Daily Harvest review: Is it worth it?

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Daily Harvest delivers plant-based meal kits. Meal kit delivery services are popular among people who want quick, healthy, and convenient meals. But the health benefits really depend on the company’s offerings and the person’s selections.
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Please note that the writer has not tried this service. All quotes are provided by an independent reviewer, Jamey Powell, who received a free kit from Daily Harvest.
Here, we explain how Daily Harvest works, review the possible benefits, and discuss some alternatives.
What is Daily Harvest? 
Daily Harvest is a meal delivery delivery service that focuses on fruits and vegetables. People can choose from more than 80 chef-crafted options, including smoothies, soups, and bowls.
Daily Harvest
All items are plant-based and suitable for people following vegan diets. The ingredients, most of which are organic, include nuts, seeds, “superfoods,” and spices.
superfoods
A person may need to add broth, oil, or milk to a dish, following the instructions included in each kit. The preparation may involve blending a smoothie or heating a meal on the stove or in the microwave.
Pros and cons at a glance
Before purchasing from Daily Harvest, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
The service offers quick and easy meal solutions.
All meals are frozen, meaning they keep longer.
A person can pause a plan indefinitely without extra fees.
The service provides instructions on how to prepare each food item.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Some products are higher in carbohydrates and sugar.
Some customers state that they received thawed products.
Some customers report missing items and deliveries.
Daily Harvest vs. other meal delivery services
The following table compares Daily Harvest to some of its competitors.
Daily Harvest
Splendid Spoon
Mosaic Foods
How to get started
People can sign up for Daily Harvest on the company’s website. To create an account, a person needs to provide their email address, location, and billing information.
website
Customers build their subscription plans by selecting 9, 12, or 24 items for weekly or monthly delivery.
Daily Harvest packs the food with dry ice to keep it frozen and delivers on the day the customer chooses. People store their kits in the freezer.
After their first delivery, a person can swap selections, skip a week, or pause their plan.
Daily Harvest also offers an iOS app that people can use on Apple devices to make shopping easier. Customers can manage their accounts and orders using the app.
GET STARTED WITH Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest menu options
“Daily Harvest includes ingredients people might not use regularly on their own, such as goji berries, dragonfruit, and amaranth. Also, most of their ingredients are organic.”
— Jamey Powell
Daily Harvest offers a range of healthy meals rich in fruits and vegetables, including:
A person needs to add a liquid, such as milk or coconut water, to the other ingredients before blending them.
Examples of the company’s smoothie flavors include:
Cacao and Avocado
Mandarin and Carrot
Ginger and Greens
Ginger
The nutritional facts for the Cacao and Avocado Smoothie are as follows:
Serving size: 1 container (220 grams [g])
Calories per serving: 570
Total fat: 40 g
Saturated fat: 17 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 160 milligrams (mg)
Total carbohydrates: 51 g
Dietary fiber: 15 g
Total sugars: 29 g
Protein: 21 g
Vitamin D: 0 micrograms (mcg)
Calcium: 61 mg
Iron: 10 mg
Potassium: 1,273 mg
Daily Harvest states that to prepare this smoothie, a person must fill the container to the top with their preferred liquid. Then, they must blend the contents of the container.
Harvest bowls contain vegetables, seeds, and spices, as well as other ingredients such as nutritional yeast. A person can prepare a bowl by adding water, broth, or oil and heating it in the microwave or on the stove.
Examples include:
Broccoli and “Cheeze”
Cauliflower Rice and Pesto
Quinoa and Chipotle
Quinoa
The nutritional facts for the Broccoli and “Cheeze” Harvest Bowl are as follows:
Serving size: 1 container (298 g)
Calories per serving: 380
Total fat: 28 g
Saturated fat: 3 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 770 mg
Total carbohydrates: 24 g
Dietary fiber: 9 g
Total sugars: 6 g
Protein: 14 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 124 mg
Iron: 5 mg
Potassium: 974 mg
Daily Harvest provides two options for heating up its harvest bowls.
To cook the food on a stovetop, the company instructs people to remove the film cover, pour the food into a pan, and add 2 tablespoons of water or broth. Then, people must cook it over medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
To microwave the harvest bowl, a person must remove the film and add 2 tablespoons of water or broth. Then, they must heat the harvest bowl on high for 3 minutes, stir, and then heat for an additional 1–2 minutes. People can heat the food in either its container or a microwave-safe bowl.
Flatbreads contain a variety of toppings, and a person can add extras, such as dairy-free cheese, before heating them in the oven. All flatbreads are gluten-free.
Examples include:
Kale and Sweet Potato
Kale
Tomatillo and Pepper
Kombucha and Sage
The nutritional facts for the Kale and Sweet Potato Flatbread are as follows:
Serving size: 1 flatbread (230 g)
Calories per serving: 370
Total fat: 16 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 520 mg
Total carbohydrates: 52 g
Dietary fiber: 7 g
Total sugars: 11 g
Protein: 7 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 136 mg
Iron: 8 mg
Potassium: 832 mg
To prepare this flatbread, Daily Harvest instructs people to set a baking sheet in the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Then, people must unwrap the flatbread, remove it from the base, and place it on the baking sheet. The flatbread takes 20–25 minutes to bake.
It is simple to prepare the soups by adding water or broth before heating them in the microwave or on the stove.
Examples of Daily Harvest soups include:
Lentil and Mesquite Chili
Butternut Squash and Rosemary
Tomato and Zucchini Minestrone
The nutritional facts for the Lentil and Mesquite Chili Soup are as follows:
Serving size: 1 container (283 g)
Calories per serving: 280
Total fat: 2.5 g
Saturated fat: 0 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 760 mg
Total carbohydrates: 52 g
Dietary fiber: 13 g
Total sugars: 10 g
Protein: 14 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 103 mg
Iron: 5 mg
Potassium: 1022 mg
Daily Harvest states that people can heat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave.
When using a stovetop, a person must remove the film and pour the contents into a pan. After adding 1 cup of water or broth, a person must heat the soup on medium-high heat for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
To heat in a microwave, a person must remove the film and add 1 cup of water or broth. Then, they must heat the soup on high for 3 minutes, stir thoroughly, and heat for an additional 2–3 minutes. A person can heat the soup in either its container or a microwave-safe bowl.
People can choose either oat or chia bowls. Each requires a person to add liquid and leave the oats or seeds to soak overnight. In the morning, a person can heat an oat bowl.
Examples include:
Cherry and Dark Chocolate Oat Bowl
Vanilla Bean and Apple Chia Bowl
Pumpkin and Chai Oat Bowl
Pumpkin
The nutritional facts for the Cherry and Dark Chocolate Oat Bowl are as follows:
Serving size: 1 container (150 g)
Calories per serving: 260
Total fat: 7 g
Saturated fat: 3 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 45 mg
Total carbohydrates: 50 g
Dietary fiber: 12 g
Total sugars: 15 g
Protein: 7 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 48 mg
Iron: 5 mg
Potassium: 483 mg
Daily Harvest states that people can prepare this oat bowl on the stovetop or in the microwave.
To heat the food on the stovetop, a person must remove the film and pour the contents into a pan. Then, after adding 1/2 cup of their preferred milk, they must cook it on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes.
To heat using a microwave, a person must remove the film and add 1/2 cup of their preferred milk. Then, they must heat on high for 1 1/2 minutes, stir, and then heat for an additional 1–2 minutes. A person can use the container the food comes in or transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl.
Scoops are dairy-free frozen treats that contain no refined sugars or artificial ingredients. They need to thaw for 10 minutes before they are ready to eat.
Examples of flavors include:
Strawberry and Rich, Rippled Berry Compote
Mint and Dark, Melty Cacao Chips
Mint
Vanilla and Salted, Swirled Black Sesame
The nutritional facts for the Strawberry and Rich, Rippled Berry Compote Scoops are as follows:
Serving size: 2/3 cup (134 g)
Calories per serving: 270
Total fat: 18 g
Saturated fat: 16 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 20 mg
Total carbohydrates: 23 g
Dietary fiber: 2 g
Total sugars: 19 g
Added sugars: 14 g
Protein: 2 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 34 mg
Iron: 1 mg
Potassium: 342 mg
Daily Harvest recommends letting the container sit for 10 minutes before eating a serving.
These sweet treats are ready to eat straight from the freezer, but a person can soften them by putting them in the refrigerator to thaw first. There are seven bites per cup.
Examples of flavors include:
Hazelnut and Chocolate
Espresso Bean and Tahini
Peach and Almond
The nutritional facts for the Hazelnut and Chocolate Bites are as follows:
Serving size: 1 bite (28 g)
Calories per serving: 100
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 0.5 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 0 g
Total carbohydrates: 11 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Total sugars: 7 g
Protein: 2 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 20 mg
Iron: 2 mg
Potassium: 199 mg
Daily Harvest states that its bites are ready to eat straight from the freezer.
These include herbs and spices, and a person receives three individually portioned latte “pods” in a cup.
A person adds milk and prepares their latte in the microwave or on the stove. A person can also enjoy these iced.
Examples of flavors include:
Ginger and Turmeric
Matcha and Lemongrass
Coffee and Almond
Coffee
The nutritional facts for the Ginger and Turmeric Latte are as follows:
Serving size: 1 pod (34 g)
Calories per serving: 45
Total fat: 3.5 g
Saturated fat: 2.5 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 0 g
Total carbohydrates: 4 g
Dietary fiber: 1 g
Total sugars: 2 g
Added sugars: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Vitamin D: 0 mcg
Calcium: 10 mg
Iron: 1 mg
Potassium: 83 mg
There are several ways a person can prepare Daily Harvest’s lattes.
To prepare a hot latte, a person must:
Run the sealed pod under hot water for 10 seconds.
Pour the pod’s contents into a microwave-safe mug or stovetop pan and add 1 cup of a person’s preferred milk.
Heat the liquid in a microwave or on the stovetop over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes.
To prepare an iced latte, a person must:
Run the sealed pod under hot water for 10 seconds.
Pour the pod’s contents into a blender, add 1 cup of a person’s preferred milk, and blend until frothy.
Pour over ice.
To prepare a latte with Daily Harvest’s Mylk, a person must:
Run the sealed pod under hot water for 10 seconds.
Pour the pod’s contents into a blender with two Mylk wedges and 1 cup of water and blend.
Follow the instructions for a hot or iced latte.
Are Daily Harvest meals easy to make?
Daily Harvest states that its meals are easy to prepare. All items come with instructions and, on average, take a few minutes to make before people can eat them.
For example, to make the soup, people need to remove the protective film, add a cup of water or broth, and cook on a stovetop or in a microwave for less than 6 minutes.
Harvest bakes need to bake in the oven for less than 30 minutes, while the bowls require adding a few tablespoons of water and broth and cooking on a stovetop or in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
How much does Daily Harvest cost?
“An average box of nine items costs around $65 — although shipping is free. If people buy smoothies out often, this might not seem too expensive. But if a person is just as comfortable making a big batch of soup or tossing ingredients into a blender for a smoothie at home, it might be a stretch budget-wise.”
— Jamey Powell
The cost of a Daily Harvest order depends on the type and number of items.
The prices, including shipping and taxes, are:
Forager bowls: $6.79 per item
Oat bowls: $6.79 per item
Chia bowls: $6.79 per item
Lattes: $5.99 for two
Soups: $8.49 per item
Smoothies: $8.49 per item
Bites: $7.99 per seven bites
Mylk: $7.99 for a half-gallon, which makes eight 7-ounce servings
Scoops: $8.99 per pint
Harvest bowls: $9.79 per item
Harvest bakes: $11.99 per item
Flatbreads: $9.79 per item
Discounts are available when people order multiple products:
9–11 items: $5 discount
12–23 items: $10 discount
24–26 items: $25 discount
Daily Harvest also regularly provides promo codes for extra discounts.
GO TO Daily Harvest
Customers can skip or delay deliveries up to 8 weeks in advance. A person can skip an unlimited number of deliveries for no charge.
A person can also pause their orders, and the company will save their account. Pausing stops deliveries and billing until the person chooses to resume their subscription.
A person can cancel their subscription at any time. This deletes their account, so they will have to make a new one if they want to use the service again.
People can change, skip, pause, or cancel a delivery before 6:00 p.m. on the Sunday before their box is scheduled to ship. After this time, Daily Harvest will ship the delivery and send a bill.
People can change their orders through their accounts on the Daily Harvest website.
Who is Daily Harvest good for?
“Menu options are entirely vegan and vegetarian, which might be a pro for some folks. However, if they want to beef up the protein count on some meals, they will need to supply their own ingredients.”
— Jamey Powell
Daily Harvest can be a good option for people interested in dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan foods. Most items are also soy-free, apart from a few that use fermented soy products such as miso and tamari.
People can filter their choices on the app according to their dietary preferences.
All Daily Harvest products are suitable for vegan diets. However, eating only these products may not provide enough protein. As an example, imagine that a person eats only these Daily Harvest meals for a day:
Breakfast: Strawberry and Peach Smoothie, which has 3 g of protein
Lunch: Butternut Squash and Rosemary Soup, which has 4 g of protein
Dinner: Cauliflower Rice and Pesto, which has 8 g of protein
This provides a total of 15 g of protein for the day. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adults is 0.8 g per day for every kilogram of body weight. For a person weighing 200 pounds, that equates to about 72.5 g of protein each day. However, some people may need more protein, especially older adults and people who are trying to build muscle.
0.8 g
body weight
trying to build
To boost the protein content of these meals, a person might add:
protein-rich plant milk, such as soy or pea protein milk
beans and pulses, such as chickpeas, lentils, and black beans
tofu or tempeh
nuts, nut butter, or seeds
Meanwhile, some Daily Harvest snack bites that contain nuts and seeds provide approximately 2 g of protein per bite. To opt for meals higher in protein, check out the nutritional information that Daily Harvest provides on its website.
General health benefits
According to a 2019 review, following a plant-based diet may:
2019 review
improve the diversity of gut bacteria
reduce inflammation
inflammation
help prevent obesity and diabetes
obesity
diabetes
In addition, a 2019 study found a link between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of developing kidney disease. A 2018 meta-analysis highlighted the cardioprotective properties of these diets, reporting, for example, that vegans tend to have lower cholesterol than omnivores.
2019 study
2018 meta-analysis
Overall, plant foods are good sources of many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans urges people to eat more fruits and vegetables to lower their risk of developing several diseases.
vitamins
antioxidants
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Learn more about foods rich in antioxidants.
Learn more about foods rich in antioxidants.
Healthy alternatives
Many brands provide meal delivery services, while others deliver boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Anyone looking for convenient ways to eat more fruits and vegetables might try:
washing and cutting snackable fruits and vegetables in batches and storing them in the refrigerator
preparing big batches of plant-based meals, such as chilis, bean casseroles, curries, and soups, and storing portions to eat throughout the week
adding frozen fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, mango, and spinach, to plant milk for a quick smoothie
blueberries
mango
storing leftover vegetables to add to the next day’s lunchtime salad or wrap
mixing oats, chia seeds, or both with chopped fruits, seeds, and plant milk and then leaving the mixture to combine overnight for a breakfast bowl
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans gives useful information about healthy eating habits that focus on fruits and vegetables. These include Mediterranean-style eating and healthy vegetarian eating. A person can use this information to help plan their meals.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
For people interested in trying a meal kit service, one that is similar to Daily Harvest is Purple Carrot, which is also dedicated to plant-based meals. Learn more about Purple Carrot here.
Purple Carrot
Learn more about Purple Carrot here.
Daily Harvest packaging and delivery
Daily Harvest uses mostly recyclable packaging made from paper, pulp, and plants. However, the company states that the lids are not recyclable in all locations.
Individuals can create a custom plan by choosing the number of items they want, the number of deliveries they need, and a delivery date.
The company ships the items with dry ice to keep the food frozen. Daily Harvest recommends placing the deliveries in the freezer as soon as possible, as the dry ice keeps the contents at a low freezing temperature for only up to 2 days from dispatch time.
People can track each delivery via email.
Customer reviews
Daily Harvest does not currently have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB has awarded the company an A grade, and customers have given it an average rating of 1.62 out of 5 stars, with 48 complaints within the past 3 years.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Most complaints mention billing and refund issues, damaged products, and leaking or warm food.
Customers on Trustpilot give the company an average of 3.1 out of 5 stars. Those who have left positive reviews state that the food is delicious and easy to prepare and has helped them reach their weight goals.
3.1 out of 5 stars
However, customers who have left negative reviews report that the food is bland. Some people say they received open and thawed produce or experienced shipping delays and missing items.
Frequently asked questions about Daily Harvest
Here we answer some common questions about this service.
Food items start at around $6.
The company offers discounts on orders of more than one item.
Most foods are healthy in moderation so long as a person consumes them as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
However, some of Daily Harvest’s products are high in carbohydrates and sugar, which may not be suitable for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. People should carefully read the nutritional facts of the items they wish to purchase.
may not be suitable
Daily Harvest offers meals that people do not need to prepare and cook. This may be worth it for those who do not have the time to source, prepare, and cook meals.
However, as with other meal delivery services, the cost is potentially higher than the cost of buying the ingredients and preparing the food at home. Daily Harvest may not be worth it for someone who has access to fresh produce and has the time to cook meals.
Daily Harvest states that the food lasts in the freezer for at least 1 month.
A person must log in to their account on the Daily Harvest website. Then, they must click on the “Edit” button beside their “Plan Status.” A person must pause their plan before canceling.
Once a person has paused their plan, they can select “End Plan.” This will cancel their subscription to Daily Harvest.
Summary
Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service. Subscribing may be an easy way to consume more fruits and vegetables, improving the quality of the diet.
The service is suitable for people with gluten-free or vegan diets, and it may work for anyone looking to save time spent shopping and cooking.
However, anyone who eats these meals exclusively may need to add sources of protein, such as beans or plant milks.
There are other convenient ways to boost the fruit and vegetable contents of the diet. One option is to cook big batches of plant-based meals and store portions in the refrigerator or freezer to eat throughout the week. This is likely to be less expensive than a delivery service.