We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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Eat Clean Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

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Author Jessica White
Jessica White
Updated on Mar 28th, 2024
Fact checked by Deborah Leigh

Overview

Eating a nutritious, balanced diet isn’t always easy, especially if you’re a busy professional. Consistently eating meals that fuel your body with all the necessary micronutrients is more difficult than it seems. But there is a way. In this Eat Clean Review, you’ll find out if it’s the right fit for your needs.

I’ve tested out Eat Clean for myself and have rounded up all my findings. If you’re looking for a convenient way to ensure you’re fueling your body with all the necessary nutrients, Eat Clean might just be your answer. It’s a service best suited for single individuals or even couples looking for healthy prepared meals.

Overall, I like Eat Clean because of the range of healthy prepared meals that take only 2 to 3 minutes to heat up. You can choose from several popular diets like keto and paleo. There’s also a variety of cuisines and you can order regular or large portions, which I’ve not seen elsewhere.

Pros

Cons

Chef-designed, fresh meals

No customization options

All meals are oven- or microwave-ready

Doesn’t cater to many allergies

Caters to niche diets

Issues canceling my plan

What’s on the Eat Clean Menu

photo of 10 boxed prepared meals displayed next to Eat Clean's delivery box on a table

Eat Clean provides prepared oven- and microwave-ready meals that are single-serving. These meals are great if you’re following a more restrictive diet like paleo, plant-based, or even keto. The Paleo and Keto plans are completely grain and gluten-free, so it’s a good option if you are sensitive to these ingredients.

Meal Options

You get a good selection of meals from a range of different cuisines. These include Latin American, Indian, classic American, Italian, Caribbean (Cuban), Chinese, Hawaiian, and more. Each dish is relatively basic, which means it’ll be suitable even for the pickiest of eaters.

There are 4 plans you can choose from – Keto, Paleo, Traditional, and Plant-Based. The Keto, Paleo, and Traditional plans have a good selection of protein options. These include chicken breast, chimichurri chicken, pulled pork, grass-fed ground beef, shrimp, ground turkey, turkey sausage, and steak.

In terms of the Plant-Based plan, you’ll get a decent selection of veggie-based proteins such as beans, chickpeas, vegan chicken strips (Chik’n), and beyond sausage. 

Image of the Buffalo Cauliflower Florets with Yucca Fries and Carrots Coins from Eat Clean next to a photo of the meal cooked in a microwave tray

It doesn’t highlight the veggies as much as vegan-specific service Purple Carrot, but I still appreciated the variety of veggie options available. My girlfriend tried the Buffalo Cauliflower Florets with Yucca Fries meal from the Plant Based menu. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out much like the image on the Eat Clean website – this was the case for several dishes I tried.

Eat Clean offers between 4 to 20 meals every week depending on which portion size you choose and these get rotated weekly. If you want to check the new menu for the following week, it gets updated every Thursday at 12 am (midnight) EST. As such, it recommends that you order something right away if you like it as that specific meal may no longer be available the following week. Image of Eat Clean's Chocolate Glazed Donuts and Vegan Patty image next to a photo of the meal plated at home

You’ll find a few different breakfast choices. I tried the Chocolate Glazed Donuts and Vegan Patty from the vegan menu. I’m not sure if I was supposed to heat the donuts but Eat Clean has very limited details regarding the heating and preparation of its meals. Check out my cooking and eating section for more on this. 

Other breakfast items include regular pancakes, keto-friendly pancakes, scones, whole wheat blueberry-stuffed French toast, and paleo almond blueberry bread. Again, Eat Clean doesn’t exactly have the largest selection of meal types but it’s nice to see at least some variety. For example, the Tex Mex Scrambled Eggs and Pork Bacon meal can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Screenshot of the Snack menu on Eat Clean with cookies and trail bars

You’ll be able to choose from a few snack options during sign-up. But you won’t find broader add-ons like shakes and juices or extra protein choices like you get with Factor. However, it does allow for choosing between regular and large portions, with the latter costing around $1 more per meal than the standard sizes. I ordered regular portions and found them a decent size, but large portions could be a good choice for athletes or those with larger appetites. 

Diet

Is Eat Clean Good For This Diet?

Traditional (Balanced)

Yes, there are many options

High Protein

No, there are no options

Keto

Yes, there’s an entire meal plan

Paleo

Yes, there’s an entire meal plan

Plant-Based

Yes, there’s an entire meal plan

Gluten-Free

Yes, the paleo and keto meals are suitable

Mediterranean

No, the meals aren’t suitable

Customization

Before you sign up, you can choose the type of diet you prefer. However, you can pick meals from any of the plans each week. If you like to eat a balanced diet in general but want to throw in some plant-based meals as well, it’s easy to mix and match. However, you can’t customize individual meals, which is pretty standard for services offering premade dishes.

You also can’t exclude any specific ingredients or view any type of allergens that each meal may contain. For that reason, I highly recommend being extremely cautious here if you have any serious, life-threatening allergies. You can check the general ingredients for each meal on the website before placing your order but you won’t find a list of the complete ingredients.

Photo of the ingredients and nutrition label on the microwaveable packaging stating "organic cheese" and "buffalo sauce" rather than each specific ingredient

Even the packaging appears very vague about the specific ingredients used in the meals. The Buffalo Chicken Breast meal lists “buffalo sauce” as an ingredient, but I had no clue what it actually contained. Eat Clean’s Terms of Service highly recommends that you avoid the service if you have severe allergies. We have a great list of the best allergy-friendly meal delivery services if you’re interested.

During signup, you can choose to avoid particular allergens, but again I have no idea which meals these apply to and it will probably reduce the number of suitable options you can eat each week. 

Screenshot of the 9 allergens you can filter after signing up to Eat Clean

If you want the ability to see specific allergens listed, I’d recommend checking out Factor instead. Not only does it list all ingredients plus allergens, but it also allows you to mix and match across meal plans like Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, and Protein Plus.

One redeeming quality, however, is that Eat Clean offers several meals in each diet category. Though not the most impressive range I’ve ever seen, you can see it has tried to cater to different dietary preferences.

Unboxing

My Eat Clean meals arrived in insulated bags and contained 3 ice packs. The box was 1 of the cleanest packages I’ve received, with no signs of dirt or wear. Inside, the box's contents were tightly and efficiently arranged. Surprisingly, the box contained 3 ice packs instead of the usual 2 most other services send, ensuring that all items remained cool and fresh.

Photo of the Eat Clean tester holding a neat Eat Clean box next to a photo of an open Eat clean delivery box revealing the insulation and ice packs

The packaging materials, including the box and insulation, were recyclable curbside. However, the gel ice packs used for cooling, which are not recyclable, pointed to an area needing improvement. While these disposable ice packs seem to be a common choice among meal delivery services, this is an area where Eat Clean could improve its sustainability practices.

All the meals come packed in this box in separate containers along with ingredient labels. Every meal has nutritional data printed right on it as well including protein, carbs, fat, and total calories.

You should store your meals in the fridge and eat them within 5 days. Eat Clean doesn’t recommend freezing the meals for longer than a day or 2. Only freeze them if you won’t be able to eat them by the expiration date.

Photo of 10 meals piled neatly on a shelf in a fridge next to other refrigerated items

Each meal arrives fresh and has never been frozen before. It’s up to you whether you want to take the risk and freeze your meals for later or try to consume them within around 3-5 days for optimal freshness.

Each food container is 100% recyclable and BPA-free. These are easy to recycle using your city’s recycling program. I read on the website that packaging can be returned to Eat Clean by leaving it outside for collection. This wasn’t communicated to me and I haven’t been asked to return anything so it could be outdated information or depend on your location. 

Cooking and Eating with Eat Clean

Eating with Eat Clean is as simple as heating up your meals in the microwave or oven. If you’re using an oven, the meals might take around 15-30 minutes to heat up, depending on how quickly it preheats. For microwaves, start with around 2 minutes and add 30 seconds at a time if your meals are still cold.

Image of a meal in the microwave with a warped plastic container

It’s a good idea to consume the meals as quickly as possible without freezing them for the best results. If you order enough meals for 1 week, I highly recommend using the meals with sensitive ingredients first like shrimp or chicken. Veggie-only or beef meals may last longer in the fridge.

Eat Clean meals offer the convenience of being always refrigerated and never frozen, although I have to admit I couldn’t taste the difference. I’ve tested frozen meals before and Eat Clean’s didn’t taste any fresher – they tasted more like reheating leftovers. This wasn’t the case when I tried Factor, which is a similar service with a wider selection of diets, add-ons, and more.

The cooking instructions could also be much clearer. I decided to cook some of my ingredients in a skillet to retain the crispy texture, for example. If you don’t have any kitchen know-how, it might not be the best choice for you – even though the meals are technically fully prepared. 

Lastly, I recommend plating up Eat Clean’s meals before serving to enhance your enjoyment of the dish like I did with the Coconut Crusted Chicken. I didn’t do this for most of the dishes to save on washing up, but it did make a difference to how tasty it looked.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Buffalo Chicken Breast with Loaded Yukon Mash

Image of the Buffalo Chicken Breast with Loaded Yukon Mash from Eat Clean next to a photo of the meal heated and ready to serve in a microwaveable tray

This dish was really satisfying and my number 1 meal for the week. Both the baked chicken and mashed potatoes, which don't rely on being crispy, reheated well in the microwave. This highlights a useful tip: dishes that need crispiness might be better off in the oven, a suggestion not provided by Eat Clean.

The buffalo sauce was unexpectedly complex and flavorful, offering a generous topping to the thick, juicy chicken. The mashed potatoes were another high point. Made with Yukon Gold potatoes, known for their rich texture, and loaded with cheese and turkey bacon, they created a decadent side dish that perfectly balanced the meal.

Chicken Tikka Masala with Organic White Rice

Image of Eat Clean's Chicken Tikka Masala with Organic White Rice next to a photo of the meal heated and ready to serve in a microwaveable tray

My exploration of Chicken Tikka Masala across various meal delivery services has become a peculiar personal challenge. Eat Clean’s version really stood out. Having been underwhelmed by Blue Apron's attempt at a similar dish, I found Eat Clean's mastery of this cuisine impressive. An exceptional dish especially for microwave preparation.

Its overall success hinged not only on the well-seasoned and moist chicken but also on the quality of the Basmati rice, which was aromatic and retained a pleasing texture. This was a notable improvement over Blue Apron's short-grained, flavorless rice. The sauce, crucial to any Chicken Tikka Masala, was generously portioned, richly spiced, and carried a great heat.

12 Hour BBQ Pulled Pork with Sweet Plantain Mash

Image of Eat Clean's 12 Hour BBQ Pulled Pork with Sweet Plantain Mash next to a photo of the heated dish with serving spoon next to a bottle of BBQ sauce

Coming from Kansas City, a haven for BBQ enthusiasts, I approached this dish with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, not expecting it to live up to my hometown's standards. Yet, reheating it in the microwave was surprisingly effective. It reminded me of the pulled pork my mother used to prepare in a slow cooker. 

The sweet plantain mash is an intriguing alternative to the usual mashed potatoes, offering a denser, stickier texture. This creative twist highlights Eat Clean's unique side dishes. However, the zucchini alongside the pork felt misplaced, as if it were an attempt to sneak vegetables into the dish, which didn't quite resonate with the comfort food I wanted.

Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders with Homestyle Honey Mustard

Image of Eat Clean's Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders with Homestyle Honey Mustard next to a photo of the fried tenders in a tray next to the sauce on a pot

I prepared the Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders in a pan instead of the microwave for a crispier outcome. Although they crisped up reasonably well, I felt that they might have been slightly overcooked before I started. The almond crust was a passable alternative to traditional breading which aligns with the keto-friendly aspect of the meal. 

The meal's simplicity, consisting solely of chicken tenders and a homestyle honey mustard dipping sauce, was an interesting nod to keto dietary preferences. This straightforward approach to dining might suit occasional keto meals, but for someone not strictly following a keto diet, the novelty could wear thin.

Coconut Crusted Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges

Image of Eat Clean's Coconut Crusted Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges next to a photo of the meal in its microwaveable tray ready for heating

Unlike the previous almond-crusted tenders which set a high bar, this Coconut Crusted Chicken dish fell short of expectations. The single, large piece of breaded chicken turned out to be flat and notably dry. This was disappointing, especially following the enjoyment of the almond tenders. This made it a less enjoyable meal.

On a brighter note, the sweet potato wedges reheated fairly well, despite their awkward size. Too large to be fried yet too small to be deemed anything other than oddly shaped chunks. However, as a potato enthusiast, this was a minor issue. I opted to reheat this dish by frying to improve the texture.

Photo of the sweet potato and chicken being heated in a frying pan next to a photo of the plated dish with mystery pink sauce

The perplexing pink sauce, on the other hand, left me indifferent. Its ingredients aren’t mentioned on either the website or the packaging. The enigmatic condiment added more mystery than flavor. Although I did eat this meal a full week after delivery, which could excuse some of the dish's shortcomings.

Recipes Summary


Cook Time

Calories Per Serving

Suitable Diets

Allergens

Best For

Buffalo Chicken Breast 

3 minutes

316 calories

Low-calorie, high-protein, balanced

Not stated

Comfort food

Chicken Tikka Masala

3 minutes

402 calories

Low-calorie, balanced

Not stated

Spicy food

12 Hour BBQ Pulled Pork

3 minutes

421 calories

Low-calorie, balanced

Not stated

Comfort food

Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders

5 minutes (pan frying) 

552 calories

Paleo, keto

Not stated

Pan frying

Coconut Crusted Chicken

5 minutes (pan frying)

429 calories

Paleo

Not stated

Sweet potato fans

Prices

Starting from

Order size

Shipping Fee

Regular size: $12.58 per portion

6 meals/week: $75.48

$15.99

Regular size: $12.25 per portion

8 meals/week: $98

$15.99

Regular size: $10.90 per portion

10 meals/week: $109

$15.99

Regular size: $10.33 per portion

12 meals/week: $123.96

$15.99

Regular size: $9.60 per portion

14 meals/week: $134.40

$15.99

Regular size: $8.60 per portion

20 meals/week: $172

$15.99

Large size: $13.49 per portion

4 meals/week: $53.96

$15.99

Large size: $13.00 per portion

6 meals/week: $78

$15.99

Large size: $13.49 per portion

8 meals/week: $107.92

$15.99

Large size $10.15: per portion

10 meals/week: $101.50

$15.99

Large size: $9.85 per portion

12 meals/week: $118.20

$15.99

Large size: $10.15 per portion

14 meals/week: $142.10

$15.99

Large size: $8.60 per portion

20 meals/week: $172

$15.99

Pricing with Eat Clean is pretty straightforward. Anything you see on its menu falls under the per-serving pricing outlined above, which goes for all the breakfast items as well.

As you can see in the table above, the more you order at a time, the lower your per-serving prices will be. Delivery always costs a flat rate of $15.99, no matter where you are, and how much you order at a time. Plus, you could save additional money by using our coupon: Premade meals as low as $4.30. I used it when I signed up and my order was basically half price.  

Prepared meals almost always cost more than meal kits, so these prices are what I’d expect for premade meals catering to niche diets. Because you get the best value for larger orders, it may be worth ordering in bulk and splitting the order with a flatmate or freezing some of the dishes each week. Bear in mind that the non-meal items like cookies also cost the same and take up a serving slot in your plan, so you might want to focus on meals to get the most for your money.

At this time, Eat Clean doesn’t offer a refund policy. Its Terms of Service states that all charges are non-refundable and that it makes no exceptions. This seems a bit strict for my tastes (and affected me when I had cancelation issues). Keep an eye on the Terms of Service though, as this could potentially change down the road.

Shipping & Delivery

Eat Clean offers delivery to all US states including Alaska and Hawaii. This is somewhat rare in the world of meal delivery services. Just make sure to check your zip code before signing up to confirm delivery to your specific location. 

Deliveries tend to be available on 1 specific day each week. For example, in my New York location, I can only have delivery on Tuesdays. When I tested other locations, I was never given more than 1 day per week for delivery. There’s no option to reduce your time frame from an all-day time slot either, so it isn’t very flexible in regards to shipping.

Screenshot of Eat Clean account page with the options to skip deliveries for up to 4 weeks or pause your account

There’s also no option for you to track your delivery from your account page. I had a vague email from FedEx and had to check the tracking number to confirm that it was my Eat Clean delivery. You can skip deliveries for up to 4 weeks or pause your account at any time. It also doesn’t seem particularly easy to edit your plan size. This may be something you need to contact customer services for.

How Eat Clean Works

I was happy to see that the signup process is streamlined and simple. All you have to do once you land on the site is click on Plans in the top right portion of the page, choose how many meals you want, and continue on to create an account and check out. 

How to Sign Up

  1. Click on Plans at the top right. Enter your email address and zip code to get started.  

Screenshot of email address and zip code screen to start the sign up process

  1. Choose your preferred plan options. Here you can decide whether you want a regular or large portion of your meals. 

Screenshot of plan size, diet, and number of meals per week options

  1. Fill in your personal and payment details. Even though you get a $2.50 discount for paying directly from your bank, I recommend payment with a credit card as I had to file a credit card chargeback after there was an issue canceling my account.

Eat Clean's address and payment method screen

  1. Select any allergies to filter your menu. I don’t have any allergies, so I’m not sure how much this would limit the number of dishes you can choose from.  

Allergy selection screen with 9 allergens listed including dairy, tree nuts, and gluten

  1. Choose your meals and check out. You also have the option to add additional meals to your order which will be charged at the same price for meals on the plan you selected.

Screenshot of the My Meals selection screen

Managing Your Subscription

You’ll be automatically signed up for a weekly subscription with Eat Clean. So make sure to perform any changes by the weekly cutoff date. If you need to manage your subscription, you can do so by logging into your account or contacting the customer support team via email or phone.

The user experience on the account page is pretty basic reflecting the constraints of a low-budget website. You can access your order history, manage payment information, and view upcoming orders. Additionally, it allows for modifications to addresses, delivery instructions, and allergen preferences. 

Screenshot of Eat Clean's account page with the deadline for making changes highlighted

Although changing addresses and skipping deliveries is straightforward, the lack of clear deadlines for order modifications and the absence of notifications for critical cutoffs highlight a gap in communication. Moreover, there’s no way to provide feedback on meals, which is something other services do and is a missed opportunity for enhancing service quality based on customer input.

Customer Service

The primary way to contact the company is via phone on (954) 836-7552. There’s also an email address, but it’s not immediately obvious what it is as it isn’t published on the general website. I found it by digging around the Terms of Service. You can email the support team at hello@eatcleantogo.com. Keep in mind I tested this contact method and haven’t received a reply after more than 48 hours, so phone is a quicker option.

Strangely, a chat window is available, but only when logged in. My attempt to use the chat feature resulted in a phone call, suggesting a preference for verbal communication. I don’t love this, as it means there’s no written record of your interaction with customer service, which can be crucial for resolving potential disputes.

Screenshot of Eat Clean's FAQ page

The FAQ section of the website is very minimal, containing only a handful of basic questions without addressing more specific concerns like recycling or allergies. In my experience, getting through to customer service and receiving helpful responses proved to be disappointing, with representatives offering little assistance.

Canceling an account seems straightforward with an accessible "cancel" button, yet it didn’t work for me, and Eat Clean charged me for services post-cancelation. This is why I suggest signing up with a credit card. It offers a layer of protection through chargebacks in such situations. I managed to successfully get the money back on my credit card.

My interaction with customer support during the whole process was polite but unhelpful, as the representative said they couldn’t resolve my issues. This experience, coupled with a lack of confirmation on my account cancelation contributed to an overall negative experience. However, I’m willing to accept that this may be a one-off situation.

How Eat Clean Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

  • Eat Clean vs. Factor: This is an excellent alternative. Factor does everything that Eat Clean does and more. It uses antibiotic- and hormone-free proteins and non-GMO ingredients, and you can mix and match across all plans like Vegan & Veggie, Keto, Calorie Smart, Chef’s Choice, and Protein Plus. If you have any questions you can contact the support team via email, phone, and live chat.

  • Eat Clean vs. Green Chef: Green Chef may be more appealing if you prioritize organic ingredients and diverse dietary plans. Offering meal kits tailored to specific diets like Calorie Smart, Gluten Free, and Mediterranean, Green Chef ensures a customizable experience. There is some cooking involved as the service offers kits not prepared meals, but it's a suitable alternative for those seeking a health-focused meal delivery service.

  • Eat Clean vs. Blue Apron: You may prefer Blue Apron if you’re looking for an established, well-known, and trusted meal kit delivery service that emphasizes variety and celebrates international cuisines. While Eat Clean focuses primarily on clean eating and healthier meal options, Blue Apron offers both fresh prepared meals and meal kits, a far wider range of meals, add-ons, and ready-to-cook kits.

The Bottom Line: Is Eat Clean Worth It?

Eat Clean is a viable option for individuals committed to keto or paleo diets, offering prepared meals tailored to those specific dietary needs. The service has its advantages, particularly for diet-specific meals. However, I encountered several drawbacks, including issues with customer support and limited ingredient information.

Despite these concerns, Eat Clean might still be a good choice for you. Its competitive pricing makes it an appealing option for those in search of reasonably priced prepared meals. Also, it has a wide delivery coverage, including Alaska and Hawaii, and offers generous portion sizes, which are not always guaranteed by health-focused meal services.

If you want an alternative that caters to niche diets with a higher degree of customer service and transparency, Factor is a strong contender. I personally preferred Factor’s healthy prepared meals , and it’ll also give you access to clearly listed ingredients and robust customer support.

FAQ

How do you heat up Eat Clean meals?

All of the meals can either be heated up in your microwave or oven. If using a microwave, they’ll be hot in around 2-3 minutes, depending on your microwave’s power output. Meals in the oven take anywhere from 15-30 minutes to heat up. Check my cooking and eating section for more details.

Is it easy to cancel Eat Clean?

You can do this by logging into your account dashboard. You can also contact the customer support team via phone and email if you prefer. Cancelations must be completed by no later than the deadline for changes stated in your online account.

Is Eat Clean good for weight loss?

Eat Clean’s prepared meals can help you hit your weight loss goals more easily than cooking on your own as each meal has the exact calorie number printed directly on it. Therefore, you wouldn’t have to calculate calories on your own.

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We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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