What to Buy Food, Beverages & Meal Kits The Best AIP Meal Delivery Services for Beginners Learn what food services can help take the guesswork out of an autoimmune protocol diet. By Tori Martinet, RS, MD Tori Martinet, RS, MD Tori Martinet is a licensed registered dietitian based in Indiana who works with corporate clients, individuals, and athletes. health's editorial guidelines Published on April 3, 2023 Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian with Practical Nutrition, LLC. She also works as a bilingual telehealth dietitian for Vida Health Program. learn more Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on Pinterest Email this page We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Managing an autoimmune condition can be multifaceted, and while there’s no doubt that diet can play a role, the exact impact of specific foods isn’t always as clear. For this reason, some are looking to the AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet for assistance. This diet includes a very strict elimination phase, followed by a reintroduction phase, thought to help identify trigger foods. While there’s very little clinical evidence to support the use of this diet, it is one option to consider and discuss with your health care provider. If you do choose to undertake the diet, these AIP meal delivery services could be of assistance to you, especially for managing the difficulties of the elimination phase of the diet. A registered dietician from our Medical Expert Board has reviewed this article for medical accuracy and claims. The 8 Best AIP Meal Delivery Services of 2023 Best Variety: Paleo On The Go Best Meal Kits: Green Chef Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity Best Gourmet: Pete’s Real Food Best for Fitness: Trifecta Best High Protein: Fresh N Lean Best Organic: Sunbasket Best Allergy Friendly: The Good Kitchen The Best AIP Meal Delivery Services for Beginners View All The Best AIP Meal Delivery Services for Beginners Our Top Picks Paleo On The Go Green Chef CookUnity Pete’s Real Food Trifecta Fresh N Lean Sunbasket The Good Kitchen See More (5) Final Thoughts Compare the Best AIP Meal Delivery Services Guide to Choosing the Best AIP Meal Delivery Service FAQs Methodology Best Variety : Paleo On The Go Paleo On The Go Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $15.93 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Frozen Why You Should Try It These AIP-compliant and paleo-friendly meals are here to cover you across all meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks and baked goodies. Pros and Cons Pros Fully AIP-compliant menu Breakfast and dessert options Subscribe and save Cons No substitution or customization Pricey Overview Paleo On The Go is all about crafting paleo and AIP-compliant meals so you can get on with your diet without completely missing out on foods you love. The savory meals rely heavily on animal proteins, root vegetables, and substitute ingredients like rice tortillas, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to choose from with dishes like smoked pork carnitas tacos with “pico” and cauliflower “rice” or Greek lamb moussaka. There’s even an assortment of AIP-focused baked goods, both sweet and savory, so you’ll be able to enjoy a chicken potpie or try out a vanilla chai donut if you like. Meals We Tried Homemade chicken potpieBacon apple chicken burger with maple cranberry sauce and collard greens with smoky baconCoq au vin with herb-mashed Japanese white sweet potatoesSalisbury steak with mushroom gravy and onion confit cauliflower mash Moo shoo pork tacosGerman brats with sauerkraut and home-fried potatoesPolish stuffed cabbage rollsThai basil shrimp Best Meal Kits : Green Chef Green Chef Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.99 per servingDelivery Area: 48 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Meal kits from Green Chef pack in plants and proteins, making it easy to find meals that work with an AIP diet while helping you make cooking at home more convenient. Pros and Cons Pros Certified organic Plant-filled meals Lots of grain substitutes Meal kits are customizable at home Cons No AIP-specific meals Overview While there aren’t necessarily AIP-specific meals from Green Chef, there are plenty of options that would be easily customizable at home to make them work, and it may be worth the convenience and quality to give it a look. By omitting a crema or pistachio topping, you can enjoy dishes like Middle Eastern-style beef bowls with cauliflower rice, or turkey coconut curry soup. As you incorporate ingredients and exit the “elimination phase,” we think Green Chef is also a delicious option to grow into, with quality ingredients like house-made spice blends and organic produce. Meals We Tried Harissa-spiced shrimp Sesame ginger bavette steak and shrimp Middle Eastern-style chickpea bowls Maple-glazed carrots with figs Best Prepared Meals : CookUnity Cook Unity Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.39 per servingDelivery Area: 47 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It CookUnity is a crowd-pleaser in the prepared meal category, with restaurant-quality execution and many dietary accommodations. Pros and Cons Pros Extensive menus of options Always fresh and high quality High-level culinary execution Easily searchable diet filters Cons Need an active subscription to view menu filters Overview While enjoying your favorite restaurants and takeout spots while on an AIP protocol may seem out of reach, CookUnity is an incredible substitute option. You can easily find alternatives to meet your dietary needs with a menu that rivals your favorite local eateries and search filters for paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and more. Enjoy meals like slow-roasted cod with bell peppers and micro greens or garlic hanger steak with vegetables and cilantro-avocado sauce, always delivered fresh to your front door. Meals We Tried Coconut lime hanger steakCarnitas street tacosButternut squash ravioliChili-roasted shrimp Best Gourmet : Pete’s Real Food Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $15.60 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It This meal delivery service is strictly paleo and AIP friendly, and the meals are chef-prepared and feature seasonal ingredients. Pros and Cons Pros Choose the plan or mix and match your meals AIP-friendly search filter Chef-crafted meals Cons Can’t select meals on plan Overview Pete’s Real Food specializes in multiple diet-friendly meals, including paleo and AIP-friendly plans. The focus here is not just on eliminating undesired ingredients but also on prioritizing a culinary experience with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, chef-crafted flavors, and meals that are delivered fresh for maximum enjoyment. We recommend the mix-and-match options with the AIP filter to view what Pete’s has to offer. Meals We Tried Grilled chicken with sautéed cabbage and green goddess potato saladChicken chili with oven-roasted tomatoes and spaghetti squashBeef stroganoff over sweet potato noodlesChicken meatballs with cauliflower mash and sweet potato friesTurkey burgers with lemon garlic asparagus and roasted purple potato wedges Best for Fitness : Trifecta Trifecta. Trifecta Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $12.80 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Trifecta’s paleo meal plan includes nutritionally balanced meals that may fit your AIP diet while supporting your needs in fitness. Pros and Cons Pros Choose paleo plan or BYO meal prep Good on flavors overall Dietitians on staff Can indicate some additional avoidances Cons Can’t select dishes on plans Overview Trifecta’s meal plans are designed to be a no-brainer; pick your plan and how many meals you want per week, and the rest is on autopilot. We recommend checking out the paleo plan as a starting point for those who want AIP-friendly meals. While the experts are choosing meals for you on the various plans, that may mean you’ll need to indicate other ingredients you want to avoid, or you can select the meal prep option where you choose your protein and sides for yourself. Meals We Tried Kung pao grilled chicken with broccoli and roasted sweet potatoBeef skillet with roasted sweet potato and marinated cabbageHerb-roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetablesSlow-cooked rosemary thyme beef with root vegetablesSalmon Mexican bowl with tomato salsa and vegetablesGinger shrimp with herb-marinated sweet potatoCajun chicken andouille sausage and roasted vegetables Best High Protein : Fresh N Lean Fresh n' Lean Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $10.66 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Fresh N Lean really gives you your money’s worth with its reasonably priced meal plans designed to provide you with adequate protein intake. Pros and Cons Pros Paleo meal plan option Protein priorities across all plans Transparent sourcing Fridge or freezer to table in minutes Cons No customization options Overview The paleo plan from Fresh N Lean is a great place to start if you’re looking for protein-packed options while undertaking the AIP diet. The paleo plan is free from grains, dairy, gluten, and added sugars, and while you may need to avoid certain common ingredients like seeds, you can easily do this during meal selection. Meals arrive every Friday, but you can adjust to a later date if you prefer, and this service is one of the few that’s accessible across all 50 states. Meals We Tried Grilled shrimp with caper dill aioli and roasted winter squashMoroccan mint grass-fed steak with spiced cauliflower and brown riceTikka chicken with turmeric-roasted cauliflower and quinoaBBQ turkey meatballs with white beansCajun salmon with Yukon potato and tomato rice Best Organic : Sunbasket Sunbasket Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.50 per servingDelivery Area: 46 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Sunbasket’s commitment to sourcing starts with organic and takes it a step further, with attention to detail in sourcing high-quality and sustainable meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and more. Pros and Cons Pros Environmentally conscious sourcing Meal kits and add-ons Semi-customizable kits Cons Not everything is AIP friendly Overview Meals from Sunbasket are not only enticing from a flavor perspective but also bring a lot to the table for those following an AIP-specific diet. While you may want to initially omit certain ingredients like nuts and seeds until you can determine if those are problematic foods, quite a few meals from Sunbasket’s paleo-style kits will work with the protocol. We love the sound of the Mediterranean-style halibut with artichoke hearts and olives, or a chipotle butternut squash stew with chorizo, especially if the prep is made that much easier with a meal kit. Meals We Tried Meal Kits Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinachSnapper with romesco, vegetables, and almondsBurmese chicken and sweet potato currySirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa Prepared Meals Broccoli mac and cheeseChicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlicBeef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetablesBurrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef Best Allergy Friendly : The Good Kitchen The Good Kitchen. The Good Kitchen Sign Up Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11.50 per servingDelivery Area: 50 statesProducts Arrive: Fresh Why You Should Try It Just because you’re following the AIP diet doesn’t mean you don’t have other foods you need to avoid, and that’s just where The Good Kitchen comes in, allowing customization for your exact needs. Pros and Cons Pros Meals are fresh and ready in minutes Can order proteins and sides family style Use the “allergen card” to note food allergies Dietitians on staff to support food production Cons Must create an account to preview the menu and all diets Overview Meals from The Good Kitchen start out free of gluten, refined sugar, dairy, and soy, giving you a great starting point for following AIP protocols. Selecting either the “Whole30” or “Paleo” filters will narrow down the options further, and from there you can select meals that work for wherever you’re at in your diet journey. If you need to include additional allergen avoidances, simply head to your dashboard and enter your “ingredients to avoid” in any upcoming deliveries. Meals We Tried Beef shepherd's pieBison and beef sloppy Joe with potato leek gratinChicken satay with cilantro rice and broccoliChili lime chicken with fajita veg and cilantro cauliflower riceMiso-glazed wild boar meatballs and hibachi zucchiniTomato, asparagus, and spinach frittata with Yukon potato hash Final Thoughts If you’re interested in diving into the AIP diet, we highly recommend doing so with the support of your health care team—and some of our favorite meal delivery services. While the diet may be heavily restricted, there’s nothing to say you can’t enjoy the convenience of prepared meals or the deliciousness of gourmet cooking while you work to improve your health. Compare the Best AIP Meal Delivery Services Company Starting Price Delivery Area Products Arrive Customers Can Choose Delivery Date? Free Shipping Best Variety: Paleo On The Go $15.93 per serving 50 states Frozen No No Best Meal Kits: Green Chef $11.99 per serving 48 states Fresh Yes No Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity $10.39 per serving 47 states Fresh Yes No Best Gourmet: Pete’s Real Food $15.60 per serving 50 states Fresh No No Best for Fitness: Trifecta $12.80 per serving 50 states Fresh No No Best High Protein: Fresh N Lean $10.66 per serving 50 states Fresh No No Best Organic: Sunbasket $9.99 per serving 46 states Fresh Yes No Best Allergy Friendly: The Good Kitchen $11.50 per serving 50 states Fresh Yes No Guide to Choosing the Best AIP Meal Delivery Service What to Consider Price/Cost Per Meal: Price ranges can vary depending on quantities purchased, sourcing of ingredients, and more. Be sure to know your budget before shopping for the right AIP meal delivery service. Number of Meals Per Delivery: Most services will have a minimum order quantity, so be sure to know what quantity of meals you need as you go to place your order. Flexibility: Most services will allow for the flexibility of skipping weeks, pausing membership, and canceling easily, enhancing the customer experience, but be sure to know your service’s weekly cutoff times so you don’t get charged for food you don’t need. Menu Selection: Certain services don’t allow you to select your own meals and operate from a set menu of options. If you’re more of a selective eater, or simply want the control of choosing your own meals, make sure you opt for a service that allows that. Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: While the elimination protocols of the AIP diet are likely to eliminate other potentially sensitive ingredients, it’s certainly possible that you may have allergies or other avoidances in the mix. Ensure you’ve selected a company that can meet all of your needs before you order. What Are AIP Meals? AIP meals are those that meet the requirements of the autoimmune protocol diet, meaning those that do not contain any of the restricted ingredients or foods. These meals can take shape in many ways, with many components, so long as they’re on the list of approved options. How to Start an AIP Diet The best place to start any diet, especially one as restrictive and with as little scientific evidence behind it as the AIP diet, is with a trip to your doctor or dietitian. Undertaking a diet of this kind, especially for individuals with autoimmune considerations, can have negative side effects such as weight loss or nutrient deficiency, so it’s always best to check in and undertake these diets with medical supervision. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Difference Between the AIP Diet and Paleo? The AIP diet seems to have been derived from the paleo diet, though they are not identical. Both diets have similar exclusions; however, the paleo diet is considered to be for general use, while the AIP is regarded as an elimination diet, used to identify foods that may trigger autoimmune responses in some people. Neither diet is widely accepted as medically relevant, and while some elements are supported by science, both lack evidence for recommendation. What Foods Should You Avoid on an AIP Diet? During the elimination phase of the AIP diet, one is told to avoid all grains, all gluten, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy, refined oils, refined sugar, sugar substitutes, alcohol, caffeine, and generally all processed foods. How Long Do You Use the AIP Diet? Commonly, the “elimination phase” of the diet would last between four to 12 weeks, and in subsequent weeks certain foods would be reintroduced one at a time while monitoring symptoms. Typically, one would try between one and two eliminated foods per week, with well-tolerated foods being reintegrated into the diet as you move forward, meaning the diet could last upward of six months, depending on how reintroduction is handled. We recommend that this be done under the supervision of a health care professional like a dietitian, as many factors can impact symptoms, and it may be challenging to track and identify triggers on your own. Methodology Our team of experts was given the task of ordering, cooking, and reviewing over 40 different meal delivery services. Each company was analyzed based on its approach to nutrition, sustainability, quality, taste, cookability, and information transparency. Services are ranked according to how well they scored during testing and included in our “best” lists based on how well they prioritized the needs of the diet. 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