Factor is a popular meal delivery service designed for busy individuals who want nutritious, ready-to-eat meals without the hassle of cooking or cleaning. Unlike traditional meal kits that require you to prep ingredients and follow recipes, these meals arrive fully prepared and only need a few minutes of heating. This guide explains everything you need to know about starting your subscription, choosing the right plan, and managing your weekly deliveries.
What Is the Factor Meal Service?
Factor, often referred to by its original name Factor75, specializes in fresh, chef-prepared meals that are delivered directly to your doorstep. The service focuses on high-quality ingredients and dietitian-approved recipes to ensure that every meal is both flavorful and nutritionally balanced.
The primary appeal of this service is convenience. Because the meals are never frozen, they maintain a higher quality of texture and taste compared to standard frozen dinners. They are designed for people who have limited time but still want to maintain a specific diet or healthy lifestyle.
The Difference Between Prepared Meals and Meal Kits
It is important to understand that Factor is not a meal kit service. In a meal kit service, you receive raw ingredients and must spend 30 to 60 minutes cooking. With Factor, the cooking is already done for you. You simply heat the tray in a microwave or oven, and your meal is ready in minutes.
Choosing the Right Meal Plan for Your Lifestyle
One of the strengths of this service is its flexibility regarding dietary preferences. When you first sign up, you will be asked to choose a primary meal preference. This helps the system suggest meals that align with your goals, though you can always choose any meal from the full weekly menu.
- Keto: These meals are high in fat and very low in carbohydrates, designed for those following a ketogenic lifestyle.
- Calorie Smart: These options are typically 550 calories or less per serving, making them ideal for weight management.
- Vegan & Veggie: A selection of plant-based meals that focus on whole foods and meat alternatives.
- Protein Plus: These meals contain 30 grams of protein or more, which is beneficial for athletes or those looking to build muscle.
- Flexitarian: A balanced mix of all meal types, allowing for maximum variety across the menu.
Selecting Your Weekly Volume
You can customize the number of meals you receive each week based on your household size or how many meals you plan to eat. Common plans include 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week. Generally, the price per meal decreases as you increase the number of meals in your box.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering
Getting started with a meal delivery service can feel overwhelming, but the process is straightforward. Follow these steps to set up your first delivery and ensure you get exactly what you want.
Step 1: Create Your Account
The first step is to visit the official website and enter your email address. You will then select your dietary preferences and the number of meals you want to receive weekly. This sets the foundation for your subscription.
Step 2: Enter Shipping and Payment Information
Before you select your specific meals, you will need to provide your delivery address and payment details. Most services offer various payment methods, including major credit cards and digital payment platforms. Be sure to check for any introductory offers or discount codes before finalizing this step.
Step 3: Customize Your Menu
Once your account is active, you can browse the menu for the upcoming week. Factor usually offers over 35 different recipes each week. If you do not manually select your meals, the service will automatically choose them for you based on the preferences you set during signup. It is highly recommended to log in and pick your own meals to ensure you receive flavors you enjoy.
Receiving and Storing Your Meals
The meals are delivered in insulated boxes with gel packs to keep the food at a safe temperature during transit. You do not need to be home when the delivery arrives, as the packaging is designed to keep the food cold for several hours on your doorstep.
Unpacking and Refrigeration
As soon as you are able, you should unpack the box and place the individual meal trays in your refrigerator. Because these meals are fresh and not frozen, they have a specific shelf life. Most meals are guaranteed to stay fresh for at least seven days after delivery. You can check the “Enjoy By” date printed on each meal’s sleeve.
Heating Instructions
Each meal comes with specific heating instructions. Most can be heated in the microwave in about 2 to 3 minutes. For those who prefer a crispier texture, many meals can also be heated in a conventional oven, though this will take longer (usually 7 to 10 minutes). Always remember to remove the plastic sleeve and pierce the film before heating.
Managing Your Subscription
The service is subscription-based, which means you will receive a box every week unless you take action. However, the platform is designed to be flexible, allowing you to pause or change your service as needed.
Skipping a Week
If you are going out of town or simply don’t need meals for a particular week, you can skip a delivery. You must do this before the weekly cutoff time, which is typically Wednesday at 11:59 PM ET for the following week’s delivery. There is no limit to how many weeks you can skip.
Changing Your Plan
If you find that you have too many or too few meals, you can easily adjust your plan size in your account settings. You can also change your dietary preferences at any time if your health goals evolve.
Canceling the Service
If you decide the service is no longer right for you, you can cancel your subscription through the website settings. It is important to complete the cancellation before the weekly cutoff to avoid being charged for one last box.
Is Factor Right for You?
When deciding whether to use a prepared meal service, consider your budget and your schedule. While the cost per meal is higher than cooking from scratch with grocery store ingredients, it is often lower than the cost of ordering takeout or dining at restaurants. For many, the time saved on grocery shopping, meal prepping, and cleaning dishes justifies the price.
Additionally, the portion control provided by these meals can be a helpful tool for those trying to stick to a specific caloric or macronutrient goal. It removes the guesswork from healthy eating and prevents the temptation of unhealthy convenience foods.
Conclusion
Ordering from Factor is a practical solution for anyone looking to simplify their nutrition without sacrificing quality. By choosing a plan that fits your diet and taking the time to customize your weekly menu, you can enjoy chef-crafted meals in the comfort of your home. If you are looking for more ways to streamline your daily routine, consider exploring our other guides on home organization and time-saving kitchen tips.