In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksWho Should Eat a Low-Sodium Diet and Are Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services Right for You?Compare the Best Low Sodium Meal Delivery ServicesChoosing a Low-Sodium Meal Delivery ServiceOur Search for the Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery ServiceCommon QuestionsOur Trusted Expertise
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Who Should Eat a Low-Sodium Diet and Are Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services Right for You?
Compare the Best Low Sodium Meal Delivery Services
Choosing a Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Service
Our Search for the Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Service
Common Questions
Our Trusted Expertise
Photo:COURTESY OF BRAND
COURTESY OF BRAND
Meal delivery services can offer a welcome break from the effort of managing mealtimes, whether you’re cooking for one or a whole household. Additionally, these services can take away some of the challenges of managing medically necessary diets, like eating low sodium and taking some of the guesswork out of making food choices.
Our Low Sodium Meal Delivery Services Recommendations
Best Meal Kits: Sunbasket
Sunbasket
Sign Up Now
Starting Price:$11.49 per serving |Delivery Area:46 states |Products Arrive:Fresh
What we like:Use the site’s search to filter for low-sodium meal kits and choose from various options with less than 700 mg sodium.
What to know:Not all of the meals meet EatingWell’slow-sodium criteria. Also, depending on your zip code, you might not be able to customize the day you receive deliveries.
While the sodium criteria from Sunbasket is a bit more generous than EatingWell’slow-sodium guidelines, meals are often well below the 700 mg threshold of Sunbasket’s “low-sodium” or “diabetes-friendly” meal kits. If you’re looking to limit other nutrients besides sodium, be sure to check the full nutrition criteria and saturated fat content, which can get as high as 15 g per serving in an average week. We do love that Sunbasket’s meals can be customized somewhat, both at the point of ordering, as well as in your own kitchen.
During our tests, one of our favorite recipes was the salmon panzanella salad; not only did the dish come together quickly, but it had a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. The crunch from the lettuce contrasted nicely with the toasted bread and the savory notes from the salmon and dressing. While Sunbasket isn’t as cost-effective as sourcing ingredients yourself (many of the ingredients in its recipes are readily available at your local grocery store) the convenience and customization it offered made it a game-changer. These meals often bridged the gap between cooking at home and yet another takeout night, and for us, that made Sunbasket a clear winner.
Meals We Tried
PHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha MurtaughPHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha MurtaughPHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha MurtaughPHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha MurtaughPHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha MurtaughPHOTO: EatingWell / Taysha Murtaugh
Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity
Starting Price:$11.19 per serving |Delivery Area:46 states |Products Arrive:Fresh
What to know:The meals are meant for individuals (not families) and the saturated fat can be on the higher side.
PHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWell
Best Value: Eat CleanSign Up NowStarting Price:$9.60 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:FreshWhat we like: Eat Clean’s meals are filling, with plentiful breakfast, lunch and dinner options, and the menu makes it easy to view each meal’s nutritional content.What to know:The vegan and vegetarian options are more limited compared to other services we tested.Navigating your macros while keeping an eye on your sodium intake isn’t easy, but Eat Clean provides an easy way to do both, with convenient ready-to-heat meals with 300-500 mg of sodium per dish. You can choose between plant-based, paleo, keto and traditional plans, which range from six meals to up to 20 meals per week. When selecting each meal, a popup clearly displays each meal’s ingredients and nutritional values, making it easier to work Eat Clean’s meals into your meal plan of choice. The company also provides a wealth of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, ensuring enough variety to stave off redundancy, though we did find its vegan and vegetarian options more limited than those of other companies we tried.When we prepared Eat Clean meals for ourselves, we found them pleasantly filling, with touches like savory sauces that elevated the meals from your average heat-and-eat offerings. The garlic parmesan chicken breast bowl in particular had a lot of flavor, with tender chunks of chicken that did not dry out despite its trip through the microwave.Meals We TriedAlmond crusted chicken tenders with homestyle mustardGarlic parmesan chicken breast bowlSweet and sour cauliflower with white ricePHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWell
Best Value: Eat Clean
Starting Price:$9.60 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:FreshWhat we like: Eat Clean’s meals are filling, with plentiful breakfast, lunch and dinner options, and the menu makes it easy to view each meal’s nutritional content.What to know:The vegan and vegetarian options are more limited compared to other services we tested.
Navigating your macros while keeping an eye on your sodium intake isn’t easy, but Eat Clean provides an easy way to do both, with convenient ready-to-heat meals with 300-500 mg of sodium per dish. You can choose between plant-based, paleo, keto and traditional plans, which range from six meals to up to 20 meals per week. When selecting each meal, a popup clearly displays each meal’s ingredients and nutritional values, making it easier to work Eat Clean’s meals into your meal plan of choice. The company also provides a wealth of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, ensuring enough variety to stave off redundancy, though we did find its vegan and vegetarian options more limited than those of other companies we tried.
When we prepared Eat Clean meals for ourselves, we found them pleasantly filling, with touches like savory sauces that elevated the meals from your average heat-and-eat offerings. The garlic parmesan chicken breast bowl in particular had a lot of flavor, with tender chunks of chicken that did not dry out despite its trip through the microwave.
Best for Weight Loss: bistroMDBistro MDSign Up NowStarting Price:$10.99 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:FrozenWhat we like:Multiple plans offer low-sodium meals and low-sodium options exist for all mealtimes. Consult with a registered dietitian if desired.What to know:There’s little-to-no customization and portions may be small.Combining a low-sodium diet with other health goals isn’t easy, but bistroMD simplifies it for you! They offer low-sodium options for all mealtimes, including breakfast, and go from freezer to table in minutes.Among the many plans available from bistroMD, the Heart-Healthy and Diabetes-Friendly programs both offer low-sodium meals worth looking at. The Heart Healthy plan keeps sodium below 600 mg and saturated fats below 3.5 g per meal. The Diabetes-Friendly plan goes a bit farther and regulates sodium to under 500 mg, saturated fats to below 3 g, calories to between 1,200-1,400 per day, net carbohydrates (AKA total carbs minus grams of fiber) to less than 25 g per meal.BistroMD’s lunches and dinners were our favorites, especially those that utilized sauces to maximum advantage. The chicken with smoked gouda gravy and tilapia with white wine cream sauce both had good flavor, and the sauces went a long way towards minimizing any dryness the proteins might have experienced in the microwave. We definitely recommend plating your meal after heating; we found leaving the meals in the trays gave them an institutional feel that did not do them justice.Meals We TriedCheese omelet with turkey sausageSteak and egg scrambleCanadian bacon and Swiss cheese omeletUncured ham and cheese frittataChicken with smoked gouda gravyTilapia with wine cream sauceParmesan chicken patty with honey-glazed carrots and corn saladChicken, rice and cheddar casseroleSalmon with dill mustard sauceTurkey breast with cranberry apple chutneyOven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauceBaked pasta marinara with chicken sausageMeatloaf with honey bourbon glazeMojo pork with black beans and riceChicken pad ThaiGrilled salmon with creamy pestoLasagna with garden marinaraPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWell
Best for Weight Loss: bistroMD
Bistro MD
Starting Price:$10.99 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:Frozen
What we like:Multiple plans offer low-sodium meals and low-sodium options exist for all mealtimes. Consult with a registered dietitian if desired.
What to know:There’s little-to-no customization and portions may be small.
Combining a low-sodium diet with other health goals isn’t easy, but bistroMD simplifies it for you! They offer low-sodium options for all mealtimes, including breakfast, and go from freezer to table in minutes.
Among the many plans available from bistroMD, the Heart-Healthy and Diabetes-Friendly programs both offer low-sodium meals worth looking at. The Heart Healthy plan keeps sodium below 600 mg and saturated fats below 3.5 g per meal. The Diabetes-Friendly plan goes a bit farther and regulates sodium to under 500 mg, saturated fats to below 3 g, calories to between 1,200-1,400 per day, net carbohydrates (AKA total carbs minus grams of fiber) to less than 25 g per meal.
BistroMD’s lunches and dinners were our favorites, especially those that utilized sauces to maximum advantage. The chicken with smoked gouda gravy and tilapia with white wine cream sauce both had good flavor, and the sauces went a long way towards minimizing any dryness the proteins might have experienced in the microwave. We definitely recommend plating your meal after heating; we found leaving the meals in the trays gave them an institutional feel that did not do them justice.
PHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWellPHOTO: EatingWell
Best Plant-Based: Splendid SpoonSplendid SpoonSign Up NowStarting Price:$9.99 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:FrozenWhat we like:The menu is fully plant-based and has a “lower sodium” filter. With higher volume purchases, shipping is free.What to know:The portions can be small.While Splendid Spoon defines its “lower sodium” filter as “12% or less of daily sodium value per serving,” what that amounts to in the nutrition facts is a selection of noodle bowls, soups and grain bowls that all have less than 600 mg of sodium each. In addition, the majority of these also have less than 5 g of saturated fats (25% Daily Value), with only a couple of exceptions. We love Splendid Spoon’s dedication to all things slurpable and plant-based, making it an easy way to get more of the nutrients you need and less of those you may want to keep in check.While we occasionally found ourselves wishing for more seasoning, Splendid Spoon’s meals did a nice job of playing off of the vegetables' natural textures to create varied plant-based meals. The korma was creamy, with peas adding nice pops of vegetal sweetness throughout, and the roasted tomato risotto used the chewy intensity of sundried tomatoes to make the dish stand out. We also liked the addition of beans to the tomato rosemary soup for a much-needed hit of protein. Overall, this is a great option if you need a quick, plant-based meal with a minimum of preparation.Meals We TriedSmoothies:Carrot ginger chiaMango guavaPumpkin spiceCacao almondBlackberry basilGreen matchaPower greensRaspberry cacaoSoups:Red lentil dalTomato rosemaryPozole verdeGreen tomatillo chiliLentil and kaleKimchi fried quinoaCauliflower tikkaCauliflower potatoButternut turmericGarden minestroneDishes:Creamy butternut squash noodlesMeatball marinara noodlesBrussels bolognese pastaCreamy kormaCoconut curry riceRoasted tomato risottoHearty vegetable bologneseNaked burrito bowl
Best Plant-Based: Splendid Spoon
Splendid Spoon
Starting Price:$9.99 per serving |Delivery Area:48 states |Products Arrive:Frozen
What we like:The menu is fully plant-based and has a “lower sodium” filter. With higher volume purchases, shipping is free.
What to know:The portions can be small.
While Splendid Spoon defines its “lower sodium” filter as “12% or less of daily sodium value per serving,” what that amounts to in the nutrition facts is a selection of noodle bowls, soups and grain bowls that all have less than 600 mg of sodium each. In addition, the majority of these also have less than 5 g of saturated fats (25% Daily Value), with only a couple of exceptions. We love Splendid Spoon’s dedication to all things slurpable and plant-based, making it an easy way to get more of the nutrients you need and less of those you may want to keep in check.While we occasionally found ourselves wishing for more seasoning, Splendid Spoon’s meals did a nice job of playing off of the vegetables' natural textures to create varied plant-based meals. The korma was creamy, with peas adding nice pops of vegetal sweetness throughout, and the roasted tomato risotto used the chewy intensity of sundried tomatoes to make the dish stand out. We also liked the addition of beans to the tomato rosemary soup for a much-needed hit of protein. Overall, this is a great option if you need a quick, plant-based meal with a minimum of preparation.
Smoothies:
Soups:
Dishes:
Best Gourmet: Epicured
Epicured
Starting Price:$10.39 per serving |Delivery Area:48 States |Products Arrive:Fresh
What to know:The low-sodium filter caps your meal choices to <140 mg per serving, which leaves you with a limited menu and a sodium level that might be unnecessarily low.
During our at-home testing, the pulled BBQ chicken and the energy bites were standouts. The chicken was filling, with a robust flavor that heated well. The energy bites, especially the peanut butter and chocolate flavor, had a great balance of flavors and were easy for snacking on the go. We think Epicured’s balanced mix of meals and snacks would be an excellent choice for folks with specific dietary needs who might otherwise struggle to find suitable options.
Meals:
Snacks:
Price/Cost Per Meal
The price point can vary depending on the style of service, the quantity of food ordered, as well as the quality of ingredients and the portion sizes. Our favorite low-sodium meal delivery services range from about $9 per serving up to and above $15 per serving, depending on what you order. Have an idea of what you want to spend as you consider services.
Number of Meals Per Delivery
Whether you prefer to have three meals a day, seven days per week covered or simply a few dinners on hand, you can order what you like from most of these low-sodium meal delivery services.
Flexibililty
Most meal delivery services offer the option of changing plans, pausing, skipping weeks or canceling at any time, offering some necessary flexibility for customers. Make sure you read about what the service has to offer in that area if you travel frequently or just need more flex in your meals.
Menu Selection
Nutrition Goals/ Dietary Restrictions
A low-sodium diet is commonly paired with the recommendation to limit other nutrients, likesaturated fats. Some low-sodium meal delivery services will also limit other nutrients, but be sure to check the nutrition information on what you’re ordering if you haveother dietary restrictionsbesides sodium.
Over the past three years, we’ve continuously retested and evaluated the nation’s top meal delivery services to ensure our recommendations stay relevant and reliable. Both registered dietitians and home cooks assessed meals from over 40 companies, ordering, cooking and evaluating each one based on sodium content, saturated fat, overall nutrition transparency, price, sustainability, food quality and flavor. This rigorous testing process helps us identify the best options for a variety of dietary needs.
What is considered low sodium?
How do you know how much sodium you need per day?
Always consult your physician if you feel you may need a sodium-restricted diet. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, healthy adults should consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day and less than that for children under age 14.This amount may be restricted further to “low sodium,” or under 1,500 mg per day for people with certain conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and others.
How much sodium should you have per meal?
Relying on the limit of 2,300 mg per day, if that amount were spread evenly across three meals, it would come to an average of around 750 mg per meal. For a limit of 1,500 mg per day, each meal would be about 500 mg. As the guidance is based on a daily quantity, the amount per meal can vary across the items consumed in a given day and still be considered part of a moderate sodium intake.
Does drinking water lower sodium?
Hydration is an essential part ofremoving excess sodiumfrom the body through its natural processes. This can come in the form of drinking water, other beverages like unsweetened teaor seltzer, as well as consumingfoods with high water content.
Tori Martinet, M.S., RD, is a registered dietitian with a background in culinary nutrition and recipe testing. She has been testing, reviewing and writing about food and kitchen products since 2021, and her work has been featured in publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, Verywell Health, Verywell Fit, Health, Shape, U.S. News and more. She has worked in both professional and home kitchens.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Why Should I Limit Sodium?United States Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.American Heart Association.Why Should I Limit Sodium?United States Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
American Heart Association.Why Should I Limit Sodium?United States Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans
American Heart Association.Why Should I Limit Sodium?
United States Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Want Free Ground Beef for a Year? Here’s What You Need to Know
I Write About Food All Day—Here Are the 25+ Food Gifts Actually Worth Giving
How to Order Healthy at Chipotle
These Are the 7 Healthiest Marinara Sauces You Need to Be Buying
You Can Now Get Your Groceries Delivered From Aldi
Drew Barrymore Just Shared Her Sonic Order, and It’s Totally Relatable
The 12 Best Healthy Products to Buy at Thrive Market, According to Customers
8 Thanksgiving Essentials Coming to Aldi in NovemberI Tried Every Chopped Salad Kit at My Target—This Was My Favorite10 Plant-Based Ingredients You Should Be Buying, Not MakingThe 5 Best Vegan Cheeses to Try10 Must-Have Tips for Online Grocery Shopping Right NowThe Best & Worst Fast-Food Breakfast SandwichesPanera Just Released 2 Healthy Grain Bowls—Here’s What We Thought5 Dietitian-Approved Meals from P.F. Chang’s
8 Thanksgiving Essentials Coming to Aldi in November
I Tried Every Chopped Salad Kit at My Target—This Was My Favorite
10 Plant-Based Ingredients You Should Be Buying, Not Making
The 5 Best Vegan Cheeses to Try
10 Must-Have Tips for Online Grocery Shopping Right Now
The Best & Worst Fast-Food Breakfast Sandwiches
Panera Just Released 2 Healthy Grain Bowls—Here’s What We Thought
5 Dietitian-Approved Meals from P.F. Chang’s
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
