GEM vs. Garden of Life: Which Multivitamin Is Right for You?
As a postmenopausal woman concerned about my health and longevity, my kitchen countertop is lined with capsules and potions that promise to support me on this journey!
But after years of experimenting with supplements (and tossing expired pills), I had yet to find the multivitamin that made a real difference in how I feel. After doing a deep dive, I narrowed it down to Daily GEM and Garden of Life, and decided to put them to the test. Here’s what I discovered:
If you’re looking for a tasty, chewable bite made of real food vs. a giant pill… GEM
Both products claim to be whole food-based, but GEM is actually food. Both options are vegan & gluten-free, and neither have artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. But GEM’s Daily Essentials multivitamin is a nutrient-packed bite with 20+ real food ingredients, compared to Garden of Life’s Women’s Once Daily Tablets.
Plus GEM is so chewy and easy to eat so it doesn’t make me feel like I’m taking a pill, which is always a plus!
If you want a bite packed with superfoods, essential nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics… GEM
GEM stands apart from conventional multivitamins because they include nutrient-dense superfoods plus essential nutrients found in traditional multivitamins. Included are anti-inflammatories and antioxidants like turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. 🍊
GEM’s bites also contain both prebiotics & probiotics, which support digestion and immunity but also alleviate the unpleasant digestive side effects experienced with traditional multivitamins. 💊
The Citrus Ginger Daily Essentials bites are deliciously zesty—I look forward to the little snack each day in a way that I’ve never looked forward to swallowing a pill. When I eat GEM, I notice I’m way less bloated (yay, healthy digestion!) and I’m getting sick less often.
If you’re looking for multivitamins that your body can absorb… GEM
Both GEM’s Daily Essentials and Garden of Life’s tablets provide essential nutrients that many of us are deficient in, but there’s one key 🔑 difference.
Lots of conventional multivitamins include ingredient amounts that exceed 100% of your daily value, called “megadosing.” Many of the vitamins and minerals in the Garden of Life tablet are over 100% DV, but none of the daily essentials in GEM’s bites exceed 100% daily value to ensure that your body can absorb them fully.
If you’re cost conscious and looking for more value for your money… GEM
Each pack of GEM Daily Essentials costs $55 for 4 weekly packs (28 bites). That’s less than $2 per bite, plus 50% off on your first order with code MSA50-GOL! A 30 count of Garden of Life’s tablets costs $27.19, but the nutritional punch that GEM packs makes the higher price worth it.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance routine… GEM
To be honest, Garden of Life’s site gave me so much decision fatigue—there are over 325+ products!
On the other hand, GEM made it so easy to get everything I need in one or a couple of products. Aside from the Daily Essentials, they have:
- Chocolate cherry-flavored Sleep Essentials (melatonin-free sleep blend) 🍒🍫
- Banana cinnamon-flavored Calm Essentials (magnesium + lemon balm) 🍌🍋
I struggle with postmenopausal brain fog, and I’ve noticed such an improvement after eating the Calm bites. 😌
If you value a company that gives back… It’s a tie
I love that GEM partners with BEAM Impact to donate a percentage of your purchase to non-profit organizations working to build a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Garden of Life has also partnered with several organizations that are devoted to improving people’s lives, including donating to the Special Olympics and 1% Ocean Fund.
And the winner is… GEM Daily Essentials
It’s official: after years of trial and error, GEM’s yummy whole-food bites are at the top of my list. Add in the fact that ordering Daily GEM vitamins is a breeze and you don’t have to choke down capsules, it’s my hands-down winner!