Bistro MD Review: Vegan Meal Delivery

Ever heard of BistroMD? Established in 2005, this meal delivery service carved a niche in weight loss by serving up dietitian-designed dishes straight to customer doorsteps. Recently, they rolled out a plan for vegans, too. Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle is no small feat. It's not just about avoiding animal products; it's about embracing a whole new way of eating that's both nutritious and delicious. However, at BistroMD, their team of chefs and registered dietitians has taken the burden off your shoulders with a vegan meal program that emphasizes whole foods, relies on plant protein, and is crafted using high-quality ingredients.

Filling meals that can help you lose weight

BistroMD offers several customizable weight loss plans, including options for healthy eating, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, menopause-friendly, and, of course, vegan diets. Their vegan option provides a healthy balance of macronutrients and aims to provide filling meals with good protein and carb counts. While weight loss is not the main focus of the vegan program, it may still contribute to weight loss when combined with a healthy lifestyle and exercise. BistroMD meals are baked, steamed, and roasted rather than fried.

Not a budget-friendly option

The vegan program offered by BistroMD includes a plan for lunch and dinner, available for either 5 or 7 days a week. Unlike their other programs, breakfast is not included. For a week of lunches and dinners (14 meals), the cost is $189.95, which averages to about $13.56 per meal. While this is pricier than many meal kits that require prep, it's roughly the same as some pre-prepped meals from competitors.

Only 25 recipes

To check the available meals, go to the "Our Menu" page and select the "Vegan Program" from the dropdown. By clicking on the individual dishes, you can access ingredient and nutrition information. However, they offer only 25 options, which pales in comparison to one of our competitors who provides over 2,000 recipes. Nevertheless, if you're one of those people who intentionally enjoys eating the same thing every day, this won't be a dealbreaker for you. Some examples of what's for dinner: Vegan Bolognese Pasta with Tofu Ricotta (290 cal), African Peanut Stew (330 cal), and the Harissa Chickpea Power Bowl (460 cal). This last one has an impressive 20 grams of protein, so you'll stay full for longer. Nice!

Claims to have higher protein contents than competitors

According to BistroMD, other vegan meal delivery services may not provide enough protein, lack carb-conscious options, and may not effectively satisfy hunger. The average BistroMD meal contains 285 calories, with 28g of net carbs. It also provides an average of 13g of plant protein per meal, ranging from 6g to 20g. Additionally, each meal contains an average of 8g of fiber, 10g of healthy fats, and is sodium-controlled with less than 450 mg of sodium. Despite their claims about other services having less protein, though, we reviewed at least one service with higher protein contents.

Not totally transparent about ingredients to non-members

While you can find the basic macro breakdowns, BistroMD only provides full ingredient and nutrition information to its members. However, non-members can contact customer service for specific questions. Registered dietitians are also available to customers to assist with dietary needs, but we think this is probably more useful to those on weight loss plans.

Remove allergens from meal options

At BistroMD, you can customize your menu by excluding certain ingredients. To do this, go to "Manage Plan" in the main menu, then select "Meal Preferences". You can also email CustomerService@BistroMD.com to request the removal of specific ingredients or food allergens from your options.

Mostly organic, but not certified

BistroMD prides itself on using wholesome ingredients similar to what you might find in your own pantry. While they don't boast an all-organic lineup, they assert that their ingredients are sourced from responsible, local, family-owned farms. However, for those who prioritize certified organic ingredients, it's worth noting that there are other vegan meal delivery services with such credentials.

Ready to eat in under 5 minutes

BistroMD understands that convenience is key, especially for those with busy lifestyles. Their meals are designed to be ready in 5 minutes or less, so you can enjoy a warm, satisfying vegan meal with minimal preparation time. To heat BistroMD entrées, you can either microwave them following the instructions on the outer sleeve or use an oven by preheating it to 325°F and placing the contents in an oven-safe dish. The internal temperature should reach 165°F or higher before serving.

Easy to cancel or postpone

If you need to skip a week in your BistroMD subscription, simply go to the "Delivery Schedule" section in the top navigation and click the "Skip" button for the desired week. To cancel your subscription, log into your myBistroMD account, go to "Manage Plan," and click on "Update Plan." Scroll down until you find the cancel subscription link, and before clicking "Cancel Program," you can provide feedback if you'd like. If you need any assistance, feel free to contact customer support. Reactivating your account is also quick and easy at any time. BistroMD makes it hassle-free to manage your subscription without any unnecessary hoops to jump through.

Recyclable plastic trays

Like most vegan meal delivery services, BistroMD packages your meals in environmentally-friendly insulation and uses dry ice for cold shipping so your meals stay frozen for hours after delivery. BistroMD takes care to serve their individual meals in CPET plastic trays that are not only safe for microwave and oven use but also do not release BPA when heated. These trays, along with the plastic cover and cardboard sleeve, are all recyclable so you can enjoy your meals conveniently and also feel good about minimizing waste.

Shipping is $10 more than competitors

Each BistroMD delivery is subject to a shipping rate of $19.95, which is about $10 more than competing services. This is discouraging, considering their meal prices are already steeper than average. As far as discounts go, BistroMD offers a deal for 40% off and free shipping for your first box.

Good rating on Trustpilot, but an "F" from the BBB

BistroMD presents a mixed bag when it comes to customer service and overall reputation. Have you ever felt just... okay about a service? That's the vibe here. They've managed to secure a respectable 4.0 rating average from Trustpilot, based on around 600 reviews, which is not too shabby. But here's the kicker: their standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an "F". What's going on there, BistroMD?

A bit "meh"

Customers have reported a range of experiences, most finding themselves in a Goldilocks scenario where everything is just "okay." Delivery is usually within a reasonable timeframe. The selection is modest, akin to what you might find elsewhere, but with a price tag that's a tad higher. The quality of the food seems to tip the scales back in favor, though. Staff interactions? Unremarkable. It's neither a red carpet experience nor a walk through the mud.

No snacks for the vegan (again)

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the vegan plan. Because it was rolled out recently, we had a hard time finding many reviews for it. BistroMD's vegan offerings seem to have sprouted from customer demand, particularly from those enjoying their high-protein weight loss plans. But here's the catch: no breakfast options and a lack of vegan-friendly EATS (Essential and Tasty Snacks). It's like going to a party and finding out there are no snacks for you - something vegans are probably used to, but more disappointing coming from a specifically vegan meal delivery plan.

Nothing major wrong with it, but not a top choice

From all of the above, we get the impression that the vegan plan here might be more of an afterthought than a full-fledged member of the BistroMD family. It's there, it exists, but it doesn't quite sparkle with the same attention to detail as its siblings. So, if you're a plant-based eater looking for a meal delivery service, you might find the offerings here a bit underwhelming. Is BistroMD's attempt at vegan options a step in the right direction, or does it leave you craving more? The jury's still out on that one.

Learn More  ➜

On the Bistro MD website