| Category | BistroMD | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Meal format | Doctor-designed ready meals | Ready-to-eat (2 min heat) |
| Price per meal | $12-$16 | $11-$15 |
| Best for | Weight loss, medical diets | Busy professionals, high-protein |
| MealFan rating | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Factor | BistroMD | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Per meal cost | $9.95 to $14 | $11.49 |
| HSA / FSA eligible | Yes (with letter of medical necessity) | No |
| Physician designed | Yes | No (but registered dietitian designed) |
| Dedicated diabetic plan | Yes | Calorie smart line works for diabetes |
| Carbs per meal | 35 to 45g | 15 to 25g (calorie smart line) |
| Protein per meal | 30 to 45g | 30 to 50g (protein plus line) |
| Menu choice | Yes (pick from rotating menu) | Yes (pick from 35+ weekly options) |
| Shipping | $19.95 | $10.99 |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.3/5 (5,100+) | 4.5/5 (28,400+) |
Choose BistroMD if:
Choose Factor if:
BistroMD has a dedicated diabetic plan that publishes carbs, sodium, and fiber per meal. The plan averages 1,200 to 1,400 calories daily across 7 days of meals. Designed with physicians, the plan is straightforward for patients who do not want to make daily food decisions.
Factor calorie smart and protein plus lines both work for diabetes. Calorie smart targets 500-600 calories with 15-25g net carbs. Protein plus delivers 30-50g protein per meal which preserves lean muscle. Factor lets you mix lines weekly which is helpful if you have specific dietary preferences.
For 7 meals per week with shipping:
Net effective cost favors BistroMD if you can use HSA / FSA. Otherwise Factor is cheaper.
BistroMD has a dedicated diabetic plan and is HSA eligible. Factor calorie smart line works for diabetes with flexible menu choice. Pick BistroMD for structured medical plan, Factor for flexibility.
Yes with a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. The diabetic, heart healthy, and weight management plans are typically reimbursable through HSA/FSA accounts.
Yes. Both are no-commitment subscriptions. You can cancel one and start the other at any time. Some patients alternate weeks between them for variety.
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