Can Calo’s Meal Plans Save You 75 Hours Monthly in Malta?
Calo, a customizable meal delivery service, promises to save busy individuals up to 75 hours per month while offering nutritious, ready-to-eat meals tailored to fitness and dietary goals. Over a month-long trial in Malta, the service impressed with its convenience, varied meal options, and nutritional transparency. Meals like tamarind sea bass noodles and protein-rich breakfasts supported fitness routines and eliminated the need for cooking, shopping, and cleaning, freeing up time for work, socializing, and relaxation. While the app interface required adjustment and juices were less appealing compared to fresh local produce, the overall experience was positive. At £11 per day, the cost may be prohibitive for some, but selective use during busy weekdays could make it more accessible. Calo offers a practical solution for maintaining a healthy lifestyle amidst Malta’s vibrant and active culture.
Can the Calo meal delivery service save me 75 hours per month? I tried it to find out
If you’re juggling work, exercise, and a bustling Maltese lifestyle, you’ve likely wondered how to reclaim your evenings without sacrificing nutrition or health goals. Between long hours at the office, an invigorating swim at Golden Bay, or a sunset jog along the Sliema promenade, finding time to prepare healthy meals can be a challenge. Enter Calo, a meal delivery service that promises nutritious, ready-to-eat meals tailored to your personal fitness and dietary preferences—and potentially hours of saved time each week. But does it deliver on its promises? I put it to the test for a month to find out.
Originally known as Fresh Fitness Food, Calo offers a fully customizable meal delivery experience. Through their app, you can select from over 80 options per week, spanning breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and juices. Designed for convenience, the app lets you tailor meals to your preferences—whether you’re aiming for a balanced diet, high protein intake, or vegetarian options—and even tweak macronutrient targets based on factors like your weight, height, and fitness goals. At £11 per day, the question remains: is the investment worth it for busy individuals trying to stay healthy?
As a gym enthusiast and someone who follows a mostly vegetarian diet, I was intrigued by the personalisation features. The app creates a suggested weekly delivery plan based on your inputs, but you can swap meals to suit your tastes or dietary requirements. For my trial, Calo provided me with a mix of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and juices, delivered fresh twice a week. With each meal taking just two minutes to heat in the microwave, the promise of effortless nutrition was enticing.
Nutrition on Tap: A Month of Healthy Eating Made Simple
Each day began with a protein-rich breakfast—a standout for me as someone who often struggles to squeeze in a meal before morning workouts. Whether it was a yoghurt bowl with nuts and seeds or a spinach omelette, these breakfasts consistently delivered high-quality nutrition and helped fuel my strength training sessions. Living in Malta, where mornings often start with a walk by the sea or a quick dip, having a ready-made meal meant I never skipped breakfast and noticed better energy levels throughout the day.
Lunches and dinners were equally impressive. From tamarind sea bass noodles to bang bang shrimp and tofu bowls, the meals were flavorful, varied, and packed with nutrients. The high-protein options provided an average of 60g per serving, perfect for active individuals looking to maintain muscle mass or recover after exercise. For pescatarians like me, variety can sometimes be limited, but Calo’s menus offered enough choices to keep things interesting. The convenience of having a hot, nutritious meal ready in just two minutes was a game changer, especially after long workdays or late-night gym sessions.
The nutritional labels on each packet were particularly useful. With clear breakdowns of calories, carbs, fats, and protein, I was able to make informed decisions about my overall diet. For anyone focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle or tracking macros, this feature is invaluable—it’s like having a personal nutritionist guiding your meals.
Saving Time: Can You Really Get 75 Hours Back?
Calo’s app estimated that I saved around 75 hours of cooking, shopping, and cleaning over the course of the month. While this seemed slightly optimistic, I definitely noticed a difference. In Malta, where evenings are often spent socializing at a Valletta wine bar or enjoying the island’s stunning views, reclaiming even an hour or two feels like a luxury. Without the need to plan meals or spend time in the kitchen, I was able to squeeze in extra work, relax with friends, or tackle life admin—my laundry pile has never looked so manageable.
On office days, Calo was a lifesaver. Malta’s food scene is packed with tempting lunch spots, but grabbing a quick sandwich isn’t always the healthiest choice. Instead, I had pre-packed meals like spicy salmon with quinoa and tofu snacks, which required minimal prep and kept me full and energized through the day.
The Good, The Bad, and The Juicy
While my experience with Calo was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few drawbacks to note. First, the app interface took some getting used to—particularly when ordering. Each “bag” represents a full day’s worth of meals rather than a single delivery, which initially led to some confusion. Additionally, while the meals covered most of my nutritional needs, I occasionally had to supplement them with snacks or additional food, especially on days when I felt hungrier after a tough workout. This might be worth considering for individuals with larger appetites or muscle-building goals.
The juices and smoothies were another mixed bag. Although they boasted impressive credentials—one of your five a day and no added sugar—I often found myself reaching for a piece of fresh fruit instead. Maltese markets, like the one in Marsaxlokk, offer an abundance of local produce, and I preferred the experience of enjoying fresh seasonal fruit over drinking a cold-pressed juice. That said, this comes down to personal preference, and the juices may suit others better.
Finally, while Calo offers flexibility to swap meals in advance, I occasionally forgot to do so and ended up with duplicate dishes. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re keen on variety. Expanding your preferences or remembering to adjust selections can help avoid this issue.
Calo: The Verdict
Overall, Calo impressed me. It made healthy eating effortless, saved me valuable time, and provided tasty meals that supported my fitness goals. For busy individuals in Malta, especially those trying to balance work, exercise, and social lives, Calo offers a practical solution for staying on track nutritionally. Whether you’re hitting the gym in St. Julian’s, hiking the Dingli Cliffs, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, having nutritious meals ready to go can make a world of difference.
However, the price may be a sticking point. While some may argue that the convenience and health benefits are worth the cost, it’s not feasible for everyone to spend several hundred euros a month on meal delivery. For me, the best approach would be selective use—ordering meals for busier weekdays and skipping extras like juices and snacks. With reward schemes and referral discounts available, you can also make the service more budget-friendly.
If you’re curious about whether Calo fits into your lifestyle, I’d recommend downloading the app and exploring the options. With its customizable plans and delicious meals, it could be the key to reclaiming your evenings while staying healthy. After all, Malta is best enjoyed with more time for the things that truly matter—whether that’s a stroll through Mdina, a coffee in Rabat, or simply unwinding at home with a nutritious meal.