|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
- Pete’s Real Food is a convenient meal delivery service that supplies paleo-friendly meals right to your home.
- This year, set yourself up for a win with Pete’s Real Food—nutritious meals that are packed with flavor, nutrition and variety and come ready to eat!
- Voted “Best Gourmet Meal Delivery Service 2023” by People Magazine
Those who adhere to the paleo diet believe that cavemen and cavewomen got it right thousands of years ago. The diet incorporates only foods that were available during the Paleolithic era. This means that processed foods such as dairy, grains, sugar, and legumes are off limits. Furthermore, some strict paleo followers also exclude salt, alcohol, and even coffee from their diet.
Lots of people who follow the paleo diet try to stay fit. Working out every day takes time away from cooking. This is why Pete’s Real Food (formerly called Pete’s Paleo) exists. It’s a meal delivery service that prepares and sends paleo-friendly meals to your doorstep on a regular basis, or as a one-time order. I don’t actually follow the paleo diet myself, but I’m very familiar with the healthy prepared meal business, and I recently took an interest in Pete’s. I was curious enough to experience the meal delivery service firsthand, and this review is the result of my experience.
Pete’s Real Food is a meal delivery service that specializes in healthy, paleo-inspired meals. The dishes they offer are all fresh, not frozen, and are made without processed foods such as grains, wheat, soy-based foods or dairy products. Instead, these meals are packed with lean meats and lots of vegetables. As the name suggests, Pete’s Real Food follows a diet like that of our caveman ancestors.
Photo: Pete’s Real Food
How does Pete’s Real Food work? To begin, you fill in some essential data and select a plan or order of meals that fit your preferences the best. Then, precooked and vacuum-sealed dishes arrive at your front door ready to be served. The plans may seem complicated at first glance, but here is a shortcut to guide you.
Pete’s Real Food is the place to go for your meals. Whether you’re looking for a regular subscription or just a single order, there are plenty of options. You can have five, 10, or 14 meals delivered to your house on a weekly, bi-monthly, or one-time basis. They also have a family plan that includes five larger meals with four servings each. For vegetarians, they offer a veggie-only option that provides 10 plant-based meals per order.
You can make a few changes to the meal plan if you choose, such as increasing the protein in your meals or adding an extra side item. The meals that will be served are listed ahead of time each week on the website so you know exactly what you will be receiving. You can also ask for no pork in any of the dishes.
Pete’s Real Food Lite Plan is a meal plan with smaller servings, providing seven paleo meals per week that each feature 3.5 ounces of protein and five ounces of vegetables. You can purchase it one-time or as a subscription, with no difference in cost. You can also get them delivered on a weekly or biweekly basis.
Pete’s Eat What You Love menu features a variety of dishes to choose from, whether you want a single meal or a bundle. It includes more luxurious options like braised brisket, beef tenderloin, and chicken gumbo for $15-$20. If you’re following a keto-friendly diet, there’s an option for that too: a bundle of six cauliflower rice bowls for $77. Lastly, there’s the chef’s choice bundle of 10 meals for $100.
What’s Pete’s Real Food like? If you’ve ever heard of the paleo diet, then you have a pretty good idea of what you’ll find in Pete’s Real Food meals — plenty of protein and healthy vegetables with no pasta, wheat, dairy, beans or grains. As for the contents, a typical meal includes one main protein and one or two sides from the plant world, as well as a mild sauce or seasoning. Additionally, there are no allergens such as nuts, dairy, egg, gluten and soy in any of the meals.
Photo: Pete’s Real Food
Pete’s utilizes top-notch components in their recipes, like grass-raised animal proteins such as chicken, ground beef, slow-roasted pork shoulder, turkey breast, beef chili and tri-tip steak. Pete’s only uses organic veggies too, like kale, bok choy, spinach and broccoli, as well as carbohydrate-rich sides like butternut squash, roasted beets, cauliflower and potatoes.
Pete’s borrows some culinary knowledge from foreign cuisines, but the dishes are mostly recognizable to North Americans. If a recipe calls for spices, the flavors do not overwhelm the taste buds. The menu is regularly updated to provide variety but some a la carte options remain in place.
I’ve been using Pete’s Real Food meals for a few months and I really liked them. Compared to other meal delivery services, I’d rate the meals as higher than average. The dishes were well-thought out, and they looked yummy when they arrived. For example, the yellow curry pork cheeks with sauteed peppers, onions, and broccoli was especially amazing. The curry flavor was mild yet delicious and the pork was cooked till it was nice and soft.
I usually don’t favor heating pre-made meals in the microwave, and strongly suggest you don’t if you can avoid it, even when suggested as an option (as with Pete’s). For most of Pete’s Real Food dishes, I just placed all the ingredients in a non-stick frying pan and let them cook over low heat with the sauce. Yes, you’ll have to rinse one pan, but it’s worth it. For meals with chicken, steak, and pork slices, use a similar low-heat skillet method and add a splash of water or chicken broth to perk it up. Or cover them up and heat them in your convection oven or countertop oven (on low).
What is the cost of Pete’s Real Food meal delivery? The price per meal varies depending on the meal plan you choose, but typically lies around $14. Ordeing more food at once is cheaper than getting individual meals, however there is no discount for subscribing. Finer options can be found in the “Eat What You Love” section, so it is best to go through the different meal plans and see if one is right for you.
Pete’s Real Food meals are perfect for individuals on the paleo diet, athletes and those who are highly active. The portions are sizeable and the meals are brimming with protein as well as complex carbs to power your workouts. It’s also a great choice for busy people since you can order one time and store the meals in the freezer. This delivery service is ideal for those with food allergies or who are attempting to avoid certain ingredients, as all recipes are gluten, soy and dairy-free.
Pete’s Real Food might not be a great choice for those following a keto diet, as there are quite a few carbs in these meals, even though they are healthy. And while there is a plant-based meal plan available, the main focus of Pete’s Real Food is their meats, so this option isn’t ideal for vegans and vegetarians.
Photo: Pete’s Real Food
Pete’s Real Food quickly earned my approval as one of the top organic meal delivery services I’ve tried. Even though it’s not particularly budget-friendly at an average cost of $14 per meal, it is still cheaper than other services that offer organic ingredients and quality meats. For what you’re getting — organic and healthy meals that are prepared with care and taste great — Pete’s Paleo isn’t a bad deal. I found the food to be well-prepared, with meats being tender, vegetables cooked to perfection, and all the flavors in perfect balance. If you prefer bold, spicy flavors, you might have to add a few doses of hot sauce or salt and spices but overall I thought the food had good flavor.
Pete’s Real Food is an ideal choice for fitness buffs, athletes in training, and anyone who wants nutritious and satisfying food to have on hand during those hectic times. Why don’t you give it a try with a one-time order and see how it goes?
Order Now at Pete’s Real Food
