I have to admit: I was initially skeptical of Factor 75, a Chicago-based company that features a meal-delivery service that is about "performance eating" ( not to be confused with "competitive eating" ).
The companywhich gets its name from research that shows 75 percent of fitness results stem from what people consumeprepares fresh, made-to-order meals. Visitors to the website ( Factor75.com ) can not only select meals, with a minimum of three required, but can also choose which day ( Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday ) when said dishes ( $10.95-$12.95 ) are delivered.
Moreover, the menu is quite varied. Among the dishes are shrimp and okra stew with quinoa; tilapia Thai fish stew; kale and grapefruit salad; and Greek yogurt. Specialized categories include vegetarian and Paleo-friendly ( vegetables and meats ).
My skepticism was mainly with the quality/taste of the dishes. I've heard of people who subscribe to similar programs, only to get items that are basically cardboard with sauce. So imagine my surprise when I was satisfied with most of the dishes that were promptly delivered to me. ( The Porto Pizza Tower was a definite high point. )
Nick WernimontFactor 75's very affable CEO, and a former mixed martial artistsaid that when it comes to choosing the meals, "a whole team sits down, and we look at a list of meals. We try to see which ones we can reverse-engineer and make healthy versions of unhealthy ones. We look to do comfort foods that are healthysoups, casseroles, things like that." ( Dishes are added/switched every two to three weeks, he added. )
He added, "Flexibility is key. I like the fact that people can order however many meals they want, when they want." ( Also, it helps that the meals exhibit the nutritional information and come with step-by-step instructions. )
When asked if he's aiming for world domination, Wernimont said with a laugh, "NoI just want a nice business that really has a positive impact. We will expand and, at some point ... I'd like to be on a ranch in Montana."
See www.Factor75.com .