Does HelloFresh Have Low Salt Meals? A Detailed Look

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the CDC, over 70% of the sodium consumed in the U.S. comes from processed and restaurant foods. For those concerned about their sodium intake, meal delivery services like HelloFresh often present a conundrum: are they truly healthier, especially when it comes to salt content?

Quick Summary

HelloFresh does not have a dedicated low-sodium meal plan, but it offers options labeled 'Fit & Wholesome' and publishes nutritional information for each recipe. By selecting meals carefully and customizing them during cooking, customers can significantly reduce the sodium content. Pre-made sauces and seasoned packets often contain the most sodium, making customization key for a lower-salt diet.

Key Points

No Dedicated Plan: HelloFresh lacks a specific low-sodium meal plan, so customers must be vigilant in their meal choices.
Nutritional Information is Key: Sodium levels for each recipe are available online, allowing customers to check content before selecting meals.
Customize for Control: Skipping or reducing added salt and using low-sodium alternatives for stock and sauces are effective strategies for lowering sodium.
Pre-Packaged Items are High in Sodium: Be aware that flavor packets and stock concentrates often contain a large portion of the meal's sodium.
Consider Alternatives for Strict Diets: For strict low-sodium needs, dedicated services like ModifyHealth or Trifecta might be more appropriate.
Focus on Fresh Ingredients: Naturally lower-sodium dishes with whole foods, fresh vegetables, and lean protein can be found on the menu with careful selection.

Navigating HelloFresh's Menu for Low Salt Options

While HelloFresh does not offer a specific 'low-sodium' meal plan or filter, it's possible to manage your sodium intake with their service. A key part of the process is actively reviewing the weekly menu, which provides detailed nutritional information, including sodium content per serving. High-sodium culprits are often pre-made sauces and stock concentrates, so understanding where the salt comes from is crucial.

The 'Fit & Wholesome' Option

HelloFresh offers a 'Fit & Wholesome' meal preference, which includes 'Calorie Smart' and 'Carb Smart' meals, but doesn't guarantee low sodium. While many meals in this category are lower in overall calories and fat, sodium levels can still be high. Users on Reddit have reported some meals exceeding 2,000 mg of sodium per serving, close to the maximum daily recommendation. Therefore, relying solely on this tag is not enough for someone on a strict low-sodium diet; you must check the specific nutritional details for each meal.

How to Customize Your HelloFresh Meals for Less Salt

The beauty of a meal kit is that you are the final chef, giving you control over the preparation. Here’s how you can make a HelloFresh meal low-salt:

Season to Taste: Ignore the recipe card's instruction to add a "pinch" of salt or add it much more sparingly. You can always add more at the table if needed.
Replace High-Sodium Ingredients: This is the most impactful change. For example, instead of using the provided stock concentrate, use a low-sodium broth from your own pantry. If the recipe calls for pre-packaged, salty sauces, make a simple alternative from scratch using herbs, spices, and a low-sodium base.
Rinse Canned Goods: If a recipe includes canned items like beans, rinsing them thoroughly can remove a significant amount of sodium.
Lean on Spices and Herbs: Use the included spices and fresh herbs liberally to boost flavor without adding salt. You can also add your own spice blends for extra flavor.
Look for Naturally Lower-Sodium Dishes: Recipes featuring fresh, whole ingredients like grilled fish or simple vegetable-based dishes tend to be lower in sodium inherently.

Low-Sodium Meal Delivery Comparison

For those who need to adhere strictly to low-sodium guidelines, other meal delivery services may be a better fit. These services often provide dedicated plans or filters for medically-designed meals.


Feature	HelloFresh	Factor_ (Prepared)	Trifecta (Prepared)
Designated Low Sodium Plan?	No	Specific filters available	Offers low-sodium meals
Meal Type	Meal Kit (you cook)	Prepared meals (heat and eat)	Prepared meals (heat and eat)
Customization	Excellent control over added salt	Limited, as meals are pre-cooked	Limited, as meals are pre-cooked
Sodium Range	Varies widely, can be very high	Can filter to find lower-sodium options	Meals are medically-designed with low sodium in mind
Best For...	Those willing to customize recipes and monitor ingredients.	People needing convenient, pre-made low-sodium options.	Strict low-sodium diets and specific medical needs.

What Makes Some HelloFresh Meals High in Sodium?

Several factors contribute to the varying sodium levels in HelloFresh's meals. Firstly, flavor packets and stock concentrates are notorious for containing high amounts of sodium. In meal kits, these are used to ensure consistency and a boost of flavor, but they can significantly increase the total sodium of a dish. Secondly, certain cuisine types, particularly those with a lot of sauces or savory seasonings, often have higher sodium content. For instance, dishes that use Asian-style sauces or cheese-based elements often push sodium levels upward. Lastly, while HelloFresh does offer fresh ingredients, some items like certain cuts of meat or sauces may have added sodium for preservation or flavor enhancement. Being mindful of these potential sources of salt is key to making a healthier choice.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the question "does HelloFresh have low salt meals?" does not have a simple yes or no answer. HelloFresh does not specifically cater to low-sodium diets with a dedicated plan, and many of its recipes can be high in sodium. However, it is entirely possible to create low-salt meals using their service if you take an active role in customizing the preparation. By skipping the added salt, substituting high-sodium ingredients, and carefully checking nutritional labels, you can enjoy the convenience of HelloFresh while maintaining a healthier, low-sodium diet. For individuals who need very strict sodium control, a pre-prepared meal service designed specifically for low-sodium diets might be a more suitable option.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, HelloFresh does not have a specific filter for low-sodium meals. You will need to check the nutritional information for each individual recipe to see its sodium content.

No, 'Fit & Wholesome' meals are designed to be lower in calories or carbs, not necessarily sodium. Always check the nutritional information, as some meals in this category can still be high in salt.

To reduce sodium, simply use less of the provided salt and spices. Substitute high-sodium stock concentrates with low-sodium broth from your pantry and use your own low-salt ingredients for sauces.

In many HelloFresh recipes, the highest sodium content comes from the pre-packaged sauces, stock concentrates, and pre-seasoned packets. The salt you add yourself also contributes significantly.

Yes, for those with strict low-sodium requirements, services like ModifyHealth and Trifecta offer prepared meals specifically designed to be low in sodium.

While you can choose your weekly meals, you do not have control over the specific ingredients provided, such as stock or sauces. However, you do have control over what you add during the cooking process.

Look for recipes that feature fresh, whole ingredients and simple preparation methods. Avoid dishes with a lot of pre-made sauces and those labeled with spicy or intense flavor profiles, as these often contain higher sodium levels.