Find the Best Anti-Inflammatory Meal Delivery Kits for 2023

Choosing the Best Anti-Inflammatory Meal Kit Delivery Service

Following an anti-inflammatory diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce inflammation in the body and manage chronic inflammatory conditions. Meal kit delivery services have exploded in popularity in recent years as a convenient way to get nutritious, home-cooked meals on the table with minimal effort.

But with so many meal kit options available, how do you choose the best anti-inflammatory meal kit? This guide examines the top anti-inflammatory meal kit services ideal for managing inflammation and promoting gut health.

What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes foods that help reduce inflammation in the body and avoid ingredients that trigger or worsen it. The basic principles include:

• Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins
• Limit saturated fat, refined carbs, sugar, processed foods
• Increase omega-3 fatty acids from fish, nuts, seeds
• Avoid common allergens and sensitivities like gluten, dairy, egg

Following an anti-inflammatory meal plan can help those with conditions like arthritis, IBS, colitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and more.

Benefits of Anti-Inflammatory Meal Delivery Kits

Meal kits offer several advantages for maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet:

• Provide pre-portioned fresh ingredients needed for recipes
• Offer meal choices tailored for anti-inflammatory diets
• Help conveniently stick to dietary needs like gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.
• Offer variety and new anti-inflammatory recipes each week
• Saves shopping time and reduces food waste

Meal kits take the work out of meal planning and preparation while still allowing control over ingredients and cooking.

Reviews of the Top Anti-Inflammatory Meal Kits

Here are some of the best anti-inflammatory meal kit delivery services to consider:

Green Chef

Overview - Green Chef offers USDA certified organic meal kits tailored for a variety of diets and needs including vegetarian, keto, paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and plant-powered. Meals feature anti-inflammatory foods.

Meal Options - Menus change weekly and include recipes like apricot glazed pork chops, ratatouille bake, pumpkin turkey meatballs, maple mustard chicken, and zucchini noodle bolognese.

Dietary Preferences - Choose from paleo, keto, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based.

Pricing - Starting at $12.99 per serving with additional fees for add-ons and delivery.

Pros - Organic ingredients, dietary flexibility, anti-inflammatory focused options.

Cons - On the pricier side, protein-heavy choices may not suit some.

Sakara Life

Overview - Sakara Life offers plant-based, ready-to-eat meal plans developed by nutritionists to fight inflammation and promote gut health. Designed to reset metabolism and reduce bloating.

Meal Options - Choices like maple cinnamon oat bowls, cauliflower millet bowls, miso soups, probiotic desserts. Items are prepared, just heat and eat.

Dietary Preferences - All meals are organic, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free and delivered fresh weekly.

Pricing - On the expensive side, around $70/day for 5 day plans. Designed as a short-term reset diet.

Pros - Pre-made for convenience, organic, specialized for anti-inflammatory effect.

Cons - Very expensive, restrictive plan not ideal for long term.

Sunbasket

Overview - Sunbasket offers chef-designed recipes featuring organic, sustainably sourced ingredients. Options include paleo, Mediterranean, diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, pescatarian, and carb-conscious meal plans.

Meal Options - Choices like honey balsamic chicken, curry roasted cauliflower, salmon with radish tzatziki sauce, turkey rice bowl.

Dietary Preferences - Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, pescatarian, diabetes-friendly, low-carb.

Pricing - Starting at around $11 per serving depending on plan, with additional fees for delivery.

Pros - Organic ingredients tailored for different dietary needs including anti-inflammatory. Very flexible.

Cons - Higher in carbs and protein than some other choices.

Purple Carrot

Overview - Purple Carrot focuses on high quality, plant-based meals featuring whole foods and globally inspired recipes. No meat, gluten, dairy or eggs.

Meal Options - Sample choices include cauliflower tikka masala, mushroom bolognese pasta, adobo lentil and sweet potato tacos.

Dietary Preferences - All vegan recipes provided, many options are gluten-free, soy-free or high protein.

Pricing - Plan pricing ranges from $72-$192 per week depending on serving needs, plus delivery fees.

Pros - Vegan and gluten-free tailored for anti-inflammatory needs. Creative globally inspired dishes.

Cons - Limited to only plant-based choices, so restrictive for some.

Fresh n' Lean

Overview - Prepared meal delivery service offering chef-cooked, organic, anti-inflammatory meals customized for various needs. Designed by nutritionists.

Meal Options - Chicken zucchini soup, ginger salmon, turkey meatballs, veggie pizza pockets. Many choices are dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo or keto friendly.

Dietary Preferences - Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-calorie options. Filter for anti-inflammatory selections.

Pricing - Meal plans from around $12-$15 per meal, minimum orders apply. Delivery is free.

Pros - Pre-prepared meals, customized nutrition plans including anti-inflammatory.

Cons - Limited flexibility or variety compared to traditional meal kits.

Choosing the Best Anti-Inflammatory Meal Kit

Picking the right anti-inflammatory meal delivery kit involves considering your dietary needs, health goals, cooking preferences, and budget. Here are some useful tips for deciding on a meal kit service:

Identify Any Dietary Restrictions

If you require a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto or other specialized diet, make sure to choose a meal kit service that offers choices catering to your needs.

Compare Nutritional Content

Look for meal kits that emphasize anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, plant-based proteins, whole grains and include less saturated fat, sugar and sodium.

Choose Organic When Possible

Prioritize meal kits with organic produce and ingredients to minimize pesticides and hormones that promote inflammation.

Check Portion Sizes

To help manage appetite and prevent overeating, look for meal kits with appropriate portion sizes around 400-600 calories per meal.

Read Customer Reviews

Research firsthand customer feedback on the quality of ingredients, ease of preparation, flavor, and customer service before selecting a meal delivery service.

Compare Pricing Structures

Meal kit prices can vary widely depending on serving sizes, add-ons and delivery fees. Factor in your budget constraints.

Consider Convenience Needs

If you have limited time and energy for cooking, choose meal kits with more pre-prepped ingredients or fully ready-to-eat meals.

Sample Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan

Here is an example one week anti-inflammatory meal plan you could order from a meal kit delivery service:

Monday

• Breakfast: Veggie egg scramble with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms
• Lunch: Mixed greens salad with chicken, avocado, quinoa, vinaigrette
• Dinner: Sheet pan salmon with broccoli and sweet potatoes

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Overnight oats with almond milk, blueberries, flaxseeds
• Lunch: Turkey burger lettuce wraps with avocado
• Dinner: Veggie and chickpea coconut curry

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Veggie tofu breakfast scramble
• Lunch: Lentil vegetable soup
• Dinner: Quinoa stuffed peppers with goat cheese

Thursday

• Breakfast: Greek yogurt berry parfait
• Lunch: Kale apple salad with chicken or tofu
• Dinner: Basil pesto chicken skillet with zucchini noodles

Friday

• Breakfast: Breakfast tacos with egg, spinach, salsa
• Lunch: Grilled salmon over greens with vinaigrette
• Dinner: Vegetable pad thai with tofu

This sample meal plan focuses on incorporating a balance of anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, plant-based proteins, omega-3 rich fish, nuts, seeds and healthy fats from avocados and olive oil.

Foods to Reduce Inflammation

An anti-inflammatory diet should emphasize including more of these beneficial foods:

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that help fight inflammation. Aim for a variety of different colors.

• Leafy greens - Spinach, kale, chard
• Cruciferous veggies - Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
• Colorful produce - Tomatoes, berries, citrus, pineapple, papaya

Healthy Fats

Anti-inflammatory fats from plant sources and fish provide essential fatty acids to balance inflammation.

• Nuts and seeds - Walnuts, almonds, chia, flax
• Avocados and olives
• Oily fish - Salmon, mackerel, sardines
• Oils - Olive oil, avocado oil

Herbs, Spices and Teas

Certain herbs, spices and teas contain potent anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green tea
• Peppermint

Whole Grains

Choose less refined whole grain options which provide important nutrients and fiber.

• Oats
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Buckwheat
• Barley

Plant-Based Proteins

Swap high inflammatory animal proteins for anti-inflammatory plant-based protein sources.

• Beans and legumes
• Tofu and tempeh
• Nuts and seeds
• Ancient grains like quinoa

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Certain ingredients tend to promote inflammation and should be restricted on an anti-inflammatory diet:

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined grains like white bread, pasta, cereals spike blood sugar levels which increase inflammation.

Fried Foods

Fried foods contain pro-inflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGES) and trans fats.

Processed Meats

Deli meats, bacon, sausage and hot dogs contain inflammatory compounds like nitrites, nitrates and sodium.

Excess Sugar

Sugar causes spikes and crashes in blood glucose as well as feeding harmful gut bacteria.

Excess Saturated Fats

Saturated fats from fatty red meats, butter, cheese and junk foods trigger inflammatory pathways in the body.

Common Allergens

Ingredients like gluten, dairy and eggs provoke inflammatory reactions in those with sensitivities or allergies.

Lifestyle Tips for Reducing Inflammation

Aside from diet, other lifestyle factors play a role in fighting inflammation. Here are some additional tips:

• Exercise regularly - Moderate activity like brisk walking helps reduce inflammation.
• Reduce stress - Try meditation, yoga, deep breathing. Chronic stress raises inflammatory markers.
• Get enough sleep - Aim for 7-9 hours per night. Poor sleep is linked to higher inflammation.
• Maintain healthy weight - Excess fat cells produce pro-inflammatory compounds.
• Don't smoke - Smoking triggers systemic inflammation.

The Bottom Line

Following an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle is key for managing many chronic inflammatory health conditions. Using a meal kit delivery service can provide an easy and convenient way to get tailored, nutritious anti-inflammatory meals.

Look for meal kits that offer organic ingredients, plant-based proteins, avoid common allergens and pro-inflammatory foods, and provide nutritionist-designed menu choices ideal for your needs and dietary preferences.

With so many tasty, creative anti-inflammatory meal kit options now available, eating well has never been easier.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.