More people are turning to food as their first line of defence for better health. The idea that “food is medicine” has moved from clinical settings into everyday life, as younger generations make wellness a top priority.
Instead of only relying on supplements or short-term fixes, there’s a growing shift toward eating with purpose, using nutrition to support energy, gut health, hormones, digestion and long-term wellbeing.
Both Frive and Field Doctor are part of this movement with varying approaches.
Frive concentrates on fresh, macro-balanced meals designed for everyday performance and convenience. On the other hand, Field Doctor takes a dietitian-led, science-backed approach to clinical nutrition with frozen meals tailored to specific health conditions and needs.
So which one fits your lifestyle best? The performance-driven, ready-to-eat model or the condition-specific, science-led one? Let’s break it down.
| Category | Frive | Field Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | The only UK meal prep provider using 100% natural ingredients with no ultra-processed foods. Chef-prepared and nutritionist-approved. | Dietitian-designed, science-led meals made with whole foods. Foods are sourced from trusted suppliers and include British beef and chicken, and ASC and BAP-validated Chilean Coho salmon. |
| Variety | 40+ dishes weekly including breakfasts, snacks and mains. | 60+ frozen meals across health-led ranges, with some snack and breakfast options, including a porridge range. |
| Delivery | Four delivery days (Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu). Meals last up to 7 days in the fridge. Split deliveries mean fresher food and greater flexibility. | UK-wide frozen deliveries from Tuesday to Saturday. Meals arrive ready to store in the freezer for up to 12 months. |
| Cooking | Fully cooked, ready in less than 5 minutes in the microwave. All meals can also be oven-heated in under 40 minutes. | Meals cook from frozen in the microwave or oven in minutes. |
| Price | A 6-meal plan costs £47.94 (£7.99 per meal). 40% off week 1 and 20% off weeks 2 & 3. Student and Blue Light discounts are also available. | From £6.99 for single portions or £10.39 for double portions. The minimum order is £47.50 and there is free delivery on orders over £65. |
| Reputation | 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (9k+ reviews). | 4/5 on Trustpilot (2k+ reviews). |
| Dietary Requirements Supported | Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal. | Certified gluten-free, Low FODMAP, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free. No halal or kosher sourcing. |
| Meal Plans Available | High Protein (40g+), Low Carb, Low-Calorie, Plant-Based, Balanced. | Targeted health ranges: IBS, gut health, heart health, menopause, PCOS, diabetes, high-protein, low-carb, weight management. |
| Additional Factors | Customer Rewards Club: earn points every time you order (“the more you eat, the more you save”). Strong eco-focus with recyclable, portion-controlled packaging. | “Food as medicine” ethos with dietitian-designed programmes. Red Tractor standard meat, responsibly sourced fish and recyclable packaging. |
| Tech Compatibility | All meals are barcode-scannable and fully compatible with MyFitnessPal for easy calorie and macro tracking. Orders via website or app. | An online nutrition quiz helps personalise meal choices. Orders are managed via their website with flexible subscription or one-off boxes. There is currently no app. |
| Best For | Fitness-focused users, busy professionals, couples, families, eco-conscious customers, and busy parents who want fresh, all-day variety. | People managing specific health conditions or dietary needs who want clinically backed, frozen meals that support long-term health goals. |
Brand Overviews
Frive
Launched in 2016 as Lions Prep and rebranded as Frive in 2024, the brand has become a leading name in clean, convenient eating.
Frive’s mission is to make healthy food simple, with chef-made, nutritionist-approved meals built entirely from whole ingredients. Every dish is free from ultra-processed foods, seed oils and artificial additives, supporting a long-term, balanced lifestyle.
With 40+ rotating meals each week, including breakfasts, mains and snacks, Frive caters to busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, families and anyone who wants to eat well without the effort.
Field Doctor
Founded in Somerset by registered dietitian Sasha Watkins and food entrepreneur Martin Dewey, Field Doctor takes a science-led approach to ready meals.
Each dish is crafted by dietitians and chefs using whole, natural ingredients to support specific health goals or manage certain health conditions. Meals are frozen at peak freshness and the menu features certified Low FODMAP, gluten-free and heart-healthy options, with ranges for gut health, menopause, weight management and more. With flexible plans and one-off boxes, Field Doctor combines medical-grade nutrition with flavourful, real food.
Frive vs Field Doctor: A Detailed Comparison
Meal Quality & Ingredients
The foundation of any great meal delivery service lies in its ingredients. Quality, freshness and nutrition determine how well a brand can support real, lasting health.
Frive
Frive meals are made from 100% whole, natural ingredients and are free from ultra-processed additives, seed oils and refined sugars.
Around 30% of ingredients are organic, and the brand sources locally where possible to keep quality high and supply chains transparent. Each meal is designed to support long-term wellness and fitness goals, offering a balance of protein, complex carbs and healthy fats without any preservatives.
Field Doctor
Field Doctor is rooted in nutritional science, developing frozen meals made from whole foods by dietitians and chefs.
The range is free from artificial additives, preservatives, MSG and maltodextrin, with every dish cooked using extra virgin olive oil and cold-pressed oils. The brand isn’t an organic company, but it does focus on high-quality, conventional ingredients and transparent sourcing.
Summary
Both brands take ingredient quality seriously, with meals made with whole foods and healthy fats. However, Field Doctor’s lack of any organic ingredients and use of cold-pressed rapeseed oil may be a drawback for those who want to avoid it entirely.
Menu Variety & Specialisation
What you eat every day shapes how you feel and long-term wellness, so choosing the right meal service depends on your goals, whether they’re general or more health-specific.
Frive
Frive offers over 40 rotating dishes each week, spanning breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Customers can choose from high-protein, low-carb, balanced, weight-loss and plant-based plans, all designed by nutritionists for macro balance and steady energy. Each dish is portion-controlled and ready in minutes, making it easy to stay consistent without calorie and macro counting or the effort of meal prep.
Read our guide “Why Couples Love Frive: Making Mealtimes Work for Two” to find out more about making meal times work in households with varying diet requirements.
Field Doctor
With the choice of 60+ meals, Field Doctor’s menu is highly specialised. It includes certified Low FODMAP and coeliac-safe gluten-free meals, along with targeted ranges for gut health, menopause, heart health, diabetes support and weight management.
Every dish is dietitian-designed, and the brand’s “food as medicine” ethos runs through its science-led approach. Portion sizes vary to suit appetite and lifestyle, and frozen storage means customers can stock up without worrying about freshness.
Summary
Frive’s focus is on everyday performance, long-term health and variety that fits even the most hectic routines. But, if you want to target a specific health condition or focus on a particular aspect of your wellbeing, Field Doctor is the more specialised choice.
Order Now: Succulent Beef Pho with Rice Noodles, Fresh Herbs & Crisp Peppers
Preparation & Delivery
A meal service only works if it fits into real life. Whether you want dinner on the table in minutes or healthy meals stocked and ready for the week ahead, how the food arrives and how you store and prepare it can make all the difference.
Frive
Every meal arrives fresh, fully cooked and portioned, ready to heat in under five minutes in the microwave or around 40 minutes in the oven. Meals last up to seven days in the fridge, and freezing is optional for up to 28 days.
With four delivery days each week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, customers can plan around busy schedules and enjoy fresher food more often.
Field Doctor
Field Doctor meals arrive frozen and can be cooked straight from the freezer in the microwave or oven.
Deliveries run from Tuesday to Saturday, and orders are usually received within 48 hours of the order confirmation email. Customers get a time slot on the day of delivery, and because everything arrives frozen, meals can be stored for up to 12 months. You can order as a one-off or set up a subscription to suit your routine.
Summary
Both brands excel in delivery, providing flexible options that accommodate busy schedules. Frive meals arrive fresh and ready to heat in minutes with split deliveries to help minimise waste and keep meals tasting their best. Field Doctor delivers convenient frozen dishes that are there for you whenever you need them.
Read our guide to find out how long prepped meals actually last in the fridge.
Pricing & Value
Price is only part of the picture. A good meal plan should feel flexible and worth what you pay. The best services make healthy eating an investment in your lifestyle, not an expense that adds extra pressure.
Frive
Frive’s pricing is transparent and straightforward, based on the size of your weekly plan. A 6-meal plan costs £47.94 (£7.99 per meal), with 40% off your first week and 20% off weeks two and three. Students and Blue Light cardholders can also access ongoing discounts to bring costs down further.
The price reflects chef-prepared meals made with whole-food ingredients, designed around high-protein, weight-loss, or balanced nutrition goals, offering convenience without compromising on quality.
Field Doctor
Field Doctor meals start at around £6.99 for singles and £10.39 for doubles, with free delivery on orders over £65 and a £47.50 minimum spend. Prices reflect its health-specific approach and the use of responsibly sourced, whole-food ingredients. While frozen, meals are made to meet high nutritional standards and can be ordered as one-offs or on a subscription basis.
Summary
Field Doctor can be the more affordable option per meal, but the £47.50 minimum spend may limit flexibility. Frive is slightly more expensive per meal, but that reflects the use of high-quality, whole-food ingredients and freshly prepared meals rather than frozen dishes.
For those managing specific health conditions, the tailored nature of Field Doctor’s meals helps justify the higher average cost.
Read our guide “How Much Does Meal Prep Delivery Really Save You?” to find out more.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer feedback reveals what works, what doesn’t and how each brand delivers on its promises of health, taste, quality and convenience.
Frive
Frive holds a high 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from over 9,000 reviews. Customers often praise the freshness, flavour and ease of the meals, calling them a game-changer for busy weeks. The brand’s focus on whole, natural ingredients and chef-level taste has earned recognition from Cosmopolitan and Glamour, along with endorsements from Rita Ora, Simon Pegg and Olympian Niamh Emerson.
Field Doctor
Field Doctor scores a slightly lower 4 out of 5 on Trustpilot from around 2,000 reviews. Customers often highlight the quality of ingredients, the convenient frozen format and helpful customer support. The brand’s meals are approved for supply to the NHS and have been recognised by Women’s Health magazine.
Summary
The proof is in the pudding, with both brands earning high approval ratings for quality and reliability. Frive is celebrated for taste, freshness and the ease of eating well every day, while Field Doctor is valued for its health-led approach and suitability for special diets.
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Tech compatibility
Technology has become a key part of how people manage their health and nutrition. Digital tools can make it easier to stay consistent, track progress, and make healthy eating as easy to organise as it is to enjoy.
Frive
Frive combines convenience and taste with smart nutrition tools. Every meal includes a barcode that connects directly to MyFitnessPal, allowing users to log calories, macros and protein in seconds. Orders can be managed through the website or app, where customers can adjust plans, pause deliveries or change preferences whenever needed.
Field Doctor
Field Doctor’s online experience is simple but personalised. Customers can take a short quiz to receive tailored meal recommendations based on their health goals or dietary needs, such as gut health or heart support.
The website also offers detailed nutritional breakdowns and filtering options for specific diets like Low FODMAP or gluten-free. While there’s no direct integration with tracking apps, the platform focuses on clarity and personalisation from the start.
Summary
Frive comes out ahead for tech-savvy users thanks to its MyFitnessPal integration, which makes meal planning, tracking and consistency effortless. Field Doctor offers a guided, health-first experience through its personalised quiz and menu filters, but lacks built-in tracking, so nutrition data must be logged manually.
Additional Factors
Everyone loves a thoughtful extra, those small details that make a service feel more personal and easier to stick with. From sustainability to flexibility, these finishing touches often decide which brand fits best into your lifestyle.
Frive
- - Flexible subscriptions with the option to pause, skip or cancel anytime.
- - Four delivery days each week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) for maximum freshness.
- - Meals last up to 7 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 28 days.
- - Focused on sustainability with recyclable and portion-controlled packaging.
- - Customer Rewards Club lets you earn savings the more you order.
- - Halal-certified meat and a 100% gluten- and dairy-free kitchen.
- - Some ingredients are organic, with a focus on British sourcing and Red Tractor meat.
- - All meals are barcode-scannable and compatible with MyFitnessPal for simple nutrition tracking.
Frive’s strong eco-focus also ties into reducing food waste, a growing priority for many households.
Field Doctor
- - Flexible ordering: subscribe or buy one-off boxes depending on your needs.
- - Certified Low FODMAP meals approved by Monash University experts.
- - Meals are also approved for supply to the NHS.
- - Focus on “food as medicine” through dietitian-designed meal ranges.
- - Transparent sourcing with Red Tractor meat and ASC/BAP-certified fish.
- - Portion options (Smaller, Single and Double) for flexible appetites.
- - Frozen format helps reduce food waste and keeps meals at peak freshness
- - Fully recyclable packaging for a lower environmental footprint.
Which Service Should You Choose?
Healthy eating means different things to different people. Frive focuses on supporting everyday wellness and fitness goals through fresh, whole-food meals made for convenience and balance.
Field Doctor shares that same commitment to health but adds a more targeted layer, offering condition-specific options for those managing things like IBS, tiredness and fatigue and menopause. Both help you eat better, just with slightly different purposes in mind.
Frive is a better fit if you are:
- - Focused on long-term health and everyday balance rather than managing a specific health condition.
- - Looking for fresh, ready-to-eat meals that take under 5 minutes to prepare.
- - Someone who values 100% whole-food, UPF-free ingredients with no seed oils or additives.
- - Looking for some organic ingredients to be included in your meals.
- - Following a halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan diet.
- - Keen to track nutrition easily through MyFitnessPal barcodes and clear macro breakdowns.
- - A busy professional, fitness enthusiast or parent who wants healthy food with zero prep.
- - Interested in flexible weekly plans and care about sustainability and recyclable packaging.
- - Someone who prefers a consistent, ready-to-eat routine that supports health and fitness goals throughout the week.
Field Doctor is a better fit if you are:
- - Managing a specific health condition such as IBS, heart disease or PCOS.
- - Looking for meals backed by medical research.
- - Following a Low FODMAP or coeliac-safe gluten-free diet.
- - Someone who prefers frozen meals you can stock up on and cook when needed.
- - Seeking structured, condition-led nutrition supported by NHS-approved standards.
- - Wanting a “food as medicine” approach to support targeted health outcomes.
- - After expert-led meal guidance without needing a full nutrition consultation.
Start a Frive plan today and experience how simple healthy eating can be with fresh, balanced meals ready in minutes.
<FAQs>
What is the main difference between Frive and Field Doctor?
Frive delivers fresh, ready-to-eat meals for everyday wellness, made with 100% natural ingredients.
Field Doctor offers frozen, dietitian-designed meals tailored to specific health conditions.
Frive suits daily balance and fitness goals, while Field Doctor focuses on targeted health support.
Which is healthier, Frive or Field Doctor?
Frive meals are nutritionist-approved, made with whole ingredients and no ultra-processed foods.
Field Doctor meals are dietitian-led and clinically backed, with certified Low FODMAP and gluten-free options.
Choose Frive for everyday nutrition or Field Doctor for condition-led health needs.
Is Frive cheaper than Field Doctor?
Frive meals cost about £7.99 each, while Field Doctor starts at £6.99 for singles.
Frive includes fresh prep, flexible delivery and tracking, making it better value for busy lifestyles.
Which is better for fitness and performance?
Frive is built for high-protein, balanced nutrition and effortless tracking with MyFitnessPal barcodes.
Field Doctor supports health management but isn’t designed for structured fitness or macro goals.
Does Frive cater to more dietary needs?
Yes. Frive supports vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal diets.
Field Doctor covers Low FODMAP, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free, but not halal.
Frive is more inclusive for mixed households.
Where does Frive deliver?
Frive delivers nationwide, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and more.
Simply enter your postcode at checkout to confirm delivery. Meals arrive in eco-friendly, insulated packaging to ensure freshness.
How does Frive compare to other UK meal delivery brands?
Frive is compared with leading UK brands like Allplants, COOK, Simmer Eats, Prep Kitchen, Calo, Prepped Pots and Gousto.
Each guide covers price, nutrition, freshness and flexibility to help you find the best fit.
