Years ago I subscribed to Freshly. Simple, somewhat edible and seemed healthier than going out for fast / fast casual all day every day. I think I got between 6 and 8 meals a week and occasionally didn't get through them all.. but did OK on that front.

I am STRONGLY considering trying out Factor. Do any Scoopers have experience with it and thoughts?

Any other meal delivery services to consider? I am not looking to prep sh1t. I am trying to take from the fridge to the microwave and scarf it down with little time lost.

Thanks. In health,

Jay Bee

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 09, 2025, 11:41:51 AMYears ago I subscribed to Freshly. Simple, somewhat edible and seemed healthier than going out for fast / fast casual all day every day. I think I got between 6 and 8 meals a week and occasionally didn't get through them all.. but did OK on that front.

I am STRONGLY considering trying out Factor. Do any Scoopers have experience with it and thoughts?

Any other meal delivery services to consider? I am not looking to prep sh1t. I am trying to take from the fridge to the microwave and scarf it down with little time lost.

Thanks. In health,

Jay Bee

My wife has done Factor a couple of times, and she's mistakenly ordered a couple of entrees with meat.  She is a pescatarian, so I've eaten a couple.  Honestly, they're probably the best reheatable food I've eaten.  My wife also really likes them, but is prone to being talked out of eating one and getting a sub from Jimmy John's fairly easily.    

If you need a code or something for a discount, I'll see if I have one laying around.

We did Factors a few months ago.  They were delicious but we didn't really understand how they were considered "healthier".  Many of the meals were approaching your daily fat and sodium recommended amounts.

I'd say if you want a quick delicious meal go for it but I wouldn't consider it remotely healthy if that's what you are looking for.

Thanks, guys. I tend to look at calories... if they're low, great. Awful analysis I know, so not surprised these aren't the healthiest means around... but quick, tasty.. I think I'll give em a try.

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 09, 2025, 02:55:23 PMThanks, guys. I tend to look at calories... if they're low, great. Awful analysis I know, so not surprised these aren't the healthiest means around... but quick, tasty.. I think I'll give em a try.

The best feature in any of these services is portion control.

Anytime someone told me they were starting a new diet, I always had the same four word advice: Eat less - Do more.

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 09, 2025, 02:55:23 PMThanks, guys. I tend to look at calories... if they're low, great. Awful analysis I know, so not surprised these aren't the healthiest means around... but quick, tasty.. I think I'll give em a try.

If "healthy" for you is weight, then calories is all that matters

I didn't particularly love the Factor meals but it's solid for frozen good. And there are a few meals that were legitimately good. It's worth trying out.

Quote from: BM1090 on January 09, 2025, 08:17:02 PMI didn't particularly love the Factor meals but it's solid for frozen good. And there are a few meals that were legitimately good. It's worth trying out.

Factor is not frozen!!! (They have some frozen options now, but the core meals are never frozen)

First BOX is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. Let's f'n eat!!!

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 16, 2025, 12:50:22 PMFactor is not frozen!!! (They have some frozen options now, but the core meals are never frozen)

Correct.  I believe the expiration date on them is a week after your delivery date.

Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 16, 2025, 12:52:10 PMCorrect.  I believe the expiration date on them is a week after your delivery date.

Yep. (That said, I expect I won't get to 33% of em each week, smh)

Today is a great example. 1p, been working since 7 and would like a quick meal... I have like nothing at the house. Might run out quick for Panera or something similar, but a Factor meal would be perfect. Maybe not perfect. But a quick option.

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 16, 2025, 01:01:14 PMYep. (That said, I expect I won't get to 33% of em each week, smh)

Today is a great example. 1p, been working since 7 and would like a quick meal... I have like nothing at the house. Might run out quick for Panera or something similar, but a Factor meal would be perfect. Maybe not perfect. But a quick option.

Panera is ass.  Been terrible for years now.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 16, 2025, 01:02:59 PMPanera is ass.  Been terrible for years now.

I joined the sip club several years ago.  Back then it was $8/month.  Might be $11 now?  Anyway you can get a free beverage (fountain drink, coffee, tea, lemonade, etc.) every two hours.

I pass a Panera to and from work and have one near my office I hit up at lunch.  In December they send out an email saying how much you saved being a sip club member.  Saved $1,823.

Mostly get a lime Bubly.

Quote from: TallTitan34 on January 16, 2025, 01:20:41 PMI joined the sip club several years ago.  Back then it was $8/month.  Might be $11 now?  Anyway you can get a free beverage (fountain drink, coffee, tea, lemonade, etc.) every two hours.

I pass a Panera to and from work and have one near my office I hit up at lunch.  In December they send out an email saying how much you saved being a sip club member.  Saved $1,823.

Mostly get a lime Bubly.

Not the charged lemonade?

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 16, 2025, 01:27:20 PMNot the charged lemonade?

Haha I tend to avoid that unless I have an offer for a free one.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 16, 2025, 01:02:59 PMPanera is ass.  Been terrible for years now.

Panera is hospital food.

Before you get mad, think about it.

Quote from: 🏀 on January 16, 2025, 04:45:28 PMPanera is hospital food.

Before you get mad, think about it.

This is an insult to hospital food.

Prison food, sure.

Quote from: Jay Bee on January 16, 2025, 12:50:22 PMFactor is not frozen!!! (They have some frozen options now, but the core meals are never frozen)

First BOX is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. Let's f'n eat!!!

You're right, I was lazy and misspoke. I meant pre-packaged as opposed to ingredients like HelloFresh.

I get the idea of not wanting to cook and prep if time is limited or you don't like it. We tried one of those and often we get home from work later and are just hungry etc. 

A prepped meal is better than processed foods for a quick meal, of course.

If I were going the preps-prep meal  route I'd try a local chef version. Mke has one so I suspect most bigger cities have them. I avoid salt and sugers and other stuff. No preservatives usually.

Some control over ingredients and can make  adjustments to ingredients - low salt etc. I know that is not a big concern of yours but if someone else is doing the work, why not make it good for you.

Also fresher, but fewer choices each week than national services if a lot of choices is a must.   

Quote from: GOO on January 17, 2025, 06:41:19 AMI get the idea of not wanting to cook and prep if time is limited or you don't like it. We tried one of those and often we get home from work later and are just hungry etc. 

A prepped meal is better than processed foods for a quick meal, of course.

If I were going the preps-prep meal  route I'd try a local chef version. Mke has one so I suspect most bigger cities have them. I avoid salt and sugers and other stuff. No preservatives usually.

Some control over ingredients and can make  adjustments to ingredients - low salt etc. I know that is not a big concern of yours but if someone else is doing the work, why not make it good for you.

Also fresher, but fewer choices each week than national services if a lot of choices is a must. 

You touched on my concerns with these options. With chronic cardio issues, just the salt alone in prepared foods makes me avoid them. Long shelf lives are big red flags to me, although I believe there are methods other than salt to provide for a long shelf life. Americans love salt in so many things though, so I remain leery of all prepared foods.

Being retired, food prep is not a big deal to us, and we eat a lot of seafood. Fish and especially shellfish cook very quickly and requires minimal prep work. Chicken and occasional vegetarian meals round out most of the remainder of our diet. While chicken can require prep/seasoning time, it also can be cooked simply and quickly.

Our no-prep meals are called "leftovers". 

We eat out some and then it is hard to avoid too much salt and sugar. But it's okay on occasion.

We try to cook from scratch, we don't use salt or sugar, which helps avoid processed foods and all the bad stuff that comes with it. Pretty much avoiding processed foods solves the weight and nutritional problems we as a country suffer from. Never fast food.

I pick up and put down so much frozen preparedfood or prepared sauces at the grocery store with just a quick glance at the sodium. It is crazy how much sodium and sugars go into so many products.

Guys.  It's okay to cook with salt and sugar.  Especially since not much is required to bring flavor out.  The amounts that restaurants use (along with butter/oil) is egregious, but that is what you're paying for and why it shouldn't be done daily.

The best way to add salt is in short bits during cooking, and a tiny bit to finish.  The body needs salt.  Now, of course, there are people with cardiovascular issues that should keep to a low salt diet... but in general, salt is a healthy part of the human diet.

I do agree with you guys about watching what you buy from the store that already has salt and sugar included.  That is important.

Having said all this, I think the main issue we deal with is portion control.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 17, 2025, 10:34:28 AMGuys.  It's okay to cook with salt and sugar.  Especially since not much is required to bring flavor out.  The amounts that restaurants use (along with butter/oil) is egregious, but that is what you're paying for and why it shouldn't be done daily.

The best way to add salt is in short bits during cooking, and a tiny bit to finish.  The body needs salt.  Now, of course, there are people with cardiovascular issues that should keep to a low salt diet... but in general, salt is a healthy part of the human diet.

I do agree with you guys about watching what you buy from the store that already has salt and sugar included.  That is important.

Having said all this, I think the main issue we deal with is portion control.

All very good points Hards. Especially portion control.

I like to steam fresh broccoli and bake split Brussel sprouts in the oven. And Goo's singling out the "seasoned" frozen vegetables is spot on.

Slicing up an onion and cooking it to a dark golden brown is a great way to add flavor and some sweetness as well. Vedalias are ideal for this. The dark golden browned Brussel sprouts are also slightly sweet. Add a little balsamic vinegar and...yum! 

Quote from: Scoop Snoop on January 17, 2025, 10:56:36 AMAll very good points Hards. Especially portion control.

I like to steam fresh broccoli and bake split Brussel sprouts in the oven. And Goo's singling out the "seasoned" frozen vegetables is spot on.

Slicing up an onion and cooking it to a dark golden brown is a great way to add flavor and some sweetness as well. Vedalias are ideal for this. The slightly charred Brussel sprouts are also slightly sweet. Add a little balsamic vinegar and...yum! 

Don't forget the bacon. 

I make Brussel sprouts the same way.  If you want to add one more thing, a couple of crumbles of feta on top really set it off.

Well, now I'm hungry.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 17, 2025, 11:01:55 AMI make Brussel sprouts the same way.  If you want to add one more thing, a couple of crumbles of feta on top really set it off.

Well, now I'm hungry.

Thanks! Gonna do that.