My Honest Review of Thistle - A Plant-forward Meal Delivery Service




Two months ago, I was delighted to discover a meal delivery service that aligned with my dietary goals. I was browsing for ideas on what to make with some produce I purchased from Sprouts and stumbled upon the blog of a company called Thistle.  

Thistle is a plant-forward meal delivery company that offers nutrient-dense meals and snacks curated by nutritionists and chefs. It checks all the boxes: whole foods, high protein, less-refined sugars, and organic ingredients. The best part is that their fully prepared meals are packed with plant-based protein (though there is an option to add meat, if you prefer). Their meals are all gluten-free and dairy-free, and are packed with superfoods. Though I'm neither gluten-free nor vegan, I welcome this. 

Advertised "As low as $42 a week," I signed up for a customized plan and have been a subscriber since. So, here's my review. 


The Experience


After being invited by the vibrant food pictures on the landing page, one of the first things you do after signing up is curate your meal plan. This was my first time subscribing to any meal service, but from what I can tell from quick research, Thistle is one of the more customizable options. Your plan can consist of the following: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert (yes!) You can add and remove items as needed before the billing period, provided you have a minimum of three items per delivery. 

The food is delivered in the mornings or evenings on Mondays and Thursdays. (This schedule may vary depending on your location.) I opted to get text notifications in the morning when my delivery is in transit and when it has arrived. 

My Thoughts

The whole experience is very convenient. The layout for ordering food is clear and simple. I appreciate the "upcoming charges" feature to clearly see what I will be spending in the next billing cycle. So far, my deliveries have mostly been in the promised delivery window, arriving early on occasion. Each bag is packed with ample cold packs for food safety.

Since ordering, I've had one negative experience with the condition of a delivery. However, a customer service representative went above and beyond in correcting the matter, so I have no complaints whatsoever. 

The Food


Now to the most important part- the food! As mentioned previously, Thistle meals are health-conscious. They are packed with nutrients, while avoiding highly-refined sugars, preservatives, fillers, and excess sodium. This is ideal for me, as this is how I prefer to eat. Many people who would like to make better choices or lose weight may benefit from eating Thistle. I especially appreciate how the meals are curated to be packed with plant-based protein. This is a major highlight for those of us who do not eat meat, and is a bonus for people who simply want to eat more plants. 

The Menu

Breakfasts include things like overnight oats, muesli, and smoothies. People who enjoy starting their day with a warm meal may enjoy Thistle's tofu scrambles. Some of the typical lunches and dinners are salads and pastas, or shirataki noodle dishes with greens. Plant proteins consist mostly of tofu, chickpeas, quinoa, nuts, and tahini. Sometimes ingredients like black rice, red rice, and pea crumbles make an appearance as well. The flavors are curated carefully, making great use of herbs and spices, lessening the need for salt. 

Snacks and desserts are always available on the menu at Thistle. Snacks can be sweet or savory. Desserts are usually either a bar or a mousse, sweetened with things like maple syrup and coconut sugar.  

There is a new menu for each day of the week, from Monday to Saturday. These items do come back in rotation, and there is a feature to rate each item so users can remember what they enjoyed (or didn't). If that is not enough, there is a consistent side menu with soups and jar salads that you can add to your order. 

My Thoughts

My opinion of Thistle meals is overwhelmingly positive. I feel good after eating their meals and feel as healthy as eating my own cooking (if not more at times). My favorite meals include Persephone's salad and the Miso Glazed Squash Curry. The former is a Greek-inspired salad with crunchy chickpeas and a pomegranate dressing, while the latter is a savory Thai curry with black rice. There were some flavor combinations that I don't care for and now try to avoid, such as the pasta dishes with beans. 

One negative point I have to mention is regarding the portion size. I feel like the portion sizes for most of the breakfast items are too small. This could simply be a preference, as there is a case for eating a light breakfast, a heavier lunch, and a light dinner. This is a nutritional model that Thistle seems to follow.

The Value

Finally, to the big question - is Thistle worth the money? I determine the value of my Thistle subscription by comparing how much I typically spend to cook at home. This includes the expense of groceries as well as how much time I spend planning my weekly menu, making supermarket visits, and cooking and cleaning the kitchen afterwards. Preparing home-cooked healthy meals is a personal joy of mine, but it is a lot to do after a day of work. I took this into account when subscribing to Thistle. I make the most out of my subscription by focusing my plan on lunches and dinners, as it is easier for me to make breakfast during the week. 

Referring to the statement "as low as $42 a week," this is only true if you purchase 3 items a week. With the lunches and dinners running you between $15 and $17 a week, you should expect to spend more than that if you want meals for a few days. It is worth mentioning that the price per meal decreases as you add more items to your weekly delivery.

All in all, Thistle's meal plan delivery is a great way to cut back or replace cooking, without relying on take-out or salt-laden pre-prepared food. It's fresh, healthy, and something I especially recommend to vegetarians and vegans. It is not for everyone, though. If the price range is out of your budget, there are cheaper (albeit labor and time-consuming) ways to meal prep. 

If you are interested in trying Thistle, feel free to take advantage of my referral code to save $60 on your first week and $20 for three consecutive weeks. This is a total of $120 in savings. Enjoy!

Code: TAYLORW2FG








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