Factor Review: I’m a Dietitian and Here Are My Thoughts

Are you finding it challenging to prepare balanced, wholesome meals? Perhaps you're struggling to discover quick and interesting recipes on your favorite food blogger's website or maybe meal planning feels like a daunting task. I get it — cooking requires time and effort, and sometimes it's all too tempting to opt for the convenience of a drive-thru or restaurant take-out. However, if you're seeking an alternative, I've found that meal subscription services like Factor can alleviate the stress of healthy eating. It has secured a place among the top meal delivery services recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.

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Pros:

• Variety of chef-crafted meals to choose from
• No prep or cooking required
  
• Easy-to-follow heating instructions
• Add-ons include smoothies, snacks and desserts

Cons:

• Expensive
  
• Some meals are high in sodium
• Not ideal for larger families

Factor, also referred to as "Factor 75" or "Factor_" is a premier meal delivery service, offering freshly prepared dishes that arrive ready to heat and enjoy. According to Nick Wernimont, one of its co-founders, Factor was born out of a desire to give people more time in their day for moments to spend with family. With a dynamic weekly menu boasting 35 options prioritizing quality protein sources like chicken, beef, pork and seafood, Factor's meals are meticulously crafted by culinary experts and approved by registered dietitians, which was an added bonus for me.

Free from hormones, antibiotics and refined sugars, each dish promises a restaurant-quality experience (which I can attest to), catering to various eating patterns such as keto, vegetarian and high-protein diets. Differing from typical meal delivery subscriptions, Factor eliminates the need for any preparation or cooking; each meal arrives ready to be heated and savored, with minimal effort — what a dream. And if you find yourself unsure of which meals align with your unique needs or seek additional support to achieve your health and nutrition goals, Factor offers access to a team of registered dietitians available for virtual consultations.

Joining Factor is pretty straightforward, whether using the website or the app. After entering your email and zip code, simply pick a weekly meal plan, which can range from six to 18 meals. Then, explore the extensive menu featuring various chef-crafted dishes and add-ons like fruit smoothies and snacks to customize your order.

Deliveries are available on Saturday through Wednesday, depending on location. Modifications to orders can be made until the cut-off time, providing flexibility to match your lifestyle needs.

After your initial order, you'll then receive a weekly box of fresh meals, and you'll have the option to make changes until your cut-off time. Factor requires a week's notice to prepare meals fresh-to-order, ensuring quality ingredients and to avoid excess. The meals are delivered in insulated boxes with frozen gel packs to maintain freshness, and should be refrigerated upon arrival for optimal taste and quality, lasting up to seven days.

Though options are abundant in certain categories such as keto and high protein, others like dairy-free and vegetarian have fewer choices. Unfortunately, meal modifications aren't available currently. Each meal comes with detailed descriptions, ingredient lists and nutritional information in order to make informed decisions. Alongside ready-to-eat meals, Factor offers proteins, snacks, desserts and smoothies to enhance your order.

While there aren't specific meal plans offered, you can filter meals by different diet categories including:

• Chef’s Picks: A wide range of balanced, chef-made meals using wholesome ingredients to match any lifestyle
• Keto: Tasty, keto-friendly meals with about 15 grams or less of net carbs
• Calorie Smart: Portioned meals with roughly 550 calories or fewer per serving
• Flexitarian: Balanced meals focused on veggies and purposeful proteins for flexible eating habits
• Protein-plus: Satisfying meals loaded with 30 grams or more of protein to support your wellness goals
• Vegan & Veggie: Flavorful, meat-free meals for more plant-based eating options

Factor offers a range of meal plans, from six to 18 servings per week, starting at $11 per serving. Choosing larger bundles, such as the 14- or 18-pack, provides greater value, particularly for those desiring daily meals. By opting for bigger orders, you can enjoy savings, reducing the cost per serving.

• 6-meal plan = $13.49 per serving
• 8-meal plan = $12.99 per serving
• 10-meal plan = $12.49 per serving
• 12-meal plan = $11.99 per serving
• 14-meal plan = $11.49 per serving
• 18-meal plan = $10.99 per serving

Factor meals typically range from 350 to 900 calories per meal, averaging around 600 calories. You can easily check the nutrition facts and ingredients for each meal by clicking on the meal images on Factor's menu page.

Also, if you are looking for assistance in choosing meals aligned with health goals, you can schedule a complimentary nutrition consultation with one of Factor's registered dietitians, which I thought was a nice touch, considering most meal delivery companies don't offer this. While low-sodium options are not available, you can check the sodium content of each meal by clicking on its photo.

Factor prioritizes quality ingredients and ethical sourcing, collaborating closely with food purveyors and animal welfare experts. The company shares its U.S. Chicken Welfare Policy for transparency regarding its standards and future goals. One tester said, “I like that it is free of preservatives, and uses mindfully sourced meats and eggs.”

Detailed nutritional information for each meal is accessible on Factor's menu, and allergen information is provided on the website and meal sleeves. Since Factor cannot accommodate all dietary preferences, customers are encouraged to review ingredients before ordering to ensure they meet their dietary needs.

Ordering and meal selection

I was happy that I could easily check the menu before choosing a meal. Being a food enthusiast, I was attracted to the stunning images of gourmet dishes. Factor's dishes felt like an upgraded version of microwave meals. I'm not a fan of microwaveable meals, which all too often suffer from uneven cooking and mushy or rubbery vegetables and meat. I was prepared for the worst, but very hopeful at the same time.

When deciding on my meal plan, I chose the Flexitarian option to enjoy meals containing both animal- and plant-based proteins, along with plenty of vegetables to keep me satisfied and maintain my energy level. Despite my shellfish allergy and lactose intolerance, the wide array of meal choices allowed me to select without any restrictions. I typically strive for a well-rounded combination of protein, carbohydrates and veggies in each meal, and Factor's offerings exceeded my expectations in providing nutrient-rich, balanced options.

Once I settled on my preferred plan, I carefully selected six meals for my delivery, a very challenging decision. Here's what I ordered:

• Goat Cheese Filet Mignon
• Creamed Spinach and Bacon Chicken
• Cilantro Lime Barramundi
• Baja Salmon with Cauliflower Rice
• Baja Tofu Black Beans and Rice
• Roasted Veggie Pesto Tortellini

The final step involved choosing my delivery date and eagerly anticipating the arrival of my Factor box.

Unboxing the meals

When the box arrived, it was in good condition, and all the ingredients were cool and fresh, thanks to the insulated packaging. Everything inside was well-organized, and the meals looked vibrant and high-quality. I also liked that the packaging was mostly eco-friendly, with options for recycling, reusing or composting.

Prep and cooking

The best part? No prep, no cooking — just a quick poke with a fork to ensure proper heating, then straight into the microwave, which is exactly what I did. Alternatively, the Factor team highly recommends that you can heat meals on a sheet pan in a standard oven. One tester loved the simplicity of it all and commented, “It was easy to heat up the food — two minutes in the microwave, and the meals maintained pleasant flavor, texture and overall freshness.”

I noticed that each meal came with specific heating instructions on the packaging so I felt very confident during this process. All meals have to be fully heated to safe internal temperatures of 165° Fahrenheit. While I made sure I met that requirement, I found that one of the meals, the Filet Mignon needed an extra 30 seconds in the microwave to ensure it was warmed evenly. It's crucial to make sure all parts of the meal are heated properly to avoid any risk of food borne illness. Also, just an FYI, the meal trays are not suitable for convection or toaster oven use. Overall, the instructions were clear and easy to follow, which kept the process moving quick for me since I had a long day of to-do's.

Taste and nutrition

The meals were rich in flavor, showcasing thoughtful recipe development with the use of herbs and spices, which was a highlight for me compared to other pre-made options I've tried. The serving sizes were generous, providing ample portions which I found satisfying. The Cilantro Lime Barramundi stood out as a favorite to me and the testers.

After trying the Salmon and Barramundi, one GH tester noted, “I liked the flavor of the main course as well as the overall portion size. The fish seemed like it was very good quality with nice consistency and meatiness. I also liked that the food wasn't watery.”

One of the downsides was the mushiness of some of the sides. Several testers in the Lab tried the vegetarian and vegan meal options. After trying the Baja Tofu Black Beans and Rice, a vegan option, one tester commented, “While I didn't mind the chewiness, the tofu and rice did feel a tad on the soggy side.” Another tester added, “I didn't love that the tofu was somewhat chewy. I think with the spicy flavors, it would have tasted better crispy. I also felt that the portion was a bit small for dinner because I eat a decent amount of food after working out.”

The second dish, Roasted Veggie Pesto Tortellini, was vegetarian. The pesto on the tortellini had a remarkably fresh taste, surpassing some jarred versions I’ve tried. The tortellini itself was cooked perfectly, boasting delightful flavor and texture. However, it lacked sufficient protein, which was a concern for one tester who follows a vegetarian diet and prefers protein-rich meals. They noted, “It did not have a ton of sources of protein, so it's not something I'd look for in a pre-made meal since pasta is a pretty simple dish to make myself.” I wasn't a big fan of the Filet Mignon since the texture was a bit tough for my liking, but the sides (cheesy grits and roasted carrots) were very flavorful.

One drawback of the meals was their higher sodium content — ranging from 800–1200 mg — making them less suitable for individuals with heart or kidney concerns or individuals at risk. It would be great for Factor to explore developing lower-sodium meal options while still allowing customization with salt to suit individual preferences.

While I appreciated the overall convenience, I wished the company provided recipe cards so I could recreate some dishes at home, particularly the Barramundi as I am always looking for new ways to prepare and enjoy fish. Despite this, the meals were of excellent quality, meeting my flavor expectations. I look forward to trying more recipes, especially during extremely busy weeks.

Factor is perfect for busy individuals or couples who want to eat healthily without the hassle of cooking. It's also a fantastic option for those following specific eating patterns like low-carb, keto or high-protein diets, whether you're physically active or just starting your wellness journey and need a little support.

However, Factor isn't ideal for those who are on a tight budget, have families or have a lot of dietary restrictions and needs. While it's not specifically a meal delivery service for weight loss, Factor's meals can support your unique health goals and the company offers complimentary nutrition consultations with registered dietitians, an added bonus compared to other healthy meal delivery services. Factor also integrates their platform with popular nutrition tracking apps like MyFitnessPal for your convenience.

Absolutely. Factor is a top-notch meal delivery service offering freshly prepared dishes ready to heat and enjoy. With a diverse weekly menu of 35 chef-crafted options emphasizing quality protein sources like chicken, beef, pork, and seafood, Factor caters to various dietary preferences, including keto, high-protein, vegetarian, and more.

While there are some drawbacks, notably the higher sodium content, the convenience and quality of Factor meals make it worthwhile. The service is a bit on the pricier side, with one GH tester who noted, “It's way too expensive for me to ever consider buying it myself.” If you're able to budget for these meals, then it might be worth exploring.

Also keep in mind the meals come prepared, likely one of the reasons why it's a bit on the pricier side. Another tester said, “I've always been overwhelmed by which meal delivery service to choose, but I definitely will be ordering Factor for my husband and me. I really appreciate the quality of the meals and how well-balanced they are.”

Having meals delivered eliminates grocery shopping and meal-prep hassle, and the nutrient-packed, delicious dishes are easy to enjoy with minimal effort. Plus, Factor provides access to registered dietitians for personalized support. Overall, Factor is a fantastic solution for busy individuals looking for nutritious, convenient meal options.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all different types of food products and services. From healthy snacks and supplements to food subscription boxes and meal delivery services, our experts are committed to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to quality, performance, flavor, nutrition and more. In our most recent study of meal delivery services, we recruited over 300 home cooks across the nation, while our in-house experts also tested the services in our Labs. All in all, we evaluated over 50 different meal delivery services, ranging from traditional kits that come with pre-measured ingredients and a follow-along recipe card to fully prepared options. We tested the services over the course of three months in the categories of overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, recycling efforts and availability.

Valerie Agyeman is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Agyeman is a trusted expert and regularly appears on networks including ABC’s Good Morning Washington, and she is a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health, The Thirty and Shape.

Valerie Agyeman, R.D.

Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert and regularly appears on networks including ABC’s Good Morning Washington, and she is a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health, The Thirty and Shape.