EveryPlate's Stance on Special Diets and Gluten-Free Meals
EveryPlate is a budget-focused meal kit service that prioritizes simplicity and affordability over catering to specialized dietary needs. According to company statements and reviews, EveryPlate does not currently offer dedicated vegan, paleo, keto, or gluten-free options. This limitation is a direct result of their business model, which keeps costs down by streamlining operations and ingredient sourcing. For customers with mild gluten sensitivities, it may be possible to find naturally gluten-free meals on the weekly menu, but this requires careful manual checking of ingredients and is not a guaranteed solution. The service is explicitly not recommended for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance due to the high risk of cross-contamination in their shared packing facilities.
The EveryPlate Allergen and Cross-Contamination Risk
For anyone with a serious gluten intolerance, such as celiac disease, the risk of cross-contamination is a significant concern. EveryPlate is not certified gluten-free and all ingredients, including those containing allergens, are handled in the same facilities. This means even if a recipe does not list a gluten-containing ingredient, there is still a possibility of trace amounts being present. The risk extends beyond the main components to include seasonings, sauces, and other packaged items that are not produced in-house. While EveryPlate provides allergen information on its recipe cards and website, this information is not a guarantee against accidental cross-contamination. A review in PCMag noted the service lacks a user-friendly filtering option for allergens on its website, forcing users to manually check each recipe's full card for details.
How to Navigate EveryPlate for Non-Celiac Gluten Avoidance
If you have a mild gluten sensitivity or simply prefer to avoid gluten when possible for non-medical reasons, you can still use EveryPlate with a high degree of caution. This approach, however, requires more time and effort on your part.
Here are steps to take if you choose this route:
- Read the Recipe Carefully: Before ordering, check the recipe card on the website. Look for obvious sources of gluten like bread, pasta, tortillas, or breadcrumbs.
- Inspect Ingredient Labels: When the box arrives, examine every packaged ingredient, especially sauces and seasonings. As some Reddit users have noted, seasoning packets sometimes lack detailed ingredient lists, which adds risk.
- Plan for Substitutions: If a recipe includes a gluten-containing item, be prepared to purchase a gluten-free alternative yourself. For example, swap regular pasta for a gluten-free brand, or use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
- Practice Safe Cooking: Be mindful of your kitchen environment to prevent cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards and utensils when preparing the meal to avoid any potential issues with residual gluten.
EveryPlate vs. Gluten-Free Alternatives: A Comparison
For those who need a truly reliable gluten-free meal solution, turning to specialized services is the safest and easiest option. This table compares EveryPlate with proven alternatives. For more detailed reviews of GF services, see The Spruce Eats' expert guide: The 6 Best Gluten-Free Meal Delivery Services of 2025.
| Feature | EveryPlate | Green Chef | Sunbasket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (per serving) | $4.99+ | $11.99+ | $9.99+ |
| Gluten-Free Certification | No | Yes (by Gluten Intolerance Group) | No (ingredients only) |
| Celiac Safety | Not Recommended (High risk of cross-contamination) | Yes (prepared on dedicated production lines) | Not Recommended (Prepared in gluten-inclusive facility) |
| GF Options | Manual selection/substitution only | Dedicated weekly GF menu | Extensive GF filtering |
| Customization | Limited protein/side swaps | Dedicated plans | High flexibility, GF filtering |
Specialized Gluten-Free Options: Your Safest Bet
If EveryPlate’s limitations are a deal-breaker for you, several companies offer safer, more reliable gluten-free options. Green Chef, for example, is certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group and prepares gluten-free meals on dedicated production lines, offering peace of mind for those with celiac disease. Other services like Hungryroot and Sunbasket provide strong filtering options for gluten-free ingredients, though their facilities may not be entirely gluten-free, so caution is still advised for celiacs. Ultimately, prioritizing a service with strong, certified protocols over EveryPlate's manual-selection approach is the best choice for anyone whose health is impacted by gluten.
Conclusion
In summary, EveryPlate does not have gluten-free options in the dedicated sense of a certified, segregated meal plan. While it offers budget-friendly meals, its focus on low costs prevents it from safely accommodating special dietary needs like those of celiac disease patients due to cross-contamination risks. Customers with mild sensitivities may choose to manually review ingredients and make substitutions, but this process comes with inherent risks and extra effort. For true peace of mind and convenience, especially for severe intolerances, meal kits like Green Chef that offer certified gluten-free options are a much safer and more practical choice.
