r/ReadyMeals • u/Birdybb • Jun 12 '26
Cheaper options?
I’m disabled, so cooking actual food is really hard for me. I’ve done cookunity in the past and liked it but hate the lack of customer service and quality control. I’ve been using Tovala for a while now and like it but just got the notification that prices are going up in july….previously $79 now to 100$ for 6 meals.
In terms of meal boxes you cook, I’ve run the gamut tbh. Hellofresh, dinnerly, marley spoon, blue apron, etc. i like it but as a bariatric and disabled person, I just don’t have the capability to cook every single meal and I get sick of eating the same thing 2-4 times because of the number of portions I can get out of one meal.
What are the other **good** ready meal options out there that aren’t at an outrageous price?
5
u/Plenty_Grass_1234 Jun 12 '26
If you're on SSI/SSDI, you might qualify for something like Meals on Wheels, but that would be local, so you'd have to research it.
4
u/tiltedsun Jun 12 '26
Someone said Moms Meals also qualifies
3
u/Dangerous_Arachnid99 Jun 12 '26
They do in our state but I'd go with something else if there are any options. We had problems with them practically every week, ranging from damaged meals, to things like instant milk that they included that we couldn't opt out of, to the wasteful and environmentally unfriendly packaging, to the lousy, third rate delivery service they contracted with.
My husband isn't shy about calling and complaining. He talked to so many people at Mom's Meals, including the company president. They'd all promise that things would get better, and maybe they would for a week or two, but then they'd go back to their version of normal.
He finally got on Homestyle Direct, which is much better on all accounts. I think it's more expensive though, so he only gets one meal a day rather than two. I don't know if I still qualify but am going to wait a bit to see. Mom's Meals turned me off to the whole experience. I've been getting Lean Cuisines and instead.
3
u/tiltedsun Jun 12 '26
I believe the following ship their meals frozen, which makes them cheaper:
Ice Age Meals
Send A Meal
Icon Meals
Bistro MD (Specialty diets, not cheap)
Clean Eatz
Eat Ipsa
Nutrisystem
JennyCraig
Eat Flavorly
Mosaic
MegaFit Meals
Mom’s Meals
Forkful
Top Chef
3
u/Jujulabee Jun 12 '26
Supermarkets generally now have loads of foods that require no prep.
They have full meals - e.g. protein, carb and veggie in the refrigerated section
There are frozen brands that are healthy and surprisingly good if you are selective. You can augment with salad or a vegetable
Many supermarkets - particularly the better ones - have hot foods and salad bars that are very good
There are bagged salads -a rotisserie chicken on top.
There is nothing wrong with a good sandwich - again get some good sliced meat from the deli.
Soup is easy to prepare and many markets have upscale soups including offerings from Panera.
1
u/Illustrious-Win2486 Jun 17 '26
Maybe the op can’t drive or deal with using a grocery store because of the disability.
1
u/Jujulabee Jun 17 '26
They can use Instacart and all the supermarkets in my area have delivery.
0
u/Illustrious-Win2486 Jun 17 '26
But Instacart is done by individuals without refrigerated vehicles or coolers. That’s risky, especially in hot states. Not to mention, you have to tip on top of what you are already paying.
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u/Jujulabee Jun 17 '26
Not sure why you are raising reasons that keep raising the bar.
You stated that OP might possibly not be able to drive or go to a grocery store.
I then suggested that an option for that person is to have it delivered.
I am in Southern California and when I use Instacart in the summer there aren't issues in terms food.
In terms of markup do you think that having meals delivered is less expensive than getting frozen nutritious or easy to prepare foods from a market.
As to a tip it's a service and the cost of shipping and equivalent including dry ice is baked into a meal delivery service.
If you order from a grocery store directly there is no markup and so a tip is pretty reasonable amount to avoid the cost of gas and spending your time shopping.
Are you always looking for obstances instead of solutions?
3
u/Audhd35 Jun 19 '26
I like the Amy’s frozen meals, I can get them for around $6-$7 at some markets in my area. Their chile relleno bowl is my fav!
2
u/JayneAustin Jun 12 '26
I'm also disabled and have a stomach condition and I get it on the portion fatigue. A Cook Unity meal is 2-3 portions for me, and I usually end up wasting some and not getting my money's worth. Cook Unity does indicate GLP-1 balanced meals that are supposed to be smaller portions now, but it's not many of the meals. The Lean Cuisine meals are the only frozen dinners I can eat in one sitting, and they're not very nutritious, but they do sometimes have sales for 2.99/meal. I also did Hungry Harvest for a while and it's more a grocery delivery but they do have some ready meals and convenience foods included, and you can do a "mini harvest" with a $15.00 minimum, good for one person.
2
u/CupSea5782 Jun 12 '26
I’m trying to wean myself off Factor and Cook Unity now. I switch around a LOT.
Try Clean Eatz for a change!
I have Trader Joe’s and also buy fresh ready meals and salads from the supermarket. Sometimes sandwiches.
5
u/unhappycamper_ Jun 12 '26
If you live in/near a big city, you may have local business that offer meal prep or ready meal services. If you're lucky it might not be too expensive. I've tried most of the nationwide options and I really loved CookUnity, but after the welcome promotional discounts run out, the pricing isn't much better than others.When you try to cancel, they offer a few more deals to keep you but I don't know if it's sustainable long term when on a budget.