Is It Worth the Cost?

Based in 2012 by childhood buddies Danielle Duboise and Whitney Tingle, Sakara Life is a novel meal delivery service that focuses on wellness and nutritionally balanced meals. The service has grown in reputation and expanded quickly lately because of its comfort of offering ready-made nutritious meals on to your door. However the organic meal delivery service comes at a excessive value level. We examined quite a lot of Sakara Life’s packages to completely consider the choices and decide if it is definitely worth the value. Learn on for our full evaluate of the Sakara Life service, together with the brand new Sakara Systems packages.

Sakara Life

Sakara Life

Execs

• Excessive-quality, recent components
• All meals are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free
• Meals come absolutely ready and ready-to-eat
• Nice taste selection and modern wholesome dishes
• Meals are pre-portioned for one
• Plans vary from two days to 60 days
• Provides choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Informational help supplies
• Nationwide transport and availability
• Sturdy recyclable containers

Cons

• Costly
• Menus are pre-set with restricted modification choices
• Not ideally suited for big households

Value	Applications begin at $185
Supply	All cities throughout the contiguous United States
Packaging	All packaging is made with post-consumer recycled supplies and is 100% recyclable

What’s Sakara Life?

Sakara Life is a wellness-based natural meal supply service that focuses on entire meals and plant-forward eating. The service sources high-quality recent components and goals to create nutrient-dense meals, all ready by classically skilled cooks and delivered ready-to-eat to the doorstep. All meals are 100% plant-based — free from dairy, meat and seafood — however the service does often use honey and bee pollen. Though the meals are made with out gluten, Sakara Life doesn’t suggest their program for people with extreme allergy symptoms as a result of potential for cross-contamination from their suppliers.

By creating nutritious meals filled with nutritional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, Sakara Life goals to assist stability, restore and heal the physique so you may appear and feel your best possible, in keeping with its website. Sakara Life bases its meals on nine pillars of nutrition, which embrace:

Extra From Good Housekeeping

 

1. No calorie counting
2. Plant protein
3. Eat your water
4. Greens
5. Good fat
6. Eat the rainbow
7. Nutrient density
8. Sulfur-rich veggies
9. Physique intelligence

How does Sakara Life work?

In contrast to different meal supply companies the place you may choose your meals or recipes, Sakara Life gives quite a lot of plans with pre-set menus ranging in size from two days to 60 days. The service has 5 focused diet packages, which embrace its signature diet program and its new Sakara Methods. This new program is an extension of Sakara Life’s choices, offering extra choices for a customized expertise based mostly in your particular person well being and wellness objectives. Sakara Methods was created alongside a workforce of consultants generally known as The Sakara Science Council which features a panel of medical doctors and a registered dietitian. Each program gives quite a lot of help supplies together with booklets, dietary supplements and extra in addition to entry to Sakara Life’s workforce of well being coaches.

Sakara’s Efficiency System

Our Sakara Life Assessment

Good Housekeeping Skilled Tester Profile

Identify: Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N.

Function: Deputy Diet Director, Good Housekeeping Institute

Why it is best to belief me: Along with being a registered dietitian, I am a working mom and spouse with a busy schedule. I am continuously on the lookout for time-saving options to eat a wholesome, balanced weight loss plan and care for my physique. As the first professional tester on this Sakara Life analysis, I examined each the Signature Diet Program for 5 days and the Metabolism Reset Sakara System for 4 weeks. Not solely does this evaluate embrace my private expertise with the model, however we additionally had 5 separate testers throughout the nation consider the service for much more real-life suggestions.

Ordering and Pricing

Each I and our different testers discovered the ordering course of to be easy and easy. You’ll be able to examine the totally different packages on Sakara Life’s web site to find out the precise match for you. You even have the choice to decide on breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners so you may goal which meals you are likely to have probably the most issue making ready, which actually got here in useful.

The Signature Diet Program is nice as an introduction to Sakara Life and offers you a pleasant overview of the service as an entire. The Sakara Methods positively really feel a bit extra customized, particularly in case you have a specific well being or wellness purpose that you’re working in the direction of. It was good understanding that there was a panel of consultants, together with a registered dietitian, that developed the methods and that every system itself is backed by scientific analysis.

Among the claims do really feel a bit elaborate to attract you in, and good diet is a vital a part of the well being equation nevertheless it is only one part. You may wish to be sure you’re staying hydrated, exercising, getting ample sleep and caring for your emotional and psychological well being so as to complement the wholesome meals the service sends you. One downside is that the meals are pre-set, so you may’t decide and select dishes that you’d want. Whilst you cannot choose the meals which can be a part of your plan, you will get a sneak peek on the menu each week on the website. The fee is unquestionably dearer than different companies on the market, however you’re in the end paying for comfort and best-in-class natural components. It is also necessary to notice that every thing is designed just for one particular person, so for those who’re seeking to feed a big household then this service is not ideally suited for you.

Supply, Packaging and Unboxing

Most testers had a optimistic expertise by way of supply and transport. My meals and merchandise have been all delivered neatly and got here in sturdy containers that typically included little cabinets inside them to maintain sure components separated so that they did not turn into soggy. There was additionally an insulated bag supplied within the first field which made it straightforward to move the meals to work. I additionally favored that you could possibly eat the meals proper out of the container for those who have been on the go.

Meals have been delivered at appropriately chilly temperatures and the ice packs have been straightforward to recycle. “Every little thing arrived chilly and stayed recent the length of the time that it was alleged to,” a tester famous. “The supply was nicely organized and the meals have been recent, flavorful and satisfying,” one other mentioned.

Stefani’s Sakara Methods Field Upon Arrival

One tester in New Jersey did be aware that her supply field could have been tossed round in transit so the containers have been thrown throughout the field, however she mentioned that the meals was nonetheless recent and attractive. “Their packaging could be very sturdy. Packaging wasn’t punctured or smushed through the loopy journey,” she added.

The Meals

Though the meals are plant-based, the testers and I discovered them balanced and satisfying. Some meals are extra hearty than others, however each dish was extremely tasty and included various taste profiles. I shared the tacos with my husband who’s a giant carnivore and he was shocked to search out out that they have been jackfruit and never pulled meat. “I have already got dietary restrictions and understand how advanced and infrequently unsatisfying dairy-free and gluten-free consuming may be, however I felt that each one of these substitutions did not take away from the meals,” one tester mentioned.

Even the four-week Sakara Methods menu felt diverse. I used to be fearful that the meals would get repetitive, however every week was distinctive and included various dishes. Salads are positively a staple of the packages, however you will additionally obtain chilis, stews, grain and noodle bowls, flatbreads, quesadillas and extra. My system even included more healthy takes on favorites like cornbread, pancakes and plant-based grilled cheese which have been all a pleasing shock.

Testing Sakara Methods Program

The comfort of getting every thing ready was not solely sensible but in addition considerably lowered my stress degree for the week. After working a full day after which coming house to care for the infant and put her all the way down to sleep, I did not have to fret about making ready dinner because it was already within the fridge and able to eat. I truly actually seemed ahead to the meals since they have been very unique and filled with taste.

I additionally bodily felt good and robust throughout and after the 4 weeks, and it was attention-grabbing to have a break from meat-based meals and merchandise whereas nonetheless feeling satiated and energetic. In my private expertise, I additionally noticed an enchancment in my pores and skin well being however do not suppose that the meals are essentially a miracle treatment. You’d probably discover the identical advantages by consuming entire plant-based meals by yourself, although with out the comfort and meal creativity that the service gives. Sure objects, just like the $40 Magnificence Water Drops will not magically remodel your look, however the components can definitely help general well being. “As somebody who cooks nonstop, I used to be impressed with the combos and artistic components,” one tester mentioned. “It was tremendous straightforward as nothing required cooking. The meals have been restaurant high quality, scrumptious, wholesome and satisfying,” one other famous.

The Dietary supplements and Extras

Sakara Life gives quite a lot of dietary supplements, snacks, teas and extra to help every program. We examined the bars and granola which have been each filling and attractive, in addition to The Basis complement and some different objects. The complement and extras fluctuate based mostly on the plan you select, however in keeping with Sakara Life’s website, the dietary supplements undergo seven rounds of third-party testing for purity and efficiency and are manufactured at a facility that’s FDA-regulated and cGMP and NSF licensed.

The Foundation is Sakara Life’s every day complement pack and is a well-rounded addition to a couple of the present packages. The pack consists of their food-based multivitamin, a calcium and magnesium complement, plant-based omega-3 complement, a mix of B nutritional vitamins and adaptogens, in addition to a probiotic complement. Sakara Life says that The Foundation has gone by way of seven rounds of testing (identification, bodily, chemical, microbiological, gluten/allergen, pesticide/herbicide and stability) and provides that each one uncooked supplies have been examined to make sure they’re genuine and freed from any contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals and all completed dietary supplements have been examined for purity and efficiency.

Informational Supplies and Buyer Service

The informational booklets have been additionally helpful and supplied some background on the meals and why they have been particularly designed for the actual program. Each meal has an ingredient or components spotlighted for his or her potential well being advantages. “I appreciated the knowledge supplied on the highlighted ingredient,” one tester mentioned. The booklet within the Sakara Methods field was very complete and featured data on the science behind this system, in addition to ideas, recipes, motivational steerage and extra.

Customer support is accessible Monday by way of Friday from 9 am – 6 pm EST. We reached out to them with a number of questions and obtained thorough responses the identical day. When reaching out after enterprise hours, somebody bought again to us the subsequent day. In addition they have a detailed FAQ page and may be contacted through telephone or e mail.

Sakara Life Execs and Cons

Execs

• Excessive-quality, recent components
• All meals are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free
• Meals come absolutely ready and ready-to-eat
• Nice taste selection and modern wholesome dishes
• Meals are pre-portioned for one
• Plans vary from two days to 60 days
• Provides choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Informational help supplies
• Nationwide transport and availability
• Sturdy recyclable containers

Cons

• Costly
• Menus are pre-set with restricted modification choices
• Not ideally suited for big households

Sakara Life Plans and Pricing

Here is a extra detailed breakdown of the totally different plans that Sakara Life gives. Pricing ranges based mostly on the variety of days and meals you choose in addition to your location.

Signature Program

• Signature Diet Program ($185 – $440): A wholesome consuming plan with nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners. Choose from two to 5 days per week based mostly on location. Consists of Sakara detox tea, selection of medical-grade dietary supplements and entry to holistic well being teaching.

Sakara Methods

• The Metabolism Reset ($460 for 7 days, $1,610 for 30 days, $3,170 for 60 days): A program designed to help your metabolic well being with meals that includes quite a lot of vitamins that may assist enhance vitality and regulate hormone well being. You may obtain nutritionally designed lunches and dinners, in addition to a smoothie recipe to help your metabolism. Choose from one-, four- or eight-week packages. Consists of metabolism tremendous powder + rechargeable electrical frother, metabolism protein tremendous bar, magnificence water drops, the inspiration every day complement and the metabolism reset information.
• The Recent Begin Cleanse ($460 for 7 days, $1,730 for 30 days, $3,410 for 60 days): A plan that goals to help the physique’s pure cleansing course of and replenish the physique with very important vitamins by way of specifically curated meals. This system consists of nutritionally designed breakfasts and lunches, in addition to their Signature Inexperienced Smoothie. Choose from one-, four- or eight-week packages. Consists of detox protein tremendous bars, detox water drops, the inspiration every day complement, every day night packs of magnesium and the recent begin cleanse information.
• The Intestine Well being Reboot ($595 for 7 days, $2,275 for 30 days, $4,500 for 60 days): A program free from frequent gastrointestinal irritants and filled with prebiotics and probiotics to help the intestine microbiome. The system consists of nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches, dinners and Sakara Life’s signature inexperienced smoothie. Choose one-, four- or eight-week packages. Features a full probiotic method, basis every day complement, detox protein tremendous bars, magnificence water drops, GI rebuild and restore complement and the intestine well being reboot information.
• The Efficiency System ($575 for 7 days, $2,125 for 30 days, $4,200 for 60 days): Plan specializing in nutrient-dense meals curated for entire physique well being. The plethora of nutritional vitamins and minerals in these meals might help combat fatigue, help mind well being and extra. System options nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Choose from one, 4 or eight week packages. Consists of vitality protein tremendous bars, natural protein + greens tremendous powder, the inspiration every day complement, magnificence water drops, every day night packs of magnesium, and the efficiency system information.

Restricted Version Applications

• The 30-Day Reset ($1,230 – $1,320): A four-week diet program that’s solely provided 3 times a 12 months in January, Might and September. This plan consists of nutritionally designed breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners from its Signature Diet Program, plus wellness necessities from Sakara together with its natural protein and greens tremendous powder, detox tea and full probiotic. You’ll be able to select the variety of days you want to obtain meals as nicely, both three or 5 days per week.
• Degree II Detox ($400 – $450): Created in partnership with a useful medication physician, this five-day whole-food cleanse consists of every day help from a workforce of licensed well being coaches and 5 days of full meals, smoothies, soups, broths and extra.
• The Bridal Program ($1,395 – $1,680): A four-week Signature Diet Program plus one month of limitless entry to Erika Bloom’s motion and meditation practices. Consists of Sakara magnificence water and detox water drops, youth and sweetness tea, magnificence protein tremendous bars and Furtuna Pores and skin Cuore Assortment discovery set.

The place does Sakara Life ship?

The service delivers its meals to all cities throughout the contiguous United States, and Sakara Life delivers all merchandise to all 50 United States. You’ll be able to view program choices to your particular area here. Most orders are obtained between 4 and 10 enterprise days after you place your order.

Meals arrive at your step full-prepared and able to eat. For the reason that components are recent and high-quality, the meals ought to be eaten inside a number of days. Many meals may be eaten uncooked, however heating directions can be found for some meals as nicely. All dishes are labeled with a “Finest By” date on the container.

Is Sakara Life packaging recyclable?

All Sakara Life packaging is made with post-consumer recycled supplies and is 100% recyclable. Supply packing containers are insulated and embrace ice packs that maintain the meals at applicable temperatures all through supply. You’ll be able to recycle the ice packs with #4 plastics after chopping the plastic movie and pouring the gel down your drain or within the trash. The meal containers themselves are BPA-free and phthalate-free.

Sakara Life Adjustments and Cancellation Coverage

You’ll be able to simply cancel your Sakara Life subscription beneath your account profile, however you’ll need to cancel earlier than Wednesday at midnight EST to not obtain meals for the next week. Should you simply wish to take a brief break, you may reactive your subscription by logging again into your account and discovering the subscription to reactivate. You additionally can’t cancel the primary week of your subscription however can skip any weeks after that beneath the “edit upcoming weeks” tab part in your account.

The menus are pre-set so you will not be capable to make any main modifications. That being mentioned, you do have the flexibility to swap both two or three meals per week when on a subscription meal plan relying on the size of this system.

Remaining ideas: Is Sakara Life price the associated fee?

You are definitely paying a premium for a service like Sakara Life, and at such a excessive value level you could be questioning if the service is de facto price it. The brief reply is that the high-quality meals and general program are worthwhile to attempt if it is sensible along with your finances, however they will not present any

I had a improbable expertise with the service and was very impressed by the modern meals and scrumptious taste profiles. Every little thing was plant-based, gluten-free and dairy-free however nonetheless managed to really feel creative and scrumptious. The service additionally expanded my palate by introducing me to numerous worldwide delicacies flavors that I hadn’t tried earlier than. Every little thing was seasoned completely and crammed me up, too. Having the choices ready-made was extraordinarily handy for me and my way of life. The Sakara Methods expertise felt very curated and it was good understanding that the meals all served a particular objective in the direction of a wellness purpose.

Assortment of Sakara Life Meals for Testing

I’d positively use the service once more, although I’d probably go for the two-day or five-day Signature Diet Program to assist save time and scale back stress on my busiest days of the week. The one-week Sakara System plan can be one thing I would do sooner or later for per week once I know I’ve loads happening however nonetheless wish to prioritize my well being and diet. One tester had related sentiments and mentioned, “I’ve already ordered a few Sakara Life merchandise whereas utilizing the meal service and am tremendous proud of them. I’d positively order the meals once more if the circumstances have been aligned. I used to be actually proud of how I felt after 5 days of the meals.”

Tester suggestions was additionally largely optimistic throughout the board. “Total my expertise with Sakara Life was fantastic,” a tester mentioned. “I felt that the components, flavors and general number of the meals have been actually beautiful.” One other tester mentioned that the meals have been all scrumptious and higher than she thought they might be. “I seemed ahead to every meal and I used to be at all times full after the meals. I by no means as soon as felt the urge to eat something exterior of the delivered meals as a result of I used to be at all times happy.”

Should you’re contemplating a trial with Sakara Life, we suggest the two-day Signature Diet Program because it’s probably the most reasonably priced program possibility and might help you establish whether or not or not the service will suit your dietary wants.

How we check meal supply companies

To seek out the best meal delivery services, we recruited over 280 at-home testers together with our in-house product testing consultants. Over the course of three months, we evaluated over 40 totally different meal supply companies, starting from conventional kits that include pre-measured components and a follow-along recipe card to completely ready choices.

We made our picks based mostly on professional analysis and tester suggestions, together with general satisfaction, meals high quality, price, recycling efforts and availability. Our picks for the perfect ready meal supply companies cater to all kinds of particular diets and dietary preferences together with gluten-free, natural, vegetarian and extra. We have additionally discovered that customization is necessary to many testers, so we took that into consideration. Though style is subjective, we selected corporations that scored excessive factors general with testers.

On account of our testing, we imagine the businesses spotlighted above deserve recognition for his or her efficiency of their classes. That mentioned, it is a fast-growing section within the meals trade and we’re more likely to see extra new entrants rising within the close to future. We’re at all times testing new choices on this class to maintain readers up-to-date. For extra ready-to-eat choices, take a look at our best prepared meal delivery services. If these decisions are above your finances, take a look at our best affordable meal delivery services.

Diet Lab Deputy Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified private coach and the deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Diet Lab, the place she handles all nutrition-related content material, testing and analysis. She holds a bachelor’s diploma in dietary sciences from Pennsylvania State College and a grasp’s diploma in scientific diet from NYU. She can be Good Housekeeping’s on-staff health and train professional. Stefani is devoted to offering readers with evidence-based content material to encourage knowledgeable meals decisions and wholesome residing. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate house cook dinner who loves spending time together with her huge match Greek household.