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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Before purchasing from Daily Harvest, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- 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.
Cons
- Some products are higher in carbohydrates and sugar.
- Some customers state that they received thawed products.
- Some customers report missing items and deliveries.
The following table compares Daily Harvest to some of its competitors.
| Daily Harvest | Splendid Spoon | Mosaic Foods | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian food | available | available | available |
| Vegan food | available | all vegan | available |
| Frozen food | yes | yes | yes |
| Smoothies | available | available | available |
| Soups | available | available | not available |
| Bowls | available | available | available |
| Subscription service | yes | yes | yes |
| Option to skip a delivery | yes | yes | yes |
| Custom meal plan | yes | yes | yes |
| Price | $6.79–$11.99 per meal | $70–$195 every 5 days | $9–$11 per meal |
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.
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.
“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:
Smoothies
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
Cacao and Avocado Smoothie nutritional facts and instructions
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
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
Broccoli and “Cheeze” nutritional facts and instructions
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
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
- Tomatillo and Pepper
- Kombucha and Sage
Kale and Sweet Potato nutritional facts and instructions
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.
Soups
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
Lentil and Mesquite Chili nutritional facts and instructions
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.
Oat or chia bowls
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
Cherry and Dark Chocolate nutritional facts and instructions
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
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
- Vanilla and Salted, Swirled Black Sesame
Strawberry and Rich, Rippled Berry Compote nutritional facts and instructions
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.
Bites
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
Hazelnut and Chocolate nutritional facts and instructions
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.
Lattes
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
Ginger and Turmeric nutritional facts and instructions
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.
Hot latte
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.
Iced latte
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.
With Mylk
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.
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.
“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.
Skipping weeks, changing orders, and canceling
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.
“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.
Vegan diets
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
However, some people may need more protein, especially older adults and people who are
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.
According to a
- improve the diversity of gut bacteria
- reduce inflammation
- help prevent obesity and diabetes
In addition, a
A
Overall, plant foods are good sources of many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The
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
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here we answer some common questions about this service.
How much does Daily Harvest Cost?
Food items start at around $6.
The company offers discounts on orders of more than one item.
Is Daily Harvest healthy?
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
Is Daily Harvest worth it?
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.
How long does Daily Harvest last?
Daily Harvest states that the food lasts in the freezer for at least 1 month.
How do I cancel Daily Harvest?
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.
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.