Available in 2026
Pre-made meals have become increasingly popular across Australia. As clinical nutritionists our clients are asking a lot more questions about where pre-made meals can fit into their lives.
While wholefood, home-prepared meals will always remain the gold standard, ready-made meals can play a role in a balanced nutrition plan, particularly when quality, ingredients, and nutritional balance are prioritised. With the right choices, they can be a helpful tool for supporting health during busy periods of life.
In this guide, our clinical nutrition team at The JCN Clinic shares our evidence-based perspective on some of the most commonly used pre-made meal services in Australia. These recommendations are not sponsored and are based on ingredient quality, nutritional composition, and what we see work best for clients in real clinical practice.
These pre-made meals are either used in our client dietary plans or have been enjoyed by the majority of the practitioners at The JCN Clinic. In fact you will find a 5-star rating against our JCN practitioners favourites in the list below.
How Clinical Nutritionists Assess Pre-Made Meals
When we as practitioners review pre-made meals, we are always looking beyond calories and convenience. We have a check list that needs to met to ensure you are getting the best nutritional outcomes. Of course, taste satisfaction is paramount too! Key factors include:
- Wholefood ingredients with minimal additives or preservatives
- Adequate protein to support energy, metabolism, and satiety
- Balanced macronutrients to support blood sugar regulation, energy and hormones
- Suitability for gut health, food sensitivities, and chronic gut conditions such as IBD, IDB, SIBO and low FODMAP needs
- Practical accessibility for real-life routines
The Best Pre-Made Meal Services in Australia (Nutritionist Ranked)
The Good Farm Shop
Best for wholefood, minimally processed meals
The Good Farm Shop prioritises pasture-raised meats, seasonal vegetables, and simple, recognisable ingredients. There is also a strong focus on gluten free. Meals are frozen to preserve freshness and free from preservatives and additives.
Nutrition: This is one of the strongest options for clients focused on food quality, gut health, and nutrient density, particularly those managing chronic digestive concerns with the gluten free element to these meals. Ingredients are clearly labeled to help ascertain any potential reactants.
Best Suited For: Wholefood focused eating, gut health support and long-term wellbeing.
Number #1 choice as rated by Christine Smith and Jessica Cox.
Nourish’d
Large variety of gluten-free and preservative-free meals
Nourish’d offers a broad menu of meals free from gluten and preservatives, making it a popular choice for individuals with food sensitivities. Nourish’d also offers multiple options to filter meals for other dietary requirements including dairy, nut free and some high FODMAP ingredients.
Nutrition: Variety is a strength here, though meal selection still matters when it comes to what suits your dietary requirements. Some options may suit certain goals better than others depending on aspects like protein needs and avoidance of particular ingredients.
Best suited for: Busy individuals seeking wholefood convenience with dietary flexibility. Suits those seeking a large variety of gluten free options.
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Strength Meals Co
Best for high-protein, performance-focused meals
Strength Meals Co are designed with higher protein targets in mind, making them appealing for physically active individuals and those prioritising protein intake with meals. They are also readily available in supermarkets.
Nutrition: The protein focus is ideal given proteins importance with overall metabolic health and satiety. Choose meals with consideration that other macronutrients are still essential for overall gut health. This might mean adding a small handful of leafy greens to the meal if low in vegetables.
Best suited for:
Active lifestyles, strength training, and those optimising their protein requirements.
Number #1 choice as rated by Carissa Mason
THR1VE Meals
Best for structured dietary approaches (low-carb, keto approach)
THR1VE provides meals designed to align with specific dietary frameworks such as low-carb or ketogenic eating. Meals are primarily high in protein with moderate fat. THR1VE meals offer clearly labelled dietaries with respect to gluten, dairy, eggs and so forth.
Nutrition: Macro centric focus on protein and fats with low carb may be helpful short-term for some individuals following therapeutic diets, though suitability depends on your individual health needs. We would recommend consulting with a health professional before committing to heavy use of these meals.
Best suited for:
Clients following specific dietary protocols under guidance.
How to Use Pre-Made Meals to Support Your Health
Pre-made meals work best when used strategically and with consideration to your lifestyle needs. To get the best results with using them we recommend the following.
Clinical nutritionist tips:
- Adjust choices based on your own gut health needs and health goals
- Choose meals with ingredient lists that you understand with real foods.
- Prioritise protein (look for minimum of 25g with a main meal), fibre, and healthy fats
- Pair meals with fresh vegetables or simple wholefoods
Need personalised nutrition advice catered to your needs?
If you are after personalised nutrition advice and dietary planning individualised to your health and dietary needs then contact us at The JCN Clinic with your enquiry. We are always happy to answer any questions you have!
Dineamic
Best for balanced, everyday nutrition
Dineamic offers balanced meals with clear macronutrient information and a focus on ethical sourcing. They also offer dietary options inclusive of dairy free, low fodmap and vegetarian. Dineamic meals are not as paired back in ingredients as some other companies, as they do include some additives and thickeners is sauces.
Nutrition: These meals can fit well into a general healthy eating as part of a busy lifestyle, particularly for those with less sensitivities to additives and preservatives.
Best suited for:
General healthy meal support and consistent, balanced meals.
MACROS
Macro-based focused meal options with wholefoods
MACROS provides a wide range of meals tailored to different calorie and macronutrient targets, making them widely accessible. MACROS focus on wholefood ingredients and offer plant-based options.
Nutrition: Convenient for macro tracking, plant based and higher protein focused intake. Individual meal ingredient quality and individual tolerance should still be considered.
Best suited for:
Convenience with macro tracking meals that are dietician designed.
Eat Iku
Best for plant-based and vegan-friendly ready meals
Eat Iku provides flexible build-your-own packs and plant-based meal options that are ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets. They offer a variety of meal options with a focus still on nutrient diversity.
Nutrition: Plant-based meals that still in the majority provide good protein, alongside fibre and micronutrients for gut health. Depending on your nutritional needs, attention may still be needed to ensure adequate protein when choosing meal options.
Best suited for: Plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan nutrition goals.
A Clinical Nutrition Perspective
While pre-made meals can support busy lifestyles, they are not a substitute for personalised nutrition care, especially for those managing chronic or complex health conditions. Digestive symptoms, hormone imbalances, fatigue, and inflammatory issues often require a more tailored approach that goes beyond what any packaged meal can offer.
At The JCN Clinic, we help clients understand how to use tools like pre-made meals within a broader, evidence-based strategy designed specifically for their body, symptoms, and lifestyle.
If you’re unsure which options are right for you or feel like you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel well, working with a qualified clinical nutritionist can help bring clarity and direction.
Looking for personalised support?
Our team offers comprehensive telehealth consultations to help you navigate nutrition choices, gut health, and complex chronic conditions with confidence and clarity.
Jessica Cox is a qualified practicing Nutritionist with a Bachelor Health Science (Nutrition) and over 15 years of clinical experience. She is the founder and director JCN Clinic, published author and established recipe developer. Jessica is well respected within health and wellness space for her no fad approach and use of evidence-based nutrition.
