Depending on your needs, there are two main types of meal delivery services: prepared entrées and meal kits. Heat-and-eat options are perfect for those times when you only have a few minutes to spare for your next meal, while a meal kit is a great pick for those who want to feel some semblance of normalcy but don’t have the time to prep (let alone shop for) ingredients. Regardless of your preference, there are plenty of reliable options that make it easy for new parents to scarf down a nutrient-packed meal during nap time. One isn’t necessarily better for new parents than the other; it just depends on how much time you have and whether or not you have someone to help you take care of the baby while you’re preparing a meal. “Anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich foods help inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines―molecules that regulate inflammation levels. Since your goals are to heal your body, rebuild your tissues, protect your mental health (inflammation is indicated in PPD1), produce nutrient-rich breast milk (for those who breastfeed), and restore your nutrient levels, anti-inflammatory foods should be the cornerstone of your diet,” integrative and functional medicine physician Alejandra Carrasco, M.D., previously told mbg. That means choosing meal delivery that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits and berries, fatty fish, and high-quality proteins. All the options on this list check all of these boxes. You can choose from several meal plans, including Whole30, paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, and a general clean-eating. Regardless of the specific plan, all meals are gluten-free, GMO-free, and low in sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Choose to have 5, 7, 10, or 14 entrées delivered each week with options to add on breakfast. The only downside of this plan? You can’t select the specific meals sent your way. However, you can choose to exclude up to two ingredients from your order, such as mushrooms, red meat, or white fish. A few meals we’ve tried: -Pollo Guisado white meat chicken with tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, and citrus -Tropical Garlic Shrimp with bell peppers, lemon, and coconut Sustainability & Quality: Trifecta does what it can to reduce its carbon footprint by eliminating unnecessary steps in the food supply chain and using sustainable packaging whenever possible. All packaging is 100% recyclable, but the company’s goal is to use biodegradable packaging by 2023. Cost: From $12 per meal What our editor says: “If you have weight loss goals, certain dietary preferences, or simply want to take the guesswork out of eating healthier, Trifecta is a great meal delivery option. I enjoyed it even though I love to cook, but these fully prepared meals would be even better for someone who wants to spend a very minimal amount of time in the kitchen.” — Carleigh Ferrante, commerce editor Read our full Trifecta review here. For the quickest prep-to-table options, the brand offers a quick-and-easy meal plan, but there are five additional options as well, including meat and veggies, veggie, family-friendly, pescatarian, and fit & wholesome. We recommend selecting the fit & wholesome menu for an option that best resembles a Mediterranean diet, prioritizing vegetables and proteins like fatty fish. Luckily, you don’t have to commit to one specific plan; mix and match your selection as desired. Each recipe can serve two or four people, with up to six meals per box. Example Meal: -Sesame soy pork bowls -Italian chicken and pepper sandos Sustainability & Quality: HelloFresh uses some organic ingredients, but its main focus is sourcing local and/or seasonal produce at its peak freshness. A representative from the company travels to each meat vendor to double-check that they’re following proper animal welfare guidelines. All packaging is recyclable, with the exception of the winter liners and gel pack contents. If you’re overwhelmed by decision-making in the early days of parenthood, this service has you covered. Choose between a keto, paleo, Mediterranean, high-protein, vegan, or keto vegan menu with enough entrées to cover up to 21 meals per week. Fresh n’ Lean handles the rest for you, selecting the meals to send your way for a complete diet. Don’t worry! You can still choose up to three ingredients to avoid in your meal plan (and allergens don’t count), but this service definitely isn’t for picky eaters. Anyone seeking more flexibility should opt for the bulk plan, which provides an array of prepared proteins and sides to let you build your own meals. Example Meal: -Cajun style rice with shrimp and chicken sausage -Herb-roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetables Sustainability & Quality: Fresh n’ Lean uses organic produce, grass-fed beef, and sustainable fish whenever possible—and meals are built around seasonal items, which helps contribute to sustainability. Everything is packed in recyclable trays and wrapped in recyclable plastic. The insulation used during shipping isn’t recyclable, but it is biodegradable. When building your box, you can mix and match meal types and sort by dietary preferences, like low-carb or low-calorie. There are also options to filter for specific foods that you want to avoid, including some major allergens. Another perk? You’ll never get bored with new menu drops each week. One small thing to consider: Although the brand employs several chefs, there’s no mention of nutritionists or registered dietitians on staff. While postpartum needs are individual—and best addressed with your health care practitioner–it’s still important to note that meals may not be as well-balanced from Home Chef versus other options on the list. But they’ll still be high quality and quick to prepare! Example Meals: -One-pan chicken and mushroom stroganoff -Acapulco-style pork tacos Sustainability & Quality: Home Chef prioritizes locally sourced and seasonal ingredients and uses organic ingredients whenever possible (although not all the time). Most of the packaging is recyclable and/or made with recycled materials. Any packaging that can’t be recycled is nontoxic and reusable. When signing up for Epicured, you can choose from a curated meal plan or build an à la carte box from fully cooked, ready-to-heat entrées, soups, bowls, salads, breakfasts, sides, and snacks. To make things even easier, you can filter by dietary preferences, allergies, and/or nutritional needs, like low-fat or low-carb. Example Meal: -Tuna Nicoise salad -Thai green curry Sustainability & Quality: While Epicured doesn’t have a fully organic menu, the company does prioritize sourcing organic versions of all produce on the Dirty Dozen list. Outside of that, ingredients are non-GMO and locally sourced when possible. Meats are free of antibiotics and hormones, and beef is grass-fed, chicken and turkey are organic, and fish is wild-caught.
