Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest (+7 Features of each)
In the current blogpost, we will be checking out two amazing meal delivery services which cater to different types of populations following different types of lifestyles. In Nutrisystem, the primary aim is weight loss and therefore all the meals are low-carb and high-protein. In Daily Harvest, only plant-based products are available, perfect for vegans or vegetarians.
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
The table below has depicted the main characteristics and features which you will be able to find in Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest. We have also mentioned their delivery areas and even the types of food items you can expect from these. For first-time users of Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest, we have included some juicy introductory deals as well.
| Feature | Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Delivery areas | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii,Canada | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii |
| Price per plate | $9.99 per plate minimum | $5.99 to $11.99 per item |
| Difficulty levels | Easy | Easy |
| Avg. cooking time | Only heating required | Only 3-5 minutes of heating |
| Avg. calorie count | 200 calories per serving | 250-400 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | None | Nutritional facts,Heating instructions |
| Recipes supported | Weight-loss | Smoothies,Harvest bowls,Harvest bakes,Flatbreads,Soups,Forager bowls,Scoops,Bites,Lattes,Mylk |
| No. of choices | >100 | Varies per week |
| Introductory deal | 50% off on first order | $35 off on first order |
| Avg. shelf life | 6-18 months | 3 months in freezer |
Types of Plans: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Basic $9.99 per day + free shipping,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | Small 9 items,$5 in savings |
| Uniquely Yours $13.57 per day + free shipping,150+ choices,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | Medium 14 items,$10 in savings |
| Partner Plan $9.99 per day + free shipping,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | Large 24 items,$25 in savings |
In Nutrisystem, the user can go for various plans based on what their health goals are. The basic plan in Nutrisystem is perfect for anyone who is trying to casually drop a few pounds but wants to eat more flexibly during the week. Nutrisystem also offers a customized plan for those who are rigorous about their weight loss.
In Daily Harvest, the user can choose from various sizes of meal boxes based on how many food items they need in the week. The more items the user chooses for their cart, the more money they will be saving. All the food items in Daily Harvest are plant-based and are perfect for vegans and vegetarians.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Ingredient type | Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Produce | Organic produce | Organic produce,Locally grown ingredients,GMO-free |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Sustainably sourced poultry, meat and seafood | No meat |
| Other ingredients | Seasonings,Sauces,Condiments | None |
Both Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest clearly state that all their produce and their greens are definitely organic and sourced from those local vendors and partnered-farms which are guaranteed to use only safe farming practices. This is definitely a happy thing for those who prefer eating organic produce in their meals.
The meals from Nutrisystem contain meat and poultry sourced from antibiotic-free and hormone-free animals and birds, while the seafood comes from sustainable sources. The meals come with the required seasonings and spices and can be consumed directly without any cooking. Since Daily Harvest is plant-based, no meat or animal-based products are used.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Grocery items,Low-fat dairy,Lean protein | All items |
Along with the fully-cooked meals in Nutrisystem, the user can get access to numerous add-on items as well. In the add-on menu of Nutrisystem, the user can find essential grocery items which can also aid in weight loss. Furthermore, there are also protein packs and even low-fat dairy which can be a godsend to those who are trying to lose weight.
Daily Harvest does not have an exact add-on menu. The user can simply add any item from the main menu to their cart. The items in Daily Harvest include delicious smoothies, grain bowls, soups and even vegan milk. All the items are plant-based and do not even contain dairy products.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal box: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Eco-friendly boxes | Mylk box,Bowls & pods,Flatbread box,Boxes,Liners,Dry ice barriers,Sleeves |
| Mostly recyclable | Fully recyclable |
The meals in Nutrisystem and the food from Daily Harvest are packed into boxes which are completely recyclable. The food items from Daily Harvest are packed in mostly cardboard boxes which can be simply disintegrated and recycled curbside. These boxes are lined with eco-friendly material like denim cotton.
In Nutrisystem, the meals come in coolers which are made of foam which is quite environmentally-friendly in nature. Daily Harvest makes the use of dry ice to keep the internal temperatures of the boxes low during shipping. Both Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest provide plenty of information about the recycling process on their platforms.
Winner: Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest win the Packaging of Meal box segment.
Customer Support: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Feature | Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Chat support | + | + |
| Email support | + | + |
| Phone support | + | – |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
The customer support of Nutrisystem can be reached through a number of ways. The easiest way to get in touch with the customer support of this meal delivery service is through the live chat. Apart from live chat, the customer support can be reached through emails and even through phone calls.
In Daily Harvest, the customer support operates on all days of the week and can be reached through live chat and even through emails. However, there is no phone support in Daily Harvest and this can be a letdown for those who prefer speaking with someone. Both Nutrisystem and Daily Harvest are pretty active on several social media platforms.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Sample | Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Sample 1 | Name: Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut SquareNo. of calories: 190 calories | Name: Strawberry + Peach smoothieIngredients : Strawberry, banana, peach, raspberry, oats, goji berry, liquid of your choiceNo. of calories: 140 calories |
| Sample 2 | Name: Santa Fe Style ChickenNo. of calories: 240 caloriesAmt. of protein: 17g | Name: Spinach + Shiitake grits harvest bowlsIngredients: Millet, cauliflower, spinach, shitake, basil, cashewNo. of calories: 200 calories |
| Sample 3 | Name: White Cheddar Macaroni and CheeseNo. of calories: 220 caloriesAmt. of protein: 10g | Name: Tomatillo + Pepper flatbreadIngredients: Sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, tomatillo, pickled pepper, cayenne, oreganoNo. of calories: 350 calories |
The menu in Nutrisystem has been kept very simple but pretty delicious at the same time. The meals in Nutrisystem are definitely moderate in calories but come with the right blend of nutrition and taste to help the user achieve their health goal in an easy manner. The meals in Nutrisystem are mostly comfort foods created with a healthy twist.
In Daily Harvest, the food items are completely plant-based and contain no dairy. The food items in Daily Harvest include mostly those which can be consumed just like that without any heating. The items have been found to be delicious and free of any unhealthy sugars or fats. Some of the items like the smoothies may require the use of a blender before consumption.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Sample Meals segment.
App rating: Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest
| Platform | Nutrisystem | Daily Harvest |
| Google Play Store | 3.5 | 4.4 |
| Apple App Store | 4.6 | 3.8 |
| TWP Rating | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
Final Verdict: Nutrisystem wins this battle with its variety-filled menu and easy to use platform.
Nutrisystem is a pretty popular meal delivery service which is great for those who want to try to lose weight in a healthy manner. The meals in Nutrisystem are not only great for those who are trying to lose weight, but also for those who want to eat something more balanced and healthy without excessive calories.
Daily Harvest is completely plant-based and therefore perfect for anyone who is vegan or vegetarian. The food items in Daily Harvest do not need to be heated mandatorily and many of the foods can be consumed as they are. The foods are also loaded in fiber and contain the right blend of nutrition and taste fit for a perfect meal.
While Daily Harvest is certainly awesome for those who are following a vegan or vegetarian diet, the meals may get tiresome after a while due to the lack of variety. Nutrisystem on the other hand, offers many more options in its menu and also brings meat and animal based foods as well, which can definitely score more brownie points with all types of users.
Methodology
To bring you the best reviews of each and every meal delivery service, we spoke to testers and real life users, reviewed the information provided by each service on their respective websites, carried out primary research on social media platforms and checked out the user reviews of these platforms on various social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ extensively from what our external reviewers said then we will update this post so you get both points of views and can decide which service provider is more suited to your needs based on the information above.
The main types of criteria which we have used in order to assess and evaluate these meal delivery services is the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals in the service, the inclusiveness of diets and cuisines and even the supporting material.
In addition to these, we have also taken into regard the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging of these services. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer services of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “Nutrisystem vs Daily Harvest”
Can I eat fruit on Nutrisystem?
Yes, you can fruit on Nutrisystem. The fruits allowed in Nutrisystem include mostly those which have a low glycemic impact. Fruits like lychee and watermelon tend to have a high glycemic impact and therefore, these may need to be avoided. However, most other fruits and vegetables can be consumed along with Nutrisystem meals for the best effect.
What is the downside to Nutrisystem?
The downside to Nutrisystem is that the meals here can be pretty expensive when compared to other meal delivery services. Also, the user may need to buy other grocery items as well, in the form of healthy vegetables and diets which are also important to lose weight in a healthy manner through Nutrisystem.
What liquid is best for Daily Harvest smoothies?
It is best to use milk or even water to make the smoothies in Daily Harvest. You can opt to use regular milk or even vegan ‘mylk’ which can also be purchased from Daily Harvest. The smoothies in daily Harvest can also be made with water or even coconut water to add a big punch of healthy electrolytes.
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