What Is Considered a Low-Sodium Meal?

This truly varies by individual, as low-sodium restrictions rarely get down to the meal-by-meal level but rather refer to how much sodium should be consumed over the course of a day. In general, you can take the daily value of sodium that is your target and divide it among three meals and two snacks per day to get the average amount you’ll want to aim for.

Who Should Consider a Low-Sodium Diet?

Low-sodium diets are often recommended for conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), other forms of cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease, among others. In order to decide if a low-sodium diet is right for you, we recommend seeking out a health care professional to determine if the diet is necessary and effective for any conditions you may have.

What Should You Eat on a Low-Sodium Diet?

Most unprepared and unprocessed foods can be consumed without concern for excessive sodium, such as fruits and vegetables, whole cuts of meat (rather than pre-marinated or precooked), fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts. However, bear in mind that these foods, when prepared, likely have sodium added to them. When consuming certain dairy items, bread and baked goods, soups, lunch meats, prepared sauces, and other commonly sodium-rich foods, be sure to check labels and look for the “low sodium” stamp.

How Can You Make Low-Sodium Food Taste Better?

A common complaint about low-sodium food is a lack of flavor, and while nothing can exactly replicate salt, there are other ways to enhance food without increasing sodium. One incredible ingredient is monosodium glutamate (aka MSG), which is widely available and naturally enhances flavor — especially savory notes, which can be the hardest to replicate. In addition, using fresh or dried herbs, additional spices, and ingredients with tartness (like vinegar and citrus) can impart flavor and increase your enjoyment of a low-sodium meal.

Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services of 2023

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Managing a low-sodium diet can be an intimidating and time-consuming task — especially if you’re new to it. It can seem like sodium is everywhere, and there’s not much allowed on your plate. Luckily, low-sodium meal delivery services are here to help, not only with managing your dietary restrictions but also with bringing you tasty and effortless meals. Whether your main concern is getting dietitian support or getting the most meal variety possible, there’s a service to fit your needs. Here, we’ve rounded up our selections for the best low-sodium meal delivery services.

Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Best Overall: Sunbasket
Best Variety: Hungryroot
Best Plant-Based: Splendid Spoon
Best Prepared: Snap Kitchen
Best for Medical Support: bistroMD
Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen

Best Overall : Sunbasket

Sunbasket

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $11.49 per serving
Delivery Area: 46 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

Sunbasket is always a crowd-pleaser with its convenient, flavorful, and health-driven meal kits and add-ons.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Meal kits offer lower-sodium choices and more control over added salt
Meals may be customizable
Options for add-on groceries

Cons

Prepared meals are higher in sodium

Overview

While Sunbasket may not have a fully low-sodium meal plan, we love that the company’s conveniently portioned, cook-at-home kits offer a lot of options to reduce or eliminate unwanted sodium. Sunbasket focuses on health and sustainability, offering quality ingredients, eco-friendly sourcing, and the nutrition information you need before you purchase. If you’ve got dinners covered with the meal kits, we highly recommend looking through the list of grocery items and add-ons to make other mealtimes easier, too.

Pricing and Plans

Fresh and Ready: start at $9.99 per serving
Meal kits: start at $11.99 per serving

Meals We Tried

Meal Kits

Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Snapper with romesco, vegetables, and almonds
Burmese chicken and sweet potato curry
Sirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa

Prepared Meals

Broccoli mac and cheese
Chicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlic
Beef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetables
Burrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef

Best Variety : Hungryroot

Hungry Root

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $10 per serving
Delivery Area: 50 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

We loved Hungryroot’s selection of ready-in-minutes meals that are big on convenience and flavor while still prioritizing health.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easily searchable recipe database
Meals come together quickly
Credits can be used for meal kits or groceries

Cons

Meals may be too basic for some
Ordering system can be confusing

Overview

Even with its seemingly endless quantity of recipes and grocery items, you can easily find what you’re looking for with Hungryroot’s search filters and readily available nutrition information. The menu is filled with everything from mains and sides to tacos, stir-fries, salads, wraps, flatbreads, grain bowls, and more. We love Hungryroot for the busy but health-conscious person who wants the freshness of a homemade meal without spending a ton of time in the kitchen.

Pricing and Plans

2 servings with 8 recipes: $9.69 per serving
2 servings with 7 recipes: $9.69 per serving
2 servings with 6 recipes: $10.29 per serving
2 servings with 5 recipes: $10.89 per serving
2 servings with 4 recipes: $11.39 per serving
2 servings with 3 recipes: $11.39 per serving
4 servings with 4 recipes: $9.69 per serving
4 servings with 3 recipes: $9.69 per serving
4 servings with 2 recipes: $10.29 per serving

Meals We Tried

Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni
Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels sprouts
Southwest chicken and rainbow veggie tacos
Thai peanut beef and broccoli stir-fry

Best Plant-Based : Splendid Spoon

Splendid Spoon

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $10 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

Our testers enjoyed Splendid Spoon’s selection of fully prepared plant-based meals with lower-sodium content.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Lower-sodium meals and snacks
Easily searchable online menu
Fully plant-based

Cons

Heavy on packaging

Overview

If you’re excited by the sound of a coconut curry rice bowl with kale and cashews, or a warming bowl of vegetable Bolognese, you may want to give the lower-sodium menu from Splendid Spoon a try. This meal delivery service is totally plant-based and has a substantial menu of noodle bowls, soups and grain bowls, dishes, smoothies, and extras, many of which meet the criteria for “lower sodium,” or “12% of daily value or less per serving.” In fact, with over 15 different search filters based around dietary needs and avoidances, we’re pretty confident that Splendid Spoon has something for everyone.

Pricing and Plans

Two-Person Menu

3 meals per week: $13.49 per serving
4 meals per week: $12.99 per serving

Four-Person Menu

2 meals per week: $12.99 per serving
3 meals per week: $12.49 per serving
4 meals per week: $11.99 per serving

Six-Person Menu

3 or 4 meals per week: $11.99 per serving

Meals We Tried

Smoothies

Cacao almond
Blackberry basil
Green matcha
Power greens
Raspberry cacao

Soups

Red lentil dal
Green tomatillo chili
Lentil and kale
Kimchi fried quinoa
Cauliflower tikka
Cauliflower potato
Butternut turmeric
Garden minestrone

Best Prepared : Snap Kitchen

Snap Kitchen

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $11.34 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

Snap Kitchen makes it easy to moderate sodium intake with prepared meals and snacks to support you at any time of the day.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Fully prepared meals that heat up in minutes
Nutrient-friendly menu filters
Free shipping

Cons

Smaller menu compared to other services

Overview

Managing sodium content can be one of the most challenging parts of creating prepared foods, which makes us all the more impressed with the offerings from Snap Kitchen. With breakfasts, entrées, and snacks in line with its “moderate sodium” and “sodium conscious” filters, it’s easy to find delicious prepared meals that offer both convenience and attention to salt content for those who need it. Enjoy tasty dishes like Korean BBQ meatballs with sesame broccoli and carrots, or chicken piccata with garlic-roasted cauliflower.

Pricing and Plans

6 meals per week: $13.84 per meal
12 meals per week: $11.34 per meal

Meals We Tried

Baked ziti with Italian beef sausage
Stir-fry chicken and broccoli with garlic sauce
Chicken vermicelli bowl with Vietnamese dipping sauce
Herb butter steak with bacon-roasted Brussels sprouts
Shawarma chicken bowl with lemon tahini sauce
Peach BBQ brisket with loaded cauliflower

Best for Medical Support : bistroMD

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $11 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It

Our experts were impressed with bistroMD’s attention to detail on diets, as well as the availability of expert support.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Diet-friendly meals designed by medical professionals
Convenient heat-and-eat options
Dietitian support available

Cons

No self-select option for meals

Overview

BistroMD is designed to provide structure and ease with its zero-effort meal program designed by physicians. Several of bistroMD’s diet plans will work with a low-sodium requirement, and all that remains for you to do is decide how many meals you want per week. Additionally, there are easy options for getting support from dietitians, in case you’re still learning how to eat for your health outside of bistroMD’s plan.

Pricing and Plans

Full program 7 days: $219.80 (includes 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners)
Full program 5 days: $187.35 (includes 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners)
Lunch and dinner 7 days: $188.86 (includes 7 lunches and 7 dinners)
Lunch and dinner 5 days: $149.90 (includes 5 lunches and 5 dinners)

Meals We Tried

Chicken, rice, and cheddar casserole
Salmon with dill mustard sauce
Turkey breast with cranberry apple chutney
Oven-fried catfish with spicy tomato leek sauce
Baked pasta marinara with chicken sausage
Meatloaf with honey bourbon glaze
Mojo pork with black beans and rice
Chicken pad Thai
Grilled salmon with creamy pesto
Lasagna with garden marinara

Best for Seniors : Magic Kitchen

Magic Kitchen

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Key Specs

Starting Price: $12 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It

Catering to the dietary needs of seniors, Magic Kitchen gave our testers plenty of meals to choose from without compromising on specialty diet accommodations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Multiple diets accommodated
Wide selection of menu options
Meals can be covered by certain insurance plans

Cons

Portions may be smaller
Can’t choose delivery date

Overview

Magic Kitchen really has a lot to offer to seniors, with over 10 dietary accommodations, plus the ability to self-select meals à la carte or as a part of a “complete meal,” which includes main dishes and sides placed together. Subscriptions are available for this prepared meal delivery service, and there is even an option to have some of your meals covered by your health insurance.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing varies by meal item and quantity purchased, with individual meals, bundles and “complete meals” available. Entrées start at $12 per serving, and shipping costs vary by location.

Meals We Tried

Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinach
Beef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blend
Balsamic-glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans
Chili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets

Final Verdict

Sunbasket’s food is anything but the flavorless and clinical image that comes to mind when you hear the words “low-sodium diet.” Colorful, creative, and globally inspired meal kits make it easy to moderate sodium intake without sacrificing flavor, and they’re a great fit for families, too.

Compare the Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services

Company	Starting Price	Delivery Area	Products Arrive	Customers Can Choose Delivery Date?	Free Shipping?
Best Overall: Sunbasket	$11.49 per serving	46 states	Fresh	Yes	No
Best Variety: Hungryroot	$10 per serving	50 states	Fresh	Yes	No
Best Plant-Based: Splendid Spoon	$10 per serving	48 states	Fresh	Yes	Yes
Best Prepared: Snap Kitchen	$11.34 per serving	48 states	Fresh	No	No
Best for Medical Support: bistroMD	$11 per serving	48 states	Frozen	No	No
Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen	$12 per serving	48 states	Frozen	No	No

Guide to Choosing the Best Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Service

What to Consider

Price/Cost per Meal: Consider pricing per meal carefully, as it can vary widely by service. Be sure to have an idea of what you are looking to spend per meal as you shop around.
Number of Meals per Delivery: Some services will provide three meals per day for seven days per week, while others are more geared toward providing a few dinners and some extras to get you through the week.
Flexibility: Unfortunately, low-sodium diets can be one of the most challenging to follow successfully, especially if you’re eating prepared foods or dining out. Meal delivery services are a great way to ensure you’re receiving a lower-sodium intake but getting more flexibility and variety than you could do on your own.
Menu Selection: Most of our favorite services for low-sodium meal delivery allow customers to choose their own meals, but if you’re looking to put something on autopilot, there are several companies that let the professionals choose meals for you instead.
Nutrition Goals/Dietary Restrictions: Low-sodium meal delivery services may also work with additional dietary restrictions — especially some of our recommendations for seniors or medical assistance.

Are Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Services Right for You?

If you’re considering how best to approach a low-sodium diet, and are not well-versed in the sodium content of foods, you may want to consider a low-sodium meal delivery service. These are especially helpful if you’re new to the diet and learning, or if you’re managing multiple health conditions or an extremely busy schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Considered a Low-Sodium Meal?

This truly varies by individual, as low-sodium restrictions rarely get down to the meal-by-meal level but rather refer to how much sodium should be consumed over the course of a day. In general, you can take the daily value of sodium that is your target and divide it among three meals and two snacks per day to get the average amount you’ll want to aim for.
Who Should Consider a Low-Sodium Diet?

Low-sodium diets are often recommended for conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), other forms of cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease, among others. In order to decide if a low-sodium diet is right for you, we recommend seeking out a health care professional to determine if the diet is necessary and effective for any conditions you may have.
What Should You Eat on a Low-Sodium Diet?

Most unprepared and unprocessed foods can be consumed without concern for excessive sodium, such as fruits and vegetables, whole cuts of meat (rather than pre-marinated or precooked), fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts. However, bear in mind that these foods, when prepared, likely have sodium added to them. When consuming certain dairy items, bread and baked goods, soups, lunch meats, prepared sauces, and other commonly sodium-rich foods, be sure to check labels and look for the “low sodium” stamp.
How Can You Make Low-Sodium Food Taste Better?

A common complaint about low-sodium food is a lack of flavor, and while nothing can exactly replicate salt, there are other ways to enhance food without increasing sodium. One incredible ingredient is monosodium glutamate (aka MSG), which is widely available and naturally enhances flavor — especially savory notes, which can be the hardest to replicate. In addition, using fresh or dried herbs, additional spices, and ingredients with tartness (like vinegar and citrus) can impart flavor and increase your enjoyment of a low-sodium meal.

Methodology

In order to present the best meal delivery services in the industry, we tasked a team of nutrition experts with ordering, cooking, and testing the top kits in the meal delivery marketplace. Each company was subjected to an extensive evaluation based on price point, sustainability, nutrition information transparency, cooking experience, and, of course, flavor and food quality.

After our experts made their way through more than 30 different companies, our data team analyzed the outcomes and created the rating that you see for our reviews. Registered dietitians, chefs, and food industry professionals make up our expert panel, and each review is fact-checked to ensure the accuracy of medical statements.