A Comprehensive Review of Real Eats

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Real Eats aims to reduce food waste and support local farmers with its fresh and flavorful meals.

With an extensive rotating weekly menu and wide array of add-ons to choose from, Real Eats may also help you save time on meal prep.

This article takes a closer look at Real Eats, reviewing how it works, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth a try.

What is Real Eats?

Real Eats is a meal delivery service that’s designed to save you time by providing fresh, healthy, chef-prepared meals.

Each week, you select your favorite entrées from the menu to create your own meal plan.

The company offers subscriptions that provide 4–12 meals per week, along with items like snacks, breakfasts, and side dishes for an additional fee.

All meals on its menu feature high quality ingredients and are made without any artificial preservatives, binders, or fillers.

Who is Real Eats for?

Real Eats is a great option for people looking to save time on meal prep while still eating healthy.

Dishes are delivered fresh and are ready to enjoy in just 6 minutes, which may be especially appealing to those with a busy schedule who are pressed for time.

With a variety of add-ons, including an assortment of breakfasts, snacks, and side dishes, Real Eats can also round out your diet and shorten your weekly shopping list.

However, because meals are single-serve, it may be better for individuals and couples rather than families or larger households.

Additionally, there are limited options for certain dietary restrictions, so it may not be suitable for those on vegan or vegetarian diets, or those with severe food allergies.

Quick pros and cons of Real Eats

Meal selection

Real Eats offers a variety of pre-portioned meals, with over 30 entrees to choose from each week.

The company also provides several optional add-ons, including soups, smoothies, side dishes, proteins, breakfast dishes, and packaged snacks.

Here are a few examples of items on their menu:

• Shredded Chicken Fajitas with Cuban Black Beans and Spanish Rice
• Dijon Mustard Steak with Spring Veg Medley and Loaded Cauliflower Mash
• Saag Paneer with Chana Masala and Saffron Basmati Rice
• Turkey Chili with White Beans, Broccoli Casserole, and Baja Cauliflower Rice

Real Eats labels items that are vegetarian, high protein, dairy-free, and low in calories. They also provide a full list of ingredients for each menu item, which you can use to find options that fit your dietary preferences.

However, keep in mind that limited choices are available for vegans, vegetarians, and those following a paleo, gluten-free, or keto diet.

Additionally, meals aren’t produced in an allergen-free facility, so this service may be unsuitable for those with severe food allergies.

Price and delivery options

Real Eats offers plans that provide 6, 8, or 12 dinners per week, either with or without breakfast. Prices are as follows:

• 6 meals: $14.49 per meal
• 8 meals: $13.99 per meal
• 12 meals: $13.49 per meal

Add-ons like soups, sides, and breakfast dishes, which are ordered individually, vary in price depending on the item.

Shipping fees vary depending on your location and the number of meals you select.

Delivery is currently available to most of the East Coast of the United States and several other U.S. states. You can check whether delivery is available to your area via the company website.

Ingredients

Real Eats uses high quality ingredients, which are typically sourced from independent farmers and local suppliers, in all of its meals.

All meals are likewise free of artificial ingredients, binders, fillers, and preservatives.

Although not all ingredients are organic, most are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Does Real Eats help with weight loss?

While Real Eats doesn’t provide options geared toward weight loss, it offers detailed information on the nutritional content of each of its meals. It offers a “calorie smart” filter that provides meal options that contain 500 calories or fewer.

Specific nutrient info may benefit those who want to select low calorie meals to promote weight loss (1).

Many meals are also high in protein, boasting up to 55 grams of protein in a single serving. Some research suggests that increasing your protein intake may support appetite control and reduce food cravings (2).

Because the meals are prepackaged and contain one serving each, Real Eats may also help prevent overeating by keeping your portion sizes in check.

Is Real Eats worth the cost?

With plans starting at $13.49 per meal, Real Eats is an easy, convenient, and affordable option to help you eat healthy meals at home.

It also uses high quality, locally sourced ingredients and partners with independent farmers and suppliers to support small businesses.

With several high protein, low calorie meals available, it may be a good choice for those looking to lose weight and save time on meal prep.

However, Real Eats has limited options for those following specific eating patterns, so it may not work for people who follow vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, or keto diets.

Additionally, the company doesn’t yet offer nationwide shipping.

Customer reviews and brand reputation

Real Eats is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and currently holds an F rating at the time of publication, which is based on factors like the company’s complaint history, time in business, and business practices.

In 2021, the company was also involved in a lawsuit, which alleged that the company’s website was not sufficiently digitally accessible.

On TrustPilot, the company has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, which is based on 568 customer reviews.

Positive reviews note that the meals are tasty, convenient, and easy to reheat. Many customers also report satisfaction with the portion sizes and extensive menu.

On the other hand, less favorable reviews report experiencing issues with delivery, missing items, and unauthorized charges.

Some reviewers also note feeling dissatisfied with the lack of options available for certain diet plans, such as pescatarian, vegetarian, and low sodium diets.

Real Eats vs. competitors

In addition to Real Eats, there are several other similar meal delivery services available that can help you save time on cooking.

Factor

Factor offers a rotating menu with over 29 fully prepared meals, including an assortment of low calorie, vegan, and keto-friendly options.

With prices starting at $11 per serving, Factor is slightly more affordable than Real Eats and provides more selections suitable for a variety of dietary restrictions.

However, unlike Real Eats, Factor requires a weekly subscription and doesn’t offer any customization options for specific meals.

Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest is another popular option, which provides an assortment of meals, sides, and snacks, all of which are plant-based and gluten-free.

All items from Daily Harvest are priced individually and the company allows you to build your own custom box, which includes free shipping throughout most of the continental United States.

One key difference between these two services is that Real Eats meals are all delivered fresh, while Daily Harvest specializes in providing fully prepared, frozen items.

Freshly

Freshly is one of the most affordable meal delivery services on the market, and with prices starting at $8.99 per meal, it can also be a budget-friendly alternative to Real Eats.

Similar to Real Eats, Freshly provides pre-portioned meals that can be reheated and enjoyed.

However, Freshly provides more choices for specialty diets than Real Eats, including an assortment of gluten-free and plant-based meals.

Comparison table

Frequently asked questions about Real Eats

Where does Real Eats ship from?

Real Eats is based in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ships meals from its facility in Geneva, New York.

Can you freeze Real Eats meals?

Real Eats meals can be frozen to help extend the shelf life. After removing meals from the freezer, be sure to thaw completely and follow the heating instructions provided.

Where can Real Eats deliver?

Real Eats is available in many areas throughout the continental United States, including most of the East Coast and certain states on the West Coast, such as California, Arizona, and Washington.

You can easily check whether Real Eats is available in your area by entering your zip code on their website.

How long do Real Eats meals stay fresh?

Real Eats meals are marked with a best-by date and generally stay fresh for up to 1 week. If you’re not able to finish your meals by then, you can also place them in the freezer to extend their shelf life.

Are there vegan options in the Real Eats kits?

Most Real Eats meals contain some form of meat. However, the company allows you to “make any meal your own by swapping proteins, grains, and veggies,” which could make it easier to find options that work for your preferences and needs.

The only caveat? The company doesn’t provide additional details on how you can customize proteins, or if you can only swap for different types of meat.

The sample menu has options for pescatarians without the need to customize meals, but vegan or vegetarian offerings may be slim if you don’t alter your meals.

Folks who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet could even have difficulty meeting the minimum threshold of six meals based on sample menus. Some weeks, only one dinner option is vegetarian-friendly.

How long does one meal rollout last before having to order more?

Real Eats has three options available — you can opt for 6, 8, or 12 meals. One of the unique aspects of Real Eats is that you can order a box without a subscription. So, you could purchase 6 meals for a week that you’re going to be particularly busy without needing to go through the hassle of canceling a plan.

The number of meals you choose and how many people are in your household using the kits will play a role in how long they last. That said, they are meant to stay fresh for 1 week.

Are the food items fresh?

The company aims to “build a world where everything is fresh from the earth.” However, they don’t elaborate on the freshness of their ingredients or how they ensure freshness.

Don’t think “Fresh Packs” are the company’s answer, either — these just refer to the packaging, which is designed to seal in flavor and keep components fresh.