FAQ
ZenMeals delivers the Super Veggie (~490 kcal, ~27 g protein, ~18 g fibre) and Nutty Pudding (~400 kcal, ~9 g protein, ~14 g fibre) fresh, weekly, within Zurich city, ready in under two minutes and backed by citations on our research page, not marketing claims. Below are the questions we get most, on ingredients, delivery, subscriptions, and who these meals suit.
Ingredients & recipes
Are ZenMeals meals identical to Bryan Johnson's Blueprint recipes?
They're inspired by the same category of meal, nutrient-dense, whole-food, built around legumes and cruciferous vegetables, but our recipes are our own, developed independently for Zurich delivery. ZenMeals is not affiliated with Bryan Johnson or Blueprint.
Where can I buy Bryan Johnson's meals in Switzerland?
You can't buy Bryan Johnson's own Blueprint meals in Switzerland. ZenMeals cooks Blueprint-inspired meals, the Super Veggie and Nutty Pudding, fresh in Zurich and delivers them within the city. We are not affiliated with Bryan Johnson or Blueprint.
Where do your ingredients come from?
We source organic ingredients from suppliers serving the Zurich area wherever we can, prioritizing freshness over shipping distance. Full ingredient lists are on nutrition information.
Are your ingredients organic, and why not 100% of the time?
Yes, all ZenMeals ingredients are organically grown, with rare seasonal exceptions when a specialty ingredient's organic supply briefly runs short. When that happens we substitute rather than compromise on freshness. It's the exception, not the norm.
Why do you use black lentils?
Black lentils pack protein, fibre, and micronutrients into one ingredient, and a meta-analysis of 367,000 people found the highest legume intake associated with roughly 10% lower cardiovascular disease risk. They're also what gives the Super Veggie its texture.
Why shiitake mushrooms specifically?
Shiitake add umami depth without needing added salt or sauce, and they contribute their own micronutrient and fibre profile alongside the vegetables around them. It's a flavour decision as much as a nutrition one.
Why broccoli and cauliflower?
Both are rich sources of glucoraphanin, which your body converts into sulforaphane, a compound studied since the 1990s for its role in the body's own protective enzyme systems. See the citation on our research page.
Why extra virgin olive oil instead of another oil?
Olive oil has the deepest cohort-study evidence base of any dietary fat we could have chosen, with meta-analysis data linking it specifically, not monounsaturated fat in general, to lower all-cause mortality. Cheaper neutral oils don't have that evidence behind them.
Why whole foods instead of supplements or protein powders?
A randomized inpatient trial found people eating an ultra-processed diet spontaneously ate about 500 more calories a day than on a minimally processed diet matched for the same nutrients on paper. Whole foods seem to change eating behaviour even when the label numbers match.
Is ZenMeals vegan?
Both current meals are plant-based as formulated today, though we don't market ourselves as a strictly vegan brand since future recipes may add options like eggs. Check individual ingredient lists to be sure.
How do you develop your recipes?
We start from published research on ingredient classes, legumes, cruciferous vegetables, healthy fats, fibre targets, then iterate for taste in our own kitchen. Nothing goes on the menu without a rationale we can point to on research.
Nutrition & who it's for
How much protein is in a ZenMeals meal?
The Super Veggie has roughly 27 g of protein per portion; the Nutty Pudding has roughly 9 g. Full breakdowns are on nutrition information.
How much fibre is in a ZenMeals meal?
The Super Veggie has roughly 18 g of fibre per portion, and the Nutty Pudding roughly 14 g, together covering most of an adult's daily fibre target from two meals.
How many calories are in a ZenMeals meal?
The Super Veggie runs roughly 490 kcal and the Nutty Pudding roughly 400 kcal per portion. Exact figures are on our nutrition information page.
Is ZenMeals keto-friendly?
No. Our meals get a meaningful share of calories from carbohydrates via lentils, vegetables, and fruit, which doesn't fit strict keto macros.
Why isn't ZenMeals built as a keto diet?
Our recipes follow whole-food, fibre-forward, Mediterranean-adjacent patterns with a large body of long-term evidence behind them. Keto's long-term evidence is thinner and mostly limited to specific clinical contexts.
Is ZenMeals gluten-free?
Both current recipes are naturally free of wheat, barley, and rye, but we don't currently hold formal gluten-free certification. If you have celiac disease, please check with us directly before ordering.
Do I have a nut allergy risk?
Yes. The Nutty Pudding contains macadamia, walnuts, brazil nut, and almond milk, and the Super Veggie is prepared in a kitchen that also handles tree nuts. If you have a nut allergy, contact us before ordering.
Are ZenMeals meals good for athletes?
The Super Veggie's protein-carb combination works well around training, though athletes with high protein targets may want to top up with protein powder. See serving ideas.
Can ZenMeals help with weight loss?
Whole-food, fibre-and-protein-rich meals tend to be more filling per calorie than processed alternatives, which can help with a calorie deficit. But no single meal causes weight loss on its own; total daily intake still matters.
Is ZenMeals suitable for diabetics or during pregnancy?
Our fibre-forward, whole-food ingredients are generally favourable choices in both cases compared with refined-carb meals, but we're not medical professionals. Please review our ingredient lists with your doctor or midwife before relying on ZenMeals for either.
Can ZenMeals help with muscle gain?
The Super Veggie's ~27 g protein per portion is a solid contribution toward a muscle-building target alongside resistance training, but most people building muscle need more total daily protein than two meals alone provide.
Can children eat ZenMeals meals?
Yes, as a whole-food meal with no added sugar, though portion sizes are designed for adults, so consider a smaller serving for younger children. Check the allergen list first if your child has a tree nut allergy.
Why does protein intake matter more after 40?
Muscle grows more resistant to dietary protein with age (anabolic resistance), which is why the PROT-AGE study group recommends 1.0–1.2 g of protein per kg body weight daily for healthy older adults, above general guidelines. See the citation on research.
Can I eat ZenMeals every day?
Many subscribers do, typically as their lunch and dinner or breakfast-and-lunch pairing, filling in the remaining meal themselves. Variety still matters long-term, so we'd suggest not making it literally the only food you eat.
Does ZenMeals fit an intermittent fasting routine?
Yes. Ready in under two minutes, the meals fit neatly into a compressed eating window without requiring you to cook during the part of the day you have the least time for it.
Is there a ZenMeals breakfast option?
The Nutty Pudding works well as a cold breakfast. We don't yet have a dedicated hot breakfast item, though it's on our recipe roadmap.
Storage, prep & where it's made
Can I freeze ZenMeals meals?
The Nutty Pudding freezes well for up to a month; thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before eating. We don't recommend freezing the Super Veggie, cooked lentils and vegetables lose texture on thawing.
Are the meals delivered frozen?
No, meals are delivered chilled, not frozen, ready to reheat (Super Veggie) or eat cold (Nutty Pudding) straight from your fridge.
What's the shelf life of a ZenMeals meal?
Both meals keep for 3–4 days refrigerated from delivery. The Nutty Pudding can additionally be frozen for up to a month if you want to stretch it further.
Where are ZenMeals meals prepared?
In a small production kitchen in Kreis 6, Zurich, on a weekly fresh-preparation cycle rather than a monthly batch-and-freeze model. Read more on our about page.
How long does it take to prepare a meal at home?
Under two minutes: a microwave or stovetop reheat for the Super Veggie, and no prep at all for the Nutty Pudding, which is served straight from the fridge.
Delivery, pricing & subscriptions
What's your delivery area, and is it free?
We currently deliver within the city of Zurich, with free shipping included. You'll see whether your address is covered at checkout before you pay.
Can I pause or cancel my subscription?
Yes to both, pause for a week or cancel entirely, anytime, with no minimum commitment and no questions asked.
Is a subscription cheaper than a one-time order?
Yes, subscriptions save 5% versus one-time orders, on top of already including free shipping.
Is ZenMeals cheaper than cooking the same meal myself?
Once you factor in ingredient cost and waste from unused portions of specialty items like macadamia nuts or shiitake, ZenMeals is often comparable to or cheaper than cooking the same recipe from scratch for one or two people, and it saves the time entirely.
Still have a question?
Check our nutrition information and research pages for more detail, browse serving ideas, see delivery mechanics on how it works, or contact us directly, we read and answer every message ourselves. For team catering, see ZenMeals for companies. To order, go straight to the Super Veggie and Nutty Pudding subscription.