First Impressions: bistroMD

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My dad was very recently diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's, and I'm still trying to process the news. After our appointment with his neurologist, we went back to his house, and I consulted Dr. Google, and once I reviewed the overview, causes, and symptoms, I became a bit frantic. It turns out, high blood pressure, an unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, and alcohol are some of the biggest risk factors, and since I like my wine, Thai and Chinese food, and I also have high blood pressure, I realized I could be next.

So, I started looking for healthy meal plans in a semi-desperate attempt to potentially change my future outlook and lower my risk of vascular dementia, and that's when I discovered bistroMD, the #1 doctor-designed meal delivery plan for as low as $6.95 per meal.

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Subscription Details

Subscription Box: bistroMD

What’s Included: Each week you'll receive 10 to 20 healthy prepared meals tailored to the program you choose—like Women's and Men's Weight Loss, Signature, Heart Healthy, Keto Flex, Diabetic, Menopause, or Vegan—delivered to your door in eco-friendly packaging. The chilled box includes all of your meals packed neatly inside with cushioning and dry ice packs.

Price: Starts at $149.90 for 5 days and goes up to $219.80 for the full 7 days.

Here's the breakdown:

• $149.90 per box when you choose the Lunch & Dinner 5 Days plan.
• $189.95 per box when you choose the Lunch & Dinner 7 Days plan.
• $189.95 per box when you choose the Full Program 5 Days plan.
• $219.80 per box when you choose the Full Program 7 Days plan.

Shipping: Standard FedEx shipping is $19.95 per box, and it takes about 5-6 days to receive your meals.

How to Get Started

Head to bistroMD with your goals in mind and select the program that works best for your dietary preferences and schedule. Each week, you can choose from over 150 tasty chef-prepared meals that are ready to eat in 5 minutes or less. Whether you're searching for gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, heart healthy, or vegan options, they've got you covered! And you can even add EATS (Essential and Tasty Snacks) to accelerate weight loss and reach your goals quicker.

Next choose from a full plan that includes anything from 7 days of breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks to a 5-day lunch and dinner plan only. Once you submit your order, a registered dietician will create a custom diet plan just for you. Since I was only interested in eating heart healthier, I didn't go down the weight loss route.

It's also easy to access, customize and control your weekly menu and diet plan. When I got started, I scrolled through dozens of meals, and chose the ones that appealed to me—I mostly eat poultry and lots of veggies, so I liked that I could eliminate beef, pork, and seafood.

First Impressions

The box arrived when I was in Baltimore visiting family, but luckily my building's mailroom has two large refrigerators, so they kept them extra cool for me. Once I peeked inside, I noticed cushioning, dry ice, and 20 meals. I immediately took note of the expiration dates and was happy to discover I didn't have to rush to eat them before they expired. Some of the meals are even fresh well into 2024, as long as they remain in the freezer.

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I read elsewhere that each box came with a detailed pamphlet that includes steps for success including guidance on snacking, exercise, and weight loss, but my mind's been pre-occupied, so I must've accidentally thrown it out with the box and packaging.

The Meals

Since I am a picky eater, I loved that I could choose my meals, and as you can see, I stuck with poultry, veggies, and some carbs.

I subscribed to the Heart Healthy Full Program which included 5 days of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was a great mix of salty and sweet, and lots of protein to ensure I stay full throughout the day.

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Each meal is individually wrapped in a microwavable plastic container and comes with a cardboard sleeve with full nutritional information and cooking instructions. You do not need to vent the meal, and the suggested cook times worked well for me. Each meal is to be placed in the freezer, and some can last a surprisingly long time which is great if you want to spread it out.

Ok, now let's dive into some of my favorite meals!

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Chicken Mushroom Crepe with Cinnamon Apples

Calories: 300; Protein: 27g; Total Carbohydrates: 29g; Total Fat: 8g

This was definitely the best breakfast! Featuring a delightful mix of shredded chicken and mushrooms covered in a light, creamy bechamel sauce and wrapped in crepes with a side of warm cinnamon apples, this savory dish not only filled me up, but energized me too! Once I finished the meal, I wanted a second round.

Artichoke, Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Frittata with Turkey Sausage

Calories: 280; Protein: 26g; Total Carbohydrates: 14g; Total Fat: 13g

This fluffy egg frittata is stuffed with some of my favorite ingredients like roasted red peppers, artichokes, and cheddar cheese. This satisfying breakfast also came with a side of juicy turkey sausage which is one of my favorite things ever since I don't eat pork.

African Peanut Stew

Calories: 330; Protein: 11g; Total Carbohydrates: 42g; Total Fat: 14g

Washington, DC has a very popular African food scene, and since I'm always on the hunt for healthier ethnic cuisines, I chose this hearty African peanut stew. Served with chickpeas and sweet potatoes and seasoned with coconut milk and a blend of aromatic spices, I as instantly transported to a far-off land full of spicy and delicious dishes.

Jerk Spiced Chicken with Mango Chutney

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Calories: 280; Protein: 35g; Total Carbohydrates: 21g; Total Fat: 6g

Jerk chicken has always been one of my favorite dishes, so when I spotted a healthy version on bistroMD, my mouth watered a bit. This jerk-spiced chicken is served alongside sauteed spinach and onions and accented with a hearty tomato okra stew. Wondering if it's spicy? Not at all.

Chicken Piccata

Calories: 320; Protein: 33g; Total Carbohydrates: 31g; Total Fat: 7g

A healthy twist on the classic piccata, this variation comes with a tender grilled chicken breast over a bed of wheat-free penne pasta and topped with a light piccata sauce with capers, lemon, white wine, garlic, and olive oil. Bright honey roasted carrots are served on the side for a little extra sweetness!

Roasted Tofu & Ancient Grain Salad Bowl

Calories: 290; Protein: 20g; Total Carbohydrates: 21g; Total Fat: 14g

I have a bit of a tofu obsession—especially if it's deep fried. But this seasoned, oven-roasted tofu is healthier, as it's served with an ancient grain salad of farro, red quinoa and red lentils, complimented by baby spinach, and topped off with a light lemon herb dressing.

Eggplant Lasagna Casserole

Calories: 260; Protein: 18g; Total Carbohydrates: 22g; Total Fat: 11g

I'm always on the hunt for a great eggplant parmesan, and that's why this eggplant lasagna casserole caught my eye. By substituting eggplant for lasagna noodles, this super healthy take on the classic Italian dish is light and much lower in carbs. The eggplant is layered with a creamy three-cheese blend of ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and smothered it in a rich marinara sauce. It also come with a side of fresh seasoned broccoli florets.

Chicken Mole

Calories: 380; Protein: 36g; Total Carbohydrates: 40g; Total Fat: 9g

When it comes to Mexican food, I can be a little picky, but chicken mole is one of my favorite dishes! This homemade flavor-packed sauce smothers smoky pulled chicken breast complimented by herbed brown rice and citrus scented purple cabbage. The best part? I didn't fill up on chips and salsa before I dove into my meal.

My Final Thoughts

Since I'll be driving back and forth to Baltimore to visit my dad, a meal delivery service like bistroMD makes my life so much easier. When I returned last week, I didn't have to worry about what to cook, or what was open (normally I'd hit McDonald's because it's open late). Instead, I took a few boxes out of the freezer, moved them to the fridge to defrost for the next day, and microwaved the Chicken Piccata from frozen—they suggest defrosting, but you can also cook directly from the freezer.

Cooked up with real ingredients, and shipped in environmentally friendly packaging, bistroMD delivers healthy meals in just a few clicks. And while they don't currently offer family-style plans—the service is really geared towards helping the individual reach their weight loss and wellness goals—they offer a 15% discount for members of the same household. And if you sign up for bistroMD today, you'll get 40% off your first week!

So, what are the drawbacks? Honestly, it's a bit expensive, but we're all used to sticker shock these days. And I found myself wanting to add a little salt or seasoning to some of the dishes. But it's so convenient and healthy, bistroMD might be just what you need in your life!

What do you think of the bistroMD? Would you subscribe?

What do you think of the bisroMD box? Let us know in the comments!