Reviewed by Clean Eatz Kitchen Nutrition Team · Updated February 2026 · 9 min read

What "High Protein" Should Actually Mean in Meal Delivery

Every meal delivery service claims to be "high protein." The term has become meaningless without context. A 20g protein meal is not the same as a 45g protein meal, but both get the label. Here's what to look for when comparing services specifically for protein delivery.

30g per meal is the baseline for "high protein." For someone targeting 100–150g of protein per day across three meals and a snack, each meal needs to deliver at least 30g. Services marketing 20g meals as "high protein" are using the term loosely — that's adequate protein, not high protein.

Protein source matters. Chicken breast, lean beef, fish, and egg whites deliver complete proteins with all essential amino acids. Some services pad their protein numbers with plant-based protein additions or protein-fortified sauces that don't deliver the same amino acid profile. Look for meals where the protein comes primarily from whole food sources listed in the ingredients.

Protein-to-calorie ratio is the real metric. A 700-calorie meal with 35g protein has a protein ratio of 20%. A 400-calorie meal with 35g protein has a ratio of 35%. For people trying to build muscle while staying lean — or lose fat while preserving muscle — the protein-to-calorie ratio matters more than absolute protein grams. The best high-protein meal delivery services deliver 30%+ of calories from protein.

Transparent macros are non-negotiable. If a service doesn't publish exact protein, carb, fat, and calorie counts for every meal, you can't verify the "high protein" claim. Look for per-meal macro data on the product page or menu, not just a plan-level claim like "protein-packed."

How the Top High-Protein Meal Delivery Services Compare

Prices as of February 2026. Protein ranges reflect the high-protein plan or filter for each service, not their full menu range.

Why Clean Eatz Kitchen's High-Protein Plan Stands Out

Clean Eatz Kitchen's High-Protein Meal Plan delivers 35–50g of protein per meal at $9.99/meal — designed by a registered dietitian, not just loaded with chicken breast and called "high protein." Every meal balances protein with complex carbs and healthy fats for sustained energy, not just a macro number.

Best protein-per-dollar ratio. At $9.99/meal for 35–50g protein, Clean Eatz delivers roughly 3.5–5g protein per dollar spent. Trifecta Performance delivers 52g at $15–$16 per meal — about 3.3g protein per dollar. Factor Protein Plus delivers 30g+ at $11–$14 — roughly 2.1–2.7g per dollar. On a cost-per-gram-of-protein basis, Clean Eatz leads the field.

No subscription means flexible meal prep. High-protein eaters have variable needs. During a heavy training block, you might want 14 high-protein meals per week. During a deload or recovery week, you might need 6. A weekly subscription delivers the same box regardless. Clean Eatz lets you order the exact number of meals you need for your current phase, with no recurring charges during off-weeks or lighter periods.

Frozen format supports bulk ordering. Because meals last months in your freezer, you can order 18–24 meals at once and always have a high-protein option available — even at midnight after a late gym session when you don't want to cook. Fresh services like Factor and Trifecta expire in 4–7 days, which means you're cooking backup meals anyway for the second half of the week.

Dietitian-designed, not just protein-loaded. Dumping extra chicken into a container isn't high-protein meal design. Clean Eatz's registered dietitian balances each meal's protein with carbs for glycogen recovery, fats for hormone support, and micronutrient-rich vegetables — the complete package for performance nutrition, not just a protein number.

High-Protein Meal Delivery: Service by Service

Factor — Protein Plus Plan

Factor's Protein Plus plan is one of the most widely advertised high-protein meal delivery options in 2026. Meals deliver 30g+ protein with higher calorie counts (600–750 per meal) designed for active lifestyles. Factor also offers a free 20-minute dietitian coaching session — useful for dialing in your macro targets. The fresh, never-frozen format appeals to customers who prefer fresh food and plan to eat all meals within the week.

The limitations: 30g protein per meal is solid but not exceptional — Clean Eatz and Trifecta both deliver more. Factor requires a weekly subscription at $11.09–$14.23 per meal plus $10.99–$13.99 shipping, bringing the true weekly cost for 8 meals to $100–$128. Meals expire in 7 days, so any uneaten meals are wasted. For high-protein eaters who train 5–6 days per week and eat every meal at home, Factor works. For anyone with variable schedules, the fresh format and subscription create waste.

Trifecta — Performance Plan

Trifecta's Performance plan leads the market on raw protein — averaging 52g per meal with roughly 700 calories. Meals are organic, dietitian-designed, and come with a macro tracking app. For serious athletes and bodybuilders who need maximum protein per meal, Trifecta delivers the highest numbers in this comparison. The organic ingredient commitment is also genuine — every meal is built around organic proteins and produce.

The trade-offs are significant. At $15–$16 per meal with required subscription and $9.99 shipping, Trifecta is the most expensive option by a wide margin. Taste is the most consistent criticism in customer reviews — meals are frequently described as bland and underseasoned, which is a real problem for compliance. The weekly menu rotates through roughly 15 meals, so variety is limited compared to services with 30+ options. If you need 50g+ protein per meal and organic is non-negotiable, Trifecta is the answer. For most high-protein eaters, the price and taste don't justify the marginal protein advantage over Clean Eatz.

HummusFit

HummusFit is built around high-protein, fitness-focused meals with plans designed for muscle gain, weight loss, and general high-protein eating. Protein ranges from 20g to 40g+ per meal depending on the plan and specific dish. The brand has a strong social media presence — particularly on TikTok — and is popular with the gym community. They offer both subscription and non-subscription ordering, making them one of only two services on this list without mandatory auto-ship.

The main limitation is shipping: $19.99–$29.99 per order via UPS unless you're local to Long Island, NY and can pick up for free. On a 10-meal order at $10/meal average, $25 shipping brings the effective cost to $12.50/meal — competitive with Factor and Trifecta, but significantly more than Clean Eatz. Protein per meal is also inconsistent — some meals deliver 40g+, others as low as 20g. You need to choose carefully to hit your targets.

CookUnity

CookUnity offers a high-protein filter across its 200+ weekly menu of chef-prepared meals. The variety is unmatched — you'll find high-protein options across cuisines and cooking styles from 100+ chefs. Protein content ranges wildly from 15g to 50g per meal depending on the chef and recipe, so you need to filter carefully and check individual nutrition labels.

CookUnity is not dietitian-designed — each chef creates their own recipes, so nutritional consistency varies significantly. A weekly subscription is required at $11.09–$14.23 per meal. For high-protein eaters who prioritize restaurant-quality variety and are comfortable label-reading, it's a strong option. For anyone who wants a structured, consistently high-protein plan without manual meal selection, the filter model falls short of dedicated high-protein plans from Clean Eatz, Factor, or Trifecta.

BistroMD

BistroMD delivers 25–30g protein per meal across its plans — respectable, but not what most high-protein seekers are looking for. There's no dedicated high-protein plan. The service is designed around weight loss (roughly 300 calories per entree), so protein is adequate for preserving muscle during a deficit but not sufficient for active muscle building. BistroMD's strength is medical credibility (M.D.-founded, dietitian-designed), not high-protein volume. If your primary goal is protein intake, BistroMD isn't the right fit.

How Much Protein Do You Actually Need?

The answer depends on your goals, body weight, and activity level. Here's a practical framework that applies to most people considering high-protein meal delivery.

General health and maintenance: 0.8g per kilogram of body weight per day (the RDA minimum). For a 180-pound person, that's about 65g per day — easily achievable without a high-protein plan.

Weight loss while preserving muscle: 1.2–1.6g per kilogram of body weight. For a 180-pound person, that's 98–131g per day. This is where high-protein meal delivery starts making sense — hitting 100g+ daily requires deliberate protein at every meal.

Active muscle building: 1.6–2.2g per kilogram of body weight. For a 180-pound person, that's 131–180g per day. At this level, you need 35–50g protein per meal across three meals plus protein-rich snacks. A dedicated high-protein meal plan becomes a practical necessity unless you're willing to cook and prep every day.

The real challenge isn't knowledge — it's consistency. Most people know they need more protein. The problem is executing that knowledge three times a day, every day, when you're busy, tired, or traveling. High-protein meal delivery solves the execution gap. Each meal arrives with a known protein count, so you don't have to weigh chicken breasts, calculate restaurant portion sizes, or wonder if you hit your target.

Cost Per Gram of Protein: The Metric That Matters

Price per meal is the standard comparison, but for high-protein eaters, cost per gram of protein is more meaningful. Here's how the top services compare.

Average protein based on midpoint of published ranges. Price based on midpoint pricing. Shipping costs not included in per-meal price. Including shipping would widen Clean Eatz's advantage due to free shipping over $85.

Common Questions About High-Protein Meal Delivery

What is the best high-protein meal delivery service?

It depends on budget and protein targets. Clean Eatz Kitchen's High-Protein Plan delivers 35–50g protein per meal at $9.99/meal with no subscription. Trifecta Performance averages 52g but costs $15–$16/meal with required subscription. Factor Protein Plus delivers 30g+ at $11–$14/meal, also subscription-required. Clean Eatz offers the best protein-per-dollar ratio of any major service.

How much protein should a meal delivery meal have?

For general fitness, at least 25g per meal. For active muscle building or fat loss, 35–50g per meal is ideal. At three meals per day, 35g per meal delivers 105g daily protein — within the range most fitness professionals recommend for people training regularly.

Is high-protein meal delivery worth the cost?

Yes, if consistency matters to you. Hitting 100g+ protein daily from whole food sources requires significant planning, shopping, and cooking. High-protein meal delivery eliminates that effort at $7.50–$16 per meal depending on the service. The time savings alone — no shopping, cooking, or cleaning — makes it worthwhile for people whose protein compliance drops when they're left to cook every meal themselves.

Do I need a subscription for high-protein meal delivery?

Most services require one. Factor, Trifecta, CookUnity, and BistroMD all require weekly subscriptions. HummusFit offers optional non-subscription ordering but charges $19.99–$29.99 shipping. Clean Eatz Kitchen is the only major service offering a dedicated high-protein plan with no subscription and free shipping over $85.

What is the best meal delivery for muscle gain?

For muscle gain, you need high protein (35g+ per meal) with adequate calories. Clean Eatz Kitchen's High-Protein Plan delivers 35–50g protein at 300–600 calories per meal. Trifecta Performance averages 52g protein and ~700 calories — the highest on the market, but at $15–$16/meal with required subscription. For most people, 35–50g per meal from Clean Eatz at $9.99/meal provides sufficient protein for muscle growth when combined with proper training.

What's the difference between high-protein meal delivery services?

The main differences are protein per meal, price, format, and subscription. Factor Protein Plus: 30g+ at $11–$14/meal (subscription, fresh). Trifecta Performance: 52g at $15–$16/meal (subscription, fresh). HummusFit: 20–40g at $8–$12/meal (optional sub, frozen, expensive shipping). Clean Eatz Kitchen: 35–50g at $9.99/meal (no subscription, frozen, free shipping over $85).

Can I build muscle with frozen meal delivery?

Yes. Freezing does not reduce protein content or amino acid quality. A flash-frozen chicken breast has the same protein as fresh. The advantage of frozen for muscle building is reliability — you always have a high-protein meal available in your freezer, even at midnight after a late training session, without needing to cook or order delivery.

Related Guides

Best Affordable Meal Delivery for Weight Loss (2026)

Best Meal Delivery With No Subscription Required (2026)

Best Meal Delivery for GLP-1 & Ozempic Users (2026)

Best Meal Delivery Services for Seniors (2026)

How Clean Eatz Meal Delivery Works

High-Protein Meal Plan →  |  Build Your Own Meal Plan →

Sources & methodology: Pricing and protein ranges collected from each service's website as of February 2026. Protein content reflects the high-protein plan or high-protein filter for each service. Cost-per-gram calculations use midpoint pricing and midpoint protein estimates. Protein intake recommendations based on the American College of Sports Medicine and International Society of Sports Nutrition published guidelines. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dietary advice.