Thistle's Weekly Meal Plan Structure
Thistle offers a flexible subscription model, allowing customers to customize their weekly orders with various meal types. The service is known for its plant-forward approach, providing healthy, prepared meals that require little to no cooking. You can choose from breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, with the option to add meat proteins like chicken or pork to specific lunch and dinner items. Thistle's menu is dairy-free and gluten-free by default, and they make two deliveries per week in most areas to ensure freshness. This customization is key to understanding how much Thistle meals cost per week, as your selections directly impact the total bill.
Volume Discounts and Minimum Orders
One of the main factors influencing your total cost is the number of meals you select. Thistle operates on a volume discount basis, meaning the price per meal decreases as you add more items to your weekly plan. While the service offers a high degree of flexibility, there is a minimum order requirement of at least three dishes per week to activate a plan. This minimum order is crucial for users to remember when calculating their potential weekly spend.
Weekly Cost Breakdown for Thistle Meals
To help you visualize the cost, here is a general breakdown based on reported prices. It's important to remember that prices can vary by region and are subject to change.
| Meals per Week | Total Weekly Cost (approx.) | Average Cost per Meal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 meals | $45–$50 | ~$15.11 | Based on lunch/dinner only |
| 6 meals | $87–$90 | ~$14.60 | Lower per-meal cost |
| 12 meals | $162–$165 | ~$13.52 | Significant volume discount |
| 16 meals | $199–$205 | ~$12.46 | Lowest per-meal price |
How Meal Quantity Impacts Your Weekly Total
Looking at the table, the benefit of ordering more meals is clear. For example, opting for the 16-meal plan dramatically reduces the average cost per meal compared to the minimum 3-meal plan. This can make a significant difference for individuals looking to use Thistle for multiple meals per day or for couples. For a full week of three meals a day (21 meals), you would likely fall into the lowest per-meal price bracket, though the total would be over $200. Thistle's pricing strategy encourages commitment to larger, more consistent orders.
Additional Costs to Consider
When budgeting for Thistle, remember to factor in potential extra costs that are not part of the standard meal package.
- Delivery Fees: A delivery fee, which can be as low as $4.95, is added to each delivery. Since Thistle often delivers twice a week to ensure meal freshness, this can mean incurring two separate delivery fees per weekly cycle.
- Snacks and Juices: You can add optional snacks, desserts, and cold-pressed juices to your order. Snacks are typically around $6.50 each, while juices can be $8 or more.
- Meat Add-ons: The standard meals are plant-based, but you can pay an additional $3 per meal to add meat protein like chicken or pork.
- Location and Taxes: As mentioned, prices vary by region. East Coast prices might be slightly higher than West Coast prices. Local sales tax may also apply.
Thistle Pricing vs. Competitors
To put Thistle's cost into perspective, comparing it to other meal delivery services is helpful.
- Thistle vs. Sakara Life: Thistle is often considered a more affordable alternative to premium, plant-based service Sakara Life. A review notes Sakara's 3-day plan can cost over $230 per week, whereas Thistle's cost is about half that. For those seeking a high-quality, plant-based experience without the exorbitant price tag, Thistle is the better pick.
- Thistle vs. Factor: Compared to Factor, Thistle's individual meal price can be higher, especially for smaller orders. However, Thistle offers greater menu customization, allowing users to select individual breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, whereas Factor offers a more restricted number of meals per week.
- Thistle vs. EveryPlate: EveryPlate is a budget-friendly meal kit service. Thistle, as a ready-to-eat service with organic and premium ingredients, naturally has a higher price point than meal kits like EveryPlate, which can start as low as $4.99 per meal.
Is Thistle Worth the Weekly Cost?
Ultimately, deciding if Thistle is worth the weekly cost depends on your budget and priorities. If you value convenience and nutrient-dense, plant-forward, and prepared meals, the price may be justified. For individuals with dietary restrictions (dairy-free, gluten-free) or those who simply do not have time to cook, Thistle offers a high-quality solution. However, if you are extremely budget-conscious, a DIY meal prep or a more affordable meal kit might be a better fit. Consider the trade-off between the premium cost and the savings in time and mental energy from not having to plan, shop for, or cook your meals.
Thistle offers flexibility to manage your budget and meal plan weekly, with the ability to easily skip deliveries or customize your order. By ordering larger quantities, you can also significantly reduce the per-meal price, making it a more economical choice over the long run compared to regular takeout. The ultimate value comes down to how much you prioritize the service's key features against its price point.
