We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
Making healthy meals daily when you have a busy schedule is a hassle. Balancing work, family obligations, time at the gym, and other commitments can leave little time for meal prep. It’s no surprise that meal prep services have surged in popularity. Even now, new meal delivery services are still popping into fruition. But with so many options, selecting just one can be overwhelming. Could Fuel Meals provide the variety, flavors, and portions you need to stay on track?
Fuel Meals makes ordering personalized pre-made meals easy, so you can eat meals that align with your goals without the hassle of grocery shopping, cooking, and prepping meals. In this Fuel Meals review, our expert testers analyze taste, ingredient quality, cost, and customization to help you decide if this is the best meal delivery service for your nutritional needs.
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. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Meals We Trial and Trust
Our qualified testers, including personal trainers, nutrition experts, CrossFit coaches, and weightlifting competitors, have tried dozens of the best meal kits and pre-made meal services. Not only do they analyze food delivery services, but they also use them in their everyday lives.
They know how important proper nutrition is to fuel powerful, effective workouts and seek balanced macros to promote energy and recovery. Some factors we consider when testing a meal service include:
- Ease of preparation
- Taste
- Portion size
- Variety
- Access to nutrition information
- Packaging and shipping
Fuel Meals
Fuel Meals
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.
A Quick Look at Fuel Meals
Fuel Meals provides ready-made entrees designed to help you reach your muscle-gaining, weight-loss, or performance goals. These meals come pre-portioned and pre-plated and only require a quick zap in the microwave before chow time.
With four meal plans, Fuel Meals markets the option to opt for high-protein, lower-carb, lower-calorie, and high-energy meals. Fuel Meals prides itself on offering a variety of over 50 entrees, breakfasts, snacks, and bulk proteins/sides. Furthermore, they boast a diverse menu that caters to various dietary preferences.
RELATED: Best Prepared Meal Delivery
Whether you want occasional pre-made meals during the week or a daily supply, there’s an ordering option to suit your needs. Subscribers can sign up to order seven, 10, 14, or 20 meals per week or opt for bi-weekly delivery.
Before You Buy
- Use code GGR50 to save 50% off your first order
- Gluten-free and dairy-free meal options available
- No vegan or vegetarian entrees
- Weekly or bi-weekly subscription options
- Can cancel at any time
Is Fuel Meals Worth It?
Fuel Meals might suit busy individuals aiming to uphold balanced nutrition to support their fitness goals, but not everyone.
Great for:
- Bodybuilders wanting to build muscle with high-protein, high-carb meals
- Those with hectic schedules who lack time and energy to grocery shop and cook meals consistently
- Individuals sensitive to gluten or dairy who require gluten-free or dairy-free meals
Not recommended for:
- Those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet
- Individuals who need medically-tailored meals to manage chronic conditions
- Anyone following a keto diet
RELATED: Bodybuilding Meal Delivery
Fuel Meals Specs
| Price per meal | $12-$14 |
| Meals per week | 7, 10, 14, or 20 (weekly or bi-weekly) |
| Meal kit or prepared | Prepared |
| Diet options | High-Protein, Low-Carb, High-Calorie, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free |
| Fresh or frozen | Fresh |
| Delivery area | Nationwide, including Alaska and Hawaii |
Experience Using Fuel Meals
Our expert tester Kate Meier, GGR Senior Director of Content, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, tried the chicken and shrimp quesadillas, salmon and broccoli, an egg white scramble, and a bison burger. Another tester, GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis, tried the chicken quesadillas, bison buger, General Tso’s meatballs, crispy buffalo chicken, chicken penne vodka, homestyle meatloaf, and chimichurri steak.
They’ve both tested several meal services and acknowledge the convenience of Fuel Meals. Nicole generally liked the meals she got—the bison burger and chicken quesadillas specifically—but Kate disagreed slightly. “The food is OK,” she says, “but the meals overall don’t look very appetizing, and for $13 each meal, I’d expect more.”
While Nicole agrees that the meals don’t look great after you heat them up, she adds, “You can’t beat the convenience of these meals and I felt very satisfied after each.”
Let’s dig into the specifics.
Price Per Meal
Given their higher price point, we rate the cost per meal a 2 out of 5. Ordering more meals reduces the price per meal, but each meal averages around $13. You can save 5% when you order 10 meals, 10% when you order 14, or 15% when you order 20 meals.
To put this into perspective, if you order seven meals, each costs $13.95, whereas 20 meals cost $12.28 per meal. Additionally, shipping is free.
RELATED: Cheapest Meal Delivery Services
Fuel Meals Preparation
Kate gave Fuel Meals preparation a 5 out of 5. After unboxing, these meals require minimal preparation as they are cooked in advance, pre-portioned, and individually packaged in microwaveable trays. Meals arrive fresh and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days upon delivery. You can store meals in the freezer for up to three months.
If you freeze your meals, thaw them before heating them. Otherwise, simply heat them in the microwave for three minutes or warm them in the oven on an oven-safe plate. Kate—who used a microwave—says, “Just nuke ‘em and throw away the container. Very convenient.”
Taste, Ingredient Quality, and Portion Size
If you want to find a meal service you can stick with, taste, ingredient quality, and sufficient portion sizes are essential. Kate thought these meals tasted fine, but something was missing. She said, “I just wanted something more. I routinely added vegetables to meals or a sauce or spice to get a bit more out of them.”
Nicole generally enjoyed the main dish of each meal, which was typically the meat—particularly the chimichurri steak—but felt as though the side dishes, which are often sweet potatoes or regular potatoes, left something to be desired. Some of the meat could’ve used more seasoning as well, according to Nicole. We rate the taste a 4 out of 5.
Fuel Meals sources its ingredients from vendors across the Northeastern U.S., but they aren’t organic—meaning they possibly use conventional farming practices that may have involved synthetic chemicals and pesticides. However, Fuel Meals do not contain artificial preservatives. They receive daily deliveries of fresh ingredients to craft meals that are fresh to order.
RELATED: Best Organic Meal Delivery Services
Kate rates ingredient quality a 3 out of 5 and says, “It’s all just OK. The meals aren’t organic, and the ingredients don’t taste fresh. They don’t taste bad, but not great either.” Microwaving food can impact its texture, potentially making it taste less fresh. Nicole indeed found this with a few of her meals, noting, “The crispy buffalo chicken was not crispy after it was taken out of the microwave; same with the chicken quesadilla, which had to be eaten with a fork and knife. They still tasted good, but the texture was a bit off.”
Fuel Meals usually range between 400 and 600 calories. While this meets the needs of many people, individuals who expend a considerable amount of calories daily, such as athletes, might need larger portions or more energy-dense meals. For most active adults, adding snacks between meals may be necessary to meet their energy requirements, as 1,200 to 1,800 daily calories likely isn’t enough. Conveniently enough, Fuel Meals offers snacks like chocolate protein brownies and chocolate chip protein muffins.
Regarding portion sizes, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and personal trainer Kate says, “I kept feeling like I needed more.” She gave this category a score of 4 out of 5.
Meal Plans and Customization
Many of these meals contain a meat, vegetable, and grain source. The vegetable options appear limited to mostly broccoli and potatoes. Grains mostly consist of rice, tortillas, pasta, and buns. Meat choices include beef, chicken, shrimp, salmon, bison, and turkey.
Four meal plan options are available: Best Sellers, Performance, Weight Loss, and Muscle Gain. You can also select meals a la carte if you prefer not to choose a program. Kate says, “It’s nice that you can pick which meals you want.” However, if you’re not a picky eater and would rather not spend time choosing your meals, the company can select them for you.
The Best Sellers consist of meals that are deemed customer favorites. The Performance plan offers balanced meals with higher calories for those with higher energy needs. These meals typically contain around 600 calories.
The Weight Loss Plan by Fuel Meals features high-protein meals, with the company asserting that these meals contain fewer carbs and fats. But compared to meals from other programs, this claim seems inaccurate. Lastly, the Muscle Gain plan highlights entrees with over 40 grams of protein and 50 grams of carbs.
Ultimately, we gave meal plans and customization a 3 out of 5. Kate says, “I’m not sure how good these are for targeting ‘weight loss,’ to be honest. The female weight loss plan is 1,500 calories a day, but that measurement is so subjective.”
Calorie needs are based on many factors, including age, gender, weight, height, and activity level. While a daily intake of 1,500 calories might support weight loss for certain women, those leading a more active lifestyle may find it insufficient to sustain their energy needs.
Furthermore, there aren’t many options for dietary restrictions, so we rate variety a 3 out of 5. While many gluten-free and dairy-free meals are available, you won’t find nut-free, vegan, or vegetarian entrees. The company also lacks meal options tailored to the keto diet, a popular meal plan option offered by many other meal services.
RELATED: Best Keto Meal Delivery Services
Finally, we rate access to nutritional info a 4 out of 5. The nutritional breakdown for each meal is easy to access online. Furthermore, meals arrive with labels, but Kate’s came with blurry text, making it difficult to read the nutrition information. Nicole’s labels, however, were fine.
Ordering, Packaging, and Shipping
Kate found the ordering process straightforward and gave Fuel Meals a 5 out of 5. During your first order, you’ll answer some questions about whether you want a la carte meals or to follow a meal plan. As mentioned above, customers can choose between seven, 10, 14, or 20 meals delivered weekly or bi-weekly.
If you choose a meal plan, the website generates meals that you can customize, meaning you can add or replace them. Once you subscribe, you then have the option to select your meals each week. If you forget to select your meals, the company will choose your meals for you.
Meals are shipped on Mondays and should arrive at your doorstep within one to two days. Insulated coolers keep meals fresh throughout shipping and delivery. All packaging is recyclable, including boxes, coolers, trays, and sleeves.
Although Kate’s box arrived pretty banged up due to a rough transit, she rates packaging and shipping a 5 out of 5. She says, “Everything looked good in the package; the meals were still cold and edible.”
Fuel Meals vs Factor
Factor
Factor75
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.
Factor and Fuel Meals share a lot of commonalities. They cater to active individuals wanting to enhance their athletic performance and body composition with tailored nutrition plans.
Both companies deliver fresh (never frozen) meals weekly that can be ready to eat after microwaving for just a few minutes. Additionally, they both provide various options for the number of meals you can order each week, typically priced at around $13 each.
That said, they do have some differences. Factor offers more meal plans, catering to more diet preferences. Unlike Fuel Meals, Factor features vegetarian and flexitarian options that appeal to plant-based consumers. Furthermore, Factor meals offer a wider range of calories, spanning from 350 to 900 per meal, which may accommodate the energy needs of a broader range of individuals.
Fuel Meals often contain a higher protein content if you want to build muscle. Their high-protein meals contain over 50 grams, while Factor’s offers over 30 grams.
RELATED: Factor Meals Review
| Fuel Meals | Factor Meals | |
| Price per meal | $12-$14 | $11-$14 |
| Meals per week | 7,10,14, 20 (weekly or bi-weekly) | 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 (weekly) |
| Meal kit or prepared | Prepared | Prepared |
| Diet options | High-Protein, Low-Carb, High-Calorie, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free | Vegetarian, Vegan, High Protein, Low Calorie, Keto, Flexitarian |
| Fresh or frozen | Fresh | Fresh |
| Delivery area | Nationwide, including Alaska and Hawaii | Nationwide, not including Hawaii and Alaska |
Customer Experience
Fuel Meals wants their customers to get their meals intact. If a customer receives meals damaged during transit, the service will offer them a coupon equivalent to the monetary value of the meals they can put toward a future order.
If food arrives spoiled because it was in transit for more than 48 hours, the company will resend your package at no extra charge or offer a credit for the full transaction price for your next order.
While they appear to value customer satisfaction, their website lacks a live chat feature. There is a contact form, but this communication is less efficient and convenient for customers. This considered, we gave customer service a 3 out of 5.
Many customers prioritize sustainability when selecting a meal service. Although Fuel Meals doesn’t extensively discuss their sustainability efforts on their website, they do utilize recyclable packaging. We rate their sustainability efforts a 2 out of 5.
Customer Reviews
Customers who left star reviews on the Fuel Meals website give the meal service 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most customers approve of the taste and convenience of these meals. Very few customers mentioned slight differences between what they ordered and received, but this didn’t deter them too much. Additionally, some customers think the food could use more flavor.
One customer says, “This dish was amazing and extremely flavorful. I am so proud to be getting so much protein. These dishes don’t leave you hungry!” Another happy buyer writes, “Meatballs taste great, fills me up, I could eat this for every meal.”
One customer didn’t receive what he expected and shared, “Good meal. I was disappointed that the sweet potatoes were diced instead of mashed like the description states.” Finally, another customer who was hoping for more flavor says, “It’s good. I think the meat needs a little more seasoning.”
Final Verdict of Our Fuel Meals Review
Fuel Meals provides a diverse selection of high-protein entrees, breakfast options, snacks, and sides. While they are incredibly convenient to prepare in the microwave, our tester suggested they could use more sauces and seasonings. Based on customer reviews, most subscribers appreciate the taste and convenience of these meals.
However, Fuel Meals lacks plant-based options and may not be a good choice for individuals seeking to enhance or diversify their vegetable intake. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for fresh, quick meals to support your high-protein needs and fitness goals and are comfortable with the higher cost per meal, Fuel Meals could be for you.
Full Rating
Fuel Meals
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.
Product Brand: Fuel Meals
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 13.91
Product In-Stock: InStock
4
Fuel Meals Review: FAQs
Are Fuel Meals healthy?
Yes, Fuel Meals are nutritious and contain healthy foods. They include sufficient protein, fat, and carbohydrates to fuel physical activity and muscle growth. However, they fall short in the vegetable category, so you may want to add veggies to your meals and snacks for a more diverse micronutrient intake.
How do you heat Fuel Meals?
Fuel Meals can be heated in the microwave for two to three minutes. If you prefer to use the oven, be sure to transfer the meals to an oven-safe dish.
Is Fuel Meals worth it?
Fuel Meals may be worth it if you need healthy, high-protein, convenient meals that don’t require prepping or cooking. However, these meals are pricey—about $13 per meal—so whether they’re worth it could depend on whether they fit within your budget.
What are the portion sizes like for Fuel Meals?
Fuel Meal’s portion sizes are larger than some other meal services. Most customers express satisfaction after meals, but you may want more food if your energy requirements are higher. Meals with a higher protein content are more likely to help you feel full.
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.
Further reading
Do you know how to do shrugs in the gym? If you answered with an unironic shoulder shrug, check out our expert guide for everything you need to know! Read more
Is this high-quality protein powder worth the cost? Our complete Truvani protein powder review will explain everything you need to know. Read more
The Eleiko Öppen Deadlift Baris a trap bar that utilizes an open-ended concept, barbell handles, and a built-in jack to create the best trap bar we have tested. Although expensive, the Öppen Deadlift Bar is an extremely useful and innovative specialty bar that we recommend to anyone with a desire for the best and doesn't mind paying for it. Read more
In this NordicTrack C2155 treadmill review, we identify who would get the most out of this machine, its key features, and so much more. Check it out! Read more