Planning and preparing a nutritious, balanced meal can be draining after a long day. Opening a favorite delivery app or picking up a quick dinner on the way home is tempting. While there’s nothing wrong with doing this occasionally, frequently ordering takeout food can result in too many meals with more fat and sodium, and fewer fruits and vegetables than meals prepared at home.
Balancing a healthy diet with a busy lifestyle is challenging, especially if your goal is weight loss. Tracking your portion size and macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) can feel like a chore on top of planning and preparing home-cooked meals. A prepared meal delivery service like Trifecta is one way to enjoy nutritious meals at home without the hassle of cooking or cleaning up.
With the slogan “Eat like you train,” Trifecta meals are primarily marketed to athletes and people with active lifestyles. Still, they can be a convenient way for anyone to eat balanced, protein-forward meals with little preparation and cleanup.
Whether you’re working to set your next personal record or simply want to adopt healthier eating habits, the Handbook Team’s testing experience can help you determine whether Trifecta meals are right for you.
Trifecta overview
Our expert opinion on Trifecta
Trifecta offers single-serving prepared meals containing whole foods and balanced macronutrients. Meals arrive vacuum-sealed and frozen and are ready to eat once heated. Each package displays the total calories, protein, carbs, and fat, helping you track your calorie and macronutrient intake.
Protein is a crucial macronutrient as it is the body’s primary building block. In addition, protein makes you feel full and can help ensure a balanced blood sugar. You want your meals protein forward where this is the primary macronutrient consumed in your meal.
Sarah Wragge, nutritionist and founder of Sara Wragge Wellness
Trifecta meals are convenient since they only require heating, but so far, our testers haven’t been pleased with the quality. After eating 11 meals, our testers report that most Trifecta meals are bland and have an unappetizing texture. One tester compared the meal quality to healthier cafeteria food. “I will not order Trifecta again,” they say.
Each meal package includes cooking instructions printed on the label. However, the font was small, and the instructions were cut off on the boxes of some meals. One tester had to look up their meal’s heating instructions online since they couldn’t read them on the packaging.
Trifecta meals can be prepared using a microwave, stove, oven, or air fryer. While we appreciate that they can be heated up using multiple appliances, we don’t like that Trifecta recommends cooking the meals in an air fryer as the “best” method, especially if you don’t have one.
From our tester
“The instructions say the taste would be better if I put the meal in the air fryer. I only ever microwaved the meals. To me, the point of these pre-made meals is convenience, and putting it in my air fryer is not as convenient as popping it in the microwave.”
Packages display the macronutrients and calories of each meal, but you can view a meal’s full nutritional label on the Trifecta weekly menu. This is helpful for eaters following a heart-healthy diet because it allows them to monitor their sodium, saturated fat, and sugar intake. At 300–500 milligrams per meal, we like that Trifecta’s meals (on the non-keto plan) are lower in sodium than many other meal delivery services.
Our testers’ meals stayed fresh when stored in the refrigerator and eaten throughout the week. Both testers prefer heating their meals in the microwave since microwaving takes three to five minutes compared to 20–25 minutes in the oven.
So far, our testers have tried the Chicken Mac N Cheese, Grilled Chicken Breast Pesto Pasta, Indian-inspired butter Chicken, and Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower Rice. One tester added breakfast meals to their Trifecta order, including Roasted Sweet Potato and Eggs with Turkey Sausage and Eggs and Turkey Smokey Benedict.
While our testers generally agree that Trifecta meals aren’t appetizing, there were nuances in their reactions. One tester tells us that they aren’t pleased with the quality, taste, or texture of their meals. They report throwing out most of their food after a few bites because it was inedible. “I didn’t enjoy this experience at all. After the second day, I was upset I still had so many meals to eat,” they say.
While one of our testers isn’t pleased with the taste and quality of their meals, they’re happy with Trifecta’s meal portion sizes. “It was a good portion for me, a petite woman. I think a man may still be hungry, and kids would be fine,” they say.
Another tester says they were mostly satisfied but added extra food to supplement their meals on days they were hungrier.
From our tester
“I was satisfied but not too full after each meal. In some cases, if I wanted a more substantial meal, I would pair it with a side. For example, I added an egg roll to the Asian cuisine entrees.”
People with larger appetites may feel frustrated when they have to add food to a meal that already costs about $14–$16 per serving.
Tip
If you try Trifecta, we recommend placing a dish or paper towel under the package when microwaving your meal. The ink on the package stained one tester’s microwave turntable.
One tester says the Grilled Chicken Breast Pesto Pasta is one of their favorite Trifecta meals. “The pesto and tomatoes had the strongest taste, and everything paired together nicely,” they say.
One of our testers also enjoyed the flavors of the Chicken Mac N Cheese dish, but they had a poor experience with the Turkey Patty with Teriyaki-Style Sauce. They describe the turkey patty texture as “like a hockey puck.”
The standout qualities of Trifecta meals are the convenience, nutritional value, and clearly labeled calories, carbs, protein, and fat on each meal package. Despite this, our testers say they wouldn’t pay more than $100 per week because most of the meals are unappetizing.
Who may like Trifecta
- Busy singles.
- People following a ketogenic, paleo, plant-based, or Whole30 diet.
- Vegans and vegetarians.
- People who monitor their macronutrients.
- People recovering from an illness or injury that prevents them from cooking.
Alternative options for weight management
Looking for more support with weight management goals? The Mayo Clinic Diet encourages similar plant-based and high-protein recommendations in its weight loss program. Read our full review of the Mayo Clinic Diet.
Who may not like Trifecta
- People who enjoy hands-on cooking.
- Families with small children.
- People who like flavorful food with interesting seasoning and spices.
- People who need food manufactured in dedicated allergen-free facilities.
- People who don’t have an air fryer.
How does Trifecta work?
Trifecta is a prepared meal delivery subscription. Available meal plans include clean, paleo and Whole30, keto, and plant-based. You can choose to receive seven, 10, or 14 prepared entrees per week with the option to add seven breakfasts. Your weekly cost depends on the type of meal plan, the number of entrees you choose, and whether you want to add extra ingredients or meals. You can add more servings of proteins, carbohydrates, or vegetables from the meal prep menu or add more entrees and breakfast dishes from the signature menu.
While you can’t swap out ingredients or customize meals, you can choose your meals each week or select “Chef’s Choice” to receive preselected meals that rotate weekly.
Trifecta doesn’t offer much flexibility with delivery. Meals are delivered on Fridays or Saturdays, and you can’t choose a preferred delivery date or time. According to the brand’s FAQ page, you must place your first order by Sunday at 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET) to receive your delivery the upcoming Friday.
Trifecta automatically sets all orders to deliver each week, but you can skip weeks via your online account or through the Trifecta app. If you want to change your order, skip the week, or cancel your subscription, you need to make these changes on the Friday before your next delivery date. This means you must make any decisions about your order or subscription an entire week before it’s delivered.
We like that you can update your subscription to deliver every other week, every third week, or once a month, but you have to email Trifecta directly at [email protected] to create this schedule. We think it would be more convenient if these options were available in your online portal.
Our Trifecta meals arrived in a cardboard box with two ice packs and insulated packaging lining the inside. Our testers were impressed with the packaging and that the meals were still frozen when they arrived. None of the meals had freezer burn or discoloration.
Each meal is vacuum-sealed in a microwave-safe plastic tray. The plastic packaging is BPA-free and 100 percent recyclable. The meal packaging states: “Consume within seven days of receipt or freeze for up to three months.”
Our testers stored meals in their refrigerator to eat within the week, but we like that you can freeze your meals.
Meal plan options
Trifecta offers the following meal plans:
- Clean: Meals containing whole foods with protein, whole grains, and organic vegetables.
- Keto: Meals with high fat content, protein, and low carbs.
- Paleo & Whole30: Meals that align with a paleo diet (whole foods, high-protein, and low to moderate carbs) and Whole30 diet (diet focused on whole foods and eliminating food groups like grains and dairy).
- Plant-Based: Meals containing vegan ingredients and plant-based proteins such as beans, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains.
You’re not limited to selecting entrees that only fall under your chosen meal plan, though. For example, one of our testers selected the clean meal plan, but they also had the option of adding keto, paleo and Whole30, and plant-based meals to their order.
We like the health-conscious meal plans, but some eaters may be unsure which plan is best for their lifestyle and goals.
“The right diet for you is very much dependent on your individual needs and personal goals,” says Sarah Wragge, nutritionist and founder of Sara Wragge Wellness. “Our nutrition needs vary based on our age, season of life, and how active we are. It also depends on our goals, such as weight loss or fueling the body for athletic competitions. There is never a one-size-fits-all approach for nutrition.”
Unfortunately, you can’t request ingredient substitutions or eliminations when selecting your meals. But you can request certain foods to avoid if you choose the “Chef’s Choice” option that allows Trifecta to select your weekly meals.
One tester requested no pork in any of their meals. While Trifecta didn’t send any meals containing pork as the main protein, it did send a meal with a sauce that contained pork.
Warning
Although Trifecta offers gluten-free options, the company is not certified for people with celiac disease. We also recommend that those with food allergies carefully review each meal’s ingredient list and contact the company with any questions or concerns.
How much do Trifecta meal plans cost?
Trifecta is a weekly subscription. The price per serving depends on the meal plan type and number of entrees you choose each week. Meal prep ingredients and signature dishes are individually priced.
| Meal plan | Price per serving for 7 entrees | Price per serving for 10 entrees | Price per serving for 14 entrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant-based | $14.99 | $14.49 | $13.99 |
| Clean | $15.86 | $15.80 | $15.71 |
| Paleo Whole30 | $15.86 | $15.80 | $15.71 |
| Keto | $15.86 | $15.80 | $15.71 |
The cost per serving decreases slightly when you order more meals, but the average serving for each Trifecta meal is still more than $15. This cost per serving is pricier than other prepared meal services like Factor and the Mayo Clinic Diet.
If you live in the continental U.S., shipping costs $9.99 per order. Shipping is $49.99 for customers in Alaska and Hawaii.
HelpGuide Handbook’s testing methodology for meal delivery services
We become familiar with each meal delivery service to learn how they work, the types of meals they offer, and how much effort it takes to prepare each meal. We specifically ask each tester to evaluate each meal kit for ingredient freshness, convenience, taste, portion sizing, and whether they offer meals with enough food to feed a family of four.
Testers also note the types of meals the brands offer, whether they deliver the ingredients and recipes for you to prepare your own meal, or if they deliver pre-made meals that you heat in the stove or microwave oven. If the platform gives you the ingredients to prepare, we look to see if they offer meals for different cooking skill levels.
We also surveyed 600 meal delivery service users to learn more about their experiences. We use these survey results, our testing data, and insights from nutrition experts to develop a thorough perspective on each meal delivery service we review.
Sign up for the service as a new member.
Select one week’s worth of meals.
Evaluate the program for dietary and food allergy options.
Place an order for the meals and set a delivery date.
Track and evaluate the delivery.
Unbox package when it arrives and document the condition and quality of all items.
Prepare meals throughout the week following instructions and recipes.
Evaluate each meal for taste, convenience, portion size, and freshness.
Contact customer support with questions.
Cancel subscription.
How we test Trifecta meals
Ingredient freshness: 3/5
Trifecta meals arrive frozen and vacuum-sealed in microwave-safe packaging. Each meal has a clear expiration date and can be frozen for up to three months. Our testers say the meals contain a moderate amount of mostly fresh produce. One tester stored a meal in their freezer to eat later, and they say the meal didn’t have freezer burn or discoloration when they defrosted it.
Trifecta claims it uses organic ingredients, but it isn’t USDA-organic certified at the time of writing. To be USDA-certified organic, 95 percent of the ingredients must be organic.
Convenience: 3/5
Unlike meal kit delivery services, Trifecta meals arrive prepared and don’t require chopping, slicing, or any other preparation besides heating. Overall, our testers think Trifecta is convenient, but they had some issues preparing meals, which caused them to rate convenience as average.
One tester’s meal packaging had cut-off cooking instructions, forcing them to look for their meal’s reheating instructions online. Another tester didn’t like that Trifecta recommended using an air fryer for best results, since this isn’t an appliance everyone has.
Taste: 2.7/5
Overall, our testers score the taste of Trifecta meals as below average. Most meals didn’t taste fresh or satisfying, with one tester comparing the prepared meals to “healthier cafeteria food that lacked flavor.” One tester couldn’t finish their meals due to unappetizing texture, bland taste, and overcooked, chewy ingredients. Another tester says that while they enjoyed two of their meals and would order them again, another meal they got was inedible due to the turkey patty’s hard, dense texture.
The bland, flavorless taste of Trifecta meals was similar to our Nutrisystem experience.
Family Friendly: 2.5/5
Trifecta probably isn’t the best family-friendly option, especially for families with young children or picky eaters. You can’t swap ingredients or customize meals, and most of the diet plans aren’t kid-friendly. While each meal takes no more than five minutes to prepare, you’ll have to heat a meal for each family member. And at $14–$16 per meal, costs will quickly add up since you’ll have to purchase a meal for each family member for every day of the week you’re eating Trifecta.
Other factors we consider
When testing Trifecta, we also consider shipping convenience, recipe customization, and the overall nutritional value of meals.
Avery Zenker, a registered dietitian with Queen’s Family Health Team in Ontario, Canada, likes that Trifecta provides ingredients and nutrition facts for almost every dish. She encourages shoppers to carefully review each meal’s nutrition label to ensure it aligns with their health goals.
“Some meals are high in saturated fat, high in added sugar, and low in fiber. However, many options are low in saturated fat, low in sodium, high in fiber, and high in protein,” she says. “Most meals are under 500 calories, which may not be enough for many individuals, depending on their needs.”
For more information on how we test, see our healthy living review methodology.
Our final verdict on Trifecta meals
Trifecta is a prepared meal delivery service designed to support a variety of diets, such as plant-based, paleo, and keto. Trifecta meals provide balanced macronutrients for fitness goals, weight loss, and portion control.
Our favorite things
Trifecta meals arrive completely prepared—they just need to be reheated. The Handbook Team appreciates the convenience of Trifecta meals, especially if they are heated in a microwave. We think Trifecta is a good way to familiarize yourself with ingredients and meals that align with whole-food, health-focused diets such as paleo and Whole30.
While we don’t consider Trifecta a grocery delivery service, you can purchase four servings of basic meal ingredients per week, such as chicken breast, rice, and vegetables. This service may be helpful if you want to create basic meals to supplement your Trifecta meals. Meal prep ingredients range from $9.99–$23.99 per week.
Our complaints
Our biggest issue with Trifecta is the poor taste and texture of most meals we tried. While the quality may improve if you heat your meal in an oven or air fryer, we believe heating it in the microwave shouldn’t impact the quality of meals designed for convenience.
We also don’t think the meal value aligns with the cost. At nearly $16 per meal, Trifecta is one of the most expensive prepared meal services we’ve reviewed. Some eaters may not be satisfied with the smaller portion sizes.
Your delivery schedule is limited—you can’t select your delivery time or date, and Trifecta only delivers on Fridays and Saturdays.
Trifecta meals are a convenient way to monitor your macronutrients, calories, and portion control, which may help you lose weight. Still, this lifestyle may not be sustainable over time since it’s dependent on prepared meals. A weight loss app like Noom may be better for long-term health goals since these brands use a more holistic approach to healthy living.
Compare Trifecta meals with other top meal delivery services
| Price per serving | $13.99–$15.86 | $11.49–$13.99 | $10.00–$16.99 | Varies by location* | $4.99 |
| Meal kit or prepared? | Prepared | Prepared | Prepared | Meal kit | Meal kit |
| Meals per week | 7–14 | 6–18 | 6–12 | 2-6 | 3-6 |
| Delivery Area | All 50 states | Most zip codes in continental U.S. | All 50 states | Continental U.S. and select zip codes in AK and HI | Most zip codes in continental U.S. |
*Hello Fresh displays different meal prices for our testers, ranging from $9.69–$13.29 per serving for two 2-serving meals and $8.49–$11.49 per serving for all other plans.
Frequently asked questions
Trifecta Meals is a prepared meal delivery service that focuses on high-protein, low-carb, and low-calorie meals. Each single-serving meal arrives pre-cooked and vacuum-sealed. You can heat your meal in the microwave, oven, stove, or air fryer according to the packaging instructions, and then it’s ready to eat. Trifecta offers clean, keto, paleo and Whole30, and plant-based meal plans.
Trifecta meals arrive frozen. The brand recommends refrigerating your meals if you plan to eat them within the next seven days. Otherwise, according to Trifecta, meals can last up to three months in the freezer.
Trifecta may help with weight loss, especially since meals are generally high-protein and low-carb, helping you feel full while reducing your calorie intake. Maintaining a calorie deficit may result in weight loss over time, but we recommend incorporating other healthy habits such as routine exercise and high-quality sleep.