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GEM Daily Vitamin Bites Review – Better Than Gummies?

Marne Orenich
ByMarne OrenichJan 27, 2022 | 27 comments
GEM Daily Vitamin Bites Review - Better Than Gummies?

GEM Nutrition Bites Review

Are Nutrient-Dense Bites Better Than Gummies?

4/5 stars

GEM is a new way for women to get our daily vitamins in a compact bite form instead of a pill or gummy. They use 13 whole food ingredients and 15 essential nutrients to create each bite in three flavors.

GEM piqued my interest because it immediately looked more natural due to its protein-bite-like appearance and dark green color. I take a decent amount of supplement pills each day and sometimes swallowing them all is a bit of a chore. GEM vitamins come in small square bites that I chew to get my daily dose of essential vitamins. They're also formulated for women in mind which I always like to see.

About this Vitamin Subscription

The Subscription: GEM

The Cost: $39.00 for a 30-day supply.

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 30% on the real food multivitamin you EAT, not take
CODE: MSA30

What You Get: 30 vitamin bites in a refillable tin.

Ships to: The US only.

Learn more at a glance >>

This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Pros & Cons

The Pros
  • Zero waste product.
  • Three flavors.
  • 100% plant-based (vegan).
  • Free of soy, corn, gluten, dairy, and animal products.
The Cons
  • A bit of an aftertaste.
  • Pricier than some traditional multi-vitamins.
Is It Worth It?
  • At $1.30/day, GEM can seem pricy, but since I appreciate their more natural, sustainable approach to essential vitamins, I find it easy to justify the cost.
I'd Recommend GEM If: 
  • You don't like to swallow pills.
  • You don't like sugary gummy vitamins.
  • You like raw protein bars.
  • You have dietary restrictions.

Why did I try GEM?

There are so many vitamins and supplements out on the market today. Some are gummies, some come in packets, but GEM sets itself apart on not only what it's made of, but what it looks like. While working full time and being in school at night, my free time has vanished and my health has taken a toll with less sleep and less time to eat well. These little bites made me curious to try them since they look like tiny protein bars and deliver a lot of healthy ingredients in one go. I like that they have a more holistic approach but with FDA-approved ingredients and care about sustainability and ethical means of production.

What is GEM made of?

GEM is a square nutrient-dense bite roughly 3/4 of an inch cubed made with real food ingredients. They are formulated with common deficiencies, ailments, and lifestyle factors for women in mind.

 

First, you have the body of the bite. They're made using whole plant ingredients like dates, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, coconut, chia seeds, and spirulina: stuff I'd normally see in a protein bar that I'm choosing as a snack. There's also chickpeas, mushrooms, red algae, curry leaves, ashwagandha herb, sea minerals, and chlorella. Everything is ethically and sustainably sourced from around the world and then manufactured in the USA.

 

Next are the 5 vitamins 10 dietary supplements that GEM has identified as "essentials" for women. Things like omega 3s to help brain function, iron for energy, biotin (B7) for hair skin and nails, and vitamin D for mood, immune support, and sleep support. The bites are also made without synthetic and artificial fillers, binders, additives, and colorants. A full list of ingredients with all of the benefits can be found here on their website along with references.

Getting Started

 

Ordering GEM is simple. All you need to do is go to their website, choose a flavor, and decide if you'd like the full size (30 bites) or sample size (5 bites). They even offer a trial trio pack that has five of each of the three flavors (cacao, lemon, and peppermint).

 

Your first order will also trigger a $39.00 monthly subscription (even if you order the trial trio pack), so be aware that you will receive auto-shipments every month until you cancel or skip by signing into your account to make changes.

Gem Packaging

 

My canister of 30 bites arrived in a small box made of recycled materials and nothing more. I was happy to see no booklet or extra coupons to clutter things up. Since all of the info I need is available online, I appreciate this paper-free approach.

 

Since I'm at work more days than I'm at home, I keep my refillable canister of bites on my desk at work. It looks pretty and reminds me that I need to take my daily bite with my morning coffee. Inside the soft pink dome lid, there is another flat lid that reads "BITE ME" with a gold metal pull to open. The bites stay super fresh in here and look great wherever I choose to store them. It also has all the ingredients and nutritional information clearly typed out on the outside.

How do GEM Bites taste?

 

Cacao Flavor

I ordered GEM before the trial trio was available, so you'll see that I got a full-size canister of cacao and a sample pack of each of the other two flavors. I had a feeling that the cacao would be my best bet flavor-wise and it turns out that I was right. Although these do have an earthy green flavor to them, the cacao gives it some tasty richness. There's not too much sweetness to this besides the dates inside (which I like) and it tastes a lot like a raw protein bar. There is a slight aftertaste most likely from some of the greens, but it dissipates with some breakfast or extra coffee. The bite is nutty, chewy, and goes down easy after just a few chomps.

 

Lemon Flavor

Next up is the lemon flavor. I know, it sounds a little strange for this type of product but I love lemon! Normally I find citrus quite refreshing, but here it doesn't really transfer. The aftertaste of this flavor lingers on my tongue a bit longer than I'd like and it takes a more to wash it away.

 

Peppermint Flavor

The peppermint flavor is probably my second favorite of the three. I'm known to get a pump of peppermint syrup added to my lattes in the winter, and this gives a little nod to that. It's not overly done and although it still has the same slight aftertaste, it's not as pronounced as the lemon. If you like peppermint in things like chocolate, then this might be a good flavor for you!

Refills

Screen shot of hand pouring bites from refill bag into canister from GEM website

Image from dailygem.co

Since the tin canister is refillable, all future monthly shipments are delivered in 100-percent compostable/recyclable resealable pouches (similar to the trial packs you see above).

More products offered by GEM

 

I ended up getting one of the GEM travel tins as well ($5.00) since I sleep over at my boyfriend's house a couple of times a week and like to travel. The tin allows the perfect space for me to add eight full bites to keep in my bag so I don't forget them on the go. It's made of the same metal as the canister with matching white and pink colors.

In addition to the bites, GEM offers a few other lifestyle products like a tote bag, and a sweatshirt.

Value Comparison

GEM nutrient bites cost $1.30/day which can be a bit pricier than traditional multi-vitamins but it's always hard to do a complete comparison with a multi since the ingredients can vary. Compared to supplements like Ritual (2 pills/day) which costs $1.00/day, Persona which is a pack of pills and can cost $1.56/day (like when I reviewed it here), or gummies from SugarBearHair (2 bears/day) at $1.00/day, GEM seems to be hovering in the same general space.

We've put together a handy vitamin comparison guide with some of the leading supplement subscription brands on the market today if you're curious about some others.

So, what’s the verdict?

GEM provides an easy way for me to toss a bite into my mouth and also feel like I'm getting a little shot of healthy goodness while I'm at it. I prefer eating a single GEM to a couple of sugary gummy vitamins any day, and I'm warming up to it over capsules as well. I like that I don't have to swallow a handful of pills to get essentials and taking a small bite in the morning with my coffee is almost like a little treat. I think cacao is the clear winner with the flavors, but peppermint is a close second. I find the nutrient-dense bites easy to take and the pleasing canister makes them easy to remember. The only downside for me is the slight aftertaste, but once you have coffee, tea, or something to eat, it goes away.


Would you try GEM?

Starting at $55.00
Active Deal
Save 30% on the real food multivitamin you EAT, not take
Use Coupon Code MSA30
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Forget what you know about traditional pills and powders–we believe in eating your vitamins in the way nature intended. Our delicious, real-food multivitamin Bites are designed to work with your daily nutrition and absorb properly into your body. Plus, it’s a lot more fun to eat than it ... read more.

Marne Orenich
Marne Orenich
Marne is a lipstick connoisseur, record collector, and twice over cat mom. She loves discovering new clean beauty brands and has quite the collection of beautifully packaged serums and moisturizers.

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27 comments

Betsy LaRue

I received my boxes of GEM vitamins, calm, & sleep bites.
I didn’t receive any instructions with them, like how many to take or when etc

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Robert

I would like to try this product but it seems to be for women only.Is there a men’s version available or at least in devlopment?

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Marla J Curtis

How do I get out of this subscription. First, my doctor has me on meds, he doesn’t want me to take them. Where do I ship the box back?

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Sharon Bishop

I have already done this once. CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION. I HAVE THIS MESSAGE AND THE PREVIOUS ONE ON MY CAMERA ROLL. I WILL TURN THIS IN TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

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Mary L.

Sharon, this is a third-party review website. You need to contact the company directly to cancel. I am not sure GEM reads the comments here.

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Diana

Please note that the company doesn’t stand behind their products. I had canceled the subscription due to allergies before the package shipped, but they charged my credit card and they refuse to refund the money back as they did want to stop the package in transit. Even confirmed when the package left the facility, more than 12 hours after I spoke with the representative who said that they couldn’t do anything.

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Monika

I took these for about a year and didn’t mind the taste. Well they changed something recently and the last few I received were dry and just flat out terrible. I did taste bleach and something else that should not be in vitamins. I’m not sure what is going on with them but I just cancelled both on my subscriptions. I had one for me and one for my mom. I still have a couple of bags from recent shipments that I have not been able to eat at all. I love the idea but not their execution.

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amanda

I really like gem vitamin I think I’ve been taking them for about a year now. I first ordered the sampler and tried all the flavors. I did not really like the mint or lemon flavor.. I knew I was going to go with the cacao. I feel like if you really understand the significance of each ingredient, you’ll stick with it, because everything in it is good for you. Sometimes I forget to take my GEM and have to catch up, so my boyfriend will eat them sometimes, and wow was I surprised because he is a picky eater! I have a bad habit of skipping breakfast and working and not eating till the afternoon, but at least I have my GEM and a big glass of water to satisfy me a little before workouts/ work and I don’t feel nutrient deprived. I recommend these if you want a natural source and no gross pill supplement feeling!

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Richard Thomas

OMG these are disgusting. None of the flavors are good. I’m definitely not ordering any more. The LEMON was the least offensive, but these taste like a stinky shoe mixed with rotten mushrooms and a handful of gritty dirt. WOW these are horrible. BLECH.

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Jonathan

I tried the sampler, I usually like mint, but felt it didn’t go well with the ingredients.
The immunity was decent… but the price is now $65, so it’s doubled since this review was made…

So now I feel it’s cost prohibitive.

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Cricket Keedy

I like the idea of whole food.I love their packaging. I really did not like the flavor though. I take an organic whole food plant based vitamin with b12. It’s more expensive but more comprehensive. It’s a tablet but it digests with ease. I like the idea of this product though.

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Ariel

I’ve been taking GEM for five months, and I really like them… that said, has anyone else noticed that they slowly bump up the timing of your monthly renewal? I feel like they’re trying to bill me for 13 or 14 months over the course of the year, by renewing after 3.5 weeks instead of 4. Has anyone else noticed this?

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Beth Shauntee

Are they recommended if you have shellfish allergies?

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lisa ortiz

I’m on my second month. Its best to give things a try at least 3 months to see if you see/feel a difference (according to my doctor). I was diagnosed with low adrenal glands function w/ no other health issues, so started taking these. I think they taste fine. I’m not picky about taste too much when it comes to supplements. I take a lot of supplements, so if i can be in drops or like this in a small chewable cube even better.

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Carey Nunley

I subscribed to Gem for my daughter but she couldn’t tolerate them. I have just finished my first month as I had prior vitamins to finish before I started Gem. However, I have two 30-day packets of Gem that were previously shipped to her, so more than I need. Could I pause my subscription for two months and then start up again with a trial pack to taste the other flavors. I have all chocolate in my possession.

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Liz

Best Customer Service I have experienced ever. I loved the product; however, had to cancel due to financial circumstances related to Covid-19. I just replied to their email alerting me that a new transactions had gone through and with not questions, I received an immediate credit. I definitely recommend the product and the Company. *****

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Candice

The packaging is really nice! I want to love these so much but the smell is so fishy! I got the lemon flavor but gagged on it. I will try little bites instead of the whole thing this afternoon when I take it. Wish they were easier on the nose and tongue! Looking forward to the benefits though.

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Kim

I just got mine, and I got the lemon, and I honestly like the flavor. It’s a little earthy, but not bitter. For me the citrusy flavor is enough to enjoy taking it.

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NikkiB

Umm..did they work? Did you notice a difference while taking them?

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Ponkxy

Whew I am sooo sorry but the lemon does not taste good for me and the smell was kinda too strong for me BUT I let my family smell it n taste it …one liked it but didn’t like the smell …
NOW that the cons are out of the way ..the Pros definitely out weigh the cons .. it’s only been a week and I am feeling like a new person.. I battle with chronic pain fatigue anxiety n depression.. these have really brought life to me in less than a week .brain function is highly noticeable, I feel more motivated to tackle more tasks in one day that would even take me a month to contemplate on. It’s hard to believe that I had faith on a product on the internet that’s not a gimmick… I am going to try a different flavor. Thank you for these vitamins

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Jen

Thanks for sharing and suffer from the same ailments which is why I decided to try it. Today is day 1, I’ll let you know how I feel lol

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Monika

Thank you so much for this review. I’d been thinking about these for awhile but after reading your review, decided to order them. I’m going to try them for at least 3 months to see if I notice a difference.

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Cheryl Smith

I was unable to log in. I would like to cancel my subscription please. Respond please as I will know you received my email.
Thank you
Cheryl

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Marina

I think you’d need to email that company’s customer service for some help as I doubt MSA can do anything on here. Good luck!

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Joy-Not the Other One

I have been wanting to try these for awhile now and you have no idea how much I appreciate the review before I take the plunge! Thank you so much.

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Stephanie

I doubt this will get posted but I tried all 3 flavors and I just couldn’t mesh with the taste. If there was more sweetness like added date then maybe but I just couldn’t chew these. I need the flavor covered up more.

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Stella

I also bought all three flavors last year during Black Friday 50% off events, I had to say I hate cacao flavor… and I love chocolate! this does not taste like cacao.. peppermint is way better

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