Let’s be honest: sticking to a healthy diet is hard. I’m a dietitian, and I still have to remind myself to sneak in veggies between bites of chocolate! However, I know how important it is to fill nutritional gaps, so I put on my dietitian hat and got to work scouting the highest-quality multivitamin.
I read about GEM and SmartyPants’ multivitamins the most, and like any good researcher, I put both to the test.
I’m about to get real with you–read on for my thoughts on which comes out on top!
If you want a multivitamin that your body can absorb (vs. sticky, sugary gummies)… GEM
See: GEM is real food!
I’m a firm believer that our vitamins and minerals should come from real food. Our bodies can metabolize nutrients from whole foods more efficiently than pills, in part due to “food synergy,” where all the compounds present in food work together to aid absorption. That means you actually feel the benefits! I’m experiencing:
- More energy & happier mood
- Better digestion
- Mental clarity
- Stronger hair and nails
GEM’s Daily Essentials are daily bites of whole food, packed with 20+ real ingredients. GEM is naturally sweetened from fruits like dates, whereas SmartyPants’s Women’s Multi is a gummy with added sugars.
My friends in the healthcare field noted that gummies aren’t great for teeth–they can get stuck in crevices, potentially causing cavities.
If you want the best ingredients and taste… GEM
Aside from dates, GEM bites include superfoods like turmeric and ginger (immune defenders), vitamin K2 from chickpeas (for bone health), chicory root fiber (for digestive support), and so much more. GEM is also formulated without animal products.
SmartyPants’ gummies include a blend of vitamins and minerals, but I didn’t see anything that stuck out to me. Plus, like we covered above, what’s the use of good ingredients if your body can’t absorb them?
On to the taste test: GEM’s Citrus Ginger Bites are soft, chewy, and tangy with a hint of sweetness and spice from ginger and cardamom. It’s a tasty treat vs. a pill I’m obligated to take, and it’s so delicious that I never get sick of it. Seriously!
SmartyPants is just that–a slightly sweet gummy that’s nice, but nothing special.
If you want a supplement free from common allergens… it’s a tie
GEM’s vegan bites are gluten-free and free from soy, dairy, and animal products, plus artificial colors, binders, and fillers. They contain 1 tree nut: coconuts.
SmartyPants’ Women’s Multi is also free from wheat, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, soy, sesame, airy, fish, and peanuts. A few of their products include gelatin, so not all are vegan or vegetarian.
If you want a multi that’s easy on your stomach… GEM
GEM’s Daily Essentials are formulated with probiotics & prebiotics, which not only help alleviate side effects often associated with taking multivitamins–think bloating, irregularity, and nausea–but can support your overall digestion and immunity, too!
This dietitian’s pick is… GEM!
SmartyPants was a formidable contender, but GEM has my heart. GEM works to fill my nutritional gaps, all while being the tastiest bite ever–what’s better than that?
GEM costs around $55 per month, but it’s completely worth it–if you purchased all of the ingredients in GEM separately, you’d spend closer to $210/month. Don’t pass up this opportunity: click to get 50% off your first month of GEM!
