Best for Those Recovering from Illness or Surgery

This Iowa-based service has been serving up healthy meals for delivery for almost two decades. Their dietitians have focused on seniors recovering from medical setbacks, with menu items and meal combinations promoting healing and regaining strength.

While sourcing produce and ingredients locally, Mom’s Meals also partners with social service caseworkers in most states and over 400 health care companies, as well as selling directly to caregivers and individuals. They’ll even liaise with an individual senior’s health care team to ensure an optimal diet for recovery. 

Pros:

  • Many diet-specific menu options, including heart-friendly, cancer support, and more
  • Low cost per serving, offering meals as low as $7.99
  • Breakfast options available in addition to lunch and dinner

Cons:

  • High shipping cost at $14.95 per box, regardless of the number of meals purchased

Overview of Mom’s Meals Meal Delivery Service

Mom’s Meals was started by Iowa’s Anderson family to address the needs of seniors recovering from surgery or illness. Co-founder Barb Anderson’s belief in the healing properties of good nutrition and delivering balanced meals is the cornerstone of Mom’s operation. An extensive dietitian-approved menu of health-conscious single-serving meals is delivered fresh for reheating, rather than flash frozen. 

Meals Available
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Cost per Serving
$7.99 for regular meals, $8.99 for pureed meals, free for some seniors
Shipping Costs
$14.95
Special Diet Options
-Gluten-free
-Renal-friendly
-Heart-friendly
-Low sodium
-Puréed
-Cancer support
-Vegetarian
Number of Weekly Meal Choices
60+ items for self-pay customers

How Much Does Mom’s Meals Meal Delivery Service Cost?

The cost of Mom’s Meals meal delivery may be covered by Medicare or Medicaid waiver programs or other insurance plans for eligible customers who are recuperating after a hospital stay.

For customers without an eligible health plan or who don’t qualify for government assistance, the self-pay program offers nine menus with a variety of meal options for only $7.99/meal. Renal-friendly, puréed and gluten-free options cost $8.99/meal, but a flat rate shipping fee of $14.95 always applies.

Bottom line: while Mom’s Meals are truly economical and offer great value, the cost of shipping and other dietary extras can certainly add up.

Full Review of Mom’s Meals Meal Delivery Service Features

Mom’s Meals is an established and trusted meal delivery service available across the U.S. They deliver a wide range of reasonably priced, health-conscious single-serving meals to customers’ doorsteps. This is especially helpful for house-bound seniors and those recovering from surgery or an illness. 

Meal Options

Mom’s Meals posts all of their meals online, allowing customers to select each single serving meal; there is no bundling of random meals or need to divide larger portions. For example, customers can peruse a General Wellness menu that lists each meal component, the number of carbohydrates per portion and, if applicable, the designation diabetes or heart-friendly. Many meals include extras such as a drink or sweets.

Mom’s Meals also offers a range of dietitian-designed meals for aging digestive systems. These meals are carefully balanced to compensate for medical issues such as vitamin deficiency, organ dysfunction, food intolerance or weight loss due to illness. They include the following specialties:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Renal Friendly
  • Heart Friendly
  • Low Sodium
  • Puréed for easier digestion
  • Cancer Support
  • Vegetarian

Preparation

Mom’s is different from some meal delivery services in its approach to fresh rather than frozen food. Individually packaged meals are meant to be refrigerated for up to 14 days. Prep consists of a simple reheat in an oven, toaster oven or microwave.

Cost

Per meal, Mom’s is one of the most economical meal delivery services out there. Much of their business is directed towards clients who are covered under Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) programs or the Older Americans Act for meal preparation and delivery. For individual self-pay customers, Mom’s Meals costs a reasonable $7.99 per meal ($8.99 for some custom menus) plus shipping. 

Delivery

Mom’s delivers across the U.S. using its own drivers or third-party partners. Delivery dates can be organized online and, because Mom’s is not a subscription service, there is lots of flexibility. Meals come carefully packaged with a packing list, nutritional list and menu catalog. Each meal is individually packaged in a microwaveable tray with a detailed ingredients label.

Customer Support

Mom’s is generally lauded for its caring and helpful customer service. Knowledgeable representatives are easily accessible by phone or email for explanations, menu advice and delivery changes. And registered dietitians are also available to discuss nutrition questions and concerns.

Who Should Consider Mom’s Meals Meal Delivery Service? 

People Recovering From an Illness

Because Mom’s Meals offers support from dietitians and regularly partners with caregivers and health care agencies, customers returning from a hospital stay or recovering from illness can confidently tailor their meals for maximum healing potential. Even the General Wellness menu at Mom’s includes meals that are designated low-sodium, heart-healthy and diabetes-friendly. And there are special menus that address specific conditions that often affect seniors, such as cancer support and renal dysfunction.

Seniors Who Don’t Like To Cook

Mom’s offers clients a very wide range of meal options and the ability to pick and choose individual meals. Preparation is never more complicated than a simple reheat. This meal service is ideal for people who want to eat well without the fuss of shopping for ingredients and cooking.

What Are People Saying About Mom’s Meals Meal Delivery Service?

For economy and ease of use, Mom’s Meals gets high marks from reviewers. Many appreciated the comforting nature of the meal selection with its many pasta dishes,  saucy meal options and dessert extras. Most found the pricing of $7.99 to $8.99 per meal exceptionally good value, though some who used the service sporadically found the delivery charge of $14.99 excessive.

On the negative side, some reviewers found Mom’s meals to err on the side of comfort over healthiness with more fat and sugar content in some items than they would like. Several reviewers expressed concern about overcooked vegetables. Mom’s may fall short for foodie seniors who love and appreciate excellent produce and organic options.

Frequently Asked Questions 


What Is the Best Cooked Meal Delivery Service?



Food is personal, and seniors have individual needs, so it’s hard to determine “best” when it comes to meal delivery services. What’s best is a reliable and affordable service that uses excellent ingredients and provides meal options that align with dietary restrictions and preferences. And this will certainly vary from person to person. Click here for our full answer to this question.


How Many Meals Should an Elderly Person Eat a Day?



It’s ideal for most people to eat three regular meals and healthy snacks daily. However, many seniors have diminished appetites and capacity, so portion size may need adjusting. Most importantly, a requisite amount of calories and nutritional balance that suits the individual should be carefully considered. Click here for our full answer to this question. 


What Foods Should Seniors Avoid?



Some foods are harder to process as we age. These will change according to individual physiology, but the most common foods that seniors may find they need to avoid or limit include unpasteurized milk and juice products, raw seafood, some nuts and seeds, and bean sprouts. Click here for our full answer to this question.