claims or ridiculous portions with this company. Rather, it sets reasonable expectations for users and aims for a weight loss of one to two pounds a week. You'll be losing weight in a healthy way that will help you keep it off as well.
Because of the company’s focus on metabolism and hormones, users can expect a realistic and scientific approach to dieting and health maintenance.
We also recommend bistroMD as a match to those of you looking for a meal program that helps you manage your diabetes, or menopause, or if you want to eat mindfully for heart health.
This delivery service saves you a lot of time in the kitchen and trips to the grocery store since you'll receive fully prepared meals.
All that AND their subscription also entails access to dieticians, nutrition, and a built in community to provide medical advice; not to mention an attentive customer service team to help you with your dietary restrictions and dietary preferences. Subscribers will also receive regular newsletters containing tips, health news and more.
Is it any wonder then that despite its higher shipping costs, bistro md consistently remains on many of our "best of" lists?
If you're interesting in their services, click below to get the best price and get started!
Pros & Cons
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BistroMD