Fresh N’ Lean Review

Written by Nea Pantry

Nea Pantry

Nea Pantry is a freelance writer living in downtown Toronto. She writes full-time for Honest Brand Reviews, alongside a variety of copy writing projects for local and international businesses. When not writing, you can find her in the kitchen whipping up a batch of vegan muffins.

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Reviewed by Dr. Maria Carla Lapadula

Dr. Maria Carla Lapadula

Maria Carla Lapadula is a family physician from Argentina. As a general practitioner, her area of expertise is Protection and Health Promotion. She has recently completed a Certificate in Applied Clinical Research at McMaster University.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Christine McIntosh

Dr. Christine McIntosh

A highly experienced dietitian nutritionist with global experience as a clinician, nutrition teacher, researcher, writer, and entrepreneur, Christine has diverse and advanced knowledge of what is needed for the best nutrition lifestyle. Committed to assisting others for their optimal nutritional health, she has volunteered with food aid charities, developed nutrition programs for people with mental health challenges, presented academic papers, and written a self help book. Her commitment to motivate others for nutritional health has not wavered for 35 years.

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About Fresh N’ Lean

Fresh N’ Lean is on a mission to transform how we think about food. Today, people are busier than ever, and many of us don’t have the time to cook healthy food. What if there was another, better option?

Everyone knows the benefits of a healthy diet. The CDC^[1] says choosing healthy food supports our muscles, skin, bones, and immunity and can lead to a longer life. Healthy food also reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Researchers from the University of Konstanz^[2] in Germany found a positive correlation between consuming fruits and vegetables and immediate eating happiness, suggesting that a healthy diet may impact our mental health.

Fresh N’ Lean is a subscription-based service that delivers whole-foods-focused fresh meals straight to your door. Offering six different plans, the company develops its menus around current dietary trends, such as Keto or Paleo. Each meal comes in eco-friendly, microwave-safe containers. Just heat and eat!

The brand has received a ton of attention for its simple, delicious, and nutritious meals from media platforms like CNN, Good Morning America, The Huffington Post, Forbes, USA Today, and GQ. It has a healthy following (pun intended) of 38k on Instagram and 15k on Facebook.

Are the company’s convenient meal plans for you? This Fresh N’ Lean review will examine the brand, its meal options, customer feedback, and more to help you make that crucial decision. 

Overview of Fresh N’ Lean

After watching her father go through a bad health scare, Laureen Asseo became increasingly interested in nutrition. She began developing a strict plant-based meal plan for her family. Quickly, others began requesting help from Laureen, so she took up meal prepping for her friends and extended family members.

Passionate about improving the health of others through the power of food, she worked from the kitchen of her one-bedroom apartment. Here, Fresh N’ Lean’s business model began: Laureen would cook nutritious meals, package them in Tupperware, and deliver them herself.

These humble beginnings soon transformed into a huge business opportunity. Laureen has always wanted to “deliver good nutrition to as many people as possible” because she has seen firsthand how a nutritious diet can positively affect health. So, she expanded her business.

Today, Fresh N’ Lean operates out of a commercial kitchen in Anaheim, California. The company offers six different plans, such as Vegan and Keto, and is loved for how easy it makes sticking to a strict diet. In 2020, Laureen was included in Forbes’s iconic “30 Under 30” article for her brilliant and successful business model.

Now that you know more about how the brand got started, this Fresh N’ Lean  review will move on to its highlights:

Highlights

• Five different meal plans available that are geared towards popular diets
• Bulk plan available for at-home healthy meal prep
• Uses sustainably caught fish, free-range beef, and cage-free eggs and chicken
• Meals are ready to go, just refrigerate, heat, and eat
• Saves you time from having to cook your own healthy meals
• Saves you money from ordering takeout
• USDA certified
• FSMA compliant
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Non-GMO & pesticide-free organic, local produce 
• Cancel your subscription at any time
• Delivered right to your door
• Customers love the taste and variety of the food, as well as how healthy meals are
• Free shipping
• Will ship throughout the week for an additional fee
• Ships anywhere in the USA

How Does Fresh N’ Lean Work?

Fresh N’ Lean makes it easy for you to stick to a healthy diet. They offer five meal plans that are geared towards specific diets and dietary restrictions. Plus, they have a bulk option that allows customers to stock up on proteins, veggies, and starches to supplement their home-cooked meals during the week.

The meal plans this Fresh N’ Lean review will cover include:

1. Protein+
2. Keto
3. Paleo
4. Plant-based
5. Low-carb/Low-cal Plant-based

The Fresh N’ Lean menu changes weekly and is developed with seasonal local produce. You have the option of choosing one of the company’s Meal Plans or selecting A La Carte options for a one-time purchase. With the A La Carte option, you can choose any amount of meals you like.

You can also add extra meals or snacks to your order. Plus, you can switch up your meal plan at any time by heading to your Fresh N’ Lean login page.

Fresh N’ Lean will deliver your order weekly when you sign up for the Meal Plan option. The subscription auto-renews at the end of each week, but you can pause or cancel it at any time. For more information on canceling your subscription, check out “How do I cancel my Fresh N’ Lean subscription?” in the FAQ section of this Fresh N’ Lean review.

When your meals arrive, they come packaged in a box with water-soluble ice packs to keep the food fresh. Your meals are never frozen and are not meant to be frozen, so be sure to put them in the fridge as soon as you get home. Whenever you’re ready to eat, just heat and enjoy.

Is Fresh N’ Lean Organic?

Fresh N’ Lean meals are made with “organically-sourced ingredients.” Essentially, the ingredients are not all certified organic, but they come from an organic source, such as the earth or the sea. Its ingredients are mostly sourced from a California farm, and the meat and eggs it uses are all free-range or cage-free. The regional produce they include is organic.

A meta-analysis^[3] of studies in the last 25 years showed that the main reasons people buy organic are for health, product quality, and environmental concern. In a recent review article^[4], researchers in the UK concluded that organic foods have less pesticides, but there’s not much evidence suggesting they’re that much healthier. 

Fresh N’ Lean meals and snacks have a perfectly balanced ratio of macronutrients. The brand also says that its food is “top-tier on the ready-to-eat market,” meaning they use higher-quality foods than most other fresh meal delivery services. The end product is gluten-free, fresh, natural meals that do not contain any artificial ingredients.

Now that you know a little more about the Fresh N’ Lean meal prep delivery service, this Fresh N’ Lean review will break down the brand’s most popular meal plans.

Fresh N’ Lean Protein+ Review

The Protein+ Plan provides the nutrients you need to meet your goals in and out of the gym. When you commit to this plan, Fresh N’ Lean will craft your meals to hit 1500 calories per day. The company pairs ingredients that result in perfectly balanced macros that fit your diet and fitness goals. These ingredients include complex carbs, lean proteins, and low-calorie-dense veggies.

A literature review^[5] from Baylor University found that high-protein diets improve body composition and the synthesis of muscle proteins. Even in high-calorie diets, you won’t gain fat if most of the excess energy comes from protein.

However, high-protein diets may affect renal function^[6] (a.k.a how well your kidneys work) and should be avoided by those affected by chronic kidney diseases. The study recommends getting a renal function screening before switching to a high-protein diet.

For those interested in how the food they consume is caught and grown, Protein+ meals are made with free-range and wild-caught proteins alongside non-GMO, pesticide-free vegetables. Though the available meals change every week, some examples include Sustainable Shrimp with Sumac Carrots and Chickpeas or Strawberry Almond Oatmeal.

Fresh N’ Lean Keto Review 

The Keto diet has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Gone are the days of restricting delicious foods like sharp cheddar cheese because we now know that they can be incorporated into a high-fat, low-carb diet.

While keeping carbs low, the Keto diet provides an abundance of body-healthy fats to fuel your health goals. The Fresh N’ Lean Keto Meal Delivery Plan is full of clean, good-for-you fats and grass-fed, free-range, and wild-caught proteins to keep you in ketosis.

Each of the meals in this plan contains under 10 grams of carbs, the perfect amount to put you well below your daily target. From the wide selection of keto-friendly meals, you might see options like Zucchini Chicken Alfredo, which includes 25 grams of fat and 9 grams of carbs.

A review^[7] conducted at Alberta University raises concerns about the high-fat contents of the keto diet. Although these diets produce fast weight loss, they also increase LDL-cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor before starting a ketogenic diet, especially if you have cardiovascular risk factors.

Fresh N’ Lean Paleo Review

This diet has been around for a long time and it is easy to see why. The Paleo diet is inherently simple. Straightforward foods to feed your body right—as they did in the old days. That’s the guiding principle behind the Paleo diet.

A recent review^[8] from Cambridge University says that although there is limited evidence to support the benefits of the paleo diet, some studies found that it may reduce cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes 2, obesity, and hyperlipidemia.

The Paleo Plan includes meals with high amounts of nutrient-dense vegetables and sustainably sourced or free-range proteins. You won’t find a single grain, legume, or piece of dairy in this plan, just natural proteins and veggies.

The Paleo diet is great for balancing blood sugars and for feeling more grounded. Though it might sound restrictive, this plan is anything but boring. With meals that change weekly, you’ll see creative options like Chicken Sausage with Peppers and Broccoli or Zucchini and Bell Pepper Frittata.

Fresh N’ Lean Standard Vegan Review 

A vegan diet is all the rage because of its reputation for being heart-healthy and increasing longevity. A meta-analysis^[9] of 40 studies comparing vegan and omnivorous diets published between 1960 and 2018 found that vegans consume fewer calories and less saturated fats. In addition, vegans have lower LDL cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride levels and have a lower BMI.

But not every vegan dish is healthy. Some are even worse than the meat-packed alternatives they try to mimic.

Fresh N’ Lean expertly crafts simple, good for you vegan dishes in its Standard Vegan plan. You can expect to find weekly menus full of healthy plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and the odd Beyond Meat replacement. On top of protein, the meals also include whole grains, organic vegetables, and delicious spices to amp up the flavor.

Including delicious options like the Teriyaki Bowl with Garbanzo Beans or the Strawberry Almond Oatmeal, all you’ll have to do is heat and eat!

Fresh N’ Lean Low Carb Vegan Review 

The Low Carb Vegan Plan gives you the best of both worlds. It provides one Standard Vegan Meal with grains and one that doesn’t contain any grains. This cuts carbs in half, but still gives you nutritious fiber, power-packed veggies, and body-fueling protein.

One clinical trial^[10] studied the impact of a low-carb vegan diet on weight loss and LDL cholesterol levels compared with a high-carb lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. Over 6 months, half the participants stuck to the vegan diet, while the other half followed a high-carb milk-and-eggs vegetarian diet. While both groups lowered their cholesterol, the vegan participants definitely saw greater weight loss.

Fast N’ Lean takes the brain work out of counting carbs and calories. All of the macros, nutrients, and ingredients are listed in each week’s menu so you can plan your week accordingly.

With your low-carb meal options, Fresh N’ Lean ensures you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. The company incorporates multiple ingredients and fun flavors into its carefully crafted options, such as Honey Dijon Veggies and Creamy Cilantro Brussels Sprouts.

Fresh N’ Lean Bulk Review 

The Bulk Plan gives you everything you need to create a healthy, balanced meal. It offers the option of purchasing a week’s worth of a certain type of protein, starch, or veggie. It even has vegan protein options for non-meat-eaters, along with sustainably caught fish, grass-fed beef, and cage-free chicken.

Put together your perfect meal to eat for a week’s worth of stress-free dinners or meal prep lunches for the busy periods at the office. The company ensures there is something for everyone with a wide range of options, including cod, elk, salmon, sweet potatoes, portobello mushrooms, and more.

Our Favorites From The Menu

Fresh N’ Lean has a diverse menu full of nutrient-dense meals made from organic veggies, wild-caught fish, and free-range animal protein. We’ve rounded up a few delectable dishes from four of the company’s six menus.

Cauliflower and Salsa Verde Spinach Enchilada

This meal comes from the Standard Vegan menu. It’s Mexican-inspired and full of bursting flavors like sharp garlic, juicy tomatillo, spicy jalapeño, and bright cilantro. Its got 420 calories and a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbs.

Key ingredients include Black Beans for protein, Jasmine Rice to keep you feeling full, Cauliflower and Spinach for healthy nutrients, Cilantro for added flavor, and so many other goodies. Note: steer clear of the Cauliflower and Salsa Verde Spinach Enchilada if you are allergic to Tree Nuts!

Walnut Parmesan Garlic Salmon

Keto diets require followers to consume under 50 grams of net carbs a day. This meal has just 7 net carbs, yet it is packed with satisfying textures and flavors. With a whopping 42 grams of protein, this meal has a full range of nutrition, including immune-boosting cremini mushrooms, heart-healthy olive oil, and brain-boosting salmon.

Those health-boosting foods are mixed with comforting herbs, cheese, and spices for a total of 540 calories. Be sure to choose another option if you are allergic to Milk, Tree Nuts, or Fish.

Grass Fed Steak with Bearnaise Aioli, Sweet Potato, and Brown Rice

Enjoy the taste of a gourmet meal with luxurious bearnaise aioli over perfectly cooked steak. This Protein+ meal is packed with 40 grams of protein and a solid 520 calories to fuel your day and help you reach your goals.

The star ingredient is a decadent Grass Fed Steak. Surrounded by nutrient-dense Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Garlic, and more, you’ll be pumped and ready for your next weight-lifting session. This meal also includes Eggs, so be sure to steer-clear if you are allergic.

Pineapple Coconut Chia

Chia pudding is a delicious way to get your daily dose of heart-healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, along with fiber and protein. This balanced superfood snack is mixed with tropical pineapple and coconut flavors, creating a mouth-watering, palate-pleasing breakfast.

Containing 130 calories, this Paleo & Low Carb Vegan meal has 5 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Since it is already prepared, you’ll be able to enjoy this healthy breakfast during busy mornings.

How Much is Fresh N’ Lean?

The prices for Fresh N’ Lean meal plans vary depending on how many meals you get per week. 

The average person consumes roughly three meals per day, so we’ve provided prices for the company’s six meal plans for the subscriber who wants to order three Fresh N’ Lean meals for each week day.

• Protein+ $152/week, $10/meal
• Keto $156/week, $10.50/meal
• Paleo $156/week, $10.50/meal
• Standard Vegan $119/week, $8/meal
• Low Carb Vegan $145/week, $9.50/meal
• Bulk $85 minimum order

Fresh N’ Lean Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

To give you a better understanding of this company’s convenient meals, this Fresh N’ Lean review combed the web for helpful customer testimonials. Ahead, you’ll find reviews from TheCreativeBite.com, Trustpilot, and MealMatchmaker.com that shed some light on what its meals are really like.

A Fresh N’ Lean meal delivery review by Danielle Green on TheCreativeBite.com reveals her experience with the ordering from the company. She said that there are definitely some great things about the Fresh N’ Lean meal plan, like the “flexibility in changing your menu.”

Green also points out that this service would be great for “someone who wants all the guesswork taken out of a low calorie diet and isn’t picky about what they eat.” But, she goes on to say that the “lack of choices can be a blessing and a curse,” as it saves you time when choosing what to eat each week, but there aren’t a wide variety of options.

Fresh N’ Lean is rated an average of 3.9/5 stars by over 2.3k customers on Trustpilot. Happy customers love the convenience the company provides, as well as the “low sodium” content and the “great variety of flavors” it offers.

One customer continues using Fresh N’ Lean because the food tastes great and helps her stay on top of her diet: “The food is Delicious and doesn’t feel like a diet plan. The taste has kept me motivated to continue losing the weight.”

An in-depth Fresh N’ Lean review on MealMatchmaker.com provided information on all of the meal plans the company offers, as well as the reviewer’s experience with its meals. The reviewer wrote that “all recipes are exciting, the ingredients are of excellent quality, and every meal is very well-balanced in terms of flavor and nutrition. The whole service is pretty easy to use, and you can do most things online.”

Overall, some customers seem to really love the service Fresh N’ Lean offers. Others, not so much. Based on our research, the biggest selling point the brand offers is that it provides extremely convenient and healthy meals. So, if you’re a very busy person who likes to stick to a specific diet, Fresh N’ Lean is probably for you.

Is Fresh N’ Lean Subscription Worth It?

Considering we all could use a little extra free time in our lives, this Fresh N’ Lean review appreciates meal delivery services that take the guesswork (and actual work) out of eating healthy meals. Fresh N’ Lean’s meal delivery service makes it easy to eat clean and follow a specific diet. Plus, shipping is free.

Some customers complain about the lack of variety in the meal choices. The company changes the meal plans on a weekly basis, but they use seasonally available produce, which means you might see repeats each season.

Still, the alternative would be to meal prep your own food at home, which often results in eating the exact same meal for multiple days in a row. With Fresh N’ Lean, at least you are eating something different each day, even if some ingredients are the same.

The brand’s meals are pretty affordable as far as delivery meal plans go. Considering the Fresh N’ Lean cost is about $10 per meal, its service seems like a no-brainer for those who spend money on lunch and healthy takeout each day. Plus, all of the calories and macros are listed on the Fresh N’ Lean menu, so you won’t have to waste time adding up the different components of your take-out lunch.

So, is Fresh N’ Lean worth it? If you have a little extra money to spare and want to make eating healthy easier for yourself, this Fresh N’ Lean review believes its meal delivery service is worth the try.

Fresh N’ Lean Promotions & Discounts 

We found a few sweet deals on FreshnLean.com:

• Give a friend $30 to get a $30 Fresh N’ Lean promo code to use on your next order
• Get a free snack with your first week of meals
• Free delivery

Sign Up For Fresh N’ Lean Subscription

To sign up for Fresh N’ Lean, head to FreshnLean.com and follow these steps:

1. Click on “View Meal Plans”
2. Choose which meal plan is right for you and click “View Meal Plan”
3. Select the plan you wish to start. For example, “Start Vegan Plan”
4. Choose whether you would like the Meal Plan or A la Carte
5. Choose which variety of the plan you would like, i.e. Standard Plant-Based or Low Carb Plant-Based
6. Select which meals you would like to recieve: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
7. Choose how many days you would like to receive meals: 5 or 7 days
8. Let them know if you have any allergies or preferences
9. Choose a free snack
10. Add any additional meals or snacks that you would like
11. Review your plan and click “Continue”
12. Enter your shipping address and payment information

FAQ

Who owns Fresh N’ Lean?

Laureen Asseo owns Fresh N’ Lean. She was 18 years old when she founded the company and still owns it today.

How do you reheat Fresh N’ Lean meals?

It’s easy to reheat Fresh N’ Lean meals. All you need to do is poke some holes into the plastic film on the top of the meals. Then, pop it in your microwave for 2-3 minutes. If you don’t use a microwave, you can place the food into an oven-safe dish and heat it in the oven.

Can you freeze Fresh N’ Lean meals?

Fresh N’ Lean recommends eating your meals fresh, but you can freeze them if you like. If you did freeze your meals, keep them in your fridge for 36-48 hours before you want to eat them to thaw them out.

How do I cancel my Fresh N’ Lean subscription?

You can cancel your meal delivery service any time. To avoid being charged for the following week, you’ll need to cancel by Saturday. Your Fresh N’ Lean subscription can be canceled by either:

1. Calling (888) 420-4080
2. Emailing [email protected]
3. Submitting the cancellation form on FreshnLean.com

What is Fresh N’ Lean’s Shipping Policy?

Fresh N’ Lean ships anywhere in the USA for free. Meal plans are shipped out every Friday, with delivery guaranteed by Saturday. When your order ships, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a tracking number to follow your order’s process.

If you’d like to get your meals on a day other than Friday, call customer service to let them know, but this Fresh N’ Lean review notes there may be additional fees.

Your items will be delivered directly to your doorstep, but you don’t need to be home to receive them. If you have any details you would like the shipper to know, you’ll need to note them when you order. As soon as you do get home, be sure to put your meals directly into the fridge.

What is Fresh N’ Lean’s Return Policy?

Fresh N’ Lean meals cannot be returned due to their perishable nature, nor does the company issue refunds. If you wish to cancel your weekly meal delivery, you can do so at any time by following the steps outlined in the “How do I cancel my Fresh N’ Lean subscription?” section above.

How to Contact Fresh N’ Lean Customer Service

If you have any other questions after reading this Fresh N’ Lean review, you can get in touch with the brand via:

• The Fresh N’ Lean phone number: 888-420-4080
• Email: [email protected]

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