People opt to use Factor Meals for a lot of different reasons. For some it’s to simply save time in the kitchen, but for others it’s to kickstart their weight loss journey.
If you’re wondering whether you can use Factor Meals to lose weight, I can tell you from personal experience that it is possible.
However, there is more to it than simply signing up and eating their meals.
In order to use Factor Meals to lose weight you have to go about it properly or else you won’t see the results you want.
In this article I’m going to explain how to use Factor Meals as a means to help you along your weight loss journey, including which plan to use, how it works, my personal experience, and more.
Food Box HQ Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The results of using Factor Meals for weight loss may vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss program or making any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.
The Importance Of Healthy Weight Loss
We live in an age where there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different diets. Many of which promise extreme changes but often never seem to live up to the hype. I know because I’ve tried many of them.
While losing weight can have numerous health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars, it is very important to approach weight loss in a healthy and sustainable way. Rapid weight loss methods or fad diets may offer quick results, but they can also be harmful to your health in the long run.
One of the most important aspects of healthy weight loss is to aim for a gradual and sustainable rate of weight loss.
What does that mean?
Well, according to the National Institutes For Health (NIH), a healthy rate of weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week. This may not seem like much, but it adds up over time and is much more likely to result in long-term success.
In addition to the rate of weight loss, it is important to consider the quality of the weight loss. Losing weight through healthy eating and regular exercise is much better for your body than crash diets or other extreme measures. These types of healthy lifestyle changes also help you sustain weight loss in the long run.
All of that leads me to this point… Factor Meals alone is not going to be the magic solution to rapid weight loss, but it can be a very helpful tool when used in combination with a healthy and sustainable approach to diet and exercise.
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss, and what works for one person may not work for another. This is especially true for people of different genders and ages.
Therefore, it is essential to listen to your body, work with a professional, and make informed decisions that prioritize your health and well-being. Ultimately, weight loss should be seen as a journey rather than a destination, and the focus should be on creating a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that supports your long-term health goals.
What Factor Meals Is & How It Works
If you’re not already aware, Factor Meals is a pre-made meal delivery service that sends you chef-cooked meals designed by their in-house dieticians. These meals typically include a variety of whole foods, lean proteins, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense ingredients.
In addition to their meals, Factor also offers add-ons through their marketplace. These add-ons range from snacks and cold pressed juices to pre-cooked meats and even desserts.
Factor Meals works as a subscription. That means once you sign up, you will receive meals on a weekly basis. The amount of meals you receive will depend how you initially set-up your plan but you can always go in and make changes at a later date.
You have the ability to choose your meals up until Wednesday at 11:59 PM CST each week. After that, the menu for that week “locks” and, if you haven’t chosen your own meals, Factor will do so for you based on your plan preferences and any previous meals you’ve purchased.
Regardless of the plan you choose, you can cancel your subscription at any time.
The Best Factor Meals Plans For Weight Loss
Factor Meals offers a range of different plans—Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, and Protein Plus.
If you’re looking to use Factor for weight loss, you will only want to consider their Keto and Calorie Smart plans.
Here’s an overview of both…
Factor Meals Keto Plan For Weight Loss
Factor Meals is one of the few meal delivery services I’ve tried that offers a keto plan that actually sticks to a keto diet.
If you’re unfamiliar, keto is a low carbohydrate, high fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years for its potential health benefits, including weight loss. The term “keto” comes from “ketosis,” a metabolic state that occurs when the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates/glucose.
The standard keto diet involves a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake (less than 50 grams per day). This reduction in carbs is accompanied by a corresponding increase in fat intake to make up around 70% of total calories, while protein is reduced to 20% of calories and carbohydrates account for just 10% of total calories.
By making this shift in macronutrient intake, the goal is to induce a state of ketosis, where the body begins to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose.
Foods that are typically emphasized on a keto diet include high-fat sources such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils like olive oil and coconut oil. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables are typically limited or avoided altogether on a keto diet.
In my experience, Factor does a great job of offering keto-friendly meals that are designed to be convenient and tasty. Most of the meals on the keto plan are heavy on high-fat foods such as olive oil, meat, and cheese. They also do a great job of swapping carbohydrate-rich ingredients with low-carb alternatives. For example, they often replace rice in a meal with cauliflower “rice” like in this meal.
What I liked most about Factor’s Keto plan is that the meals, while portion controlled, were filling. This is likely due to them being high fat and fairly high in protein as well, both of which are known for helping you feel full for longer.
Here are a few of my favorite keto meals that Factor offers…
- Herb-Crusted Chicken with Mashed Cauliflower & Toasted Almond Green Beans
- Char-Grilled Burger & Mushroom Cream Sauce with Steamed Spinach, Tomatoes & Parmesan Cauliflower Mash
- Grilled Chicken & Poblano-Cauli Mash with Zucchini-Pepper Medley
I’ve used Factor Meals’ Keto plan in the past to help jump start my own keto diet, which has helped me shed around 6 pounds over the course of a few weeks. Keep in mind that this is on top of my exercise routine as well as eating healthy outside of the Factor meals I eat.
You’ll want to be mindful of the fact that while the keto diet has shown promise for weight loss, it’s not without drawbacks and risks. Some people may experience negative side effects such as fatigue, headaches, mood fluctuations, constipation, and more. It’s also important to be aware that the long-term safety and sustainability of the diet are still being studied.
For those reasons, as well as keto being extremely restrictive, I never follow it for more than 5 to 6 weeks. It’s provided me a good jumpstart for my weight loss goals but I’ve never found it to be sustainable.
Food Box HQ Note: If you’re interested in learning more about keto meal delivery services, you can view more of my favorites here.
Factor Meals Calorie Smart Plan For Weight Loss
Factor Meals Calorie Smart plan offers meals that are designed to be around or less than 550 calories per serving. From personal experience using Factor, I’ve found that most meals on this plan are usually around 400 to 500 calories.
Experts agree that one of the best ways to lose weight by dieting is through a calorie deficit. However, it isn’t as simple as just eating any calorie reduced meals to lose weight. This is because the quality of the food you eat also plays an important role in weight loss and overall health. For example, a meal that is low in calories but high in processed ingredients, added sugars, and unhealthy fats may not provide the same nutritional benefits as a meal that is rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods.
The good news is that Factor’s meals are free from highly processed ingredients, high sugar content, and unhealthy fats. The meals on their Calorie Smart plan tend to be made with lean proteins, whole vegetables, and fairly low-carb sides. This Roasted Garlic Chicken dish is a great example. It comes in at 450 calories and it’s made with grilled chicken breast, green beans, and mashed potatoes.
Although I have successfully lost weight by reducing my calorie intake with the help of Factor Meals’ Calorie Smart plan, I would like to point out a couple of observations from my own experience.
Although I found many of the meals to be filling, I did feel a bit hungry an hour or so later after eating some. However, I discovered that meals with higher protein content, such as chicken breast, kept me feeling fuller for longer periods of time.
Additionally, while the meals on this plan tasted good, I didn’t find them to be as good as the meals on the Keto plan. This is because to reduce the calories in this plan Factor pulls out all of the ingredients that often taste the best but are high in calories (and usually also high in fat).
Here are a few of my favorite Calorie Smart meals that Factor offers…
- Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Risotto with Roasted Carrots (490 calories)
- Italian Sausage & Sweet Peperonata with Roasted Garlic & Herb Potatoes (460 calories)
- Chicken & Mushroom Marsala with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower & Haricots Verts (430 calories)
If you are interested in trying Factor’s Calorie Smart plan to help with your own weight loss goals, I highly recommend referencing this calorie chart from WebMD. It may give you a good reference point for the amount of calories you should intake based on age, gender, activity levels, and more. They also provide recommendations for how many calories you should reduce if you want to lose weight.
Food Box HQ Note: There are other low-calorie meal delivery services out there that you may want to look at. Here are some of my personal favorites.
Alternative Meal Delivery Services To Consider
Factor Meals is not the only option when it comes to weight loss. There are many other weight loss meal delivery services out there, each with their own pros and cons.
If you’re still exploring your options, here are some of the most similar weight loss meal delivery services to Factor Meals that you might want to take a look at…
BistroMD
BistroMD offers personalized plans with the help of dietitians, which can help individuals tailor their diets to their unique needs and weight loss goals. This personalized approach can help individuals achieve long-term success and maintain their weight loss over time.
Their program offers a variety of meal options that cater to different dietary needs, including gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and heart-healthy plans. This level of variety allows people with certain food and dietary restrictions to follow a weight loss program.
Additionally, I found BistroMD’s meals to be fairly flavorful. While they didn’t taste as good as Factor’s I never felt like I was eating “diet food” while using their meal delivery service.
Another perk of their program is that it includes a cheat meal, allowing you to enjoy a day off from the diet without derailing any progress.
Trifecta Nutrition
Trifecta Nutrition is another great option to consider for those interested in using a meal delivery service for weight loss. This is due to the fact that they combine their meal delivery service with a meal/macro tracker and fitness program.
Like Factor, they offer multiple different plans based on your specific diet preferences— keto, paleo, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian. However, unlike Factor, Trifecta also allows you to build your own meals through their Meal Prep plan. This plan gives you the ability to select your own meats, vegetables, and sides to create meals that best fits your dietary and caloric needs.
What really sets Trifecta Nutrition apart from Factor, though, is its emphasis on combining diet and nutrition with fitness through their mobile app. The app enables users to track daily macros, meals, workouts, and more, making it easier to stay on track with weight loss goals. Trifecta Nutrition also offers a comprehensive library of workout routines and movements to support individuals in their fitness journey.
Fresh n Lean
Fresh n Lean is another good option to consider for those seeking a weight loss meal delivery service. This is mainly due to the fact that Fresh n Lean has a huge variety of diet-specific meal plans. This includes keto, paleo, Whole30, Mediterranean diet, vegan, and more.
I’ve found that most of Fresh n Lean’s meals, regardless of the plan, are calorie restricted. By this I mean that you’re likely going to see many meals around or under 450 calories per serving. This makes them a good option for those looking to restrict calories.
While Fresh n Lean offers a great variety of meal plans, they don’t match the amount of meals that Factor offers each week. With Factor you can expect to see upwards of 35 different meals to choose from each week (depending on the plan you go with). With Fresh n Lean, you’ll only see around 20 to 25 (depending on the plan you go with).
Final Thoughts
Factor Meals can be a useful tool for those looking to lose weight, but it is important to choose the right meal plan to achieve your goals. The Keto and Calorie Smart meal plans are dietician-designed to provide a convenient, healthy, and delicious option for those looking to either create a calorie deficit or sustain ketosis while still getting the nutrients their body needs. I’ve personally used both and while I’ve lost more weight on their Keto plan and enjoyed the meals more, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best option for you.
It is important to keep in mind that weight loss is not just about the meals you eat. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle factors can also play a role in weight loss success. It is also important to work with a healthcare professional to ensure that any dietary changes are safe and appropriate for your individual needs and goals.
Ultimately, the key to successful weight loss is finding an approach that works for you and your individual needs and goals. By focusing on whole food, nutrient-dense, calorie-reduced meals and incorporating regular physical activity into your routine, you can create a sustainable approach to weight loss that supports your overall health and well-being.
This was very helpful as I’m now diagnosed a type 2 diabetic. I need to have the best plan for diet and nutrition. I’ve been exercising but I need my diet to be healthy and consistent as well. Thank you for this excellent review and great information!
Thank you, Dee Dee! Here’s a list of our top diabetic meal delivery services. Of course, you’ll want to speak with a medical professional before any decision to make sure it works for your needs.
Why not the protein plus? I try to consume about 90 grams of protein a day.
I’ve noticed that their Protein Plus meals tend to have more calories. That said, they are more filling so it’s definitely up to your personal preferences.
I have a very small freezer & order Factor due to the fact not needing freezer, just refrigerator.I’m senior on fixed income so thought I’d try some others, though Factor meals are to “die for!”. I found your comments to be very helpful,but wish you had told if they require freezer or just frigerator. Thanks for the other helpful information.
Hey MaryAnn, we have an article on freezing Factor Meals here. Hope that helps!
I want to to stop this meal delivery, I thought it was a one time order, I didn’t know I was signing up for these meals every 2 weeks
Hey Tracey, you can cancel Factor Meals any time. Here’s an article that will help.