You Can Eat Like Champ with the Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery (2024)

If you’re a bodybuilder (or just prefer bodybuilding workouts), you likely know that your nutrition plays a huge role in gaining muscle, leaning out, and sustaining energy. If you’re looking to skip the hassle of the full-day meal-prepping experience, then it’s time to check out our top picks for bodybuilding meal delivery services. 

Your friends at Garage Gym Reviews aren’t just a bunch of fitness knuckleheads; we’re staffed with certified personal trainers, professional athletes, and nutrition coaches. We’re a group of industry experts who care about what we eat. And collectively, we tested over 40 different meal delivery services, from budget-friendly options to the best meal delivery service for families. 

For the best bodybuilding-style meal delivery, we wanted to consider certain factors that are specific to bodybuilding diets, such as: 

• Macronutrient profile 
• Portion size
• Price per meal
• Overall taste and texture 

Additionally, our top picks for bodybuilding meal delivery were also reviewed by our Garage Gym Reviews expert panelist, registered and licensed dietitian Perry Nix, RD, LD, to help us break down the pros and cons of each meal service. 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Best Bodybuilding Meal Prep Delivery Services

• Best Overall Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Trifecta
• Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery For Variety: Factor
• Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery for Bulk Food: ICON Meals
• Best Organic Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Hungryroot
• Best Fresh Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Home Chef
• Best Bodybuilding Meals for Dietary Restrictions: BistroMD
• Best Prepared Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Fuel Meals
• Best Paleo Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Paleo on the Go
• Best Budget Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Muscle Meals 2 Go

Best Overall Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Trifecta Nutrition 

Good for: Bodybuilders and athletes tracking macros to maximize muscle size

Best Overall

Trifecta

GGR Score: 4.1

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Meal plans or bulk meal options available
• All food is pre-made and arrives fresh (but you can freeze it)
• Six different menu plans, including clean, Whole30, paleo, keto, high-protein vegan, and high-protein vegetarian
• Meals are delivered weekly, but you can cancel anytime
• High-quality ingredients, with a focus on organic, locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Several types of meal plans available
• Can also choose a bulk meal prep option
• Can get breakfasts as well as entrees
• The company prioritizes high-quality ingredients
• Some customization available

Cons

• Expensive, but ingredients are high-quality
• Limited personalization available

Bottom Line

Trifecta combines convenience with healthy eating. While all meals are pre-cooked and pre-portioned, the ingredients are high-quality and preservative-free.

Trifecta is our top pick for the best overall bodybuilding meal delivery service, with a 4.1-out-of-5-star rating overall from our expert product tester and GGR head of content, Kate Meier. Kate thought ordering was a cinch, and pre-made, fresh meals were delivered right to her door. 

When it comes to overall taste, variety, portion size, and customization on meal plans, Trifecta scored 4- and 5-star ratings across the board. You can read more about all these categories in our in-depth Trifecta meal delivery review. 

Many of the ingredients Trifecta uses are organic and sourced sustainably whenever possible. The meals always arrive fresh in vacuum-sealed containers with a best-buy date of five days after delivery (and the option to freeze them for up to three months). 

When it comes to portion sizes, tester Kate gives Trifecta a 5-out-of-5-star rating, even though she found them a tad on the small side. 

However, these meals are designed for optimizing macronutrient balance for athletic performance, muscle growth, and fat loss. “If you are really strict about your macros, these meals are a good option,” Kate adds. 

Trifecta also helps you get more protein into your diet with a focus on lean proteins.  Registered dietitian, Perry Nix, notes “Trifecta markets their meals towards athletes wanting to achieve a fit aesthetic by eating balanced and nutritious foods.”

“Meal prepping can help you achieve a more chiseled physique, but it’s tedious and time consuming. Using a service like Trifecta takes the struggle out of meal prepping,” Perry adds.  

RELATED: How to Get More Protein

Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery For Variety: Factor

Good for: Athletes who want variety within the typically bodybuilding meal formula 

Best for Variety

Factor75

GGR Score: 4.03

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Heat-and-eat meals that are delivered weekly
• Five menu plans, including calorie-controlled and keto
• Can mix and match from different menu plans for more variety
• New menus drop weekly
• Can order up to 18 meals per week

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Not restricted to one specific diet plan
• Meals arrive fresh and ready to heat
• Offers options for different dietary preferences
• Can cancel or skip a delivery anytime

Cons

• No options for customization
• No personalized plans for weight loss

Bottom Line

Factor75 is a heat-and-eat delivery service that works well for those on specialized diets. Boxes are delivered weekly, and you can mix and match from different menu plans to maximize your menu variety.

We chose Factor (formerly Factor 75) for the best meal delivery for variety because it offers a large, rotating menu. That said, these are still traditional bodybuilding-style meals. 

“There are quite a lot of meals to choose from, and the menu changes at least partially each week,” explains Amanda Capritto, GGR expert tester, senior writer, and certified personal trainer.

“However, the meals all have the same format: A lean protein with a side of veggies and grains. While you do get to enjoy different flavor profiles, you’ll eventually notice that you’re eating the same kind of meal over and over,” says Amanda. 

RELATED: High-Protein Vegetables 

But notice that she says the same kind of meal—not the same meal. For this reasonFactor earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating in the variety category. When Amanda tested these meals, she had the general population in mind, but she also realizes this is more than enough variety for athletes and bodybuilders. 

You’ll even have the opportunity to select from a variety of meal plans like keto or high-protein to better suit your dietary needs. Plus, Amanda gave Factor a 5-star rating for access to nutritional information. “The nutrition information, ingredients, and allergens are on the website for every meal. Each meal’s sleeve has the full nutrition info printed on it, too,” she says. 

Perry Nix RD, LD, chimes in and adds, “Many people don’t know where to start when it comes to shopping for nutrient-rich ingredients and cooking balanced meals,” We find this true for first-time bodybuilders, too. 

RELATED: Gifts for Bodybuilders 

“Factor does the shopping and cooking for you so you can improve your diet completely hassle-free. Factor meals arrive fresh, not frozen, so you can keep them in the refrigerator and simply heat them up in the microwave when you’re ready to eat,” says Perry. 

We have even more details about Amanda’s hands-on, taste-testing experience in our in-depth Factor Meals review. 

Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery for Bulk Food: ICON Meals

Good for: Anyone seeking prepared meals or bulk food without a subscription plan 

Best for Bulk Food

ICON Meals

GGR Score: 4.5

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Fresh, ready-to-eat meal delivery 
• Vacuum-sealed for freshness
• Build custom meals or chose from menu
• One-time purchases and subscription plans available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fresh, vacuum-sealed meals
• 35 signature meals always available
• Stays fresh up to 5 days (or freeze up to 6 months)
• 15% off for military personnel and first responders

Cons

• Limited vegetarian options
• No vegan options

Bottom Line

When you use ICON Meals, you’ll not only be able to choose from a one-time purchase or a subscription, you’ll also have the ability to customize meals or select meals from the main menu. There are 35 signature dishes that you can choose from anytime or browse the rotating weekly menu. Meals start at $12 and the minimum order needs to be at least 8 meals. Subscription meal delivery boxes come with either 12 or 24 meals and meal delivery frequency can be set anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks.

ICON Meals offers a bodybuilding-style meal service that doesn’t force you to commit to a subscription plan or stick to a certain type of diet.

Expert product tester and certified nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly tested ICON Meals and mentions this was the best overall experience out of the meal services he tried. One thing Anthony appreciated about ICON was the fact you create your own meal plan and choose from an a la carte menu. 

GGR expert panelist and registered dietitian Perry Nix says, “I like that ICON Meals helps you select entrees based on your health and fitness goals. You can choose high-protein meals if you’re looking to gain muscle or calorie-conscious meals if you’d like to lose weight.” 

RELATED: High-Protein Foods

“Something that makes ICON Meals unique is that you can create custom meals to suit your dietary needs and preferences. This is ideal for anyone trying to hit specific macros each day because you are in control of everything that’s on your plate,” says Perry.

You’ll also have the option to choose bulk food items (like bulk chicken, beef, or roasted vegetables) so you can create your own plates from bulk orders—ideal if you have more than one athlete in your home. 

We even selected ICON Meals for the high-protein category in our best gluten-free meal delivery list. 

When it comes to both customization of meal plans and the ordering process as a whole, Anthony gives ICON a 5-out-of-5-star rating in both categories. 

Not only can  you customize your meal plans, the high-protein meals are ideal for bodybuilders and athletes alike. Perry Nix notes, “ICON is especially appealing for athletes wanting to cut fat and gain muscle. Not only do they offer high-protein meals, but snacks are also protein-packed to promote muscle growth and rev up metabolism.”

Best Organic Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Hungryroot

Good for: Bodybuilders who prioritize organic ingredients without preservatives 

Best Organic

Hungryroot

GGR Score: 4.4

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Grocery delivery meets meal kit
• Meal delivery service that sends you ingredients based on recipes you like
• Many recipes only take 10 minutes to prepare
• Starts at $70 per box

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Simple and quick
• Caters to many styles of eating
• Can add on groceries to your order

Cons

• You do have to cook
• Have to meet plan minimum each week (though you can adjust your minimum on a weekly basis)

Bottom Line

Hungryroot offers a unique take on meal delivery, in that you find a recipe you like, and the company will send you all of the ingredients to make it. There are many options for types of food to choose from, and you can even order extra groceries that you might need as well. You do have to cook though, so if that's not interesting to you, this won't be the right plan.

While Hungryroot doesn’t have all organic ingredients, it’s much simpler to filter meals and grocery items that are USDA Organic and non-GMO-certified than other services we tested and there are plenty of options each week. During your initial survey, you can even say how much cooking you’re looking to do so your meals reflect your culinary capabilities.

Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, and GGR senior director of content, tested Hungryroot and rates the ingredient quality a 4.5 out of 5. “Everything is high-quality,” she says. “Humanely raised meat and dairy, a lot of organic fruit/vegetables/grains. I did have some things, like a bell pepper mix, that wasn’t organic. However, in terms of quality, everything is so fresh and crisp.

In fact, we hand selected Hungryroot for our best organic meal delivery roundup for the best budget meal category. 

Additionally, if you’re a bodybuilder, you’ll like knowing you can opt for meals with at least 25 grams of protein per serving. Perry Nix, our expert panelist and registered dietitian, says it’s also a good choice for those with food-borne allergies. “They include groceries and recipes made without common food allergens like soy, nuts, shellfish, and eggs, which is hard to find in other meal service plans,” she says.

Kate was a big fan of the meals she tried, giving them a 5 out of 5 when it came to taste. “Everything is so fresh, and you don’t need to do any seasoning because most foods are prepped already for you with spices,” she says in our Hungryroot review.

She was also a fan of the cooking process, which she gave a 4 out of 5 to, since it involves minimal chopping and dishes. “Everything is prepackaged and ready to throw in a skillet,” she says.

The portion sizes were alright for her, though her much taller partner, a competitive weightlifter, required rice or another carb source to bulk up his meals. Kate rated it a 4 out of 5 in that category. “It’s so customizable, so you can make it be almost as big or as small as you want,” she says.

Best Fresh Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Home Chef

Good for: Bodybuilders looking for a basic meal delivery with fresh, prepared meals

Best Fresh

Home Chef

GGR Score: 4.1

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Can choose from meal kits, pre-made meals, or grill-ready ingredients
• Recipes can accommodate two, four or six people, and you can get up to six meals per week
• No specific meal plans, but you can narrow down your choices
• Menu changes weekly, with up to 30 meals to choose from
• Requires a subscription, but you can cancel or skip a week anytime

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Menu changes weekly to prevent food boredom
• Options for meal kits or pre-made meals
• Can skip a week if you don’t need a delivery
• Can accommodate larger groups and families (many meal delivery services cap out at four servings per recipe)
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Doesn’t accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions
• Options can be limited if you’re on a specific diet
• Requires a subscription (that you can skip or cancel, but you have to remember)

Bottom Line

Home Chef is a meal delivery service that gives you options between meal kits, heat-and-eat meals, and grill-ready selections. It does require a subscription, but you can cancel any time or skip a week if you don’t want a shipment.

Home Chef has consistently been one of our favorite meal kits because they use fresh, appropriately-portioned ingredients that taste great and reduce food waste. We’ve had several testers try them, and everyone said the meat, vegetables, and other food items were still fresh thanks to the dry ice included in each box.

“Meals typically need to be eaten between 3-6 days from delivery, but I can make them stretch if needed,” says longtime Home Chef user Emily, a friend of GGR’s.

Registered dietitian Perry Nix says using the service can also lead to better overall health. “Eating home-cooked meals, whether using food from a meal kit or the grocery store, is linked to improved diet quality,” she says in our Home Chef review.

You can filter meals based on whether you want low-calorie or low-carb options, and while there’s no way to search for high-protein meals many of the offerings have more than 30 or 40 grams per serving. Nix, however, cautions those with food allergies to be careful. “Meals are made in a facility that handles many common allergens, so there is a risk of cross-contamination,” she says. “Additionally, Home Chef doesn’t offer vegan, keto, or paleo-friendly meals, so if you follow these restrictive eating patterns this might not be the best choice.”

You can pick between 2-6 meals per week by either letting the program select your meals based on the preferences you enter during sign up or editing their choices. “You can also plan multiple weeks in advance to choose meals for a few weeks or make sure you skip weeks when you know you won’t be checking the site,” says Emily, who rated the ordering process a 5 out of 5.

Another category that got perfect marks was the taste. “Many of the meals have wonderful sauces that just make the dish absolutely perfect,” Emily says. “I’ve tried a few different meal delivery kit services and this is by far the best. Hence why we have ordered it constantly since September 2022.”

If you’re going with the meal kits, you’re going to have to dirty a few pots and pans so the ease of preparation gets a 2 out of 5 in that case. There are oven-ready meals and Express options that are ready in 15 minutes or less.

Best Bodybuilding Meals for Dietary Restrictions: BistroMD

Good for: Bodybuilders and athletes with dietary restrictions and eating patterns

BistroMD

GGR Score: 4.27

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Doctor-designed meal plans 
• May help improve metabolism and aid with weight loss
• Weekly frozen meal deliveries
• Variety of meal plans including vegan, keto, and diabetic

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Program is based on science behind metabolism correction
• Options to skip a week
• Packed in oven-safe, BPA-free trays
• Support from registered dietitians

Cons

• Programs don’t allow you to order less than 10 meals
• Expensive subscription
• Shipping is not free

Bottom Line

BistroMD was designed by a doctor to help folks struggling with weight loss. BistroMD addresses insulin-resistance and aids a healthy metabolism with lean protein and high-fiber foods to keep you full in addition to low glycemic carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugars. You’ll find a meal plan that works within your dietary restrictions including gluten-free, vegan, or keto.

BistroMD has one of the best meal plans for dietary restrictions. The brand offers Gluten Free, Keto Flex, Diabetic, Vegan, Menopause, and Heart Healthy meal programs. Each meal plan and menu item has been meticulously designed by co-founder Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D., and reviewed by a team of nutritionists and registered dietitians. 

While BistroMD is specially designed for weight loss, I think it’s a solid option for athletes and bodybuilders who have specific dietary needs (like gluten-free or vegan). 

I personally tried this meal service and signed up for the Signature Meal Plan, which isn’t diet-specific but, according to the website, uses the science of healthy weight loss and may help reduce blood sugar spikes. We also chose BistroMD for the weight loss category in our best healthy meal delivery service roundup. 

Registered dietitian Perry Nix notes, “These meal plans focus on fueling your metabolism, stabilizing your blood sugar, and keeping you full and satisfied, so you can burn more calories and utilize energy efficiently.”

Overall, I rated BistroMD a 5-out-of-5-star rating for meal planning and customization because the brand offers a variety of different dietary restrictions that aren’t usually available on every meal delivery platform. Once you select a plan, the website will filter so you see meals that fit within that plan or dietary need. You will have full control of choosing your individual meals.

The meals are fairly low-calorie, but I personally think this would work well if you’re a bodybuilder on an eating schedule of more than three meals per day. 

It’s also worth noting that all meals came with a healthy portion of vegetables, which are fiber-packed and increase your feeling of fullness. It’s the ideal small meal, and the menu items are more interesting than chicken, broccoli, and rice. 

RELATED: Best Weight Loss Programs

Perry doesn’t disagree and says, “If you’re only eating three meals (and maybe another two snacks) the average calorie intake for women and men is 1200 and 1500, respectively. BistroMD alone is much too low.” 

BistroMD also earns 5 out of 5 stars for access to nutritional information because macros and ingredients are listed on each package and you can preview all the same information as you make your meal selections on the website. 

Best Prepared Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Fuel Meals

Good for: Athletes looking for easy, prepared, and healthy meals

Best Prepared

Fuel Meals

GGR Score: 4

Check Price Use code GGR50 at checkout to save 50% on your first order

Product Highlights

• Meal prep meal delivery service
• Can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered
• Meals start at $13.91
• Weekly or bi-weekly delivery

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner options
• Meals are fresh

Cons

• No customizations of the meals available
• Calories may be too low for some
• Expensive

Bottom Line

Fuel Meals offers two dedicated meals plans—muscle gain and weight loss—catered to both men and women. You can choose to have all daily meals delivered, or stick to just lunch and dinner, on a weekly or bi-weekly delivery cadence. One downside is that there's no customization of the meals.

Fuel Meals makes meal-prepping easy with ready-to-eat meals shipped to your door. Meals arrive fresh and can be microwaved or stashed in the freezer to eat later. “You just nuke ’em and throw away the container,” says competitive weightlifter and GGR’s senior director of content Kate Meier, who rated the ease of preparation a 5 out of 5.

Registered dietitian Perry Nix says the meals are perfectly balanced when it comes to macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat). “This supports muscle growth and provides enough energy to help you power through your workout,” she says.

So they’re good for you, but do they taste good? For the most part, yeah. “Overall I thought they were pretty good,” says precision nutrition coach and GGR’s head of content Nicole Davis. “On some of them I wanted a bit more spice or flavor—the bison burger for instance, the sauce was really good but the actual patty itself was under-seasoned.”

Kate said she was left “wanting more” after most of her meals. “I found myself adding vegetables to the meal, or adding a sauce or a spice to get more out of it,” she says in our Fuel Meals review. Nicole and Kate agreed the overall taste was a 4 out of 5.

For those watching their macros closely, Fuel Meals shows all important info on their website. Kate says some of her physical labels were blurry, and Nicole notes that some of the nutritional information on her meals was missing. For those reasons, we give the access to nutritional info a 4 out of 5.

RELATED: Best keto meal delivery services 

Regarding portion size, bigger bodybuilders or those in their bulking phase might require something with a little more substance. For example, Nicole said she was full after trying most of them but her husband was a little hungry afterwards. Most meals have around 400-600 calories. The portion size received a 4 out of 5.

Nix adds that the foods are made of your typical “bodybuilding ingredients,” such as steak, chicken, potatoes, and rice. Since you’re reading this roundup, that’s probably not an issue for you but more adventurous eaters should look elsewhere.

Best Paleo Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Paleo on the Go

Good for: Athletes and bodybuilders looking for a paleo meal plan 

Best Paleo

Paleo on the Go

GGR Score: 4.35

Check Price

Product Highlights

• 100% Paleo and AIP-friendly
• Plans include 8, 12, or 16 items 
• Can subscribe or buy one time
• Easy to follow instructions

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide variety of options
• Seasonal meals available
• Meals are ready after a few minutes in the microwave

Cons

• No smartphone app to manage subscription
• No free shipping

Bottom Line

Paleo on the Go is a meal service for people who would like to follow the paleo diet. They offer a wide range of foods, including bundle packages and seasonal items. The price range varies based on the items you choose to order.

If you’re looking for a paleo-specific meal plan or groceries, Paleo on the Go makes it super easy. Everything on their website is paleo and autoimmune protocol (AIP)-complaint, meaning they’re free of grains, soy, dairy, and other foods known to cause inflammation in some people.

What’s more, you get a one-time box with 8 items without a subscription to see if it’s right for you. “Few other meal delivery services cater strictly to paleo and AIP diets,” registered dietitian Perry Nix says.

You won’t get bored, either. We also selected Paleo on the Go for the best for variety category in our best paleo meal delivery roundup, and former paleo dieter Frieda Johnson rated the menu options a 5 out of 5. “They also have seasonal foods and meals are cycled out or new ones added regularly,” says Frieda, a certified nutrition coach and longtime fitness writer.

Another area that got perfect scores was taste. “They were easily as good as the meals I made from scratch when I was following the paleo diet,” Frieda says. “And the baked goods were impressive! A bit of a mealy texture, but that’s hard to avoid with paleo baked goods.”

Frieda recommends sticking to the oven with these meals, as the only one she didn’t like was reheated in the microwave. “It takes longer but it’s worth it,” she says.

Price is one area where Paleo on the Go fell flat. Some entrees can cost between $20-$30, and sides and snacks cost around $10-$15. “I would have loved to have these meals at the time I was paleo if they weren’t horrendously expensive,” Frieda says. “I do think these are high-quality meals, but I have a hard time justifying the expense.”

Best Budget Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: Muscle Meals 2 Go

Good for: Bodybuilders and athletes on a budget (and a diet)

Best Budget

Muscle Meals 2 Go

GGR Score: 3.82

Check Price

Product Highlights

• High-protein meal delivery service
• Fresh, ready-to-eat meals
• Standard and extra protein meal options
• Meals stay fresh for 8 days after delivery

Pros & Cons

Pros

• One-time purchase option
• Weekly or biweekly subscription
• Gluten-free, low-carb, keto, and extra protein meal options
• Breakfast and entree options available

Cons

• Shipping is not included
• Expensive per meal cost (price break when you order more meals)

Bottom Line

Bodybuilders and gym rats take notice: Muscle Meals 2 Go offers fresh, high-protein, ready-to-eat meals delivered right to your door. You’ll have the option to choose from a weight loss, muscle maintenance, or muscle gain meal plan with a macronutrient profile to support each goal. Choose from a one-time delivery or a recurring weekly (or biweekly) subscription plan.

Muscle Meals 2 Go takes our spot for people trying to grow their biceps without shrinking their wallet because you can simply order meals a la carte without a subscription. In other words, you don’t need to order more items to get the per-meal cost to an alright number as you do with other services. Even if you sign up for a subscription, the $13.50 per-meal cost for 10 entrees is cheaper or just about the same as most other companies that offer macro-friendly meals.

If you think Muscle Meals 2 Go sounds like a bodybuilding meal delivery service, you’re absolutely right. This certified personal trainer and former competitive powerlifter personally tested this meal delivery service and thought it looked a lot like my own meal prep when I used to cook ahead for my 14-hour days as a personal trainer in a gym. 

Honestly, this service would have been absolutely clutch back then. And Muscle Meals 2 Go arrives in a vacuum-sealed container with fresh, pre-made, and ready-to-eat meals. 

These are true, bodybuilder-style meals. And what I mean by that is the ingredients are pretty basic and pretty much all whole foods, including lean protein sources, vegetables, and whole grains. I will admit there are minimal sauces and seasonings, too. Because I thought these were on the bland side, I give Muscle Meals a 4-out-of-5-star rating for taste, and suggest having your favorite hot sauce nearby. 

That said, Muscle Meals has three different tracks to choose from: Lean, Maintain, or Gain. No matter what track you choose, all of your meals come fresh and ready. There’s no dethawing or microwaving for over five minutes (or more). 

RELATED: High-Protein Meals

Registered dietitian Perry Nix mentions that the Gain meal plan, “Includes extra protein to support muscle growth and increase metabolism. Plus, several meals are made with chicken, turkey, and salmon for those who want to reduce their saturated fat and cholesterol intake.”

You also don’t have to sign up for a subscription, which is not how most fresh meal delivery services work, but I’m more than happy to mention this. At checkout you’ll have the option to subscribe or choose a one-time purchase. For overall ordering, I give this company a 5-out-of-5-star rating. 

You’ll also find Muscle Meals 2 Go as our top pick overall for the best high-protein meal delivery.

Other Bodybuilding Meal Deliveries We Researched

Diet-To-Go: In our experience, this meal service is hit-or-miss when it comes to both portion sizes and taste. If you’re looking for a bodybuilding-style meal plan, this one is too inconsistent for us to recommend. For portion size and taste our tester, Lindsay Scheele gave Diet-To-Go a 3.5- and 3-out-of-5-star rating respectively. 

Pete’s Real Food: While this a decent option for folks who adhere to paleo or plant-based diets, Pete’s Real Food doesn’t offer consistency with their macronutrient profiles. Our tester also thought the meals were quite bland. For reference, GGR writer, tester, and Olympic athlete Caine Wilks gave the taste of Pete’s Real Food a 3.5-out-of-5-star rating. 

HelloFresh: This is one of the most popular meal kits among families and single folks alike. But it’s a meal kit and doesn’t take away the need to prepare food nor does it have a heavy focus on macronutrients that support muscle building or weight loss. 

For more, read our in-depth HelloFresh review. 

How We Picked and Tested the Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery

For our meal delivery testing process, our entire team of expert product testers each tried at least one meal delivery service, with some taste-testers trying several over the course of about six weeks. 

Our team referenced the same testing methodology that we established for equipment and supplements and peer-reviewed prior to anyone clicking add to cart. Once our methods were in place, we were tasked with answering and scoring the same categories for every single brand we tested for consistency. 

RELATED: GGR Supplement Testing Methodology

Here is a sampling of what we took into consideration when picking services for the best bodybuilding meals:

Macronutrient Information 

One of our testing categories is general access to nutritional information. To score a 5-out-of-5-star rating on this category, both the ingredients list and nutritional information have to be easily accessible on both the website (so you can make informed decisions) and on the label so you can track your macronutrients as needed. 

RELATED: How Much Protein Do I Need?

Portion Size

In the portion size category, we tasked our testers to report how satisfied they were after eating the meal delivery. All of our testers were asked to make note if they were still hungry or stuffed to the brim (and anything in between). 

Our testers also noted if their meals were balanced or featured too much of one thing and not enough of another (too much rice and not enough chicken for example).

Price Per Meal

From our initial research into our hands-on experience, we found that the price per serving ranges from $4.99 on the low end to $14.99 per meal on the high end. For a meal service to get a 5-out-of-5-star rating, the price per serving is $8 or less. For a meal delivery service to score a measly 1-out-of-5-star rating, the service will cost more than $16 per serving. 

Overall Taste and Texture 

While taste is subjective, we used our internal team of testers in addition to the general consensus of customer reviews online. 

For a meal delivery service to score a 3-out-of-5-star rating, the taste has to be OK. The way we look at just OK: Not the best meal ever, but certainly not the worst either. 

To earn a 5-star rating for taste, the general consensus had to be that it was a fantastic-tasting meal and worth ordering again. 

Benefits of Bodybuilding Meal Delivery

No matter your dietary preferences, here are some of the benefits you might experience when signing up for one of the best meal delivery services for athletes and bodybuilders alike: 

Skip Meal Prep

Utilizing a meal delivery service can help reduce how much time you spend in the kitchen meal prepping for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And even if it doesn’t totally eliminate your time spent prepping, it can help you save time while still tracking macros and clean eating. 

Macronutrient Focused Eating

If you’re a bodybuilder (or aspiring to become one) tracking your food is part of the hustle. A traditionally healthy meal (say for a vegetarian or diabetic) looks different when you view it from a bodybuilding and muscle-building lens. You’re no longer just looking for low-calories, it’s all about balancing the macronutrients. 

RELATED: Macros For Weight Loss 

GGR expert panelist and registered dietitian Sydney Lappe explains, “Macronutrients are the three essential nutrients your body needs in large amounts to function optimally. These three main nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.”

Essentially, healthy meals for bodybuilders don’t mean low-carb casseroles or salads with almonds. Bodybuilder meals focus on a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. To some degree, all the macros need to show up at every meal. 

High-Quality Ingredient Choices 

Many of the meals we selected for the best bodybuilding meals offer high-quality, whole ingredients. We selected companies that prioritize organic produce, plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, which are generally high in fiber and fairly low in calories. 

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Bodybuilding Meal Deliveries

Consider the following when shopping for bodybuilding meal delivery services:

Nutritional Information

If you’re prepping for a bodybuilding show or just training like a bodybuilder, you’ll want the ability to see and track your macronutrients, which means you’ll need access to a full nutrition label and ingredient list. 

Calorie Content

Whether you’re looking to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight or surplus to gain weight during your bodybuilding journey, you’ll want to be aware of the average calories you’re going to get in any given meal delivery service. If you’re looking to lose weight, you’ll want to focus on low-calorie meals versus someone trying to pack on weight and muscle mass.

RELATED: Guide to Bulking and Cutting

Protein Content 

Regardless of which meal plan you choose, bodybuilders need high-protein foods for muscle building to support the process of muscle protein synthesis. You’ll want to be sure you’re getting at least 20 grams of protein per meal on the low end. Some meal services even offer meal options that range between 30 to 40 grams per serving. 

Price Per Meal

Price per meal varies quite a bit from service to service. Most meal deliveries range from $4.99 to $14.99 per meal. A handful of the 40 meal services we tested were higher, closer to $16 or $18 per serving. Depending on what the service offers and your dietary restrictions, a higher per meal may still be worth the cost. 

Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery: FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding bodybuilding-style meal deliveries:

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. 

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

Further reading

FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench Review (2024): The Best Budget Adjustable Bench for Weightlifters?

by Anthony O'Reilly CPT, CNC

Looking for a budget weight bench? Our FLYBIRD Adjustable Bench review looks at one of the best value benches on the market. Read more

Data Study: After Three Years in a Pandemic, Are Home Gyms Here to Stay?

by Anthony O'Reilly CPT, CNC

If you’re a bodybuilder (or just prefer bodybuilding workouts), you likely know that your nutrition plays a huge role in gaining muscle, leaning out, and sustaining energy. If you’re looking to skip the hassle of the full-day meal-prepping experience, then it’s time to check out our top picks for bodybuilding meal delivery services. Your friends at Garage Gym Reviews aren’t just a bunch of fitness knuckleheads; we’re staffed with certified personal trainers,  » Read more about: You Can Eat Like Champ with the Best Bodybuilding Meal Delivery (2024)  » Read more

Is There a Pepin Coupon Code I Can Use in 2024?

by Anthony O'Reilly CPT, CNC

Garage Gym Reviews has an exclusive Pepin coupon code to save on a barbell and dumbbell stand, as well as information on how to save on other Pepin products. Read more

What Is Mushroom Coffee? A Brew with Unique Benefits  

by Perry Nix, MS, RD, LD

Have you seen the ads for brands like MUD/WTR and wondered, "What is mushroom coffee?" Learn about its benefits, how it's made, and any potential drawbacks. Read more