Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The Basics

How is Balance by bistroMD different from frozen meals I can buy at the grocery store?

Balance is powered by the science of bistroMD, the leader in home delivery of healthy and delicious meals. Our founding physician, Dr. Caroline Cederquist, is board-certified in bariatric medicine, the study of how the food we eat is broken down by our bodies and turned into fuel. Her expertise informs the creation of each of the meals we offer. In addition, our meals are chef-prepared using fresh, top-quality, ingredients to ensure that your dining experience is one to remember.

How many calories are in each meal?

The calories range from 240-400 each, unlike other programs that range from 500-800 calories per serving. Plus our meals contain between 40-50% lean protein to keep you feeling fuller longer.

Are there membership fees, contracts or commitment necessary to order from Balance?

Simply stated, no. We are committed to helping people live longer and healthier lives through great nutrition. We don't believe in placing barriers in the way of our customers' health and wellbeing, and never will.

Is there a minimum number of meals, or order amount, that I need to reach to place an order?

No, there are no minimum order amounts of any kind. We've created Balance to match your nutritional and lifestyle needs, which means that you are in complete control of which meals you receive, how many, and how often.

Do you accommodate specific diets or allergies?

Yes! We proudly offer Heart-Healthy, Diabetic, Low Sodium and Gluten-Free specialty diets to help meet your nutritional needs fully.

You have the ability to see all of the ingredients in the meals prior to purchasing them so you can avoid allergens. Please note, all of our kitchens do prepare meals containing all of our ingredients so there’s always a small chance of cross contamination. If you need assistance, our concierges would be happy to help you.

What is the nutritional breakdown of the average Balance meal?

Each of our meals is carefully created using the expertise of our founding physician, along with the masterful talent of our professional chefs. The average Balance meal contains 20-25% of calories from healthy fats, 30-35% from complex carbohydrates, and 40-45% from lean protein sources. These macronutrient targets provide your body with the fuel it needs to get through the day without creating nutritional imbalances that could lead to health complications such as weight gain and many others.

How do Balance by bistroMD meals work?

We handle all of the nutrition, shopping, and planning. You just heat & enjoy. Our team of chefs and team of dietitians plan each meal with the right balance of macronutrients to help give you energy for whatever the day brings.

How long does it take to cook the meals?

Each of our healthy meals can be heated in less than 6 minutes. You can either heat from frozen for nights you need a meal quick or place in the fridge to thaw for 24-48 hours before heating.

How much do meals cost?

Our meals range from $5.99 to $13.99 each. We have a constant rotation of weekly specials as well.

How do I recycle my Balance packaging?

There are a couple of options to recycle or reuse your shipping cooler. Some customers have reused them as urban planters, storage containers, and coolers for the beach or fishing. You can also donate coolers to local foods banks or the Red Cross. Lastly, you can visit earth911.com to find recycling locations near you.

Can I choose my meals?

Unlike ingredient delivery services that give you limited selection, with Balance by bistroMD you can pick any meal you'd like from over 100 seasonal meals.

Do you provide nutritional and calorie information?

We believe in transparency. Each meal you order has the ingredients and nutrition facts listed on the meal page. Each of our meals uses FDA food labeling standard, and adopts the Recommended Daily Allowances from the average USDA 2,000 calorie dietary guidelines.

Do you offer snacks?

Yes, we have an extensive line of high protein snacks to help you feel full between meals. Our snacks include chips, jerky, cookies, protein bars and more!

Is Balance a diet plan?

No, though you can use the meals to create a diet plan of your own. Balance by bistroMD is focused on providing healthier options to supplement your diet as much or a little as you need.


Ordering & Shipping

Where do you deliver?

We deliver anywhere in the continental United States that FedEx ships. Sorry, delivery to Alaska and Hawaii is not available at this time.

When will my delivery arrive?

Shipping frozen food by FedEx ground requires special handling. We ship from our frozen distribution center Monday – Wednesday. Transportation time depends on your location. Please allow up to two business days for order processing from the date that you place your order. Once processed, most orders will arrive within 2-5 business days via FedEx Ground.

How is my food shipped?

Balance orders ship in insulated coolers, and are packed with dry ice to keep your meals frozen during transport to your home. Because environmental sustainability is important to us, all orders are shipped using boxes that are constructed from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, and printed using vegetable-based ink. Our commitment to sustainable shipping practices, however, does not end there. Each of the coolers that we use is formed from no less than 60% post-consumer recycled foam products.

How much is shipping?

Shipping is always only $19.95. The shipping charge will be clearly displayed in the cart prior to your order being placed.

Do I need to be home to receive my delivery?

You don't need to be at home or sign for a delivery. As long as FedEx feels it is safe to leave your package upon delivery, they will not require a signature. Since FedEx takes the responsibility to ensure your package is delivered safely, the decision to require a signature or leave your package at your building's management office is at your FedEx driver's sole discretion.

Can I narrow down my delivery window?

We'll provide tracking information on your order so you can get a better idea of when your FedEx shipment will arrive.

What if there's an issue with my delivery?

If there are any issues with your shipment, you can contact our concierge team by contacting us at CustomerService@MyBalanceMeals.com.

Can I place a corporate order for multiple Balance by bistroMD meals (100+)?

Yes! Contact our concierge team and we can place an order for your corporate office.

What if the dry ice is melted?

Your meals arrive in an insulated cooler. It is possible and quite common to have no dry ice remaining in the cooler when it arrives. If this is the case, you don't need to be concerned. As long as your meals are cool to the touch, they are fine to eat. Please place all meals in the freezer upon opening your cooler.

How do I cancel or change an order?

You'll need to contact us immediately to make any adjustments or to cancel your order. Once your order is picked up by FedEx, it cannot be cancelled as your meals are already on their way to you and we ae unable to make changes to that order.

Can I return meals?

No, since the food in the program is perishable we will not accept returns for any reason. This is for the safety of all of our customers. Once your order has been picked up by FedEx, we cannot cancel the shipment or turn it around in transit. Contact our concierge team with any questions.

What is your refund policy?

Refunds are managed by our concierge team in the case of items damaged in transit. Since everyone has different taste preferences, we do not give refunds based on the taste of the meals. Please contact our team with any questions.

When will you charge my card?

You will receive a one-time charge for the amount of each order you place on Balance. The time it takes for the charge to post to your account will vary by financial institution.

Is there an option to set my order up for automatic weekly delivery?

Our concierge team is more than happy to assist you in setting up a recurring order of your favorite Balance by bistroMD meals on whatever schedule works best for you. If you would like the flexibility of placing a recurring order weekly, and selecting different meals each week, our parent program, bistroMD offers this full flexibility. Please call 844-411-BALANCE (2252) or email customerservice@mybalancemeals.com to learn more about setting up a recurring option, and to explore which option works best for your needs.


Ingredients & Nutrition

Do I need to add anything to the meals?

No, all of the meals come nutritionally complete so you don't need to purchase anything else.

Do I receive ingredients or prepared meals?

You’ll receive full prepared meals that you'll simply heat and enjoy. All of our meals are able to be heated in less than 6 minutes in a microwave or 30 minutes in an oven.

Do I need to have any ingredients at home?

Unlike ingredient delivery services, we don't assume you have any ingredients and since Balance by bistroMD meals are completely prepared, you won’t need any. Of course, you may season any meal to your taste.

Am I able to make individual ingredient substitutions in any of the Balance meals?

Not at this time. Each of our meals is prepared using the perfect combination of ingredients to provide your body with the optimal nutrition it needs to support a healthy lifestyle. Changing the ingredient profile of the meals may result in an imbalance of nutrients.

Where do you source your ingredients?

We work with farmers and vendors nationwide who share our love of land and food. We are committed to business practices that emphasize a minimal impact on the environment.

Are your meals organic?

While not certified organic, all Balance by bistroMD entrees are created with high-quality ingredients without nitrates, phosphates, other chemicals or additives, and even the ridiculously and dangerously high sodium levels frequently found in frozen or other convenience meals. Our philosophy has been that if we won't eat it or feel good about feeding it to our families, there is no way it will be allowed onto the menu!

Do you have vegetarian meals?

We do offer a selection of vegetarian meals and our chefs are adding more entrees to add additional variety to our program. At this time, we don't offer a menu that is strictly vegan.

Do you have kosher meals?

We do not have a Kosher menu.

Do you have Paleo meals?

We do not have a Paleo menu.

Are your Gluten Free meals tested?

Yes, we randomly sample meals from each batch to the FDA standards for gluten-free. In addition, the kitchens producing our gluten-free meals follow a variety of extra protocol to ensure that meals offered under our gluten-free options are in fact free of gluten.

How many net carbs are allowed in the diabetic-friendly meals offered on Balance?

Our diabetic meals contain 25 net grams of carbohydrates or less. View all of our Diabetic Specialty Diets.

How long will the meals stay fresh after I receive them?

We recommend that you unpack your order immediately after it arrives, and place your meals in the freezer. Stored in the freezer, Balance meals will stay fresh for up to one year after the date of production. Of course, once you give them a try they won't be around nearly as long as that!

What does fresh frozen mean?

The meals were cooked fully from fresh ingredients, and then the food was frozen as quickly as possible while still fresh after being prepared by our chefs. This helps our meals preserve the nutrients.

How do you come up with your recipes?

We have a team of Registered Dietitians that works with our seasoned culinary team to create delicious healthy recipes based on cofounder Dr. Caroline Cederquist's nutritional foundation.

What is the nutritional breakdown of your meals?

Approximately 40-45% of the calories are from lean protein, 30-35% from complex carbohydrates and 20-25% from healthy fat. All of our meals are USDA approved so every meal is labeled with the complete nutritional value and ingredients.

How many meals are there to choose from?

We have a rotating menu of over 100 meals and snacks to choose from!


Account

How do I change the default shipping address on my account?

You can update your shipping address anytime once you log into your account. You’ll select to add a new address and then you can edit or delete any addresses you need.

How do I change the login information for my account?

If you forgot your password, to request a new ONE TIME use only password via e-mail, please enter your e-mail address below, and click the "Request A New Password" button. You will then have to immediately change this password again after you login with it next time. Passwords are not recoverable in the system, so if you lost your password, the only option is to request a new one time use temporary password.

How do I change the billing information on my account?

You can update your billing address anytime once you log into your account. You'll select to add a new address and then you can edit or delete any billing information you need.

Can I see my order history?

You can view your order history after you log into your account. All of your past orders will be listed and you can even click "reorder" to place the same order.


Contact Us

How do I contact Customer Service?

Our US based Concierge team is available Monday-Friday 8am-8pm EST, call 844-411-BALANCE (2252) or email customerservice@mybalancemeals.com.

Who should I email with a press inquiry?

Please send any press inquiries to our team to marketing@mybalancemeals.com.


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