If You Want High-Quality Meals but Don't Want to Cook, Read This

The assignment…

To taste test Factor’s chef-crafted dishes and see how seamlessly the plan could integrate into my daily routine. Will a predetermined plan really take the stress out of meal planning, and is the quality of food high enough for me to commit to weekly shipments? Psst…Factor is currently running a New Year discount, with 50% off your first box and 20% off your next four boxes.

Straight A’s in…

• Preparation. The meals arrive fully cooked and ready to eat. All I have to do is pop them in the microwave for about two minutes. This is especially convenient after coming home from a day at the office. Factor offers cooking instructions if you don't have or like using a microwave, and prefer to preheat in an oven. 

• Flavor. I’m always impressed with the quality of the dishes. My favorites include the garlic mushroom chicken thighs and the wild mushroom filet mignon. Meat-centric meals always have a side, which really helps me to feel satisfied.

• Availability of add-on items. The main plan caters to lunch and dinner, but Factor offers optional breakfast, snack, and dessert add-ons. 

• Variety. When I first started Factor nearly two years ago, I loved that there was a rotating menu of over 35 options per week. I could also choose how many meals per week I wanted to receive, starting with six meals and ranging up to 18. The incentive to receive more? The price of each meal decreases as you increase the plan size.

• Price. As someone who lives alone, I’m hesitant to buy weekly groceries that may end up spoiling. During the pandemic, I relied on takeout, which wasn’t particularly economical or great for my health. Pricing ranges from $11 per serving to $13.50 per serving, depending on how many meals you choose in a given week. When you compare that to a single night’s worth of takeout, I was saving money.

• Dietary adaptations. With Factor, I can filter meals by categories like calorie-smart, keto, carb-conscious, protein plus, vegan, vegetarian, pork-free, and dairy-free, which makes adhering to any dietary or nutritional needs easier. I love that Factor doesn’t force you into one category, allowing you to mix and match. Think of it as more of a filter when choosing meals.

Room for growth…

• Plant-based options. While they do offer vegan and vegetarian options, they are limited. 

• Variety. Now that I’ve been eating Factor meals for nearly two years, I realize there’s few *new* dishes to try. Ideally, they would retire some of their staples and introduce new recipes over the course of a year. 

• Family portions. Single servings are advantageous for single people, but don’t lend themselves well to families. 

• Missing items. Last year, I had 10 boxes that were missing meals. This is always frustrating, but Factor will offer refunds for the missing items. Customer service is easily accessible and very accommodating. 

• Packaging. Your meals arrive weekly in an insulated, recyclable cardboard box with up to three frozen gel packs. Each meal comes in a BPA-free plastic tray with a plastic film on top, wrapped in a recyclable cardboard sleeve. This is where you’ll find the nutritional information. Out of all the packaging, only half of it is eligible for recycling or is made from recycled materials.

Plays well with…

• Those with dietary restrictions. Maybe you’re vegan, but not exactly creative with coming up with vegan-friendly recipes on your own. Factor does that work for you. 

• Someone who is a novice cook. You can handle pasta, but aren’t great with grilling meats or sauteing vegetables. With Factor, you’ll get impressive meals sans the effort. 

• Anyone with a busy schedule. If your work is chaotic or you’re getting home late in the evening, you probably don’t have the time or energy to play chef. Instant meals are a huge solution. 

Gets extra credit for…

• The ability to skip multiple weeks in a row. This is a pro if you travel often.

• Meals arrive fresh, not frozen. Factor suggests that you eat the meals within seven days of receiving, and don’t place them in the freezer. 

• Providing free access to a registered dietitian. If you’re struggling with where to start, you can book a 20-minute session to get nutritional and lifestyle recommendations.

How I did my homework…

• I’ve been using Factor for nearly two years now, ordering tons of different meals off the weekly menu. I’ve tried meals in various categories, and have fully integrated the plan into my day-to-day life.  

Footnotes…

• Factor meal plans start at six meals per week, equaling a total of $80.94

• The largest meal plan you can select is 18 meals per week, equaling a total of $197.82

• There’s a special discount for medical providers, nurses, hospital employees, teachers, first responders, military personnel, and veterans

• Other discounts vary by meal plan and size