BistroMD vs Freshly (+9 Best features)
In the current post, we will be discussing the features and characteristics which you can find in BistroMD and then comparing them with those of Freshly. Both of these are meal delivery services which cater to the needs of two very different populations. While BistroMD focuses on weight loss, Freshly focuses on healthy eating for everybody
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
BistroMD vs Freshly
In the following table, you will be able to find the different advantages as well as the limitations in BistroMD and Freshly. We have also mentioned the delivery areas of these two platforms, as well as the types of food items which you can aim to find here. You can choose between BistroMD and Freshly through the table below.
| Feature | BistroMD | Freshly |
| Delivery areas | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii |
| Price range | $188.86 to $219.80 per week | $8.49 to $11.49 per week |
| Price per plate | $9.50 to $10.50 per plate | $8.49 per plate minimum |
| Difficulty levels | Easy | Easy |
| Avg. cooking time | No cooking required | 3 minutes of heating |
| Avg. calorie count | 240-400 calories per serving | 400-500 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | Meal description,Fitness tips,Health tips | Nutritional information |
| Recipes supported | Weight-loss meals | Gluten-free,Dairy-free,Plant-based,Carb-smart,Calorie-conscious |
| No. of choices | 150 options per week | 12 per week |
| Introductory deal | 25% off + free shipping | $100 off on first four orders |
| Avg. shelf life | 1 year in the freezer | 5-7 days,Longer while frozen |
Types of Plans: BistroMD vs Freshly
| BistroMD | Freshly |
| Full Program 7 days 7 breakfasts,7 lunches,6 dinners | 4-5 meals per week $11.79 per portion + shipping |
| Full Program 5 days 5 breakfasts,5 lunches,5 dinners | 6-7 meals per week $9.99 per portion + shipping |
| Lunch & Dinner 7 days 7 lunches,7 dinners | 8-9 meals per week $9.49 per portion + shipping |
| 10-11 meals per week $9.29 per portion + shipping | |
| 12 meals per week $9.99 per portion + shipping |
BistroMD is a meal delivery service whose main aim is to help the user lose weight in a healthy manner. The user can choose from various meal plans in BistroMD based on how many meals they would need in the week. There are two kinds of full programs in BistroMD, one covering five days in the week and the other one covering all the seven days.
In Freshly, the user can choose from various meal plans based on how many meals they would need during the week. The meals in Freshly can easily accommodate a number of dietary requirements and nutritional needs, but are mostly devoted to healthy and balanced everyday eating.
Winner: Freshly wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: BistroMD vs Freshly
| Ingredient type | BistroMD | Freshly |
| Produce | Organic produce,Farm-fresh ingredients | US-based vendors |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Hormone-free chicken,rBGH-free beefSustainably-sourced seafood | Free from fillers, chemical additives and even preservatives |
| Other ingredients | Low-sodium seasoningsHealthy spice blends | None |
In BistroMD, the meals are created using only the best and most organic of produce and veggies. This is another great advantage of using BistroMD as a meal delivery service, apart from the main aim of losing weight. The meat and the poultry used in the meals are antibiotic-free, while the seafood is sustainably sourced.
Freshly states that not all the ingredients used in the meals are organic all the time. This can be a major letdown for those users who only want to consume organic and GMO-free products. However, the produce is definitely farm-fresh and focuses more on seasonal ingredients which bring taste and health to the user.
Winner: BistroMD wins the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: BistroMD vs Freshly
| BistroMD | Freshly |
| Healthy snacks,Non-starchy vegetables,Fruit plates,Low-fat milk | Proteins,Sides |
Apart from weight-loss meals, BistroMD also offers a number of great add-ons for the user to choose from. In this add-on menu, the user will find healthy snacks which can be filling, but are also less in calories. Apart from snacks and sides, BistroMD also offers essentials like low-fat milk for everyday use.
Freshly kind of disappoints when it comes to add-ons. In Freshly, apart from fully-prepared meals, the user can choose from various proteins like chicken breasts or lean beef, and also from several healthy sides to accommodate their main meals. The user is also free to add more meals to their weekly cart if they wish to do so.
Winner: BistroMD wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal box: BistroMD vs Freshly
| BistroMD | Freshly |
| Box,Meal sleeves,Plastic tray,Insulation | Meal box,Denim insulation,Non-toxic ice packs |
| Fully recyclable | Fully recyclable |
BistroMD uses very environmentally-friendly packaging in order to ship its meals. The meals in BistroMD come in cardboard boxes which can be easily flattened and placed in a curbside recycling bin. The meal boxes are insulated with materials like denim cotton or even starch which can also be recycled.
Freshly follows a similar process for the packaging of its meals. The packaging in Freshly uses mostly recycled cardboard which can then be recycled curbside. The boxes in Freshly are insulated with denim cotton and this can be easily recycled curbside. Freshly uses ice packs which contain a non-toxic gel which can be simply disposed of in the trash.
Winner: BistroMD and Freshly win the Packaging of Meal box segment.
Customer Support: BistroMD vs Freshly
| Feature | BistroMD | Freshly |
| Chat support | – | + |
| Email support | + | + |
| Phone support | + | + |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
In case BistroMD are having any issues or grievances with their orders or their meals, they can simply reach out to the customer support here through email support and even through phone support. However, there is no chat support in BistroMD and this can be a disadvantage for those who prefer texting over other forms of communication.
In Freshl, the customer support can be reached through several ways. The easiest way to reach the customer support in Freshly is through the live chat support. In addition to live chat, the customer support can be reached through emails as well as phone support on any day of the week.
Winner: Freshly wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: BistroMD vs Freshly
| Sample | BistroMD | Freshly |
| Sample 1 | Name: Lasagna with Garden MarinaraHeating time: 5 minsCalorie count: 350 caloriesAmt. of carbs: 28g | Name: Steak Peppercorn with Sauteed Carrots & French Green BeansCalorie count: 500Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
| Sample 2 | Name: Manicotti with Vodka Marinara SauceHeating time: 5 minsCalorie count: 280 caloriesAmt. of carbs: 19g | Name: Sausage Baked Penne with Sauteed Zucchini & SpinachCalorie count: 470Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
| Sample 3 | Name: Salmon with Dill Mustard SauceHeating time: 5 minsCalorie count: 340 caloriesAmt. of carbs: 30g | Name: Protein-Packed Chicken Parm with Mozzarella & Garlicky BroccoliCalorie count: 410Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
BistroMD’s menu is filled with options that can definitely help in weight loss since they contain less calories and more fiber along with protein. The meals also take the help of different ingredients like veggies, meat and even seafood. Therefore, the meals in BistroMD are guaranteed to bring the right combination of nutrients to the user.
In Freshly, the meals take inspiration from both local cuisines as well as international cuisines. The meals are fully-cooked and only need a little heating in the microwave oven or even a conventional oven. The meals use all types of ingredients and there are even several veggie-based options for the user to choose from.
Winner: Freshly wins the Sample Meals segment.
App rating: BistroMD vs Freshly
| Platform | BistroMD | Freshly |
| Google Play Store | Unavailable | 4.4 |
| Apple App Store | Unavailable | 4.8 |
| TWP Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Final Verdict: Freshly wins this battle with its variety of options and great customer satisfaction.
BistroMD greatly serves those who are trying to lose weight in a healthy manner. The meals in BistroMD contain very few calories and unhealthy carbohydrates, but are rich in protein and healthy fats. Therefore, weight loss is going to happen gradually and in a healthy manner without any restriction of meals.
In Freshly, the meals come with a variety of ingredients and can easily cater to a number of dietary requirements and specific nutritional needs which users may have. The meals come with the right combination of nutrients and taste and therefore this meal delivery service has a very high customer satisfaction level.
Meal delivery services are highly popular today, mainly because the meals are fully cooked and therefore, those who are too time-poor do not need to spend any time in the kitchen for their meals. Freshly takes the cake here, since the meals can suit any type of dietary requirement and even palate preferences which users may have.
Methodology
To bring you the best reviews of each and every meal delivery service, we spoke to testers and real life users, reviewed the information provided by each service on their respective websites, carried out primary research on social media platforms and checked out the user reviews of these platforms on various social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ extensively from what our external reviewers said then we will update this post so you get both points of views and can decide which service provider is more suited to your needs based on the information above.
The main types of criteria which we have used in order to assess and evaluate these meal delivery services is the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals in the service, the inclusiveness of diets and cuisines and even the supporting material.
In addition to these, we have also highly taken into regard the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging of these services. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer services of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “BistroMD vs Freshly”
Do you have to cook BistroMD meals?
No, you do not have to cook BistroMD meals. The meals are already cooked and are fresh-frozen to preserve all the nutrients as well as lock in the flavors for the user to enjoy. Once the user is ready to eat, the meals simply need to be heated using a microwave oven or even a conventional oven based on their personal preference.
Does BistroMD ship to Hawaii?
No, BistroMD does not ship to Hawaii at the moment. It also does not ship to Alaska at this point of time. However, BistroMD ships to the rest of the United States through FedEx.
Can Freshly meals go in the oven?
Yes, Freshly meals can go in the oven for heating purposes. They can also be heated in a microwave oven and even on the stove top by using a saucepan or a skillet. The meals are fully prepared and therefore, the heating takes only a few minutes when a microwave is used. When a conventional oven is used, the heating may take a bit longer.
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