If you’re focused on meal planning or resisting the urge to call in delivery at home, a ready-made meal takes the decision-making out of dinner and preserves valuable time that would otherwise be spent cooking. The reality of balancing healthy eating with your pre-existing laundry list of responsibilities and chores can be bleak. And, let’s face it, a protein bar might get you through the day, but it isn’t a meal replacement.
Luckily, ready-made meals are a-plenty, and there’s an option for everyone from vegans to pescatarians. Instead of chopping and baking and processing your way to dinner, simply throw these meal kits in your grocery cart and grab them from your freezer when you’re hungry — mealtime can be as easy as that. Instead of paying for an underwhelming takeout lunch, try one of these healthy ready-to-eat meals at grocery stores near you.
EVOL
Evol
Evol’s specialty is single-serve meals and burritos (of both the breakfast and lunch variety). This line of easy meals is light but satisfying, with enough variety to keep your taste buds interested. The brand even has vegetarian and gluten-free options like butternut squash ravioli and fire-grilled steak.
Luvo
Luvo
From a quick but healthy breakfast to a convenient lunch for the office, Luvo has a range of breakfasts, entrées, and burritos. Add delish meals like chicken chorizo chili and roasted vegetable lasagna to your weekly menu. Each meal incorporates a daily serving of fruits and veggies. Luvo meals also emphasize whole grains and high protein for meals that are both nutritious and tasty.
Kitchen & Love and Cucina & Amore
Cucina & Amore
Kitchen & Love and Cucina & Amore meals range from tuna to quick cups to ready-to-heat pouches. They are the ultimate options for simple on-the-go meals.
One such ready-to-eat offering is Cucina & Amore’s Artichoke and Roasted Pepper Quinoa Quick Cup. The quinoa is already cooked, so no heating is necessary, and a spoon is included for on-the-go noshing. The container ingeniously separates the artichoke hearts and roasted peppers, so there’s no mushy quinoa—and you have total control over how much you mix in.
Amy’s
Amy’s
Amy’s has your standard ready-to-eat meal basics like noodles and burritos. However, it also serves up some fresh takes on typical frozen meal options like Mexican casserole bowls and Asian dumplings.
Amy’s line of light meals is curated to include dishes low in both calories and fat. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based meals are also available.
Red’s Natural Foods
Red’s Natural Foods
From burritos to breakfast sandwiches, this brand of ready-to-eat meals packs a protein punch perfect for a morning boost or afternoon pick-me-up. Red’s line of burritos is its most impressive offering, with options including a chicken chorizo breakfast burrito and a Philly steak and cheese burrito.
This brand of ready-to-eat meals uses hormone-free meats and cage-free eggs for burritos that are delicious and free of artificial preservatives.
Cedar Lane
Cedar Lane
If you have specific dietary needs, Cedar Lane has options. Gluten-free, protein-dense, plant-focused, and vegetarian dishes are all up for grabs in this line of ready-to-eat meals. Pick from dishes like the three-layer enchilada pie and eggplant parmesan. These meals will hold you over so you don’t go wandering for snacks mid-afternoon. (Or, you could DIY one of these 13 Easy and Healthy Frittata Recipes.)
Dr. McDougall’s Pad Thai Noodles
Dr. McDougall
If you’re a noodle or soup aficionado, look no further than Dr. McDougall’s range of ready-to-eat meals. From split pea soup cups to teriyaki noodles, there’s a little something for everyone.
The noodle cups are one option among Dr. McDougall’s products. Traditional takeout-style Pad Thai can cost you nearly half a day’s calories. The Pad Thai Gluten-Free Noodle Cup gives you the familiar taste without the calorie count. The noodles are baked, not fried, and are joined by cabbage, cilantro, pepper, and onion—no wimpy cups here!
Realgood Foods Co.
Realgood Foods Co.
Realgood Foods Co. specializes in chicken-based meals that are high in protein and low in carbs and sugar. Most options are gluten-free and the pasta and tortillas are often made with chicken and cheese instead of processed grains.
If you’re craving Mexican food, chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce offer 31 grams of protein and only 6 grams of carbs for two enchiladas. Other quick meal options include burritos, lasagna bowls, and buffalo-style chicken and broccoli.
Kevin’s Natural Foods
Kevin’s Natural Foods
Kevin’s Natural Foods offers frozen options in either single-serve bowls or family-size portions. Each is a complete meal that’s high in protein and avoids refined sugar, with many keto- and paleo-friendly choices. The Thai-style coconut chicken bowl with broccoli and carrots is served over cauliflower rice and is certified paleo (free from cane sugar, artificial flavors, grains, legumes, and dairy).
