Best Gluten

Aug 08, 2023

Epicured is our top pick for gluten-free meal delivery

Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT is a New York City-based telehealth registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert.

Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can make finding food options difficult. Fortunately, there are several meal delivery services on the market that cater specifically to gluten-free diets. These services send either meal kits or fully prepared, heat-and-eat meals straight to your doorstep, eliminating multiple steps in the meal planning, shopping, and prepping process.

The best gluten-free meal delivery services offer a wide range of great-tasting gluten-free meals across various cuisines and flavor profiles. They should also provide options for other dietary restrictions, since people with celiac disease may suffer from other food sensitivities as well, such as dairy.Here, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best gluten-free meal delivery services.

Epicured

Epicured takes the top spot on our list as it specifically caters to gluten-free and other similar diets, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and irritable bowel disease (IBD).

Gluten-free meals to support celiac disease, partnerships with the National Celiac Association

Wide range of meal add-ons and ingredient substitutions

Dishes created by a Michelin-starred chef and teacm of medical experts

Meals can be pricey.

Delivery is area-dependent and can be as high as $50

People with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity often have trouble finding menu options, especially when ordering food online. Luckily, Epicured caters specifically to both celiac disease and gluten sensitivities, and a range of people with sensitive digestive systems due to irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). All of Epicured's foods are low-FODMAP, a diet that has been shown to be effective for controlling IBS. FODMAP is an acronym that represents classes of foods that are hard to digest, causing the highest amounts of distress to the body. Since gluten-free diets, in general, have also been shown to benefit people with IBS, Epicured is an excellent two-in-one service for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who also suffer from a digestive condition such as IBS.

A La Carte

Fresh n Lean

Fresh N Lean offers a wide selection of budget-friendly gluten-free meal options for various dietary preferences, including vegan, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30.

Affordable meal prices

Range of different cuisines

Menu rotates weekly

Gluten-free meals also meet needs of multiple popular diets

Some meals were unbalanced and/or bland

No option to choose a delivery date without an extra charge

Fresh N Lean provides a range of nutritious gluten-free meal options. Pricing starts at just $8.49 per serving for the vegan 7-day plan, earning it our pick for the top budget-friendly choice. Fresh N Lean's menu includes options that are suitable for an extensive range of dietary restrictions and preferences. Fresh N Lean provides gluten-free mels, items are GMO-free and organic, and they choose high-quality sources for their ingredients. They opt for fresh seasonal produce in their vegan plans, and all meals exclude dairy except for the Keto plan. Plans offered include vegan standard or low-carb, Mediterranean diet-compliant, Keto, Paleo, Whole30-approved, high-protein, and allergen-friendly (you can choose to exclude a variety of common allergens or even ingredients you dislike). You can also find meals that are appropriate for different health conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, and high cholesterol.

Protein+ Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Keto Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Paleo Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Vegan Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Mediterranean Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Low Carb Vegan Plan (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner)

Whole 30 Plan (includes breakfast/entree)

Refer to the website for a-la-carte and bulk food options. Shipping is free with standard Friday delivery (there is a $40 shipping fee for Alaska and Hawaii customers).

A certified organic company, Green Chef is the best option for those looking for high-quality, responsibly-sourced gluten-free meals that are easy to prepare with simple cooking techniques.

Menu rotates weekly, you can mix and match meals from several plans

Detailed information about meals and nutrition

Some globally inspired recipes

Fantastic promotions especially at sign-up

Limited cuisine options

Can be expensive

Green Chef provides fresh, high-quality meal kits that are CCOF-certified organic. Choose from a wide selection of gluten-free menu offerings that rotate weekly and use organic produce and wild-caught seafood. Paleo + Keto, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, and other meal choices are also available. The dishes we tried were delicious, balanced, and full of flavor, and they were effortless to prepare. Green Chef provides detailed information about its meals and nutrition information, and the majority of the company's packaging is made from recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials. Green Chef offers up to six servings per meal, making it a great choice for families.

Modify Health

Specializing in gluten-free meals, ModifyHealth offers two plans for healthy living: low-FODMAP and Mediterranean/DASH. They provide convenient and nutritious meals that follow dietary restrictions due to celiac disease, IBS, and a variety of chronic health conditions.

Menus designed by dietitians and reccomended by doctors

Options for people following specific diets due to medical conditions

Mediterranean program incorporates the DASH guidleines, developed by scientists for heart health

Expensive

Portion sizes are not ideal for families

Weekly subscription makes cancellation easy, but must remember to order each week's meals 7 days ahead

Menu options are limited and lean towards traditional cuisine

ModifyHealth's goal is to boost your health while appealing to your taste buds. All menu items are prepared carefully in a gluten-free facility, so if you are living with celiac diseaes or gluten sensitivities, they have you covered. Wheat and barley are high in gluten and pesky culprits known to worsen IBS. The low-FODMAP plan aims to minimize the symptoms of IBS and other digestive issues by limiting the usual 5 sugars as well as these grains. ModifyHealth also offers a tasty Mediterranean plan to combat chronic issues like diabetes and heart disease. In 2022, a team of medical and nutritional experts at the U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet as the number one overall healthiest way to eat. A dietary plan known as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) took first place in 2021 and second place in 2022, and ModifyHealth's Mediterranean meals abide by its guidelines. Scientists studied the correlation of diet with high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol to create a balanced meal plan that reduced or reversed these conditions and promote a healthy heart. DASH premiered in 1992 and doctors have been recommending it ever since. Don't let all this talk about health scare you off, as ModifyHealth makes sure healthy does not mean bland or boring. Testers found the dishes balanced and flavorful. Free shipping, the ability to cancel at any time, and prompt customer support add to ModifyHealth's alllure.

The Good Kitchen

The Good Kitchen is our choice for gluten-free eaters who suffer from other food allergies or are following a specific diet plan. Planet-, animal-, and people- friendly. Offers a variety of menu options to suit all tastes, with an emphasis on responsible and humane sourcing, organic ingredients, and environmental sustainability.

Variety of allergen-friendly meal options

Options for other dietary preferences, like keto and paleo

Uses careful sourcing, supports animal welfare, adheres to sustainable practices

Partnership with National University of Natural Medicine, using nutrition research to create medically tailored meals for disease prevention

Prices on the higher side

Menu options limited

It can be challenging to find meal options that are both food allergen-friendly and gluten-free, but The Good Kitchen provides both. The menu items are free of gluten, pure milk, and peanuts, and you can exclude a variety of allergens or taste aversions. Includes options to tailor your diet plan to be vegetarian, Primal Blueprint, Paleo, Whole30, low-fat, Keto, and even Certified Diabetic. Allergen-friendly plans can be egg-free, dairy-free, shellfish-free, and tree nut-free. The meals provide convenience and simplicity as they are all heat-and-eat. The Good Kitchen is passionate about creating delicious and nutritious food for everyone. Their efforts to preserve the environment are evident at every step of their process, from sourcing to shipping. The Good Kitchen values animal welfare, sustainable farming practices, nutrition, their employees, and their customers. They make choices responsibly and with integrity. It is clear they are conscientiousness about their partnerships and sourcing so they understand who and where there ingredients come from and how they were grown or raised. Testers were impressed by the company's overall transparency on these points.

CookUnity boasts a range of chef-prepared meal options from numerous different cuisines, making it our choice for the gluten-free foodie crowd. Other dietary restrictions can also be selected.

Wide range of options for dietary restrictions

Choose meals from several different cuisines

Ability to see which chef made your meal, often local to you

Gluten-free items not made in a certified gluten-free facility

Gluten-free options can be limited depending on your location

Chef, cuisine, and other options vary by location

Partnering with award-winning chefs, like Esther Choi, and Jose Garces CookUnity offers over 300 different dishes that give foodies with dietary restrictions the freedom to enjoy a gourmet meal. Though the options are endless for those without any food sensitivities, it can depend on your location how many gluten-free options there may be. CookUnity's premade, heat-and-eat meals span various cuisine styles, including Indian, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Creole, and Caribbean. You can also sort the menu by multiple dietary preferences, like Paleo, low-calorie, gluten-free, vegan, and low-sodium. The company also lets you know which chef made your meal, allowing you to request meals from your favorite culinarians.

Magic Kitchen

Magic Kitchen caters specifically to the older population with frozen, pre-made meals that accommodate many dietary needs, including gluten-free and low sodium. There is a wide array of gluten-free options and numerous subscription plans giving you maximum flexibility.

Specializes in meals for the older population

Many options for dietary restrictions, including gluten-free

Meal add-ons available

Shipping is $18.95 if you spend less than $100, free if you spend over $125 with the promo code supplied on the delivery page

Meals are traditional in nature, and similar to frozen meal purchased at a grocery store

Magic Kitchen is one of the best options out there for older adults on a gluten-free diet, offering over many meal options that accommodate a range of dietary needs. The company even offers meals designed by a dietitian to meet the specific nutritional requirements for persons 65 and older. Magic Kitchen's menu includes meals for many medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, celiac disease, and kidney/renal disease. You can also purchase gift packages for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and loved ones who are ill or going through hard times. All items arrive frozen.

Snap Kitchen boasts a completely gluten-free menu with meals divided into general high protein and low-carb categories, as well as sections devoted just to Keto and Paleo meals. There are dozens of dishes free of dairy and sugars and consist of healthy proteins and veggies, so many options would also be approved by the Whole30 diet plan. Browsing pics and reading ingredients can tell you which to order if you're plan is based on Whole30. A good place for anyone who wants to limit sugar, dairy, and processed foods, eat cleanly and healthfully, cut carbs, and amp up their protein consumption.

Menu focuses on high protein, low-carb diets

Entire menu is gluten-free

Options for sides and meal add-ons

No vegetarian nor vegan options

Delivery may not be available in your area, you must enter your zipcode to verify

For people eating gluten-free and also follow a low-carb eating plan like the Keto diet, Snap Kitchen offers a variety of dishes that fit both categories. Snap Kitchen's menu is geared toward low-carb, high-protein foods, with options tailored for Keto and Paleo diets and even fit into Whole30 dietary requirements. Nutrition info, ingredients, and meal prep instructions are straightforward and easily accessible, and the company also offers sides and different meal add-ons such as cooked chicken, meatballs, or Angus burger patties for an added dose of protein.

Epicured is our top choice for people following gluten-free diets. Its chef-prepared menu caters to those with digestive conditions, including celiac disease, and all of its meals are both gluten-free and low-FODMAP. You’ll find options for various other food sensitivities such as dairy-, egg-, soy-, and peanut-free menu creations, and the meals are balanced and full of flavor. These factors have all earned Epicured its spot as the best overall in this category.

This depends on the meal service as well as the severity of the individual's condition. Although many meal services offer gluten-free options, these dishes may still contain traces of gluten. In fact, a study found that 32% of foods labeled "gluten-free" were contaminated with gluten; this number was as high as 53.2% in gluten-free pizzas. The safest option is to look for meal delivery services that use a 100% gluten-free or certified gluten-free facility, like Epicured and ModifyHealth.

FODMAP stands for "fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols." These are types of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed, allowing bacteria in the intestine to ferment, which can contribute to IBS symptoms. According to studies, a diet low in FODMAPs is an effective treatment for IBS, with 52% to 86% of patients reporting significant improvement in their symptoms. Several meal delivery services on our list have low-FODMAP options for customers with IBS, such as Epicured and Modify Health.

A gluten-free diet is not meant for weight loss. It is a dietary intervention for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. In fact, a gluten-free diet can actually lead to weight gain for some people. An energy deficit is required for weight loss, and healthy weight loss can be achieved using strategies like calorie restriction, increasing dietary fiber and protein, engaging in regular physical activity, and behavior strategies such as self-monitoring.

This largely depends on your personal budget. Meal delivery pricing will vary based on the meal plans, type/quantity of food ordered, how many people you’re ordering for, and in some cases, the delivery location. All of these factors must be considered when deciding whether a meal service will be cost-effective.

We analyzed 40 different meal delivery services before determining the best ones for this list. Our scoring criteria included meal variety and options, customer experience, pricing, cookability, eating experience, transparency, packaging/sustainability, nutritional value, and the taste and quality of the food. Additional considerations for gluten-free customers included whether companies used a 100% gluten-free or certified gluten-free facility to prepare their meals.

lisegagne / Getty Images

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By Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPTJonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT, owner and founder of Genki Nutrition and practicing registered dietitian nutritionist.He is a certified personal trainer with specializations in sports nutrition, diabetes, weight loss, and managed long-term care.Jonathan is also the New York City and Long Island Media Rep for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.