Daily Harvest: A Dietitian’s Honest Review

Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service providing a variety of ready-to-eat smoothies, oat and chia bowls, flatbreads, harvest bowls, soups, snacks, and even lattes.

The company aims to make healthier eating easy and delicious by helping you add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

This article takes a closer look at the pros and cons of Daily Harvest, as well as who may benefit from trying it.

Daily Harvest started as a delivery service for packaged, frozen smoothies. It has since expanded to include meal and snack options for any time of day.

The company prides itself on using fruits and vegetables as the foundation of each of its products.

It currently offers more than 100 plant-based menu items to choose from, including a variety of smoothies, breakfast bowls, harvest bowls, and soups.

You select the menu items you want, and they arrive on your doorstep, frozen.

In April 2020, Daily Harvest announced it was working toward becoming 100% recyclable.

As of April 2022, the company is mostly there, as its cardboard delivery boxes, cups, bowls, and insulated dry ice bags are either recyclable or compostable.

In addition to being vegan, all of Daily Harvest’s items are gluten-free and have no additives or preservatives.

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Getting started

Unlike other meal delivery services, Daily Harvest does not offer predesigned menus. Instead, customers choose the items they want to receive each week.

You can browse the menu to find options that work for you. The website lists the key ingredients, nutrition facts, and preparation instructions for each item.

Current plans include a weekly delivery of 9, 14, or 24 items.

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You can order online or through the Daily Harvest smartphone app. Using your online account, you can also skip weeks, change your selections, and manage your deliveries.

Meal selection

Once you choose your plan, you can select your meals from among more than 100 chef-crafted options. Here are some examples:

• Smoothies: Passion Fruit + Pineapple, Mint + Cacao, Acai + Cherry
• Forager bowls: Leek + Fonio Grits, Strawberry + Goji Berry, Cremini + Miso Oat
• Soups: Carrot + Coconut Curry, Butternut Squash + Rosemary, Mushroom + Miso
• Flatbreads: Kale + Sweet Potato, Pear + Arugula, Artichoke + Spinach
• Harvest bowls: Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash, Cremini + Asparagus Pot Pie, Red Lentil + Cumin
• Harvest bakes: Chickpea + Coconut Curry, Cremini + Paprika Ropa Vieja, Squash + Wild Rice Gratin
• Snack bites: Hazelnut + Chocolate, Coconut + Lemon, Espresso Bean + Tahini
• Scoops (plant-based ice creams): Vanilla + Salted, Swirled Black Sesame; Mint + Dark, Melty Cacao Chips
• Lattes: Ginger + Turmeric, Chaga + Chocolate, Coffee + Almond
• Plant-based milks: Almond, Almond + Vanilla

Note that most items consist of one serving per order. However, the snack bites, ice creams, plant-based milks, and lattes contain multiple servings per order.

Here’s a closer look at the nutritional value for a few items on the company’s menu:

All of Daily Harvest’s meals, snacks, and lattes are plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, and made to support a balanced diet. It’s a great option for people with these dietary restrictions who might have a hard time finding meal delivery services to fit their needs.

The service uses mostly organic ingredients, so it may be a good fit for people who prefer to limit their intake of conventional ingredients. However, keep in mind that some items may not be fully organic.

Note that many of the items are too high in carbs to be suitable for keto or other very low carb diets. Also, while some items may be paleo-friendly, the meals are not designed with the paleo diet in mind.

Therefore, people following a low carb, keto, or paleo diet may want to choose a service that caters to their needs.

The meals are not designed to be low in salt, so some menu options may not be ideal for people on a low sodium diet.

Additionally, while research has found that consuming more plant-based foods is beneficial for heart health, the suitability of Daily Harvest’s offerings for a heart-healthy diet will depend on the individual menu item (1).

Nutritional information is available for each item, so you can choose suitable options for your specific health needs.

Finally, keep in mind that Daily Harvest may not be a good fit if you have severe food allergies. Allergen information is available for each item, but all items are prepared in a facility that also processes dairy, gluten, nuts, and soy, so cross contamination could occur.

Daily Harvest does not claim to help support weight loss. Instead, it’s designed to simply help people eat more healthy plant-based meals.

That said, most entrees contain 400 or fewer calories, so some individuals may find themselves losing weight by using Daily Harvest.

Depending on your current calorie intake, replacing some or all of your meals with Daily Harvest’s lower calorie options could result in a reduction in your overall calorie intake and lead to weight loss (2, 3).

Additionally, studies have found that plant-based diets are associated with weight loss and a reduced risk of obesity (4, 5, 6).

However, research has also shown that a higher protein intake can increase feelings of fullness and help people lose weight (7, 8).

Because many of Daily Harvest’s options are lower in protein, with 20 or fewer grams per serving, some individuals may not find the meals filling enough on their own.

It’s also important to note that the nutritional information provided for each item does not factor in any liquid that customers need to add themselves.

Whether you lose weight using Daily Harvest will depend on many other factors, such as other foods you’re eating throughout the day and your physical activity level.

The cost of Daily Harvest depends on which items you choose and how many items you order at once. The company offers discounts on larger orders and for new customers.

Plans are available in three sizes:

• Small: 9 items
• Medium: 14 items
• Large: 24 items

Items vary in price as well, depending on the specific type. Here are the prices for each menu item Daily Harvest offers:

• Smoothies: $8.49 each
• Harvest bowls: $9.79 each
• Harvest bakes: $11.99 each
• Flatbreads: $9.79 each
• Soups: $8.49 each
• Forager bowls: $6.79 each
• Scoops: $8.99 per pint
• Bites: $7.99 for 7 bites
• Lattes: $5.99 for 2 lattes
• Mylk: $7.99 for 8 servings

However, the more items you order, the more money you save on your full order:

• $5 off a small box with 9 items
• $10 off a medium box with 14 items
• $25 off a large box with 24 items

Shipping and taxes are included in the base price of each item, so there are no surprise costs at checkout.

You have until 6 p.m. Eastern Time on the Sunday before your planned delivery to modify or skip your order. You can make changes to orders via the Daily Harvest website or app.

For new customers, Daily Harvest is currently offering up to $25 off your first box.

Daily Harvest makes its meals with high quality plant-based ingredients. Meals are free of additives, preservatives, and fillers.

While the company uses some conventional produce, 95% of the ingredients are organic.

The company also aims to avoid pesticides. Certain types of non-organic produce tend to have high pesticide residues, according to the Environmental Working Group. Daily Harvest specifically avoids these by selecting organic versions of these fruits and vegetables (9).

All of Daily Harvest’s meals are vegan and feature a base of fruits and vegetables.

Meals also commonly include other high quality plant-based ingredients, such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, spices, herbs, and powders like matcha and cacao.

Sweeter options, like the ice creams, bites, and lattes, are sweetened either with fruit or with natural sweeteners like organic maple syrup.

It’s important to note that consumers need to provide their own liquids. For example, you’ll need to add plant-based milk to make a smoothie or broth to reheat one of the soups.

In-house nutritionists and chefs craft Daily Harvest recipes with high quality ingredients.

To ensure freshness, all the items arrive at your door frozen and packaged with dry ice.

Once you get your meals, they should last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

You can reheat items like soups, harvest bowls, and forager bowls in the microwave or on the stove. You may want to heat the flatbreads in either a traditional oven or a toaster oven.

You can eat the bites and ice creams straight from the freezer.

In addition to being fresh, Daily Harvest’s items are flavorful because they contain produce that’s frozen at peak ripeness, as well as herbs, spices, and homemade sauces.

However, those looking for variety from week to week may find the meal service repetitive after a few orders. The company has more than 100 items on its menu but does not add new items regularly.

While the idea of Daily Harvest sounds great, you may be wondering whether it lives up to the hype.

To answer this question, I tried out a variety of Daily Harvest’s products:

• Cauliflower + Leek Stew
• Gigante Bean + Savoy Cabbage Harvest Bowl
• Brussels Sprouts + Lime Pad Thai Harvest Bowl
• Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash Harvest Bowl
• Portobello + Pesto Flatbread
• Artichoke + Spinach Flatbread
• Acai + Cherry Smoothie
• Ginger + Greens Smoothie
• Passion Fruit + Pineapple Smoothie
• Mint + Cacao Smoothie
• Mulberry + Dragon Fruit Oat Bowl
• Vanilla Bean + Apple Chia Bowl
• Cremini + Miso Oat Forager Bowl
• Almond + Vanilla Mylk
• Strawberry + Rich, Rippled Berry Compote Scoops
• Cold Brew + Roasted Espresso Bean Chip Scoops
• Chaga + Chocolate Latte
• Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites

Delivery and storage

My items arrived within just 5 days in an insulated container packed with dry ice to help keep everything fresh.

When I unpacked my items, everything was still frozen, and I was able to quickly store the items in my freezer.

Additionally, most of the packaging is recyclable, with details on how to recycle each component available on the company’s website.

My order also included a booklet with information about the company, including the steps it’s taking to support sustainability.

Preparing and trying the foods

When it was time to try the food, I found all the items easy to prepare.

The meals, for example, could either be microwaved or cooked on the stove, while the smoothies just needed to be blended with water or milk.

Because everything is frozen, removing items from the container was sometimes tricky, and blending the smoothies definitely required a bit of patience (or a very high powered blender). However, it was still much easier and more convenient than preparing items from scratch.

I enjoyed most of the selections that I tried and felt that there was enough variety that it didn’t get too repetitive.

My favorite item was the Cacao Nib + Vanilla Bites, which can be eaten straight out of the freezer for a simple and delicious snack.

I also liked the oat bowls and chia bowls, both of which were easily prepared by adding plant-based milk, popping them in the fridge overnight, and enjoying them cold for a quick and easy breakfast the next morning.

That said, some of the items became a bit too soft and mushy after cooking, including the Sweet Potato + Wild Rice Hash and the Brussels Sprouts + Lime Pad Thai harvest bowls.

Additionally, because many of the meals and smoothies are relatively low in calories and protein, I often found myself still hungry after eating.

For this reason, I think Daily Harvest can help save time and round out your diet by providing a few nutritious meals or snacks that you can enjoy throughout the week.

However, I wouldn’t recommend depending on it entirely for your daily meals. It may also not be the best option for those who enjoy cooking or who prefer more filling, high protein meals and snacks.

As of the time of publication, Daily Harvest is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. However, it currently holds an A rating, which is based on factors such as the company’s business practices, its complaint history, and how long it has been in business.

On Trustpilot, Daily Harvest has an average rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars, which is based on a total of 1,077 customer reviews.

Many customers state that the meals are convenient, easy to prepare, nutritious, and tasty. Some also note that customer service is quick to respond and resolve any issues with orders.

On the other hand, some reviewers report dissatisfaction with the quality of food and issues with delivery or missing items.

Many reviewers have also expressed concerns about food safety, especially in the wake of several recent class action lawsuits that have been filed against the company.

In June 2022, the company issued a voluntary recall of its French Lentil + Leek Crumbles after reports of severe gastrointestinal issues that were linked to the item (10).

According to the company, the issue resulted from a single ingredient — tara flour — that was used in the item and does not impact any of the other items on the menu (10).

Daily Harvest provides high quality plant-based meals and snacks that require minimal preparation and are convenient yet flavorful.

It may be worth trying if you’re looking to eat more plant-based meals without having to spend extra time in the kitchen.

Because you get to choose the items in each shipment, Daily Harvest is also a good choice if you’re looking for easy breakfasts, lunches, or snacks to enjoy throughout the week.

However, each meal contains just one serving, so Daily Harvest is not a great option for families.

Additionally, the items can get quite expensive and may not be filling enough if you’re relying on Daily Harvest for all three meals each day.

Most of the entrees provide fewer than 400 calories per serving, so many adults will need to order additional servings or incorporate other sources of calories into their meals to meet their daily nutritional needs.

Therefore, it may not be ideal for those who are on a tight budget or are hoping to avoid additional food shopping for the week.

Who is Daily Harvest for?

Offering an extensive selection of items that are plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free, Daily Harvest may be a good choice for people with certain dietary restrictions, including those following a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet.

Because all the products are fully prepared and require little to no preparation, it can also be a convenient option for those who have busy schedules and limited time to spend on cooking.

However, Daily Harvest may not be a good option for people with specific dietary needs or preferences.

In particular, the company’s emphasis on fruits and vegetables and avoidance of animal-based products makes it poorly suited for keto, paleo, and many other low carb diets that often incorporate animal products.

Additionally, because all Daily Harvest products are made in a facility that processes dairy, nuts, soy, and gluten, it may not be suitable for people with celiac disease, other gluten-related disorders, or severe food allergies.

Here’s a closer look at how Daily Harvest compares to some of its competitors:

All the companies listed above provide high quality plant-based meals and snacks.

However, they have a few key differences, including the number of options available.

For example, Daily Harvest offers the most variety, with more than 100 items, including smoothies, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and plant-based ice creams.

Both Splendid Spoon‘s and Mosaic’s options are more limited, though both services deliver fully prepared meals that can be enjoyed as is or that require only microwaving, heating on the stovetop, or baking.

In terms of portion size, Mosaic Foods tends to offer options that are slightly higher in calories and protein, so it may be a better choice if you’re looking for more filling meals.

Can Daily Harvest be purchased in stores?

Daily Harvest only offers delivery and is not currently available at any stores. However, the company provides free shipping to 95% of the continental United States and is continuously expanding its delivery zone.

What is the price change of Daily Harvest from 2021 to 2022?

Daily Harvest’s prices have stayed the same for the most part, though the company has recently added some items to its menu that are more expensive, such as harvest bakes. The company has also updated the discounts it offers for new customers or larger order sizes.

Will Daily Harvest work for me?

Daily Harvest may be a good option for people who are looking for a way to add more nutritious foods to their diet while saving time on meal prep. It might also be a good choice for people following a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diet.

However, it might not provide enough calories or protein for some people, including individuals who are very active. It also might not work for you if you prefer to eat organic or are following a low carb, ketogenic, or paleo diet.

Do you pay monthly for Daily Harvest?

Daily Harvest offers weekly plans, which include 9, 14, or 24 meals per box. If you prefer to place one order per month, you can also schedule your orders in advance on the app and pause or skip a week as needed.

Can you cancel Daily Harvest at any time?

You can cancel your Daily Harvest plan at any time directly on the app. To cancel your subscription or to pause your plan, navigate to “Edit Plan” in the menu on the app and select “End Plan.”

Do you need a blender for Daily Harvest?

Some items from Daily Harvest require a blender, including the smoothies. However, other items — like harvest bowls, forager bowls, and flatbreads — can be simply reheated and enjoyed.