Balance by BistroMD VS Freshly Comparison
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Getting tired of cooking and planning meals every day? Need an easier, more convenient solution? Balance by BistroMD and Freshly have got your back. Their food is healthy, tasty, and affordable! Check out our comparison chart and find out which one you should try out first!
Highlights
Balance By BistroMD is a convenient, budget-friendly weight loss solution that allows you to shed pounds by enjoying well-balanced meals that suit your unique dietary needs.
- Price Range: $
- Average Price Per Meal: $8.95
- Shipping Cost: $0 *
- Delivery Area: 50 states
*for orders over $99
Freshly offers reasonable prices and a rich menu filled with hallmarks of Italian and American cuisines, all made of fresh, natural ingredients.
- Price Range: $
- Average Price Per Meal: $9.99
- Shipping Cost: $0
- Delivery Area: 48 states
Compare Features
Best For
Best for dieters with special nutritional requirements
Menu/Meal Plans
Balance By BistroMD has one weekly menu for its patrons to choose from.
Recipes/Meal Options
Balance By BistroMD lets you choose from 100+ seasonal meal options on its menu.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Balance By BistroMD offers a multitude of healthy, low-calorie breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks suitable for different diets. It provides diabetic-friendly, senior-friendly, menopause-friendly, heart-healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and vegetarian meals suitable for weight loss. The meals are mostly classics, with no particularly exotic dishes on the menu.
Food Quality
Balance by BistroMD promises to use only fresh, top-quality ingredients in order to create healthy and tasty meals. It freezes its meals at peek freshness to preserve flavor and nutritional value.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Balance By BistroMD meals contain between 240 and 400 calories per serving. While low in calories and portion-controlled, the meals are satisfying because they are rich in protein. Furthermore, the meals are nutritionally balanced, with 20-25% of calories coming from healthy fats, 30-35% from complex carbs, and 40-45% from lean protein sources.
Subscription Flexibility
To cancel or change your order, you must notify Balance By BistroMD as soon as possible.
Refunds
Balance By BistroMD may provide refunds, but keep in mind that it will not give you a refund if you are simply unsatisfied with the taste of its meals.
Best For
Best for home diners who prefer classics and comfort food
Menu/Meal Plans
Freshly provides its customers with a weekly menu to choose from.
Recipes/Meal Options
Freshly offers 30+ lunch and dinner items on its menu every week.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Freshly offers chef-prepared entrées for different diets. Its menu includes low-carb, high-protein, Paleo, omnivore, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and calorie-conscious meals. It offers both classic and exotic dishes, most of them originating from the American and Italian cuisines, with occasional Asian dishes.
Food Quality
Freshly exclusively uses fresh, natural ingredients. Its meals never contain any artificial flavors or colors and they are free from gluten, added sugars, and preservatives.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Most Freshly meals contain between 400 and 500 calories per serving. They are generally healthy and nutritionally balanced but they are not free from cholesterol and may contain more than 600 mg of sodium. The portions are usually around 13 oz.
Subscription Flexibility
With Freshly, you can change, skip, pause or cancel your order whenever you want. The deadline for making any changes is 11:59PM PST 5 days before your scheduled delivery day.
Refunds
If you are not satisfied with your delivery from Freshly, you may receive a full or partial refund or credit. You must report your complaints to the company within 5 days of your delivery date.
Compare Plans & Pricing
Balance By BistroMD Plans & Pricing
| Individual meals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Meal | Price range | |
| Breakfast | $5.99 - $9.89 | |
| Lunch and Dinner | $7.99 - $13.99 | |
| EATS Snacks | $10.99 - $19.99 | |
Freshly Plans & Pricing
| Meal Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Meals per week | Price per week | Price per meal |
| 4 | $49.99 | $12.50 |
| 6 | $59.99 | $9.99 |
| 9 | $89.99 | $9.99 |
| 12 | $107.99 | $8.99 |
Suitable For
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
Compare Meal Options
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals
Compare Sample Meals
![Meatloaf with Honey Bourbon Glaze]()
- Meatloaf with Honey Bourbon Glaze
![Macadamia Crusted Barramundi Seabass]()
- Macadamia Crusted Barramundi Seabass
![Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce]()
- Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce
![Salted Caramel Pecan Bar 6 Count]()
- Salted Caramel Pecan Bar 6 Count
![Buffalo Chicken Breast]()
- Buffalo Chicken Breast
![Pork Carnitas]()
- Pork Carnitas
![Steak Peppercorn]()
- Steak Peppercorn
![Three Bean Ancho Turkey Chili]()
- Three Bean Ancho Turkey Chili
Compare Extras
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
Compare Ratings
Compare Customer Reviews
- Submitted By EriceeeeE on 06/12/2019I have tried 7 different meals. Two of the meals were restaurant quality or even better. Two were on par with a typical frozen meal. The lasagna was better than any lasagna I have ever eaten. The key is to take them out of the freezer the night before to get the best taste and consistency. DO NOT cook them from frozen. I am actually surprised and happy. I only eat them for dinner. I have a small breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a Frozen Garden smoothie as a snack. I have lost 7 pounds in one week.
- Submitted By Tee Williams on 05/27/2019It is fantastic to finally find an affordable meal service that offers such a large variety of food! I was looking for something for my parents and disabled siblings (as well as myself). We are all vegans (occasional dairy we do eat). The vegan meal delivery programs, while delicious are a good 10 - 20% more in price, sometimes 40%. In my opinion, I am willing to pay extra for convenience (this is why some folks eat out), however, for those prices, when I eat out, I am guaranteed to have left overs. It should not cost that much. BistroMD hit the mark on pricing. My only issue is that there seems to be a lack of understanding of what vegetarian means. Vegetarian diets do NOT, I repeat do NOT include anything with a face or that moves in and off itself, having not had its origins in something (a tree, shrub, grass, a weed, a stalk, a vine, a flower, etc.) that is rooted in the ground, growing out of soil. This means, NO SEAFOOD OF ANYKIND, NO FOWL, NO INSECT. Either lable that food pesketarian or seafood diet, not vegetarian. It is misleading, especially with so many meat analogues out there. Having said this, I am happy this service exists and, unlike some non-vegan meal service, you DO have vegatarian dishes that are strictly plant based. That is definitely a plus in my book.
- Submitted By Jen Rivo on 07/01/2018The review from this site has some inaccuracies on prices of food and how items are sent. They are discussing prior shipment boxes and not current ones. The website is quirky and not always user-friendly. It varies between users and a concern from individuals. Some meals are higher than 400 calories. There are issues with FedEx and delivery. It is confusing when you first order and more info is needed or clear info on the website. Food overall is good. It is pricey, but you are paying for convenience. The main issues are related to packaging. They are broken routinely when they arrive or unsealed. They address it, but it is inconvenient that FedEx does not care for packages correctly. There is quality that is inconsistent at times. One week the same dish is great and a week later it's not as good. Lastly, the support Facebook is great but if someone shares a concern with the product posts are closed. I know it's really for support, but some of that info is helpful. Some is not, but when it seems sensored then makes it a concern.
- Submitted By Cindy Thomas on 03/31/2018I became tired of cooking and bored with preparing the same dishes over and over. Then I discovered Balance by BistroMD and gave them a try. I love that I can order what I want and when I want it - no subscription commitment required. I love that ordering is easy and delivery is fast. I love that I don't have to prepare anything other than popping a tray into the microwave. Most importantly - I love the food - it's delicious, fresh, healthy, and satisfying.
- Submitted By Stephanie Corsano on 10/07/2019I have ordered Freshly meals for about 4 months now and I just love them! The food is tasty. Great portions and I am NEVER left hungry. They have a variety of meals that I like. They add or change to different meals periodically, but I definitely have my favorites. Some you may have to season a bit more as they try and keep things healthy (so maybe some salt on occasion), but for the majority, 3 min in the microwave and you’re good to go! I have had a few instances with the delivery people, but when I call customer service, they are friendly, helpful and accommodating. They have even credited me back for any issues that may have come up. I also like the fact that I can customize my order. A number of meals per week, rather than choosing from a number of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I can’t do breakfast or lunch because I commute for work, and I do not have a microwave there. So ordering dinners for the end of the evening, is the best! But they do offer it if you’re so inclined. Overall, they are worth a try. You won’t be disappointed. Hopefully they will expand how many meals they offer, but they definitely include enough variety for me!
- Submitted By robb on 08/27/2019I am happy with the selection, quality, price. I will be staying long term, as long as they don't increase prices.
- Submitted By Christina on 08/18/2019Freshly was not good, and not worth the cost. It didn't taste particularly healthy NOR good. I had to struggle to make my way through the rest of my initial 6-meal trial. I will certainly never order from Freshly again.
- Submitted By SunnyDays on 06/20/2019I've been enjoying Freshly for a few months now and have to say they have exceeded my expectations. The meals arrive fully cooked and are kept cool in a well insulated box with earth friendly gel packs to keep them at a refrigerated temperature. They can go right into your fridge for later or pop one in the microwave for about 3 minuets and your dinner is ready. If you don't think you'll be eating them within the designated time listed on the package you can just freeze them and eat them when you're ready. ...
Winner
Balance By BistroMD is an innovative meal delivery service focused on healthy and highly personalized meal plans. All the meals are chef-prepared, doctor-approved, and delivered right to your doorstep. Whether you want to lose weight or just lead a healthier lifestyle, find out more about this impressive service in our Balance By BistroMD review.