Nurture Life Review for 2024: Fresh Kids' Food

Overview

Nurture Life specializes in nutritious meals for children of different ages, from 10-month-old babies and toddlers all the way up to schoolers. All recipes contain vegetables, while some even feature superfoods to give your little ones an extra nutritional boost. What's more, Nurture Life delivers recipes fresh, not frozen, so your child gets fresh, healthy food at all times.

Expert dietitians formulate the meals while experienced chefs prepare them, so your child will get tasty dishes with the right amount of necessary nutrients. Also, the company focuses on sourcing organic ingredients for its meals. And it never adds any by-products or trans fat to its food.

But as with any other service, Nurture Life has both pros and cons. And to help you make an informed decision, I carefully researched this kid meal delivery service for this review. So continue reading to find out whether to give this company a shot.

What’s on the Nurture Life Menu

Nurture Life's team cooperates with trusted and checked food providers. It sources salmon from Wabash Seafood, chicken from Bell & Evans, and produce from Veg Fresh Farms, for example. It’s transparent about its recipes, and you can check the ingredients and nutritional information with ease by selecting the dish on the website.

Note that each meal type may come with a different number of servings. If you purchase Finger Foods or Kids Meals, you'll get single servings that could feed 1 child. Smoothies come in sets of 2 bottles, equaling 2 servings. Mighty Bites contain 10 bites, corresponding to 5 servings.

Meal Options

Nurture Life has 4 meal options for little ones on its menu. These include Finger Foods for 10-month-old babies and younger children and Kids Meals for those up to 10 years of age. You’ll also find Smoothies and Snacks on offer. Check out the following table for the supported diets.

This service prepares balanced and complete meals for kids. Its recipes feature a variety of welcoming ingredients, including meat, fruits, and vegetables, which provide all the necessary nutrients for your child's growth and development. Nurture Life's recipes don't contain nuts, except for coconuts in some dishes. What's more, the company prepares its meals in a state-of-the-art, allergy-friendly facility.

When I checked the menu, I found 32 Kids Meals 18 Finger Foods, and 4 Snack options. Unfortunately, there was nothing in the Smoothies category (more on that later).

The meals are marketed at kids, so don’t expect any fancy food or international cuisines. The menu is filled with child-friendly meals, such as meatballs, Mac & Cheese, and tacos. In the Finger Foods section, expect to find meals that kids can easily eat with their hands, such as pastas, chicken pieces with veg, and salmon fishcakes.

Most meals are designed to be eaten at lunch or dinner, but there are a few scrambled egg-based dishes and even French Toast which could be eaten as a filling breakfast. The Snacks section has a selection of low-sugar cookie bites made with ingredients such as organic oats and dried fruit.

The company keeps sodium and sugar levels in check in all of its meals. Each recipe contains lower quantities of these ingredients than the average kid's meal.

A typical child meal from Nurture Life contains just 320 mg of sodium, according to the on-site data. For reference, the U.S. Dietary Guideline’s recommended maximum is 741 mg. And when it comes to sugar, 83% of Nurture Life's dishes contain no added sugar, while the remaining 17% contain just 1 g. The U.S. Dietary Guideline caps the daily maximum at 25 g for kids per day.

Keep an eye out for the “Veggies Early & Often” logo when browsing the Nurture Life site. This icon is given to products that meet or exceed the Partnerships for a Healthier America’s recommended per-serving vegetable intake for your child.

Customization

You can try out dozens of meals and extras on Nurture Life's menu. But to add them to your shopping cart, you have to choose a plan first. To get started, simply click on the Plans option in the main menu in the header. Alternatively, find the corresponding link in the menu section.

You'll have 4 options to choose from – 6, 9, 12, or 15 items per week. Select the plan that works best for you, and you’ll be directed back to the menu to start adding meals to your cart. The price per meal changes depending on the plan you select.

You can mix and match products from different categories on Nurture Life's menu. But if you're not sure where to start, select a category from the side menu, and Nurture Life will provide you with its most popular products.

You have the final say about the content of your shopping cart. As soon as you provide your email and zip code, you'll find the recommended meals and quantities in the right-side window. There, you can swap meals and change their amounts, if necessary. Note that you can select a recipe from another category at this point. You can check the ingredients and nutritional information for each recipe before buying it by clicking on the meal image. You'll also see heating instructions and suggested cooking methods, if applicable. Note that the price listed with each meal is the original price. But as soon as you add the dish to your cart, the price will adjust according to your chosen plan.

You can click on the Have a Picky Eater? button if your child is a picky eater. But note that this button is only available for the Kids Meals category.

Nurture Life offers 5 helpful tips on how to choose dishes for picky kiddos. Some of them relate to limiting meal variety at first and introducing new foods gradually. In addition, the service suggests meals that have proven well with choosy children. Use the filters in the top-left corner to personalize your meal selection if your child has allergies. Some available options are Milk Free, Fish Free, and Sesame Free. If you need to exclude certain allergens permanently, you can do so via your Account page. You can also opt for specific types of meals, such as Vegetarian or Picky Eater Fav. The meals are cooked in a 100% nut-free facility, so those with allergies to peanuts or tree nuts can feel confident that no traces could’ve made it into the meals. Coconut is used in the meals so beware if you’re allergic. The facility handles all other allergens so although you can select to receive meals without them, there’s still a chance of cross-contamination.

Unboxing

Nurture Life uses mostly recyclable materials for its boxes, jars, and other packages. You can drop them in curbside recycling bins to recycle them. The only parts you can't recycle are the seals and the gel pack inside. Note that you can reuse the gel packs. Additionally, the meal packaging materials are BPA- and phthalate-free.

You'll see a note printed on the box urging you to refrigerate products right away when your Nurture Life package arrives. Beneath the top layer of the insulation, you'll see an ice gel pack. Inside the package, you'll find an insulated liner that helps maintain the temperature.

To access your fresh meals, you'll need to remove the cardboard on top of the package. The service clearly labels meals and packs them neatly, one on top of the other. If you ordered from different categories, you'll find them separated by another cardboard layer.

Refrigerated Finger Foods, Kids Meals, and Mighty Bites can last 6 or 7 days. Besides refrigerating, you can keep products in the freezer. Just ensure to put them there before the Use by date. When defrosting dishes in the fridge, allow between 12 and 18 hours for Finger Foods and 18 to 24 hours for Kids Meals to fully thaw.

Cooking with Nurture Life

You'll be receiving prepared meals, so there’s not much to cook from this meal delivery service. All you have to do is heat the meals in the microwave for a minute or 2 or in the conventional oven for 10 minutes or so.

However, be sure to let the meals cool before serving them to your little ones. You can find the heating instructions by selecting the recipe on the website. Note that trays, jars, and lids may not be microwave- or oven-safe.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Nurture Life’s Shepherd's Pie is my favorite meal for babies with teeth and infants. This Finger Food option has lots of nutritious ingredients I like to see in my kid's diet, including beef, potatoes, and carrots, while Parmesan and Ricotta cheeses are there for a flavor punch. You can heat the meal in a microwave for less than a minute or in an oven for around 10 minutes.

The dish comprises 160 calories and 18 g of carbohydrates. Moreover, it features 4 g of dietary fiber and 33 mg of calcium (which counts for 15% of the recommended daily value). Besides being gluten-free, the dish is fish-, pork-, sesame-, and coconut-free.

Nurture Life's Mac & Cheese is my personal favorite for older children. Some of the ingredients are butternut squash, whole wheat pasta, unsalted butter, and a few different types of cheeses, including Cheddar and Parmesan. When it comes to heating, just pop it in the microwave for 1 minute or warm it up in the oven for up to 15 minutes. Just remember to let it cool before serving to your kiddo.

I love this meal because it's a great source of calcium (206 mg). The calorie count is 390, while the protein amount is 13 g, which provides 15% of the daily value. The recipe is egg-, coconut-, and sesame-free. Note that the recipe is a Picky Eater Fav.

I recommend Chocolate Chip Mighty Bites if you're looking for a yummy snack for your little one. It contains chocolate chips, oats, and superfoods such as raisins and chickpeas. And if your youngster doesn't finish the snack right away, it's safe to eat for up to 4 days after unpacking.

This snack has 130 calories and 17 g of carbs, 2 g of which are dietary fibers. It also contains 23 mg of calcium and 4 g of protein, which corresponds to 5% of the daily value. The snack is free of egg and coconut.

Prices

Nurture Life provides 4 plans, allowing you to choose a set number of items. You’ll see that the price per item reduces as you increase your order size. Finger foods start from $5.99, while meal plans start from $6.55 per item. The cost per meal is quite high, but there’s usually a great deal going and you can always use our exclusive discount code: 50% Off Week 1, 20% Off Weeks 2&3 + Free Shipping.

Note that you'll pay a flat-rate delivery fee of $8.99 when you place an order. The meal delivery service charges this fee to ensure that food arrives fresh to you.

Nurture Life accepts several payment methods, mostly credit cards. These are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Amex. It also accepts ApplePay.

Shipping & Delivery

Nurture Life delivers its meals and snacks to customers throughout the contiguous US. So, you'll need to check other alternatives if you live in Hawaii or Alaska.

You'll find out the date of your first delivery when you reach the checkout page. If you opt for recurring orders, you'll also see the scheduled delivery day. If for any reason you need to change it, reach out to customer service. Before checkout, you’ll also see the weekly cutoff day. Make sure to pay attention to this date, as you won’t be able to make changes after it’s passed.

You can make changes to your order through your account. The company will also send you reminders before the cutoff date.

Food should remain cold for up to 48 hours, giving you enough time to collect the package upon delivery. The shipping provider typically drops the order at your doorstep, with the doorman, or in the packaging room, whichever's applicable. If you have delivery instructions, specify them in the dedicated box on the Checkout page.

How Nurture Life Works

The registration process is pretty straightforward. You can start purchasing as a guest, but the system will lead you to register an account as you proceed with shopping. Note that you can’t make a 1-time purchase, but you can pause your subscription. Alternatively, get in touch with customer service to get help with the account setup and try the service once before committing to recurring deliveries.

How to Sign Up

The entire process goes like this:

1. Click on the My Account icon.

2. Specify your email address and zip code. Hit Continue.

3. Choose a plan. Note that the 15 items per week provide the best value.

4. Select meals. Remember that you can mix and match options from different categories.

5. Provide your email address, shipping address, payment, and other details for account creation once you get to Checkout. Don’t forget to enter a promo code at the bottom of the page, if you have one.

Managing Your Subscription

Go to the My Account page to manage your subscription. To manage orders, head over to the Orders section before the cutoff date. Note that the company sends an email reminder titled Please Review Your Upcoming Order before the deadline.

Pause the subscription by going to the Pause Subscription feature. You can choose the day you wish to resume deliveries.

You can also cancel your Nurture Life subscription via your Account page. To do so, select Click Here under Pause Subscription. Alternatively, contact customer service to cancel your membership.

Customer Service

Nurture Life's support can be reached by phone, email, or even old-fashioned mail. There's no live chat, which was a letdown. I sent an email asking about the Smoothies, which I couldn't find even after applying different filters.

The response from Lizz was prompt, which was the only positive aspect. Apparently, they are facing issues with sourcing ingredients. It seems to be a significant problem, as they are unable to procure ingredients for even a single smoothie, let alone multiple ones. I reached out to customer care again to inquire about membership benefits. This time, Lizz responded after about 6 hours. It turned out that Nurture Life provides extra perks for subscribers, even though they don't publicly advertise this. Here's the answer I received: The customer support team operates from 9 am to 5 pm CT. Its email address is support@nurturelife.com while phone number is 312.517.1888. If you prefer, mail customer service at 358 W Ontario St #1A, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

How Nurture Life Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

• Nurture Life vs. Factor: Just like Nurture Life, Factor provides ready-to-heat meals suitable for children and adults. Moreover, certified dietitians formulate Factor's recipes while seasoned chefs cook them. Additionally, Factor offers free nutrition coaching sessions to assist you in determining the best food and diet options for your family.
• Nurture Life vs. HelloFresh: If you want to get the kids involved in cooking, then I highly recommend HelloFresh. It has a dedicated Family Friendly meal plan and a large menu to choose from each week, with lots of family favorites including burgers, pastas, and tacos. HelloFresh is much more affordable than Nurture Life starting at $3.32 per serving, and you can order up to 6 meals for 4 people every week.
• Nurture Life vs. Blue Apron: Nurture Life specializes in kid food, Blue Apron may be a better choice if you're a family of 4, especially if you have older children. That's because Blue Apron offers 4-serving gourmet meal kits that best fit the taste of a more mature palate. Additionally, Blue Apron changes its menu offerings each week, providing more variety. Nurture Life doesn't introduce new recipes as frequently, to say the least.

The Bottom Line: Is Nurture Life Worth It?

Nurture Life is a great service for busy parents wanting to provide healthy and delicious meals for their children without the hassle of meal planning, shopping, and cooking. It provides a variety of options for different ages and dietary restrictions. And all its food features high-quality ingredients without any preservatives or additives, such as artificial colors and flavors.

However, it might not be the best fit for families on a tight budget or those who prefer more control over their kiddos' meals. Additionally, if you have older kids or are looking for more variety in your meals, other meal delivery services, like HelloFresh, might be a better fit. To sum up, you should find Nurture Life a great option if you prioritize convenience and quality when it comes to feeding your kids.

FAQ

What age is Nurture Life good for?

Nurture Life has meals for children aged between 10 months and 10 years. Go for Finger Foods for babies learning to feed themselves and Kids Meals for older kiddos. You can also consider adding Snacks and Smoothies to their diet, depending on the age of your children and product availability.

How long do Nurture Life’s Finger Foods last?

Nurture Life's Finger Foods have a shelf life of up to 7 days when stored in the fridge. You can freeze them to extend their shelf life.

Does Nurture Life use preservatives?

No, Nurture Life doesn’t add preservatives and other by-products to its dishes. And that’s the reason why its foods have a short shelf life. Finger Foods, Kids Meals, and Mighty Bites can last up to 7 days if you keep them in the fridge. Cold-pressed Smoothies, on the other hand, remain fresh for at least 2 weeks.  

Where is Nurture Life located?

Nurture Life is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Its address is 358 W Ontario St #1A, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

Can you freeze Nurture Life meals?

Yes, you can freeze Nurture Life meals. However, thaw them in the fridge before reheating. The defrosting time varies from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the type of meal. Check our full Nurture Life Unboxing section for further details.  

Is Nurture Life healthy?

Yes, Nurture Life provides healthy meals for kids of different ages. Its meals contain organic and nutritious ingredients, including superfoods, and are free from trans fat, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. Also, they contain tiny amounts of sodium and sugar, if at all.