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Written by Megan Ayala. Last Updated: April 4, 2023
In today’s fast-paced world, meal delivery services have gained popularity as a convenient way to maintain a healthy diet without spending hours in the kitchen.
Two such services that have made a name for themselves are CookUnity and Freshly.
This article will provide an in-depth comparison of these two meal delivery services, covering aspects like meals, menu options, pricing, and suitability for weight loss, helping you decide which one is the best fit for your lifestyle and dietary preferences.
CookUnity Overview
CookUnity is a meal delivery service that offers a chef-driven, pre-made meal experience. Their primary focus is on providing high-quality, flavorful meals prepared by professional chefs.
They source their ingredients from local farms and prioritize sustainability and traceability. With a weekly rotating menu, CookUnity offers a diverse array of meal options, including dishes influenced by various global cuisines.
Freshly Overview
*Important note: At last check Freshly had halted their meal delivery program, so their service isn’t currently being offered. We’ll update this post if/when they resume operations.
Freshly is a subscription-based meal delivery service that aims to provide customers with convenient and healthy meal options. Their meals are pre-cooked and delivered fresh, not frozen, requiring only heating before consumption.
Freshly is committed to using high-quality ingredients and avoiding artificial preservatives, refined sugars, and hydrogenated oils. Their meals are also gluten-free and peanut-free, catering to people with specific dietary restrictions.
Meals Comparison
CookUnity Meals
CookUnity offers a wide variety of meals, with over 300 options available every week. Their menu consists of diverse, chef-crafted dishes influenced by global cuisines, such as Asian, Mexican, Italian, and American.
The meals are fully prepared and only require reheating before consumption. CookUnity offers options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, ensuring a complete dining experience.
Freshly Meals
Freshly, on the other hand, offers around 30-40 meals each week. Their dishes are influenced by American and international cuisines and are designed with health and convenience in mind.
The meals come fully cooked and only need to be heated before eating. Freshly focuses on providing lunch and dinner options, with no breakfast or snack choices available.
Menu Options Comparison
CookUnity Menu Options
CookUnity provides a range of menu options catering to different dietary preferences and restrictions. They offer meals suitable for vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, and those following a low-carb, keto, or paleo diet.
CookUnity also allows customers to filter their meal choices by calorie count, protein content, and specific ingredients, making it easier to find meals that align with their dietary needs and goals.
Freshly Menu Options
Freshly’s menu includes meals that cater to specific dietary preferences as well. They offer low-carb, high-protein, soy-free, and dairy-free options. In addition to their standard menu, Freshly provides a separate line of meals called “FreshlyFit” that focus on high-protein, low-carb recipes suitable for athletes or those looking to lose weight.
Price Comparison
CookUnity Pricing
CookUnity’s pricing varies depending on the number of meals you choose per week. The cost per meal decreases as the number of weekly meals increases. Prices range from $10.49 to $13.49 per meal, excluding shipping. For example:
- 4 meals per week: $13.49/meal
- 6 meals per week: $12.49/meal
- 8 meals per week: $11.49/meal
- 12 meals per week: $10.49/meal
- Check most up-to-date pricing at CookUnity website
Freshly Pricing
Freshly’s pricing is also based on the number of meals selected per week, with the cost per meal decreasing as
the number of weekly meals increases. Prices range from $8.49 to $11.79 per meal, excluding shipping. For example:
- 4 meals per week: $11.79/meal
- 6 meals per week: $9.99/meal
- 10 meals per week: $9.49/meal
- 12 meals per week: $8.49/meal
Is Freshly or CookUnity better for weight loss?
Both CookUnity and Freshly offer meal options that cater to those looking to lose weight. CookUnity provides customers with the ability to filter meals by calorie count and specific dietary preferences such as low-carb, keto, or paleo. Freshly, on the other hand, offers a separate line of meals called “FreshlyFit,” which focuses on high-protein, low-carb recipes.
While both services can support weight loss, Freshly may be more suitable for individuals strictly following a low-carb or high-protein diet, while CookUnity offers greater flexibility and variety for those with different dietary preferences and goals.
Potential Pros and Cons to Consider
To further help you decide between CookUnity and Freshly, let’s take a closer look at the overall benefits and potential drawbacks of each service.
CookUnity Benefits
- Diverse menu: With over 300 meal options available each week, CookUnity offers an extensive range of dishes to suit various taste preferences.
- Chef-crafted meals: CookUnity’s meals are prepared by professional chefs, ensuring high-quality and flavorful dishes.
- Customizable menu: CookUnity allows customers to filter their meal choices by calorie count, protein content, and specific ingredients.
- Sustainable practices: CookUnity sources ingredients from local farms and prioritizes traceability and sustainability.
- Complete dining experience: CookUnity provides meal choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
CookUnity Potential Drawbacks
- Higher price: CookUnity’s pricing is generally higher than Freshly, making it a more expensive option.
- Overwhelming choices: With over 300 meal options available each week, some customers may find it challenging to choose their meals.
Freshly Benefits
- Budget-friendly: Freshly’s pricing is generally lower than CookUnity, making it a more budget-friendly option.
- Allergy-friendly: Freshly’s meals are gluten-free and peanut-free, catering to those with specific allergies.
- FreshlyFit meals: Freshly offers a separate line of meals called “FreshlyFit” that focuses on high-protein, low-carb recipes, ideal for athletes or those looking to lose weight.
- Convenience: Freshly focuses on providing quick and easy meal options with minimal prep time.
- Smaller, curated menu: Freshly offers around 30-40 meals each week, making it easier to choose from a smaller selection of dishes.
Freshly Potential Drawbacks
- Limited meal variety: Freshly offers a smaller menu compared to CookUnity, which may be limiting for those who crave variety in their meals.
- No breakfast or snack options: Freshly provides only lunch and dinner options, which may not suit those looking for a comprehensive meal delivery service.
By considering the benefits and potential drawbacks of each service, you can make a more informed decision about which meal delivery option is best for you.
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Both CookUnity and Freshly offer unique advantages and cater to different preferences and needs. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your priorities, dietary requirements, and budget.
Summary: Deciding if Freshly or CookUnity is Best for You
When deciding between Freshly and CookUnity, it’s essential to weigh several factors based on your lifestyle, dietary preferences, and goals. Here are a few final points to consider when picking the best option for you:
You Should Pick CookUnity if…
- You prioritize variety: With over 300 meal options available each week, CookUnity offers a diverse range of dishes influenced by global cuisines.
- You have specific dietary preferences or restrictions: CookUnity caters to various diets, including vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, low-carb, keto, and paleo.
- You want breakfast and snack options: CookUnity provides meal choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, ensuring a complete dining experience.
- You value chef-crafted meals: CookUnity’s meals are prepared by professional chefs, ensuring high-quality and flavorful dishes.
- You want to support local farms and sustainable practices: CookUnity sources ingredients from local farms and prioritizes traceability and sustainability.
You Should Consider Freshly if…
- You are on a strict budget: Freshly’s pricing is generally lower than CookUnity, making it a more budget-friendly option.
- You have gluten or peanut allergies: Freshly’s meals are gluten-free and peanut-free, catering to those with specific allergies.
- You prioritize high-protein, low-carb meals: Freshly offers a separate line of meals called “FreshlyFit” that focuses on high-protein, low-carb recipes, ideal for athletes or those looking to lose weight.
- You value convenience: Both services offer pre-cooked meals, but Freshly focuses on providing quick and easy meal options with minimal prep time.
- You prefer a smaller, curated menu: Freshly offers around 30-40 meals each week, making it easier to choose from a smaller selection of dishes.
In conclusion, the choice between CookUnity and Freshly ultimately depends on your personal preferences, dietary needs, and budget. CookUnity offers a greater variety of meals, catering to different dietary preferences and restrictions, while Freshly focuses on providing convenient, healthy, and budget-friendly meal options.
By considering the factors outlined in this article, you can make an informed decision on which meal delivery service best suits your lifestyle and goals.