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Fresh N Lean Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Vegan Meal Delivery Reviews

Fresh N Lean Review 3 Star Rating

Fresh N Lean

3 Star Rating
  • Price per serving: Starts at $11.16
  • Days of food: 5 or 7
  • Shipment frequency: Weekly
  • Daily meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
  • Calories per meal: About 430
  • Number of vegan meals: Over 100 a week

Founded in 2010, Fresh N Lean began when its brother-sister CEO duo began making nutritious dinners for their dad, and later, their whole neighborhood. It is now a meal delivery service that's all about making healthy eating easy for everyone. They're focused on providing fresh, organic, microwavable whole-food meals that are packed with energy and nourishment. While they are not a vegan company, they do have a vegan plan.

Homemade goodness delivered directly to you

Fresh N Lean prides itself on crafting your meals in Moosic, PA, with a personal touch and keen attention to detail. Once your delivery arrives, remember to store the meal packs in your refrigerator promptly. They'll maintain their freshness in the delivery box for 6-8 hours, or 1-3 hours during particularly warm days. For optimal taste, enjoy your meals straight from the refrigerator, where they can remain for 7-10 days post-delivery. Not ready to indulge just yet? Feel free to freeze them for later enjoyment, keeping them good for 6-8 weeks. Just allow 36-48 hours for thawing in your fridge to ensure the flavors are at their best.

Pure, natural, and wholesome

Fresh N Lean firmly rejects the use of excessively processed elements. They commit to non-GMO, FDA-compliant ingredients, boasting a vegan meal plan that's 99% organic. Every dish is crafted from the ground up, mimicking home cooking but on a larger scale. Frying is off the table; instead, their culinary masters specialize in baking, roasting, and steaming to ensure your meals are not only scrumptious but also brimming with nutritional value.

From 5 to 21 meals weekly

Fresh N Lean stands out by offering up to three meals daily, unlike many services that limit you to just dinner. The more meals you choose, the more you save per meal. To put things into perspective, let's look at the cost for 5 dinners per week: you're looking at $79.95, which breaks down to $15.99 for each meal. Ouch! But, when you jump to three meals a day, the price per meal falls to $11.16. That's more in line with competitors, though the total comes to $167.35 a week. Don't forget, Fresh N Lean is all about flexibility; you can pause deliveries for up to two weeks through your dashboard, perfect for those unexpected trips.

Get 30% off

We did spy a promotion of 30% off and free shipping, with a money-back guarantee. You can get 30% off your first week on any meal plan of healthy ready-to-eat meals.

Best Vegan Meal Delivery

Avoid allergens and disliked foods

Are you particular about your food choices? Fresh N Lean encourages you to try new flavors but allows for up to three exclusions in your meal plan to suit your tastes. If you have allergies, you're in luck; you can exclude as many allergens as you need, including Egg, Sesame, Dairy, Shellfish, Tree Nut, Soy, and Wheat. And for those on the vegan plan, you can rest easy knowing that at least three of these allergens will naturally be absent from your dishes.

Snacks cost extra

Further along in your selection process, you have the option to add more to your plan, including extra meals and snacks. Under the "Breakfast/Snacks" section, you'll find choices like Hearty Granola, Breakfast Muffins, Coconut Almond Buttercups, and a variety of flavored almonds, all priced between $2.99 and $4.99. If you're looking at the "Entree" and "Bulk And Sides" sections, you'll discover two rotating seafood meals and 16 ounces of seasoned salmon. Obviously, though, if you're a vegan, these seafood options won't fit your diet. That's a bit of a bummer, isn't it?

Set your menu every Tuesday

During the Review step, you'll spot the "Guaranteed To Deliver By" date for your initial delivery, which in our experience was set for about 11 days later. This date may vary once you input your shipping details. Fresh N Lean makes it a routine to reach out every Tuesday, prompting you to choose your meals for the upcoming week.

Detailed nutritional breakdowns with each meal

To preview your upcoming meals, head over to the "Weekly Menu" tab. Here, you'll want to select the "Standard Vegan" icon to filter for meals that fit your dietary preferences. For example, a day's menu could feature Mango Chia Pudding for breakfast (270 cal), a Lentil Power Bowl with Herb Roasted Potatoes for lunch (420 cal), and a Teriyaki Plant-Based Meatball Quinoa Bowl for dinner (480 cal). Fresh N Lean stands out by providing a quick overview of the protein and carbs in each dish, which is especially helpful for active vegans or weightlifters focused on meeting their nutritional goals. On average, a vegan meal from Fresh N Lean includes 19 grams of protein, 49 grams of carbs, 14 grams of fat, and 430 calories.

Best Vegan Meal Delivery

Inconsistencies in serving sizes

While Fresh N Lean generally offers a convenient meal service, some users, particularly those who are serious about bodybuilding, have noted inconsistencies in portion sizes. For instance, a customer on a non-vegan plan reported a significant 210-gram difference between two servings of the same Vodka Sauce Chicken Pasta. If you're meticulous about your protein intake, you might find yourself needing to double-check serving sizes with your own kitchen scale.

Effortless meal prep

With a simple click on any Fresh N Lean meal, you'll access a wealth of details including Nutrition Facts, ingredients, and how to prepare it. Embracing their goal to "take the hassle out of healthy eating," they make sure every meal is nearly ready to eat. Just make a few punctures in the plastic film atop the recyclable tray and microwave it for a couple of minutes. There's no need to stock up on extra ingredients or go through complicated steps, addressing a common complaint among customers of other meal services and streamlining your dining experience.

Complimentary shipping on larger orders.

When you spend more than $100, Fresh N Lean will ship your order for free. This offer softens the initial sticker shock of their prices, which are on the higher end compared to rivals. They also tempt new customers with a $20 discount on the first week's meals for those who opt into their marketing communications. While this deal is okay, remember, some competitors send you your first box for free plus additional discounts on subsequent orders.

Guaranteed satisfaction for 10 days

Not many meal delivery services offer a satisfaction guarantee, but Fresh N Lean does. What's the deal? Simply put, if you're not completely satisfied with your first purchase, they'll reimburse you up to $150 or the equivalent of 14 meals. However, you've got a 10-day window to make this decision. This guarantee provides a nice safety net, especially if you're trying out their service for the first time.

Best Vegan Meal Delivery

Customer received real meat instead of plant-based alternative

One customer's experience with cross contamination at Fresh N Lean paints a concerning picture. They ordered from the vegan plan, expecting plant-based meals, but received a meal with real chicken instead of a vegan substitute. The realization came after a few bites, leading to a dive into the trash for the packaging to confirm the mix-up. Fresh N Lean's response? A refund for the two mishandled meals and an explanation of "human error." This incident raises questions about the company's commitment to avoiding cross-contamination and is particularly perplexing given the company's claim of strict separation in their production facility to make sure that vegan meals are entirely free of animal products.

Not a gourmet meal

Some customers have complaints about the taste and texture of Fresh N Lean meals, finding it hard to enjoy what they've spent so much money on. While an advantage of a service like Fresh N Lean is how quickly your food is ready, microwaving everything in the same tray does mean you won't have as much distinction between textures as you would if you were slicing, dicing, and sautéing individual ingredients.

Fake meat might appear too often

Vegan customers sometimes complain about Fresh N Lean's over-reliance on fake meat products from brands like Impossible and Beyond, which is understandable especially when you consider this service's name implies the food you're eating will be, well, fresh. These fake meats might also be an issue for vegans watching their sodium intake.

Responsive customer support at Fresh N Lean

Fresh N Lean shines particularly in its customer service department. Many customers have highlighted their positive interactions, especially noting the swift and helpful live chat support, which is a welcome deviation from the typical chatbot frustrations. The company's quick reaction to delivery mishaps, offering prompt resolutions, further underlines their commitment to efficient service. At the time of this review, Fresh N Lean boasted a commendable 4.0 rating average on Trustpilot and an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau. That said, it's not all praise; while some customers report things like significant weight loss and enjoying the meals, others share less favorable experiences, mentioning meals close to expiration and unpalatable options that ended up in the trash.

Not the best for picky eaters

Determining the ideal Fresh N Lean patron is a bit of a puzzle. It's not the top pick for serious weightlifters due to inconsistent macro information, nor does it seem suited for the finicky eater, given some of the texture and flavor feedback. Perhaps it's best suited for those accustomed to microwave meals who are looking to make a healthier shift, assuming there's a spare $160 in their weekly budget. While Fresh N Lean doesn't trigger any major red flags for us, we suggest exploring some of our higher-rated meal services before settling down with this option.

Which Vegan Meal Delivery Service is the Best?

As the vegan lifestyle continues to gain popularity, the online market is brimming with a cornucopia of vegan meal delivery options. Picture a new lifestyle where the delectable, plant-based cuisine you typically only get when you go out to eat meets the convenience of home delivery. Whether you crave globally-inspired vegan dishes or simple, hearty vegan meals, there's something to satisfy every palate, delivered right to your kitchen.

For those seeking a premium dining experience, there are gourmet options that mimic fine dining quality. On the other hand, budget-friendly meal kits and prepared meals are available too, offering diversity and nutritional value without breaking the bank. Plus, there are specific options available for people with gluten-free, organic, or low-calorie preferences, so that everyone's dietary needs are taken care of.

The Best Vegan Meal Delivery Compare Vegan Meal Delivery Compare Vegan Meal Delivery Reviews What are the best Vegan Meal Delivery Best Vegan Meal Delivery Reviews

Vegan Meal Delivery FAQ

Vegan meal delivery services are companies that prepare and deliver meals made entirely from plant-based ingredients, ensuring they contain no animal products or by-products. They offer a convenient solution for those following a vegan diet, providing a variety of meal options that are both nutritious and flavorful. These services often offer subscription plans or a la carte options and deliver meals right to your doorstep.
To confirm a meal delivery service is genuinely vegan, look for clear labeling on their website and menus. Reputable services will specify that their meals are 100% plant-based and free from animal products. Additionally, check for certifications or endorsements from recognized vegan organizations, and read reviews from other vegan customers to ensure the service meets strict vegan standards.
Many vegan meal delivery services cater to additional dietary needs such as gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, or low-carb diets. When signing up, you can often filter meal choices based on these preferences. However, it's always a good idea to contact the service directly if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies to ensure they can accommodate your needs.
The cost of vegan meal delivery services can vary, but they are generally comparable to non-vegan services. Prices depend on factors like ingredient quality, meal variety, and portion size. While some premium vegan meals with exotic ingredients might be pricier, there are also budget-friendly options available that provide value without compromising on quality.
Vegan meal delivery services offer a wide range of culinary options, from traditional dishes made with plant-based ingredients to innovative, gourmet vegan creations. You can expect international cuisines like Italian, Mexican, or Asian, as well as classic comfort foods, salads, and more. These services aim to keep their menus interesting and varied to accommodate different tastes and preferences.
Most vegan meal delivery services operate on a subscription model, where you choose a plan based on the number of meals you want each week or month. You typically have the flexibility to customize your menu choices, skip weeks, or pause/cancel your subscription as needed. Some services also offer one-time purchase options without the commitment of a subscription.
Many vegan meal delivery services prioritize eco-friendly packaging, recognizing the importance of sustainability to their customer base. Look for services that use recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials. However, packaging standards can vary, so it's worth checking a service's environmental policies if this is an important factor for you.
The shelf life of meals from a vegan delivery service depends on the type of meal and storage conditions. Freshly prepared meals or meal kits usually last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, while frozen meals can last several weeks to months in the freezer. Always check the use-by dates and storage instructions provided with your meals to ensure optimal freshness and safety.
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Continued from above...

As you explore, you'll be greeted by an extensive selection of meal types spanning various cuisines - think Mexican, Indian, or classic American, just to name a few. You may stumble upon a creation that resonates perfectly with your vegan lifestyle, blending unique flavors and ingredients that are both satisfying and health-conscious.

The ease of online shopping includes efficient search tools. Looking for a high-protein vegan dish? A few clicks allow you to sort meals by dietary preference, calorie content, or preparation time. And if you're undecided about your next meal, many services provide personalized recommendations or expertly curated collections based on your previous selections - like having a personal vegan chef at your fingertips.

For those in need of extra guidance, some services offer nutritional consultations or customizable meal plans. If supporting local enterprises and farmers is important to you, consider options that source ingredients locally.

Before settling on a vegan meal delivery service, consider the following aspects:

  • Menu diversity. A wide range of choices is crucial for keeping your vegan diet interesting. Whether you love exploring international flavors or enjoy the familiarity of classic vegan dishes, diversity in the menu is essential for a fulfilling meal plan.
  • Cost and subscription options. While the allure of convenience and variety is tempting, it's important to weigh the cost, including any delivery charges. Look for subscription models that offer flexibility to skip weeks or cancel easily, adapting to your lifestyle and budget needs.
  • Quality of ingredients and ethical practices. For many, choosing vegan meals is not just about health but also ethical considerations. Opt for services that use organic, non-GMO ingredients and practice sustainable and ethical sourcing.
  • Ease of preparation. Whether you're a time-strapped individual or a culinary hobbyist, select a service that matches your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
  • Packaging and delivery standards. Look for efficient, eco-friendly packaging and a reliable delivery system. It's important that the service consistently delivers fresh, well-packaged meals.

To assist you in your quest for the ideal vegan meal delivery service, Top Consumer Reviews has thoroughly evaluated and ranked the top choices available. Our guide is designed to help you find a service that not only tantalizes your taste buds and fits your budget but also adds ease and excitement to your vegan dining experience. Enjoy your culinary journey!

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