As a Chronically Hungry Meat-Eater, Here's What I Thought of This Plant-Based Meal Service

You have two options when you sign up for Sakara meal delivery: a three-day or five-day meal plan. You get breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a "wellness supplement" of your choice: either a daily probiotic blend; "Beauty + Detox Water Drops," (ionic minerals and chlorophyll for hydration)' or "Beauty Chocolates," to, as the brand says, improve the texture, hydration, and elasticity of your skin. You also get several bags of a caffeine-free "detox tea" to sip between meals; mine was rooibos, lemongrass, and rose. (I drank the tea but skipped the supplements.)

The cost is pretty steep. The five-day plan is $350 per week, while the three-day plan is $240. That's more than what I pay for groceries, but then again, these meals were also healthier than what I usually make. It's not like I'm eating junk all the time, but my daily diet definitely doesn't have as much fresh produce as Sakara's gluten-free, dairy-free meals, which contain four to six cups of leafy greens alone in every lunch and dinner. Meals also change throughout and between weeks, giving you a nice variety. (For that reason, I won't go into too much detail about every single meal that I tried; it's unlikely you'd get the exact same combination of meals as I did.)

I received my shipment in one (giant) box early on Monday morning. Delivery times vary depending on where you live; mine was delivered at around 3 a.m., and I was notified via text message, which I saw when I woke up. The containers were all recyclable, which made me feel a little better about using so much single-use plastic. I crammed it all into my fridge (tip: clear out at least half a shelf beforehand) and grabbed my breakfast and lunch for the day.

As for the food: I went in pretty skeptical, frankly, and the meals impressed me. They were good. Like, "normal people and not just fitness editors can enjoy them" good. Ahead, I'll break it down by meal: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfasts were sweet, simple, and satisfying. The first day was a banana pudding parfait with coconut yogurt and cacao nibs and I was like, OK, I can be down with this. The next days were similarly sweet; a muffin and grapes, and granola with cacao vegan "mylk". The yogurt in particular was really filling, something I was worried about before this experiment and will talk more about later.

Lunches were typically salad or a light pasta with lots of veggies. I usually have salad for lunch so this wasn't a big switch for me, and they all had distinct, interesting flavors that kept things from getting boring. The salads were similar to what you'd get at a decent salad bar: pretty big, a healthy base of greens, and satisfying toppings, including avocado, quinoa, and fruit.

Sakara dinners were warm, flavorful, and diverse. My dinners consisted of a main, like a quesadilla or veggie burger, plus a salad or some other veggies. Heating in the oven, toaster, or stove was optional for dinner and I definitely recommend it. Though the dinners were satisfying, this was definitely when I started to feel some cravings and residual hunger.

Delicious and diverse: I never felt like I was eating the same meals over and over, which was one concern I had. Each dish had a satisfying variety of flavors that kept me interested in the meal and looking forward to the next one.

Lots of vegetables: This is a huge plus for this meal plan program. I don't eat as many vegetables as I should, and they're the main event for every Sakara meal in a way that was more exciting and satisfying than my usual plain, simple salads.

Easy to follow: The meal containers listed all the ingredients, heating instructions were included on relevant packages, and the meal plan came with a guide that laid out tips and recommendations for making the most out of the plan. The brand is transparent about how it sources, creates, and chooses meals, and explains why it's opted for plant-based, organic dishes (higher nutritional content and health concerns around chemicals and processed foods, among other reasons). Sakara also has a science and advisory council that includes MDs and a professional chef.

I didn't miss meat (that much): Granted, I don't eat that much meat, but chicken and fish regularly make it onto my weekly menu. I didn't find myself missing either of them, to the point that I almost left this off my list of pros, because I just forgot that I usually ate meat. I didn't go completely vegan (I ate yogurt), but the taste, variety, and plant protein in the meals kept me pretty well-satisfied and free of meat cravings.

The meals weren't filling enough, especially if you work out: I'd inevitably get hungry again an hour or two after each meal, which may have had to do with the workouts I did each morning. Sakara recommended drinking detox tea between meals to hydrate and curb hunger, but I still had to supplement with my own snacks. The guide specifically says that it's fine to eat a snack when you get hungry, and given more time, maybe I would've been fine without. But it would be frustrating to pay $350 a week for the full meal plan and then still have to buy your own food on the side.

There wasn't in-depth nutrition info: The meals didn't have nutritient breakdowns, which was on purpose. In the guide, Sakara stated that it intentionally left calories off of the meals to discourage the stress that can come along with calorie-counting. In terms of protein, the guide noted that "a day of Sakara meals typically has 40 percent more than the daily protein requirement." I was still a little annoyed. Especially after working out, I wanted to know for sure that I was getting enough protein and carbs for recovery. Did I still need to eat my protein bar on the side? I couldn't tell, which was frustrating.

I got cravings, especially at night: The meals were satisfying and tasty, but I often didn't feel full enough, especially after dinner. I got weirdly intense cravings, which led to a lot of post-dinner snacks like cereal and toast with chocolate spread. (Apparently, breakfast didn't quite satisfy my sweet tooth.) It wasn't clear whether this was a side-effect of eating less in general or just eating fewer processed foods and sugar. Sakara tells clients that the meal plan takes some getting used to, so it's possible that this too would have worn off if I'd followed it for longer.

My stomach felt "off" on the last day: It's impossible to know whether this was a direct result of the meal plan or just something weird going on with my hormones, my cycle, or my body in general. I felt cramped and bloated all day and I didn't feel as good after the meals as I had the first few days. My body could've been reacting to something unrelated to Sakara, or it could've been, again, part of the adjustment process to the new way of eating.

Did I have my complaints? Yes. Do I think Sakara is still a good investment? Also yes, if you're willing to spend the money and commit to eating healthier. The nutrition behind it is sound, the foods are fresh, healthy, and delicious, and it takes the guessing out of the equation: you know you're getting whole, healthy food for every meal, which can be a big mental relief. If you work out often, it is worth it to ask yourself whether you're willing to shell out for the meal delivery and extra snacks in case you get hungry. Given my budget and frankly enormous appetite, I'm not sure Sakara would be enough for me on a regular basis. But the meals I tried were great, and despite the (potentially unrelated) bloating, my body did feel alert and energized.

I also appreciated the brand's emphasis on how the food makes you feel rather than look. Although some client testimonies mention weight loss, the focus is on improving your quality of life, feeling more energetic, helping your body function at its best. Sakara bills itself as a lifestyle, not a diet. I was wary of trusting my food (and body) to a meal plan, but that attitude, plus the brand's science-based food choices, helped me trust what I was getting myself into, even through the ups and downs.

Curious to try this Sakara ($255 starting at).