What’s the difference between meal kits and diet systems?

While both deliver food to your door, meal kits and diet systems serve different purposes. Here’s how to decide which fits your needs:

Meal Kits: Cooking Made Simple

Meal kits deliver recipes and pre-measured ingredients so you can cook at home without the hassle of meal planning or grocery shopping.

• You still cook: Meal kits require 30-45 minutes of prep and cooking

• Fresh ingredients: Arrive weekly with everything pre-portioned

• Variety matters: Choose from rotating menus each week

• Family-friendly: Many offer kid-approved recipes and flexible serving sizes

• Best for: People who enjoy cooking but hate planning and shopping

Diet Systems: Ready-to-Eat Weight Loss

Diet systems provide fully prepared meals designed for weight loss, delivered to your door and ready to eat.

• No cooking required: Just heat and eat in minutes

• Calorie-controlled: Every meal is portioned for weight loss

• Structured plans: Follow a specific program designed by nutritionists

• Support included: Many offer coaching, apps, and community support

• Best for: People focused on weight loss who want convenience over cooking

Which One Saves You More Money?

Meal kits typically cost $5-12 per serving, while diet systems run $8-15 per meal. However, diet systems replace more meals throughout the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), so the total weekly cost can be similar.

The real savings come from what you’re replacing. If you’re currently spending $10-15 per meal on takeout or restaurants, either option saves you money while improving your eating habits.

What are the best meal kit deals for new customers?

New customer promotions can slash the cost of your first few weeks by 50% or more. Here are two excellent options with major discounts:

Budget-Friendly Meal Kits

Dinnerly – 56% OFF Your First Order

Dinnerly offers the most affordable meal kit option with 56% off your first order. Created for people who like homemade cooking without overpaying, Dinnerly delivers simple, delicious meals at just $4.49 per serving. With up to $250 off through your first 5 boxes (up to 21 free meals), it’s the easiest way to start saving on food costs without sacrificing home-cooked meals.

Get 56% Off Your First Order

Marley Spoon – 51% OFF First Order + Free Shipping

Marley Spoon brings restaurant-quality recipes and fresh ingredients to your door with 51% off your first order plus free shipping. Their flexible subscription lets you customize your plan, skip weeks, or cancel anytime. Perfect for home cooks who want variety without the grocery store hassle, Marley Spoon makes it easy to eat well while saving money.

Get 51% Off + Free Shipping

Please note: offers are accurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change.

How to Maximize Your Meal Kit Savings

• Start with the biggest discount: Dinnerly’s 56% off makes it the most affordable way to try meal kits

• Plan your weeks: Order when you know you’ll use the meals, skip weeks when you won’t

• Share boxes: Split a larger plan with a roommate or family member to reduce per-person costs

• Compare serving costs: Smaller plans sometimes cost more per serving than larger ones

• Cancel before renewal: Most services let you cancel anytime after trying the discounted boxes

With these introductory discounts, you can try meal kits for less than the cost of fast food while learning to cook simple, healthy meals at home.

What are the best diet system deals for weight loss?

If weight loss is your primary goal, these structured programs offer professional support and ready-to-eat meals with significant new customer savings:

Weight Loss Systems with Support

Nutrisystem – 50% OFF Today, Pay Only $99 for 28 Meals

Nutrisystem makes weight loss simple with 50% off today—pay only $99 for 28 meals. Designed to help you lose up to 10 pounds and 5 inches overall in your first month, Nutrisystem delivers fully prepared, portion-controlled meals that work with your metabolism. Choose from their pre-picked Favorites Pack or customize your menu during checkout. Your order arrives in 4-10 business days, ready to start your weight loss journey.

Get 50% Off – Only $99

Club Jenny (Jenny Craig) – 6 Months for Just $69.99

Club Jenny from Jenny Craig offers 6 months of membership for just $69.99 with your first order. Get personal support and a free gift to help you get started on the right foot. Jenny Craig’s proven program combines portion-controlled meals with one-on-one coaching to help you reach your weight loss goals. Perfect for those who want structured support and ready-to-eat convenience.

Get 6 Months for $69.99

Please note: offers are accurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change.

What You Get with Diet Systems

• Complete meals delivered: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks all included

• No cooking required: Simply heat and eat in minutes

• Professional support: Access to nutritionists, coaches, and weight loss experts

• Proven results: Both programs have decades of success stories

• Flexible plans: Customize based on your dietary preferences and goals

Tips for Success with Diet Systems

• Start during a calm week: Don’t begin during holidays or stressful periods

• Clear your pantry: Remove temptations before your meals arrive

• Use the support: Take advantage of coaching and online communities

• Supplement with fresh produce: Most plans encourage adding your own fruits and vegetables

• Track your progress: Use apps and tools provided to stay motivated

With these introductory discounts, you can try a professionally designed weight loss program for less than you’d spend on takeout and fast food.

Are there hidden costs or subscription traps to avoid?

While meal kits and diet systems offer real savings, you need to watch for potential pitfalls that can eat into your budget:

Common Hidden Costs

• Shipping fees: Some services charge $8-10 for delivery after promotional periods end

• Minimum order requirements: May need to order a certain number of meals per week

• Price jumps after discounts: Know what the regular price will be before the intro offer ends

• Add-ons and extras: Optional items can inflate your weekly cost

• Cancellation fees: A few services charge if you cancel too early (rare but check terms)

How to Avoid Subscription Traps

• Set a calendar reminder: Note when your discount period ends so you’re not surprised by price increases

• Know the cancellation policy: Most services let you cancel anytime, but confirm before signing up

• Understand skip options: Can you skip weeks when you don’t need meals?

• Check pause vs. cancel: Some services let you pause without losing your account

• Read the fine print: Understand what happens after your promotional boxes

Red Flags to Watch For

• Requires long-term commitment: Legitimate services offer month-to-month flexibility

• Won’t show full pricing: Should see regular prices clearly listed before checkout

• Makes cancellation difficult: Should be able to cancel online easily

• No skip or pause option: Flexibility is standard in the industry

The services we’ve highlighted (Dinnerly, Marley Spoon, Nutrisystem, and Jenny Craig) are all established companies with transparent pricing and flexible cancellation policies. Still, always read the terms before signing up.

How do I choose between meal kits and diet systems?

Your choice depends on your priorities, lifestyle, and goals. Here’s a quick decision guide:

Choose Meal Kits If:

• You enjoy cooking but hate planning and shopping

• You want to learn new recipes and cooking skills

• You’re feeding a family or multiple people

• You want maximum flexibility in what you eat

• You’re looking for the most affordable option (starting at $4.49/serving)

• You have 30-45 minutes to prepare meals

Choose Diet Systems If:

• Weight loss is your primary goal

• You want zero cooking or prep time

• You need structured meal plans to stay on track

• You value professional coaching and support

• You want meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• You’re willing to invest more for convenience and results

Try Both Approaches

There’s no rule saying you can’t use both. Some smart savers:

• Use meal kits for dinners when the family eats together

• Keep diet system lunches at work for portion-controlled convenience

• Start with a diet system to jumpstart weight loss, then transition to meal kits for maintenance

• Alternate services to take advantage of new customer discounts

With the current promotional offers, you can try both approaches for significantly less than your usual food budget and see what works best for your lifestyle.

What else should I know before signing up?

Before you commit to any meal delivery service, consider these practical factors:

Storage and Space Requirements

• Refrigerator space: Meal kits need room for fresh ingredients

• Freezer space: Diet systems often include frozen meals

• Delivery schedule: Can you be home to receive packages or do they leave them?

• Packaging disposal: Meal kits generate more recycling than diet systems

Dietary Considerations

• Allergies and restrictions: Check if services accommodate your needs

• Picky eaters: Meal kits offer more variety and choice

• Vegetarian/vegan options: Availability varies by service

• Sodium and sugar content: Read nutrition labels, especially for prepared meals

Lifestyle Fit

• Travel frequency: Can you skip weeks easily?

• Work schedule: Do you have time to cook (meal kits) or just need to reheat (diet systems)?

• Kitchen equipment: Meal kits may require basic cooking tools

• Motivation level: Are you more likely to stick with cooking or grab-and-go convenience?

The beauty of these services is that they’re flexible. If one doesn’t work for you, you can cancel and try something else—especially when you’re taking advantage of discounted trial periods.

Ready to save money on food with meal delivery?

Whether you choose meal kits or diet systems, taking advantage of new customer discounts can dramatically reduce your food costs while improving what you eat.

Current Best Deals

• Dinnerly: 56% off first order—as low as $4.49 per serving

• Marley Spoon: 51% off plus free shipping on first order

• Nutrisystem: 50% off—only $99 for 28 meals

• Jenny Craig: 6 months for $69.99 with first order

Your Action Plan

1. Calculate your current food spending: Track what you spend on groceries, takeout, and restaurants for one week

2. Choose your starting point: Meal kits if you want to cook, diet systems if you want convenience and weight loss

3. Start with the biggest discount: Try Dinnerly or Nutrisystem first to maximize savings

4. Give it 2-3 weeks: Long enough to establish new habits and see if it fits your lifestyle

5. Adjust as needed: Skip, pause, or cancel if it’s not working—but try something else before giving up

The Bottom Line

Meal kits and diet systems aren’t perfect, but they can save you money compared to restaurants and takeout while reducing food waste and improving your eating habits. With discounts of 50% or more for new customers, there’s never been a better time to try them.

The key is starting with realistic expectations and choosing services that match your lifestyle. You’re not looking for perfection—you’re looking for a better way to feed yourself that doesn’t drain your wallet or stress you out every night at dinnertime.