A ton of companies market their meals as “healthy,” but let’s break that claim down from a dietitian’s perspective. Because I’m also a regular, food-loving and cost-conscious human being, A Dietitian Reviews Martha and Marley Spoon will cover ALL the details, including my thoughts on packaging, portions, taste, and more.
The Details
Price: $7.82 per serving | Pricing will vary based on volume. This price is for three meals with two servings each. I paid $8.99 for shipping + $0.33 sales tax. Price does not differ based on vegetarian or protein choices.
Choosing Healthy Choices: 29 recipes per week is a double-edged sword. It can feel overwhelming, but you’re likely to find a few options that will work for you and your family. You can view recipes by category to make the process easier and one such category is Health & Diet. Like Dinnerly, meals are further tagged with dairy free, healthy, low-calorie, low carb, no added gluten, nutritious, vegan, vegetarian, etc.
My reservation is that there is no information on how these tags are defined. I’m sure they aren’t arbitrary–I hope they aren’t arbitrary–but I’d like some more information, Martha! How many carbs is ‘low carb?’ How many calories is ‘low-calorie?’ What is the difference between ‘healthy’ and ‘nutritious?’ And does sodium or saturated fat play a role in defining these terms?
Customization: There is no ability to customize a recipe, but you do get to choose from about 29 recipes each week.
Packaging and Sustainability: Marley Spoon delivery boxes are made of “paper sourced from sustainably managed forests,” whatever that means, and are curbside recyclable. My box was lined with encapsulated cotton; both the paper and plastic parts are recyclable. All ingredients are in recyclable bottles or bags, depending on locality. The paper recipe cards are recyclable and the ice packs are reuseable or recyclable (just empty the non-toxic liquid inside).
Nutritional Balance: I always, ALWAYS recommend pairing at least two food groups at each meal or snack to enhance physical fullness + emotional satisfaction. For the most part, Martha and Marley Spoon meals are really well-balanced. Most meals also incorporate a variety of colors, meaning that you’re getting a variety of nutrients.
Portion Size: The portion sizes were appropriate–neither too big nor to small. We know I prefer smaller portions, but my boyfriend didn’t balk at his serving either. Only five brussels sprouts (total!!!) were delivered with the salmon meal. It was so meager, I have to assume it was an anomaly! I supplemented with my own brussels sprouts and there was more than enough cauliflower rice.
So How’d It Taste?: I was really happy with my meals! They seemed a bit more upscale than the Dinnerly meals with specialty vegetables, proteins, and spices. I gave the Sweet Potato and Kale Buddha Bowl 5 stars for quality ingredients, ease of prep, perfect portions, and flavor. The Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon got 4 stars simply because it was a bit labor-intensive.
BONUS POINTS | The Ingredient Hub: The Ingredient Hub is AMAZING. It’s a must for anyone who has food allergies. This earns major bonus points from a dietitian.
PRESSURE POINTS | Website: It’s difficult to navigate to the FAQ. I just wanted some down and dirty information and felt like I had to search too hard to find it.
A Dietitian Reviews Martha and Marley Spoon: Bottom Line
I was really happy with the flavor of my meals! They really felt gourmet. I can’t get over that Buddha Bowl–it was just as gorgeous as the picture (at least, in person it was.) My meals were nutritionally balanced with plenty of texture and color, although I am confused on how Martha and Marley Spoon define their nutrition key words. The portions were not-too-big and not-too-small and I was satisfied after each meal.
That being said, I’m less enthused at the price point. It’s super affordable if you’re purchasing three meals (six servings) per week, but I’m in the above $10 per serving if I only purchase four servings per week. And double-digits is a little less justifiable for me.
I’ll be purchasing Martha and Marley Spoon again on ‘treat yourself’ weeks.
Danielle Cushing is a Registered Dietitian. During corporate daylight hours, she is the Wellness and Sustainability Director for a hospitality company. All opinions are her own. She is a Martha and Marley Spoon and Amazon affiliate.
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