BistroMD vs. The Fresh Diet 2025: The One and Only Winner

The search for a healthy meal delivery service can be hard, but in this case the choice is super easy, as The Fresh Diet is no longer around. The company abruptly closed some time ago.

But don’t worry, there are lots of alternatives still around, and you can check them out in our list of the Best Meal Weight Loss Delivery Services of 2025. One of them is the doctor-approved BistroMD, which offers prepared meals designed by nutritionists to aid weight loss or generally help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Read on for our full-length comparison of BistroMD vs. The Fresh Diet…

At a Glance: BistroMD vs. The Fresh Diet

Dietary Preferences

Each meal from BistroMD contains less than 450 calories, so they’re designed, first and foremost, for people who want to lose weight, just like the meals from The Fresh Diet once were.

One big difference is that BistroMD was created by a doctor who specializes in weight loss, so all the plans are physician-approved – no guesswork involved. As well as standard plans for men and women (the main difference being calorie intake), there are programs designed for those going through health issues, such as diabetes, menopause, and more.

The menu is packed with different types of meat and fish, so if you’re vegetarian, your choices will be limited. Some alternative services for veggies include Diet-to-Go’s Vegetarian plan and the Weight Loss meals from plant-based meal delivery service Veestro.

With BistroMD you can exclude recipes that contain ingredients you don’t want, but you can’t change the meals or swap ingredients. This means the more items you exclude, the more limited your choices will be.

Winner: BistroMD

Menu Variety

BistroMD has a lot of options for many types of diets.

First of all, you’ll be asked to choose either the Men’s or Women’s Program – and this is very similar to how The Fresh Diet worked. Again, the main difference here is that the calorie intake for men is higher, but you can check in with the in-house dietitians to customize your plan for your exact needs.

Then (and this is something that The Fresh Diet didn’t have), you’ll have the choice of five plans: Standard, Gluten-Free, Heart Healthy, Diabetic Friendly, and Menopause.

They’re all designed to promote healthy eating habits and amount to a whopping total of 150+ recipes available at any given time. They’re crafted by professional chefs in a six-week rotating menu, so your taste buds won’t get bored.

You can expect hearty breakfasts like the Bagel Sandwich with Egg, Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Swiss Cheese, or the 7 Grain Waffles with Strawberry Compote. The lunches and dinners are interchangeable, and range from classics like Chicken, Rice, and Cheddar Casserole to more exotic dishes like the Macadamia Crusted Barramundi Seabass.

As well as covering your three daily meals, you can also add EATS (Essential And Tasty Snacks) to your order. They’re designed to keep any unhealthy cupboard-rummaging urges at bay and include sweet treats like the Decadent Chocolate Cherry bars and Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake.

The Fresh Diet was also known to deliver three prepared meals and two daily snacks, all of which were designed to be low in calories and aid weight loss.

Winner: BistroMD

Starting Prices

BistroMD is priced competitively for an all-inclusive weight loss meal delivery service, at around $9.50 per serving. And the good news is, the price stays the same across all of the plans. This is a nice touch, as some meal delivery services charge more for specialized diets.

You can order a complete seven-day plan that includes seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and six dinners (allowing you one night “off”) which costs $189.95. Or you can opt for the five-day plan for $159.95. If you exclude breakfast, the seven-day plan drops to $159.95, and the five-day plan to $129.95.

The EATS subscription for women costs an additional $3 per day and includes two snacks, while the one for men costs $4.50 and includes three. You’ll get snacks for the same number of days as the program you’ve chosen – so either five or seven.

One downside is that the weekly shipping fee is $19.95 as standard, which is pretty expensive. Don’t forget, with our discount code, you can get free shipping on your first order, and get 25% off meals, too!

Compared to The Fresh Diet, where prices started from a hefty $39.99 per day, depending on the plan, BistroMD is a way better deal. In fact, many say that it was The Fresh Diet’s high prices that contributed to its downfall.

Winner: BistroMD

Delivery and Packaging

The Fresh Diet shipped only to certain locations in the US, but BistroMD delivers to all the contiguous US states using FedEx Ground. The meals can take up to six business days to arrive, and you might even end up paying for the next order before you’ve received the first one.

You can make changes to your order up until Wednesday at 5 pm ET, as that’s the moment the chefs start getting your meals ready. You’ll then receive your chilled, well-insulated package at the beginning of the following week.

The packaging is all pretty eco-friendly – from the recycled cardboard box to the biodegradable and compostable liner. Since the large insulation is made mainly from cotton, it’s even safe to use as bedding for your pet! But when it comes to the plastic trays, you need to check with your local facilities if they can recycle them.

Winner: BistroMD

Meal Prep

Just like The Fresh Diet used to, BistroMD offers prepared meals that just need heating – they can be ready to eat in a few minutes. They’re flash-frozen to ensure they retain all flavor, texture, and nutrients, and that also means they can be stored for a long time.

When left in a refrigerator, the frozen meals will take two or three days to thaw and are safe to consume once they’ve completely defrosted. If you decide you want to hang on to them for a rainy day, they’ll last up to a year in the freezer (if kept continuously frozen).

You can heat the meals in the microwave or you can put them in a preheated oven.

Winner: BistroMD

The Bottom Line

Obviously, the one and only winner here is BistroMD. It even made it onto our list of the Top Weight Loss Meal Delivery Services of 2025. Check it out if you’re curious about the other companies featured, or read our full length review of BistroMD if you want to see what our experts had to say about the menu. 

In any case, you don’t have to be sad that The Fresh Diet no longer exists when meal delivery services like BistroMD have so much to offer. From a vast menu of health-focused recipes to free consultations with a registered dietitian, you’ll get the support you need on your journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

Overall winner: BistroMD

FAQ

Is BistroMD cheaper than Fresh Diet?

BistroMD is considerably less expensive than the now-closed Fresh Diet. A full BistroMD plan with seven breakfasts and lunches and six suppers is $189.95 a week.  Even with a $19.95 shipping fee that’s a lot cheaper than Fresh Diet, whose full plans cost over $400 a week! 

Which is better, Fresh Diet or BistroMD?

BistroMD wins on a forfeit, as Fresh Diet closed in 2016. While Fresh Diet received good reviews for its food, its delivery range was limited while BistroMD delivers nationwide. Fresh Diet also received numerous complaints about its customer service while it was in service, and many more after its abrupt closure. 

Is BistroMD healthier than Fresh Diet?

BistroMD has more options for people with celiac disease, diabetes, and other medical needs than the now-defunct Fresh Diet, and all its meals are physician-approved. And because it is now closed, relying on Fresh Diet for your meals will put you at a serious risk of malnutrition.