If your doctor has told you to eat healthier, know this: There are serious health benefits of meal kits. More than just an easy, breezy substitution for takeout (which can be bad for weight loss) the best meal kit delivery services can also help you stick to the weight loss plan your doctor put together — you just need to know how to make the most out of meal kits to see the results you’re looking for.

It’s one thing to iron out an effective weight-loss plan with your doctor and find the ideal meal delivery service for your dietary needs. But that’s just step one on your weight-loss journey. The follow-through is just as important.

We know that consistency is important when it comes to maintaining a fitness-friendly diet day in and day out. The best meal kits can help you find a rhythm with your weight loss goals, but is there even more you could be getting out of your meal kits? (Hint: the answer is yes.) 

Want to lose weight with meal kits? Avoid these mistakes

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight on a meal kit subscription. Learn more about what you’re missing out from your favorite meal delivery services below.

Mistake: You’re not counting macros

Macronutrients may sound like just a buzzword in the world of health and fitness, but if you don’t have at least a basic understanding of what they are and why they matter, you’re missing out. Many meal delivery services, like Trifecta, offer portion-controlled and macro-balanced meals that can make it easier to hit your daily goals for macronutrients.

So what are macronutrients? The nutrients our bodies most need to function. Unlike micronutrients, which are mainly vitamins and minerals, macronutrients are consumed in the largest amounts: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. 

Counting macros can help with weight loss by promoting high protein, low-carb diets, which have been linked to improved weight loss. Tracking macros — by writing down everything you eat and adding up macros or tweaking meals and portions to meet your nutritional needs — is a great way to self-regulate your calorie intake. Meal kits help with this by listing specific ingredient information, offering diet-specific meal plans, and promoting low-carb recipes.

Just make sure you talk with your doctor to determine your personal needs when it comes to calorie intake. Everyone’s numbers are a little different, but online resources like this calorie calculator can help you get a general idea of what your relationship to macronutrients should be.

Mistake: You’re not making use of a free dietitian

Embarking on a doctor-approved weight loss journey can be hard. Consistency is key when it comes to losing weight, so you need one of two things to stay on track: a strong resolve — or someone to help guide you along the way.

The meal delivery service Factor is all about setting up subscribers with fully prepared meals that are rich in nutrients, but that’s not all. Subscribers also gain access to individual support from a registered dietitian. 

Right now, new subscribers can save 50% on the price of their first box of ready-to-eat Factor meals, which typically offer prices starting at $13 per serving. 

Working with a dietitian who knows your nutritional needs (and your eating habits) has been linked to improved outcomes in weight loss and weight management. If you feel like something’s missing from your weight loss-endeavors, it may be individualized nutrition care from a dietitian.

Mistake: You’re not eating enough low-carb and low-sodium meals

Meal kits are wonderful for adding some much-needed convenience and meal variety to your daily life, but even the healthiest meal kits are only as effective as your eating habits. Don’t just order the most appealing recipes and pile on the comfort food week after week; be strategic about your meal plan instead.

The best meal kits offer diet-specific plans and meals. Green Chef is a CBS Essentials favorite when it comes to keto meals, for example. High-fat, low-carb ketogenic diets have been linked to increased short-term weight loss success. 

New subscribers are once again in luck; Green Chef is another meal kit brand that’s currently offering a 50% discount on the price of that first box (which normally starts at $12 per serving).

If you’re struggling to find a meal kit offering quality low-sodium meals, Blue Apron serves up plenty of recipes with under 600 milligrams of sodium — which fits well with the American Heart Association’s recommendation of no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

Continuing our trend of recommending budget-friendly meal kit options to help you stick to a weight loss plan, Blue Apron is currently offering new subscribers big discounts that translate to 65% in savings spread across those first five deliveries — that’s prices as low as $2.80 for meal kits and $3.50 for Blue Apron’s new prepared and ready meals for anyone keeping track.