Nutrition Products & Services The Best Meal Delivery Services to Help Lower Cholesterol These services can help lower cholesterol and support heart health By Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate. Learn about our editorial process Published on March 30, 2023 Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND, RD Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND, RD Facebook LinkedIn Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian working for a private practice. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Meal delivery services are appealing to many people due to the convenience they offer. They can also be helpful to people living with chronic diseases that are impacted by diet, including those with cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol. If you are on a therapeutic diet, a meal delivery service can be reassurance that you are getting the food you need to support your health. While there are a plethora of meal delivery companies out there, not all of them offer meals that support heart health. Here, we've selected the best meal delivery services that can help lower cholesterol to make the process a little easier. 8 Best Low-Cholesterol Meal Delivery Services of 2023 Best Variety: bistroMD Best Meal Kits: Sunbasket Best Prepared Meals: Diet-to-Go Best Budget Option: Mom's Meals Best Organic: Green Chef Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen Best for Plant-Based: Mosaic Best for Vegans: Daily Harvest The Best Meal Delivery Services to Help Lower Cholesterol View All The Best Meal Delivery Services to Help Lower Cholesterol Our Top Picks bistroMD Sunbasket Diet-to-Go Mom's Meals Green Chef Magic Kitchen Mosaic Daily Harvest See More (5) Final Verdict Compare the Best Meal Delivery Services to Help Lower Cholesterol Guide to Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service to Help Lower Cholesterol FAQs Methodology Best Variety : bistroMD BistroMD Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Founded by a physician and supported by a team of registered dietitians, bistroMD offers over 100 fully prepared frozen meals designed for a heart-healthy lifestyle. Pros and Cons Pros Over 100 heart-healthy meal options Registered dietitians on staff to help create customized programs Compliant with American Heart Association recommendations Cons Language on website around weight loss may not be appropriate for everyone Only single-serving meal options Overview BistroMD stands out for its impressive variety of prepared single-serving frozen meals that have been designed by a physician. The meals are intended to help support individuals on therapeutic diets to help manage chronic diseases or for disease prevention. There is also an emphasis on using the programs for weight loss which may not be everyone's goal. But bistroMD's Heart Healthy menu contains an impressive 100+ meal options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are at or below the American Heart Association recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat. And if you have any special requests, a team of registered dietitians is available to help customize a heart-healthy diet program to fit your specific needs. Meals We Tried Chicken, rice, and cheddar casseroleSalmon with dill mustard sauceTurkey breast with cranberry apple chutneyOven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauceBaked pasta marinara with chicken sausageMeatloaf with honey bourbon glazeMojo pork with black beans and riceChicken pad ThaiGrilled salmon with creamy pestoLasagna with garden marinara Best Meal Kits : Sunbasket Sunbasket Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.49 per serving for Meal Kits / $9.99 per serving for Fresh + Ready Delivery Area: 46 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Sunbasket offers fresh meal kits that meet a variety of dietary needs and food preferences, all made with certified organic ingredients. Pros and Cons Pros Large variety of menu options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks Ability to select major food preferences (e.g., no beef) No diet culture language; not overly restrictive Cons Shipping costs extra No dedicated heart-healthy meal plan Overview Sunbasket's flexible meal plan and variety of options are great for families with different food preferences or dietary needs. While the service does not have a dedicated heart-healthy menu, customers can specify in a list of food preferences that they are avoiding certain foods (for example, no beef, pork, or lamb to reduce saturated fat) or that they are following a Mediterranean eating plan (which supports heart health). Any menu items labeled "Mediterranean" or "Lean and Clean" will be good starting points to help you identify menu items that are higher in fiber, good fat, and more plant-based to help you lower your cholesterol. Meals We Tried Meal Kits Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinachSnapper with romesco, vegetables, and almondsBurmese chicken and sweet potato currySirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa Prepared Meals Broccoli mac and cheeseChicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlicBeef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetablesBurrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef Best Prepared Meals : Diet-to-Go Diet-to-Go Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $8.50 per serving / $138.99 per weekDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Diet-To-Go is primarily geared toward weight loss, but its menu includes nutritionally balanced meals that can help support heart health as well. Pros and Cons Pros Registered dietitians on staff Huge recipe selection Variety of menu options Cons Menus are very low in calories Lots of language focused on weight loss Overview While Diet-To-Go is a meal delivery service marketed for weight loss, its meals can also be helpful for lowering cholesterol due to the emphasis on nutritional balance. Diet-To-Go has five different menu plans: Balance, Balance-Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Mediterranean, and Vegetarian. The Balance menu does not include any red meat or pork in the meals, while the Mediterranean menu emphasizes whole foods including vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, grains, fish, and lean meats, which are all in line with a heart-healthy diet. Be aware that the menus are very low in calories since they are designed to promote weight loss, so we recommend supplementing with an extra side dish or snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day. Meals We Tried Chicken Florentine burger Tomato pesto meltover Tuscan boats with turkey Monterey turkey with almonds Chicken black bean wrap Turkey Salisbury steak Asian meatballs Herbed baked salmon Chicken and three grain Blackened turkey loin Best Budget Option : Mom's Meals Mom's Meals Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $7.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Mom's Meals offers a lineup of fresh, ready-to-heat meals intended to serve those with dietary needs, including people who need meals to help lower cholesterol. Pros and Cons Pros Meals based on guidelines from American Heart Association Can help facilitate insurance reimbursement Good value Cons Some meals may be on the bland side due to low-sodium content No free shipping Overview Mom's Meals is primarily marketed toward the senior population but is not exclusive to that. The Heart Friendly meal plan includes meals that are lower in sodium and total fat to help individuals who are dealing with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or are at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Menu options all contain less than 800 milligrams of sodium and less than 30% fat per meal. Mom's Meals arrive fresh and ready to heat and can be kept in the fridge for up to 14 days, or they can be frozen for even longer. Meals We Tried Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla puddingCheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bun, orange Chicken and stir-fried vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauceSweet and sour chicken with stir-fried vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookieBBQ chicken with potato medley, seasoned green beans, applesauceBeef goulash over whole-wheat pasta, seasoned carrots, orangeSalisbury steak with mushroom gravy, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, whole-wheat dinner roll, gelatinMushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole-wheat roll, grape juiceKorean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookieCreamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce Best Organic : Green Chef Green Chef Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Green Chef offers plant-forward meal kits that can easily be aligned with a heart-healthy eating pattern to help lower cholesterol. Pros and Cons Pros Certified organic, minimally processed ingredients Can mix and match items from different menus Variety of plant-based options Cons Meal kits only (no fully prepared meals) No dedicated heart-healthy menu Overview Green Chef is the first certified organic meal delivery company to hit the market, offering a selection of meal kits for convenient home cooking. Selecting foods from the Mediterranean menu, which emphasizes vegetables and good fats, will be the best fit for those looking for meals to help lower cholesterol. The Vegetarian and Vegan menus can also be great options since these will be high in fiber and plant-based protein. Meals We Tried Harissa-spiced shrimp Sesame ginger bavette steak and shrimp Middle Eastern-style chickpea bowls Maple-glazed carrots with figs Best for Seniors : Magic Kitchen Magic Kitchen Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Magic Kitchen offers single-serving frozen prepared meals designed primarily for seniors in need of therapeutic menus. Pros and Cons Pros Can assist with insurance reimbursement Variety of portions for individuals and families Large menu with plenty of options for multiple dietary needs Cons Shipping not included May be too restrictive for some individuals Overview Magic Kitchen's menus are designed with seniors in mind who may be dealing with multiple chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or kidney disease. Meals are premade and arrive frozen and ready to reheat in the microwave or oven. Each menu item is tagged with icons that identify different special nutritional designations such as low sodium, low fat, gluten-free, and many more. While there is no specific "heart healthy" menu, there is a low-sodium menu filter as well as a low-fat menu filter along with "General Wellness" meals that would be appropriate for those with high cholesterol. Meals We Tried Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinachBeef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blendBalsamic-glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beansChili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets Best for Plant-Based : Mosaic Mosaic Foods. Mosaic Foods Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $8.99 per servingDelivery Area: Major metro areas on East and West CoastsProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Mosaic provides a variety of fully prepared vegetarian and vegan meals, catered to individuals and families alike, which naturally support heart health. Pros and Cons Pros Diverse menu with global flavors Dishes made with whole foods and no artificial ingredients Offers both single-serving portions and family-style meals Cons Limited delivery area No dedicated heart-healthy menu Overview Mosaic offers an entire menu of vegetarian and vegan meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All meals are fully prepared and arrive frozen, designed to be reheated in the microwave or oven. The menu includes veggie bowls, oat bowls, pizzas, soups, smoothies, "family meals," and a Mosaic+ section, which features chef collaborations. While some dishes may be higher in saturated fat from the use of full-fat dairy or coconut milk, the menu overall is still good for lowering cholesterol due to the variety of produce, beans, and grains. Meals We Tried Spicy dan dan noodlesBuffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)Mac and greensPozole verdeVeggie kebab platterCoconut chickpea curry Best for Vegans : Daily Harvest Daily Harvest. Daily Harvest Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6.79 per servingDelivery Area: 49 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It Daily Harvest offers frozen single-serving meals that are 100% plant-based and made with a variety of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. Pros and Cons Pros Sustainable sourcing Large menu selection Good value Cons No dedicated heart-healthy menu No customization Overview Daily Harvest provides 100% plant-based frozen meals that are also gluten-free. Choose from dozens of menu items, including oat and grain bowls, flatbreads, soups, smoothies, snacks, and desserts. While Daily Harvest doesn't have a designated heart-healthy menu, the majority of the menu items are in line with a heart-healthy eating pattern due to the nature of the ingredients used across the board. Customers can mix and match menu items into different box sizes for convenient weekly meal planning and for stocking the freezer. Meals We Tried Mint and cacao smoothieMango papaya smoothieHazelnut and chocolate bitesTomatillo and pepper flatbreadPortobello and pesto flatbreadSweet potato and wild rice hashBrussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowlSpinach and shiitake gritsTomato and zucchini minestrone soup Final Verdict The companies in this list were chosen because of their menu offerings that support a heart-healthy eating pattern to help lower cholesterol. While not all of these services have designated heart-healthy menus or explicitly state they are designed for managing high cholesterol, we focused on highlighting companies that provide transparent nutrition and ingredient information to make informed decisions. These companies all offer a great variety of menu items that are plant-forward, low in saturated fats, and generally not cost-prohibitive. Compare the Best Meal Delivery Services to Help Lower Cholesterol Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping Best for Variety: bistroMD $10.99 per serving 48 states Frozen No No Best for Meal Kits: Sunbasket $11.49 per serving for Meal Kits / $9.99 per serving for Fresh + Ready 46 states Fresh Yes No (except for first order) Best for Prepared Meals: Diet-to-Go $8.50 per serving / $138.99 per week 48 states Frozen No No Best Budget Option: Mom's Meals $7.99 per serving 48 states Fresh No No Best Organic: Green Chef $11.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen $10 per serving 48 states Frozen No No Best for Plant-Based: Mosaic $8.99 per serving Major metro areas on East and West Coasts Frozen Yes Yes, for boxes of 12 or 18 items Best for Vegans: Daily Harvest $6.79 per serving 49 states Frozen Yes Yes Guide to Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service to Help Lower Cholesterol Factors to Consider Price/Cost Per Meal: If you plan to use a meal delivery service on a regular basis in place of grocery shopping or eating out, a cost comparison will be important when considering which meal delivery company is right for you and your family. Many companies also offer discounts on larger orders, so keep this in mind, as well. Number of Meals Per Delivery: For most companies, the number of meals delivered each week can range from two or three meals for a few days to breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days per week. This is important to note so that you don't end up with too little or too much food depending on how many people you're feeding and how frequently you plan to order. Flexibility: If you have food preferences, dietary restrictions, or allergies, it is important to note whether or not you can make modifications to your meals and menus. Flexibility is also important to consider when thinking about how often you may need to make changes to your order and delivery schedule. Menu Selection: Consider the overall style and flavor of the food on the menu and make sure that the company generally has dishes that sound appealing to you. Also, look at whether or not the menu items change frequently or if there is a static selection of dishes you can get on repeat, depending on your preference. Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: For those using a meal delivery service to help manage high cholesterol, it is especially important to know if the menus will be able to consistently meet your dietary needs. And if you need extra guidance with selecting foods that are appropriate for you, look for a meal delivery company that has registered dietitians on staff to help with menu choices. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver that circulates through your blood. Some cholesterol is good and necessary for the body, as it helps make hormones and build cells. But when your body has too much cholesterol, especially the type known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, it can build up in your blood vessels (a substance known as plaque). The plaque then causes the vessels to become more narrow and restrict blood flow, which over time can lead to heart complications or stroke. Another type of cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it actually carries cholesterol back to the liver to help excrete it from your body. This is why many doctors will not just look at someone's total cholesterol but the ratio of HDL to LDL. Higher levels of HDL can help reduce your risk of heart disease, while higher levels of LDL can increase the risk. What Is Considered to Be High Cholesterol? According to the American Heart Association, all adults aged 20 or older should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years—and more frequently if they already have heart disease or have a strong family history or other risk factors. When you get your cholesterol checked, you will see numbers for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and also triglycerides (another measure of fat in your blood). Below is an overview of how the blood results break down: Total Cholesterol Levels Normal: less than 200 mg/dLBorderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dLHigh: 240 mg/dL or greater LDL LevelsIdeal: Less than 100 mg/dL (the goal for people with other risk factors such as diabetes or heart disease)Near-optimal: 100 to 129 mg/dLBorderline high: 130 to 159 mg/dLHigh: 160 to 189 mg/dLVery high: 190 mg/dL and higher HDL Levels Minimum 40 mg/dL but >60 mg/dL is actually heart protective. The higher the number, the lower the risk. Triglyceride LevelsNormal: <150 mg/dLBorderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dLHigh: 200 to 499 mg/dLVery high: >500 mg/dL Frequently Asked Questions Who Should Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet? A heart-healthy diet is one that emphasizes a high intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and good fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. The foods in a heart-healthy diet will also be low in saturated fat and sodium and high in fiber since fiber helps lower cholesterol. While a heart-healthy diet can be beneficial to anyone, it's highly recommended for anyone with existing heart disease or who is at high risk of heart disease. Do I Need to Follow a Low-Cholesterol Diet to Help Lower My Cholesterol? Contrary to popular belief, your blood cholesterol is not significantly impacted by the cholesterol in food. Saturated fat is what primarily impacts cholesterol. Many foods that are high in saturated fat may also be high in cholesterol, but it is most important to focus on lowering your intake of saturated fat rather than dietary cholesterol. What Foods Help Lower Your Cholesterol? Foods high in soluble fiber like oats, beans, apples, and pears help transport “bad” LDL cholesterol out of the body.Replace foods high in saturated fat (butter, full-fat dairy, red meat, coconut oil and palm oil), with foods high in unsaturated fat (fish, nuts, olive oil, avocados). Saturated fat is linked to higher cholesterol levels while poly- and monounsaturated fats are associated with helping to lower cholesterol.Omega-3 fatty acids do not necessarily lower cholesterol, but they do lower triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood) and help to raise "good" HDL cholesterol, a win-win for heart health. These omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. What Foods Should You Limit if You Have High Cholesterol? Limit foods that are high in saturated fats, which include red meat, full-fat dairy products, as well as many baked goods.When reducing your intake of saturated fats, make sure you are not replacing those calories with foods high in refined carbohydrates since that can also be detrimental to heart health. Instead, replace foods high in saturated fats with foods high in unsaturated fat or higher-fiber complex carbohydrates. Methodology Our team of testers reviewed dozens of meal delivery companies and scored them based on quantitative and qualitative factors such as pricing, menu variety, sustainability and packaging, transparency, taste, customer service, and more. For this list, priority was given to companies that either had designated heart-healthy menus, menus that are aligned with the American Heart Association, or other heart-healthy eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet. EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images By Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies