As parents of two little ones, my husband and I know how hard it is to prioritize healthy eating. Between work schedules, school drop-offs, and endless to-do lists, the last thing we want to do at the end of the day is cook. But as we enter the new year, we’d like to simplify and diversify our nutrition, helping our family stay happy and healthy all year.
That’s why we turned to meal subscriptions, which deliver meals and/or ingredients right to your door. We tried two popular options, CookUnity, a service that offers pre-cooked meals developed by professional chefs each week, and Blue Apron, a service that offers both pre-cooked meals and meal kits.
Here’s how they compare:
If taste and health are important… CookUnity
CookUnity meals are crafted by professional chefs, like Chef Michelle Bernstein and Chef Andres Mendez, using high-quality ingredients, and you can taste the difference. Each dish is rich in flavor yet balanced and nutritious—perfect for anyone looking for healthy meals to feed a whole family. What impressed us most was the portion sizes. Unlike many “healthy” meal services, CookUnity’s meals were actually filling and satisfying.
Blue Apron’s meals are decent, but the taste can depend on your cooking ability or just the actual recipe. Recipes include nutritional information, but portioning is up to you, which can make calorie tracking tricky.
If convenience is a priority… Tie
Convenience is where CookUnity really shines. Their meals come fully cooked and ready to eat, crafted by professional chefs. All you need to do is heat them up—just three minutes in the microwave or oven, and you’re sitting down to a restaurant-quality meal. As parents who are always on the go, this setup is a lifesaver.
Blue Apron’s pre-cooked meals are also easy to prepare within minutes, making it a wonderful option. Unfortunately, the meal kits take much longer (anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes) to prepare personally, so it’s not as convenient an option.
If you like having endless options and variety… CookUnity
CookUnity’s menu features over 300 rotating dishes from diverse cuisines, so you’ll always find something that fits your cravings. From calorie-conscious meals to gluten-free, keto, and plant-based options, there’s something for everyone. And because you can sort meals by dietary needs or chef, it’s easy to tailor your choices to your weight-loss goals (depending on your zip code).
Blue Apron offers a smaller selection of around 100 meal options per week. While the recipes are customizable, the menu feels more limited, especially if you’re sticking to a specific diet. For us, the variety wasn’t quite enough to keep things exciting week after week.
If you want to learn how to cook… Blue Apron
If you enjoy cooking and want a hands-on meal experience, Blue Apron’s meal kits are a great choice. Their recipes are fun to make and can help you improve your skills in the kitchen. My husband and I enjoyed using it before kids, when we had more time to experiment with new dishes.
If you want to save money… CookUnity
CookUnity starts at $10.49 per meal, which includes the convenience of professional chef preparation. And with a 50% off first box discount, we paid less than $6 per meal on our initial order, which is an amazing value for the quality and convenience.
Blue Apron starts at $7.99 per serving for meal kits and $9.49 per serving for pre-cooked meals, and while that’s reasonable, it doesn’t include the hidden “cost” of your time and effort. Between cooking, portioning, and cleaning up, the overall value felt a little less appealing for our lifestyle.
Final verdict: CookUnity has become a staple in our household
For busy parents like us, CookUnity is the clear winner. Its ready-to-eat meals save precious time without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. With CookUnity, we can stay on track with our new year goals while still enjoying delicious meals that feel like a treat for the whole family.So if you’re looking for something different in the new year, give CookUnity a try—you’ll get 50% off your first box!
