I have a confession: I HATE meal prepping. The process is tedious and time-consuming. Not to mention that three to four days of eating the same thing gets boring FAST. However, it's the only way I can keep my healthy eating on track (I'm EASILY swayed by pretty much any dessert, Chipotle, and Trader Joe's snacks).
When I have moments where I wish I could wave a magic wand and all my healthy meals would be sorted out, I remember that meal delivery services exist. Namely, Thistle and Factor—two recommendations from my very fit friends from yoga.
Let's dive in:
If you’re looking for a meal option that tastes amazing… Thistle
I'm all for complex flavors and delicious cuisines! Thistle impressed me with its vibrant and diverse offerings. Their meals are like a party of colors, spices, sauces, and textures that I'm obsessed with. The Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad was a little spicy with some added bite, and I loved the Asian-inspired flavors of the Miso Squash Bowl with Miso Glazed Tofu.
The nutritionist-crafted, chef-assembled dishes are the best I've ever tried. Thistle emphasizes using fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients whenever possible. While Factor has its merits, it couldn't quite match up to Thistle's mouthwatering greens galore. If you wanna level up your food game, Thistle is my clear, taste-packed favorite.
If you're tired of still being hungry after you finish your meal… Thistle
If I'm spending a long day at work or I'm out running errands, the last thing I want is to be left hungry a couple hours after I eat. Honestly, at first glance, I wasn't sure Thistle's plant-based meals would keep me full.
But Thistle has struck the perfect balance with their plant-forward macronutrients, serving up whole, organic goodness that keeps you feeling full and satisfied for longer. And Thistle meals are packed with at least 20g of protein, 15g of fiber, and no refined sugar in every meal!
While Factor does a commendable job with its portion sizes, Thistle’s emphasis is on whole foods and has over 40 superfoods on its menu. Ingredients like chia, which is known for its satiating properties, and spirulina, which can provide prolonged energy, ensure that post-meal hunger is a thing of the past.
If you’re looking for fresh, pre-made meals that aren't frozen… it's a tie
Both Thistle and Factor prioritize freshness, delivering non-frozen meals directly to your doorstep every week. With Thistle, you can serve straight from the container, or if you want to heat up your meal, that's also a breeze. Factor meals can't be served cold, so if you want to dive right in, Thistle is for you!
No more stressing over meal planning, grocery runs, or endless hours in the kitchen. That means more time to hang out with friends and family or just unwind with a good book! It's a win-win situation for me.
If you want the ultimate customization… Thistle
Thistle’s customization features are on point. You can tailor your weekly orders, selecting the number of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks you desire, starting at just $42/week or as low as $11.50/meal – talk about a great value. Plus, they're all about flexibility – swap, change, or remove meals as you please.
I found Factor's customizability to be a little more restrictive – they only have 6-18 meals a week, and fewer choices for snacks and breakfasts. When it comes to variety and flexibility, Thistle has the winning recipe!
Overall Winner… Thistle
Honestly, Factor was no contest for Thistle. From their vibrant flavors to the extensive lineup of over 40 superfoods on their menu including turmeric, maca, spirulina, ginger, matcha, chia, and moringa (just to name a few), they take the (healthy) cake.
If you're in the market for an unmatched culinary journey that's nutritious, delicious, and tailored to your preferences, Thistle has my vote, hands down!
