I’m a Dietitian, and Here's What I Really Think About Daily Harvest

When life gets busy, healthy eating often falls to the bottom of the priority list. And after a long, hectic day, finding the energy to meal prep can feel nearly impossible. That's where meal delivery services like Daily Harvest come in.

Best known for its frozen smoothies and grain bowls, the subscription delivers frozen, plant-based meals directly to your door. But does the convenience deliver on flavor, nutrition and value?

I have tested the service multiple times over the past few years, including recently, to provide you with an up-to-date take on whether it's truly worth it. I'll also address the brand's 2022 recall and what has changed since, so you can decide whether it's worth giving Daily Harvest another try, or trying it for the first time.

Daily Harvest

Shop at Daily Harvest

Pros

• Convenient, ready-to-eat or heat meals
• High-quality, premium ingredients
• All dishes are plant-based and gluten-free
• Wide variety of menu offerings
• Innovative and tasty flavor profiles
• Flexible subscription model
• Available online and in grocery stores

Cons

• Some meals can be low in calories and not substantial
• Ample freezer space required

Daily Harvest is a subscription-based meal delivery service that is completely plant-based. It features a wide variety of menu choices, ranging from single-serve smoothies and nutritious energy bites to savory pasta dishes. The service emphasizes organic fruits and vegetables, offering choices that cater to various dietary needs, including high-fiber diets and heart-healthy meals. Every menu item comes frozen to preserve its nutrition quality and flavor, and is developed by in-house chefs and nutritionists.

Once subscribed, you can easily manage your delivery schedule, meal selections and plan preferences through their website or user-friendly iOS app. Most orders arrive within two to four business days, depending on your location. You can mix and match your selections each week, or let Daily Harvest curate a box tailored to your preferences. The current menu includes:

• Smoothies: Packed with nutritious fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest's smoothies are all gluten-free and dairy-free, and come in pre-portioned cups. Just add your liquid of choice, blend and pour it back into the provided cup for an easy, on-the-go option.
• Breakfast bowls: Unique and filled with organic superfoods, these hearty bowls can be eaten hot or cold. Options include oat bowls and chia bowls in innovative flavor combinations.
• Bites: Naturally sweetened with dates, these frozen energy bites are perfect for a quick snack or healthier dessert. No prep required, just grab straight from the freezer.
• Savory meals: Choose from a wide variety of pasta dishes, grain bowls and stir-fries. The nutrient-dense, ready-to-heat meals are ideal for a quick lunch, a solo dinner or a family-style side.

If you're not ready to commit to a subscription, you can also place a one-time order by choosing from their curated bestseller bundles, designed to give you a taste of the most popular items.

In June 2022, Daily Harvest issued a voluntary recall of its French Lentil + Leek Crumbles product following reports from consumers of gastrointestinal illness and potential liver function issues. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "The firm [Daily Harvest] took prompt action to voluntarily recall the product and conduct their own root cause analysis, during which they identified tara flour as a possible contributor to the illnesses. To date, the FDA has found no evidence that tara flour caused the outbreak; however, it did prompt the agency to evaluate the regulatory status of this food ingredient."

The FDA's findings concluded that there isn't enough data or history of safe use to consider the novel ingredient tara flour GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for food use in the U.S. Tara flour is a protein-rich flour derived from the seeds of the tara tree, native to Peru and other parts of South America. While it has been used in plant-based international foods, it lacks established safety data in the U.S.

I spoke with Ricky Silver, CEO of Daily Harvest, to learn about the changes made since the recall. "The impact [of the recall] on consumers was real, the impact on some of our own team members, it was all devastating," he shared. "But we went through arguably the most rigorous food safety evaluation after that."

Silver explained that the company had made significant internal changes following the recall. "The primary change we made was implementing a stricter review of ingredients, particularly novel ingredients," Silver explained. "We also made the decision to not use anything with limited or no history of use in the U.S. or E.U." They also added checks to ensure historical validation of ingredients in their products in the U.S. market.

Silver emphasized the brand's continued commitment to biodiverse, organic fruits and vegetables, and shared that Daily Harvest is now available in select grocery stores, including Target, Kroger and Costco, to make the service more easily accessible to customers. He adds that they have also done a complete overhaul of the website to make the process smoother for those who still prefer the online platform.

But what gave me the most peace of mind was hearing that Daily Harvest was recently acquired by Chobani. I'm familiar with Chobani's quality control standards, food safety practices and on-staff dietitians, and this acquisition signals another layer of oversight and accountability for any products released under the brand. "We're really excited to have found such a fantastic home for the brand and mission alignment in this recent acquisition by Chobani."

Menu items range from $6.49 to $10.99, with a flat shipping rate of $9.99. Specifically, smoothies are priced between $8.49 and $9.49, while breakfast bowls are $6.49. Bites are available for $10.99, and savory meals range from $9.79 to $10.79. The service has a $50 order minimum, with a 10% discount automatically applied to orders over $100.

Although the meals don't contain meat or animal-based proteins, I still feel that the service is competitively priced given the premium produce and high-quality, organic, plant-based ingredients.

The brand has thorough recycling details for every component of its packaging on the website. You can place the box, liner and divider with your curbside recycling; just toss the dry ice plastic bag.

For smoothies, the lid can be curbside recycled, but the cup or plastic seal cannot. You can rinse and recycle the breakfast bowls, as well as the sleeve, but trash the plastic seal. And the harvest bowls trays are not compostable, but are recyclable once cleaned of any food residue. The pasta and grains bags should be trashed, but are made of 90% Post Consumer Recycled PET.

Frozen food is often associated with lousy TV dinners, but Daily Harvest's offerings are far from that. I'm consistently impressed by how fresh and flavorful the offerings are. The smoothies are the true bread and butter of the service and remain a personal favorite. Not only are they incredibly convenient, but as a dietitian, I appreciate the thoughtfully chosen, nutrient-dense ingredients packed into every cup. The Mint Cacao is a surprising favorite of mine, though I'm not usually partial to mint chocolate chip flavor, and keeps me satisfied for hours. Taste testers especially loved the new protein smoothies, which feature plant-based protein powder already blended in, no need for messy scoops or extra cleanup.

The bites are quite tasty, though they fall short of being a dessert as marketed. I think of them as a quick, health-conscious snack when I'm in the mood for something slightly sweet. In my opinion, Daily Harvest really shines with their savory options. The pasta dishes are all gluten-free, seriously easy to prepare and very flavorful. I never find myself missing dairy or meat, since the dishes manage to deliver on texture, depth of flavor and satiety.

The grain bowls and meals are also satisfying, though they tend to be lower in calories. It's worth adding some chicken or another protein to bulk them up during a busy day. Daily Harvest used to offer delicious flatbreads and soups, which I really enjoyed. However, the menu rotates, and some items return for a limited time.

One thing that consistently stands out to me as a dietitian is Daily Harvest's commitment to high-quality, organic ingredients. Many people associate frozen foods with high sodium counts and preservatives, but when done right, frozen meals can actually be even more nutritious than fresh. That's because frozen produce is often flash-frozen immediately after harvest or preparation, which helps lock in key nutrients that can degrade when in transit to the grocery store. Daily Harvest works directly with farms to source nourishing, seasonal ingredients and freeze produce within 24 hours of harvest, locking in nutrients and flavor that you can truly taste in the finished product.

Nutrition information is easily accessible, whether you're browsing the website, using the app or checking the side of the container. Since the entire menu is plant-based, most items are naturally rich in fiber, a nutrient that most Americans fall short on. Surprisingly, many offerings also deliver a solid amount of protein despite being entirely meat-free. That said, some meals are quite low in calories or have a small portion size. If you're very active or need sustained energy throughout a busy day, I recommend boosting the meals by pairing them with additional protein or a hearty side to make them more filling.

Health-conscious eaters who need quick, easy and nourishing options for breakfast and light lunches will love Daily Harvest's offerings. It's also a great fit for anyone looking to adopt a more plant-based diet or simply incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily routine. Whether you're short on time, aiming to boost your fiber intake or trying to reduce your reliance on meat and dairy, Daily Harvest offers convenient, produce-forward meals without compromising on flavor or quality. It's also more affordable and healthier than takeout, and being able to purchase the items in grocery stores now lets you try it out without having to commit to a formal subscription plan.

When considering the service as a whole, I think it's nutritionally balanced and contains wholesome ingredients. When you open up the lid of any of their products, you actually see real colorful fruits and vegetables. The flavors are there and everything really does taste great. The convenience factor is huge, and they provide heating options for microwaving or stovetop use, so there's a method for whatever you prefer. While Daily Harvest offers items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I think it's worth starting with one item to ease the burden for you at whichever meal is the most challenging for you to prepare. Overall, it's a great service suitable for everyone, from the everyday commuter to the stay-at-home parent.

Registered dietitian and Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos has led meal delivery testing efforts for the brand for the past six years. She is passionate about finding practical, time-saving solutions that make healthy eating and living more attainable. Stefani appreciates that many meal delivery services are offering more nutritious options to support a balanced lifestyle.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT

Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.