Best Senior Meal Delivery Services

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Best Senior Meal Delivery Services of 2022

Simply Recipes / Design by Amelia Manley

Senior meal delivery services are a great way for older adults to maintain their independence while also getting the nutrition they need.

The best senior meal delivery services take into account the unique health concerns that may arise for this age group. Fortunately, many companies are dedicated to filling this need; whether you’re looking for yourself or an older adult in your life, you’ll find great options to take the pressure off of mealtime.

Best Senior Meal Delivery Services of 2022

Best Overall: CookUnity

Cook Unity

Cook Unity

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.6

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$10.39
Delivery Area:
45 states
Products Arrive:
Fresh

Why You Should Try It
CookUnity’s meals garnered high praise for flavor and variety, making it our top pick for gourmet-style meal delivery.

Pros
Chef-crafted meals
Vegan and vegetarian options
Lots of menu options

Cons
Limited delivery area
Doesn’t cater to specific health conditions or dietary restrictions

Overview
CookUnity offers a unique approach to meal delivery, sourcing from chefs from across the country to develop its menus. This approach means that menus will vary depending on your region, and it's ideal for seniors who want variety and flavor minus the prep time. The menu rotates weekly, so there’s always something new to try.

Pricing and Plans
4 meals per week: $13.59
6 meals per week: $12.29
8 meals per week: $11.69
12 meals per week: $11.19
16 meals per week: $11.09

Meals We Tried

Coconut lime hanger steak
Carnitas street tacos
Butternut squash ravioli
Chili roasted shrimp

Best Value: Mom’s Meals

Mom’s Meals

Mom’s Meals

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 3.7

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$7.99
Delivery Area:
All 50 states
Products Arrive:
Fresh

Why You Should Try It
Mom’s Meals offers meals that cater specifically to medical diets at an affordable price, and meals are often covered by Medicare and other health plans.

Pros
Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other plans
Caters to many different medically necessary diets
Meals stay fresh for 14 days

Cons
No options vegan options

Overview
Mom’s Meals delivers nutritious, high-quality, refrigerated meals to your doorstep. The meals are designed by professional chefs and registered dieticians and are tailored to support the nutrition needed for health conditions that most other services cannot accommodate. Some of the available menus include Cancer Support, Diabetes-Friendly, General Wellness, Gluten Free, Heart Friendly, Lower Sodium, Puréed, Renal Friendly, and Vegetarian. As an added benefit, Mom’s Meals is covered under Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) programs, and the Older Americans Act.

Pricing and Plans
10 meals for $79.90
14 meals for $111.86
21 meals for $167.79
Renal-friendly, puréed, and gluten-free meals: $8.99 per meal

Meals We Tried 
Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, and vanilla pudding
Cheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole wheat bun, and orange
Chicken and stir fry vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, and applesauce
Sweet and sour chicken with stir fry vegetables and white rice, grape juice, and ginger spice cookie
BBQ chicken with potato medley, seasoned green beans, and applesauce
Beef goulash over whole wheat pasta, seasoned carrots, and orange
Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, and gelatin
Mushroom risotto and seasoned peas and carrots, whole wheat roll, and grape juice
Korean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, and ginger spice cookie
Creamy macaroni and cheese and seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, and blueberry applesauce

Best Variety: Magic Kitchen

Magic Kitchen

Magic Kitchen

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.0

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$12
Delivery Area:
50 states
Products Arrive:
Frozen

Why You Should Try It
Magic Kitchen lets you customize your own menu with an array of entrée and à la carte options.

Pros
Accommodates a variety of dietary restrictions
Convenient, heat-and-eat meals
Can order complete meals or à la carte options

Cons
Meals without gluten are not made in a certified gluten-free facility

Overview
Magic Kitchen makes ordering easy with complete meal bundles, as well as the option to order à la carte entrées, soups, sides, and desserts. Its easy-to-reheat meals accommodate folks with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. With the ability to place single orders or sign up for a three-, six-, or nine-month subscription, Magic Kitchen provides a convenient option for food delivery.

Pricing and Plans
7 days (1 complete meal per day): $82–$90
7 days (2 complete meals per day): $164–$180
7 days (3 complete meals per day): $246–$275

Meals We Tried
Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinach
Beef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blend
Balsamic glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans
Chili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets

Best for Dietary Restrictions: BistroMD

BistroMD

BistroMD

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.1

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$10.99
Delivery Area:
48 states
Products Arrive:
Frozen

Why You Should Try It
BistroMD offers physician-designed programs that support a variety of dietary restrictions.

Pros
Doctor-designed programs and dietitian support
Meals are ready to eat in five minutes or less
Offers over 150 meals

Cons
Does not disclose sourcing information
No vegetarian option

Overview
BistroMD offers a variety of plans to choose from, including one that features meals low in saturated fat and cholesterol to promote a healthier heart. Meals align with the American Heart Association's recommendations for calories, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat, and the programs are designed in collaboration with registered dietitians to ensure that the meals are nutritionally balanced. BistroMD also offers individualized dietitian support to its customers, along with a wealth of additional resources on its website.

Pricing and Plans
5 days of lunch and dinner: Starting at $149.90
7 days of lunch and dinner: Starting at $188.86

Meals We Tried
Chicken, rice, and cheddar casserole
Salmon with dill mustard sauce
Turkey breaks with cranberry apple chutney
Oven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauce
Baked pasta marinara with chicken sausage
Meatloaf with honey bourbon glaze
Mojo pork with black beans and rice
Chicken pad thai
Grilled salmon with creamy pesto
Lasagna with garden marinara

Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth

Modify Health
Modify Health.

Modify Health 

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.2

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$11.75 
Delivery Area:
50 states
Products Arrive:
Fresh

Why You Should Try It
ModifyHealth takes its gluten-free status seriously, producing all of its meals in a 100% gluten-free facility.

Pros
All meals are gluten-free and low-sodium
Meals developed in collaboration with physicians, dietitians, and chefs
Meals stay fresh for up to 10 days in the refrigerator

Cons
Higher price per serving than many plans
Only Mediterranean and low-FODMAP diets are available

Overview
ModifyHealth offers fresh, ready-to-heat meals that are entirely gluten-free and low in sodium. It stands out as one of the few companies offering meals made in a 100% gluten-free facility, making it ideal for customers with gluten allergies or sensitivities. Customers also have the option to consult with a dietitian as part of some plans.

Pricing and Plans
Low-FODMAP Entrées (6 meal minimum): $81 and up
Low-FODMAP Program (10 entrees plus expert support): $180 and up
Mediterranean Plan Entrées (6 meal minimum): $81 and up
Mediterranean Get Well Program (10 entrees plus expert support): $129 and up

Meals We Tried
Greek chicken and rice
Longevity stew with black-eyed peas and kale
Shrimp chimichurri with black beans and rice
Lemon thyme chicken with tahini cauliflower and za'atar quinoa
Blackened salmon with quinoa, broccoli, and red bell pepper
Roasted pistachio salmon with white beans and kale

Best Plant-Based: Mosaic

Mosaic Foods

Mosaic Foods

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.1

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$9.99
Delivery Area:
Must check zip code for availability 
Products Arrive:
Frozen

Why You Should Try It
Whether you’re already a vegan or vegetarian, or simply looking to explore the benefits of a plant-based diet, Mosaic has a wealth of tasty options.

Pros
Offers meals appropriate for people with heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol 
Chef and dietitian-developed

Cons
Limited delivery area

Overview
Mosaic is a totally plant-based meal subscription service, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner items in both vegetarian and vegan options. The company sources its ingredients from nearby farms and even offers a “Mosaic+” menu featuring meals crafted by well-known chefs like Ereka Vetrini and Greg Baxtrom. Meals arrive frozen, and many of them will last up to three months in the freezer.

Pricing and Plans
6 items per box: $59.94 plus $10 shipping
12 items per box: $119.88 (with free shipping)
18 items per box: $179.82 (with free shipping)

Meals We Tried
Spicy dan dan noodles
Buffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)
Mac and greens
Pozole verde
Veggie kebab platter
Coconut chickpea curry

Best for Groceries: Hungryroot

Hungryroot logo

Hungryroot

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.5

Key Specs
Starting Price:
$9.69 per serving
Delivery Area:
48 states
Products Arrive:
Fresh

Why You Should Try It
Hungryroot operates as both a meal delivery and grocery delivery service, making it a great choice for seniors who may find it challenging to get to the grocery store.

Pros
USDA-certified organic ingredients 
Accommodates many different dietary requirements
Over 3,000 recipes

Cons
Meal kits only offer two or four servings

Overview
Hungryroot is an all-in-one recipe and grocery service, making it our top pick for seniors who want to cook but may find it difficult to go to the store. Customers can select items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts, or a combination of meals. Most recipes are designed for up to four servings, but some grocery items are available in larger family packs and the weekly meals are easily customizable.


Pricing and Plans
Meals start at $9.69; plan on a minimum of $70 an order per week to obtain free shipping.
For orders less than $70, shipping is $6.99.

Meals We Tried
Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni
Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels sprouts
Southwest chicken and rainbow veggie tacos
Thai peanut beef and broccoli stir-fry

Final Verdict

Meal delivery services can be much more than a convenience for seniors. For some, it may be essential to their ability to nourish themselves while retaining independence. The best service will depend on the senior’s unique set of needs. We recommend CookUnity as our top pick, as it offers meals that are quick and easy for seniors to prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Senior Meal Delivery Services Work?

Senior meal delivery services deliver fully prepared meals or easy-to-prepare meal kits directly to your door. They differ from other services in that they accommodate dietary restrictions more common in older adults, offer customer service resources geared toward this age group, and sometimes provide financial benefits to make healthy eating accessible.

How Should You Choose a Senior Meal Delivery Service?

Because seniors have varying needs, it’s important to consider several factors when choosing a meal delivery service. Dietary restrictions, price, variety of food, and ease of ordering are just a few factors to evaluate.

Why Are Senior Meal Delivery Services Good for Seniors?

For some seniors, it may be difficult to meal plan, grocery shop, and cook. At the same time, eating nutritiously becomes even more important as we age. Meal delivery services provide a way for older adults and their caregivers to access food that meets their health needs.

Does Medicare Cover Senior Meal Delivery Services? 

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) generally doesn’t pay for meal delivery services. Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is a healthcare option you can choose to replace your original Medicare coverage and is purchased through a private insurance company. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer meal delivery as a benefit, but it isn’t guaranteed with every plan and is usually for a limited time. Consult your specific plan to see if it is covered.

Are Senior Meal Delivery Services Worth the Cost?

The need for a meal delivery service may range from a helping hand in the kitchen for an active senior to an absolute necessity due to a medical condition or mobility limitations. Deciding whether the price is worthwhile is up to the individual and their particular situation. Note that services like Meals on Wheels are dedicated to removing the financial barrier to nutritious meals and never turn down a senior due to inability to pay.

Methodology

Our testers ordered from, cooked, and rated 40 different meal delivery services. We carefully scored each one based on meal selection, nutritional information, sustainability, and customer service, as well as the flavor, freshness, and quality of each meal and ingredient. Our Simply Recipes tester panel includes dietitians, chefs, and longtime food writers.

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