Lots of people opt for meal delivery services like BistroMD and Diet-to-Go as a convenient and beneficial way of staying on top of their health goals. Proper diet can significantly change the way you feel on a day-to-day basis, so this BistroMD vs Diet-to-Go review is a must-read!
Another great reason to go for a meal delivery service is that they save plenty of time and effort. You don’t have to run to the grocery store at the end of every week to stock up on fruits, vegetables, and other groceries. It all comes packed and ready to heat for you. All you have to do is enjoy all the nutrients and flavors.
Ultimately, the decision to opt for BistroMD or Diet-to-Go is a personal one depending on your individual needs and diet goals. Both services help you maintain a healthy diet, even if you’re working from home. Plus, they save you time in meal prep as they are already cooked.
Many others opt for meal delivery services as a convenient and beneficial way of staying updated with healthy eating trends and fitness goals.
Read on to know more about these two weight loss meal delivery service giants now!
(Read our complete BistroMD review here)
(Read our complete Diet-to-Go review here)
Why Choose Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services?
Meal delivery services like BistroMD and Diet-to-Go encourage clean eating for a healthier and stronger body. A clean eating meal plan is all about eating whole, nonprocessed foods and avoiding processed ingredients, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. It can have several health benefits once you try it out.
Here’s why you should be on a clean eating diet plan right now.
1. Increased Consumption of Nutrient-Dense foods
When you avoid eating processed foods with unhealthy fats, high amounts of sodium, and added sugars, it changes the way your body feels and functions.
Processed foods are high in calories and very low in essential nutrients. Even fruits and vegetables lose most of their nutrient density during processing. Consuming more processed than whole foods can cause nutrient deficiencies and other related health problems.
Eliminating processed foods not only reduces your caloric intake but also helps eliminate the risk of chronic diseases. You derive maximum nourishment from the foods you consume, especially when you select nutrient-dense foods such as leafy greens, berries, beans, eggs, etc.
2. It Aids with Weight Loss and Weight Management
Clean eating, by reducing the number of calories you consume every day, helps with managing weight and losing it. Whole foods are also high in fiber, which can keep you full longer without consuming too many calories.
People on a clean eating diet feel less hungry and do not experience sudden food cravings because of the fiber content.
3. It Boosts Stamina and Energy Levels
The body needs proper nutrients to stay active. Healthy fats, not trans-fat, are used as fuel to keep the body going and increase energy levels. Clean eating increases the consumption of whole foods such as beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
4. It Reverses Indigestion
Unhealthy eating habits are directly connected with impaired digestion. Processed foods like junk food, salty food, and sugar-loaded dishes slow down digestion and can cause bloating, constipation, etc. Cutting out all types of processed food speeds up digestion with the help of more fiber and healthy nutrients.
5. Good for Your Mental Health
You must have read about the gut-brain connection by now. Studies show that the gut is also known as the “second brain” which means the food you eat affects your mood and mental health.
Clean eating can reduce inflammation in the body, boosting cognitive function and improving mental clarity. It can positively impact not only digestion but your mood and stress levels as well.
Factors in Choosing Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services
In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals are turning to weight loss meal delivery services to achieve their health and fitness goals. With a multitude of options available, it can be challenging to determine which service is the best fit for your needs. By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision and select the best service to support your weight loss journey.
- Nutritional Expertise: One of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting a weight loss meal delivery service is the level of nutritional expertise they offer. BistroMD and Diet-to-Go both pride themselves on providing carefully curated menus designed by registered dietitians. These professionals create well-balanced meals that incorporate essential nutrients while maintaining a calorie-controlled approach. It is important to evaluate the credentials and experience of the nutrition experts behind each service to ensure you are receiving the best possible guidance for your weight loss goals.
- Menu Variety and Customization: Another essential aspect to consider is the variety and customization options available in the meal plans. BistroMD and Diet-to-Go offer diverse menus that cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or diabetic-friendly options. Assessing the flexibility of the meal plans allows you to determine which service aligns better with your personal preferences and dietary needs. Additionally, consider whether the service allows for customization of individual meals or offers options for substituting ingredients to accommodate allergies or dislikes.
- Ingredient Quality and Sourcing: The quality and sourcing of ingredients used in the meal delivery services can significantly impact the nutritional value and overall taste of the meals. Look for providers that prioritize fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients, as these factors contribute to the quality and flavor of the dishes. BistroMD and Diet-to-Go both emphasize the use of high-quality ingredients, but it’s worth examining their specific sourcing practices to ensure they align with your expectations and preferences.
- Portion Control and Calorie Management: Effective weight loss often involves portion control and calorie management. Both BistroMD and Diet-to-Go offer portion-controlled meals that are calorie-specific, providing a convenient way to monitor and control your daily intake. Consider the meal sizes and calorie ranges offered by each service to ensure they meet your individual needs. Additionally, some services provide complementary tools like mobile apps or online trackers to help you monitor your progress and stay on track.
- Support and Education: Weight loss is a journey that requires support and education to achieve long-term success. Look for meal delivery services that offer additional resources such as educational materials, access to dietitians or nutritionists, and online communities or forums where you can connect with others on a similar path. BistroMD and Diet-to-Go both provide varying levels of support and educational materials, so evaluate which service offers the resources that will assist you in achieving your weight loss goals.
Why Choose BistroMD?
BistroMD uses high-quality produce and preservative-free ingredients to cook their meals. The meals are packed with ice packs to maintain freshness. Once the meals arrive at your doorstep, you have to store them in the refrigerator and consume the meals within 7 days for maximum flavor and texture.
Why Choose Diet-to-Go?
Diet-to-Go’s meals are cooked with fresh and preservative-free ingredients, but they are flash-frozen before packing with ice packs to keep the frozen temperature intact during delivery. Once the meals arrive at your doorstep, you have to keep them in the freezer and consume the meals within weeks after storing them.
Flash freezing the meals is a common technique to preserve the nutrients and flavors of the recipe for a longer period. When you store cooked meals in the refrigerator, you can eat them within 7 days, but flash freezing prolongs the shelf life of the meals by a matter of weeks or months.
Several studies show that flash-frozen meals are healthier than the fruits and vegetables sitting in your fridge. When you flash freeze ingredients or recipes, it prevents the food from spoiling and traps all the nutrients and flavor of the ingredients effectively.
The BistroMD Menu
BistroMD focuses on meals that are tailored by diet including Signature, Gluten-free, Heart-Healthy, Keto Flex, Diabetic, and Menopause.
The meals have specific goals for boosting health and well-being. All the meals combine science with intention, so you can pick how many ever meals you want from their meal categories and opt for the 5- or 7-day meal plan.
Signature: The Signature program focuses on balanced meals that help you stay on track with your health and fitness goals. Plus, this meal plan is designed for maintaining a healthy weight, so it is weight-loss friendly. The Signature plan is designed specifically for women and men separately so you can pick your weight loss goals more effectively.
Gluten-free: All the meals are free of gluten, which is perfect for people struggling with gluten allergies and/or gluten intolerance. The meals are FDA-certified gluten-free, and there are over 100 different recipes of gluten-free meals you can pick from.
Heart Healthy: The Heart Healthy program is customized and designed by certified experts to improve heart health and lower blood pressure. The meals are crafted according to the American Heart Association standards with less sodium, balanced calories, and low fat.
Keto Flex: This meal plan meets your keto diet needs for a complete metabolic reset. This meal plan is good for weight loss and detox goals. The meals are higher in proteins and have low to moderate amounts of carbs, suitable for PCOS, weight loss, heart health, and blood sugar.
Diabetic: A diabetes-friendly meal service allows you to keep your blood sugar levels in check while also serving as a good prediabetic and carb-conscious meal plan so that you can stay on top of all your health goals.
Meals that help you meet your 1,000–1,200 caloric intake, fewer than 25g carbs, and 30g proteins are included. This diet plan also keeps your sodium levels in check while providing lots of fiber and healthy fats.
Menopause: A menopause-friendly meal program favors better hormone regulation with fewer carbs and good fats that allow your body to utilize more energy by burning fats in the body. This diet plan is good for regulating blood sugar levels and preventing insulin overproduction.
The Diet-to-Go Menu
Diet-to-Go is another health-focused meal delivery service with a variety of meal plans that encourage a diet-driven lifestyle. They focus on Balanced meals, Diabetes, Keto Low-Carb, Mediterranean, and Vegetarian.
All the meals served by Diet-to-Go are created keeping in mind specific calorie, carb, and protein sources. Each diet category features many recipes, and you can select them for an entire week for 5 days or 7 days per week.
Balance: The Balance diet reduces your daily calorie for weight loss and weight management. It also has other health benefits besides weight loss such as improving cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation related to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and boosting metabolism and proper digestion.
Unlike other caloric-deficit diets, the Balance diet takes a healthy and effective route to manage weight loss. You will receive all the essential nutrients your body needs without losing stamina and mental clarity and focus.
The dietician-approved meals are delicious, flavorful, and nutritious to eat. It includes low-sodium meals with no unhealthy fats and balanced carbs. You will also find many vegetarian and seafood-free meals in this diet category.
Balance Diabetes: Complementing the Balance diet, you can also opt for the diabetic-friendly meal plan with meals that are naturally low in sodium, carbs, and fat. A diabetic diet includes lean proteins, healthy fats, limited carbs, and no high-fat foods.
The Balance Diabetes diet plan has tons of customizable meals, and it includes more diabetes-friendly foods such as complex carbs like whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Lean proteins that regulate better blood sugar levels and more legumes, beans, nuts, and seeds.
Keto-Carb30: A keto diet is a high-fat and low-carb diet plan, which is effective for weight loss, diabetes, heart disease, and other specific health conditions. Before you sign up for a diet plan that is as restrictive as the keto diet, make sure you evaluate your health and nutritional needs with a nutritionist or a dietician.
The Keto diet is considered a very effective therapeutic diet plan for reducing inflammation, insulin resistance, and cutting down appetite. It can be good or bad for your health depending on what your body needs.
Lots of people opt for the Keto-Carb30 diet to replace a high-carb diet with a healthy high-fat diet. If you want to skip ingredients like bread, sugar, and other carb-heavy foods, this is the right kind of diet for you.
Vegetarian: Plant-based foods such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans, and fruits are consumed in place of meat and seafood. A vegetarian diet, compared to meat, is low in saturated fat, which aids in weight loss.
You can opt for more plant-based ingredients that are high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. There is no shortage of vegetables to try out, and if you think you’ll get bored of eating the same vegetarian food every day, Diet-to-Go offers many customizable meals with protein-rich sources like soy, beans, eggs, and dairy.
Mediterranean: It’s important to keep in mind that a diet-focused Mediterranean meal plan is a restrictive diet with several health benefits. Ensure that you consult with a dietician before opting for a diet plan like this.
The main benefit of a Mediterranean diet, apart from weight loss, is reducing inflammation in the body. The diet is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods. Heart-healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds are included. The main goal is to reduce the consumption of processed foods and eat natural ingredients that are high in healthy fats, fiber, and lots of nutrients.
How BistroMD and Diet-to-Go Work
BistroMD lets you customize meals by selecting different types of entrees. You can also adjust portion size on BistroMD’s menu, while Diet-to-Go offers special menus for all dietary plans with the option of substitution, which is a very useful customization feature.
Compared to BistroMD, Diet-to-Go also features a versatile menu with more than 400 recipes in total. On the other hand, with BistroMD, you have one menu with different program-specific recipes that amount to only 150 recipes.
Diet-to-Go’s menu is divided into three meal portions: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The same applies to BistroMD’s menu as it is divided into breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snack categories. BistroMD includes a snack menu with a variety of interesting choices such as protein bars, cookies, protein chips, cheesecakes, nut mixes, granola, and whey proteins.
BistroMD and Diet-to-Go offer meals that dieticians create based on nutrition profiles and are cooked by chefs to pack in lots of flavors as well as freshness. The meals are delivered straight to your home. So, all you need to do is take out the meals from the box and store them in the refrigerator until you need to reheat them.
One significant point of difference between BistroMD and Diet-to-Go’s meals is that BistroMD flash-freezes their meals after cooking them to pack in flavor, nutrients, and freshness. Diet-to-Go’s meals are not frozen but refrigerated. Both services do not demand any cooking skills or prep time at all.
All you need to do is heat the meal in a microwave, or you can even use the stovetop or induction to properly heat the meals for maximum flavor and nutrition.
The cooking/prep time of BistroMD’s meals is 5 minutes or less, while that of Diet-to-Go is between 2 and 3 minutes.
Based on the type of meal you’ve ordered, some meals can also be consumed cold, so they require no heating at all.
There is a minor difference between BistroMD’s flash-frozen meals and Diet-to-Go’s refrigerated meals. Refrigerated meals slow down bacterial growth to preserve the freshness and flavor of the food. That is why refrigerated meals are supposed to be quickly consumed within 5–7 days. Frozen meals last longer, even up to months, which is useful for many people.
How are BistroMD and Diet-to-Go Meals Packed?
By flash-freezing, BistroMD keeps the meals locked in with nutrients and flavor. The meals are then stored with ice packs and insulation during transit to maintain a cold temperature.
Individual meals are stored in CPET plastic trays with a plastic seal that prevents any liquid from leaking out of the container. These trays, according to BistroMD, are microwave-safe and can be directly used to heat the meals in the oven up to 400F. The plastic is BPA-free and does not release any harmful chemicals during heating.
The plastic tray and seal are recyclable including any other paper packaging that BistroMD uses to pack their weekly meals.
Diet-to-Go packs their meals with dry ice, ice packs, and other cold insulation to maintain a low temperature. Styrofoam coolers are used to ensure that the meals stay cold and fresh during transit.
They use BPA-free containers that are recyclable for all their meals. Sometimes, the packaging may look different depending on the food item. Some items may not require heating, and you can store them outside the refrigerator as well. There are labels on all the meals, so you’ll know which is which.
All the materials that Diet-to-Go uses for their packaging are recyclable and easy to discard. You can disassemble the weekly meal order and drop off all the used packaging at the end of the week at a local recycling facility.
Are BistroMD Meals Diet-Friendly?
BistroMD features 6 different types of menus: Signature Program, Gluten Free Program, Heart Healthy Program, Keto Flex Program, Diabetic, and Menopause Program.
Under each meal plan category, you will find an interesting catalog of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, they also offer up a separate snacks menu keeping nutrition and clean eating in check.
Here are some of the best protein-rich meals on BistroMD’s menu:
- Signature Program
Bagel Sandwich with Egg, Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Swiss
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 28g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 22g
Turkey Breast with Herbed Brown Gravy
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 34g
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 19g
- Gluten-Free Program
Western Omelet with Roasted Potato and Onion Hash
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 20g
- Total Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 21g
Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 31g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 21g
- Heart Healthy Program
Cheese Omelet with Turkey Sausage
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 33g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 5g
Grilled Salmon with Creamy Pesto
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 33g
- Total Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 14g
- Keto Flex Program
Blueberry Waffles with Mixed Berry Compote
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 16g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 31g
Southwest Bison Meatloaf with Smoky Tomato Glaze
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 27g
- Total Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 34g
- Diabetic Program
Smoked Chipotle Pork and Eggs
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 25g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 16g
Shepherd’s Pie
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 23g
- Total Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 19g
- Menopause Program
Canadian Bacon and Swiss Omelet
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 22g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 21g
Hickory Smoked BBQ Pork with Broccoli
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 34g
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 30g
Are Diet-to-Go Meals Diet-Friendly?
On Diet-to-Go’s website, you will different menus such as Balance, Balance Diabetes, Keto-Carb30, Vegetarian, and Mediterranean. Under each diet category, there are several different recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days of the week and 5 upcoming weeks.
Please note that these are recipes from the website’s sample menus based on the diet category you select. Here is a list of recipes that you might find helpful and effective:
– Balance Program
Breakfast
Cherry Almond Bar
- Calories: 300
- Protein: 9g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 44g
Lunch/Dinner
Turkey Burger Rice Bowl
- Calories: 460
- Protein: 26g
- Total Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 35g
– Balance-Diabetes Program
Breakfast
Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 15g
- Total Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 42g
Lunch/Dinner
Blackened Salmon
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 39g
- Total Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 19g
– Keto-Carb30 Program
Breakfast
Scrambled Eggs
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 17g
- Total Fat: 19g
- Carbs: 6g
Lunch/Dinner
Chicken Parmesan over Ratatouille
- Calories: 363
- Protein: 33g
- Total Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 16g
– Vegetarian Program
Breakfast
Blueberry Pancakes Soy Sausage
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 10g
- Total Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 44g
Lunch/Dinner
Aztec Quinoa Salad
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 14g
- Total Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 54g
– Mediterranean Program
Breakfast
Quinoa Egg Bites
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 15g
- Total Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 36g
Lunch/Dinner
Asian Soy Over Sesame Rice
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 20g
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 69g
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Ingredients Organic and Non-GMO?
BistroMD provides sufficient information about the quality and freshness of its ingredients. They do talk about their ingredients being free from MSG, trans fats, and other harmful chemicals like nitrates and preservatives.
They also serve a gluten-free diet plan, but if you’re looking for an organic and non-GMO meal delivery service, Diet-to-Go is perhaps more suitable for you.
BistroMD uses mostly organic ingredients, and the ingredients that are not organic are sourced from local farms that practice safe and high-quality farming standards. Farms, fisheries, and ranchers follow eco-friendly standards to ensure hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and grass-fed sources of meat including seafood and poultry.
BistroMD does a lot to ensure that its customers are informed about the quality of their ingredients and the food quality of the recipes. So, it’s a tie between BistroMD and Diet-to-Go as they’re both a favorable fit for healthy, organic, and non-GMO meals.
Do BistroMD and Diet-to-Go Charge a Shipping Fee?
Both BistroMD and Diet-to-Go charge a shipping fee, which is $19.95 and $19.98, respectively. It’s a considerably higher shipping fee than the average $9.99 shipping cost of most other meal delivery services.
How Is the Customer Service of BistroMD and Diet-to-Go?
You can cancel and pause your subscription with BistroMD and Diet-to-Go. What you cannot do, however, is skip a week of delivery. This applies to both meal delivery services.
The customer service is very helpful and guides you through the meal selection process just in case you need extra assistance. Both services offer extra features like switching meal plans after ordering, reducing or adding more meals, and pausing the order – you can do all this before the cutoff date, which is unique for every order.
Both companies also have a similar policy regarding refunds in case your order arrives in a damaged condition or if something is missing. You can either opt for a full refund or get food credits that allow you to add meals to the next week’s cart without paying anything extra.
For the sake of comparison, Diet-to-Go customer service is more active and has fewer customer complaints than BistroMD’s customer reviews.
BistroMD Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The meals take less than 5 minutes to prep and heat. | You cannot pick the day of delivery. |
| Wide variety of meals in different diet categories. | The shipping fee is too high. |
| Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included. | Some of the meals may not taste great after freezing. |
| All meal recipes are created by dieticians and chefs. | Not a lot of vegetarian meal options. |
| The meals are low in calories, which support weight loss. | Some of the meals may not be satisfactory. |
| The meals are flash-frozen with a longer shelf life. | No vegan meals. |
| Pricing and shipping are convenient and straightforward. | |
| Gluten-free meals are included. | |
| Meal customization and order cancelation are easy and fast. |
Diet-to-Go Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The meals are created by experts and registered dieticians. | The shipping fee is too high. |
| More than 150 meal choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. | Very limited vegan options. |
| The portion size is comfortable for people with big appetites. | Some of the meals have very limited calories. |
| Easy to swap meals and customize the menu. | No gluten-free and allergy-friendly meals. |
| Lots of vegetarian and plant-based diet recipes. | Not the most inexpensive meal delivery service. |
| Diet-specific meal choices for men and women. | |
| Ideal for weight loss, diabetes, and heart diseases. | |
| You can pick how many deliveries you want per week. | |
| Faster prep time – between 2 and 3 minutes. |
BistroMD vs Diet-to-Go – Final Verdict
BistroMD and Diet-to-Go are comparable meal delivery services with lots to offer to people on special diets. Both offer low-calorie meals good for weight loss and weight management. Plus, they are a prepared meal delivery service, which means you don’t have to spend any longer than 5 minutes to get a meal ready.
If you want to try out a foolproof and convenient service, Diet-to-Go is the best out there for healthy and nutrient-dense meals. It takes away all your effort and meal planning in the long run. BistroMD is more suited to people on a calorie-restrictive diet plan.
