YUMI Review 2024: Healthy Snacks for Your Kid!

Overview

YUMI features a healthy and delicious alternative to sugary snacks, usually presented in stores as being safe for children. The company offers plant-based, no-added-sugar, organic bars and puffs for toddlers and big kids. Its recipes are packed with essential nutrients, such as iron and choline.

After thorough research and reading YUMI reviews from other parents, I think the snacks are a great option. They’re shelf-stable, don’t include any of the major allergens, and children can choose between several flavors.

However, if you’re looking for a more well-rounded service that also includes meals for a child’s different life stages, Nurture Life may be a better option. At the moment of this review, YUMI’s offer only consists of snacks and accessories, which may not be enough for parents to consider a subscription.

What’s on the YUMI Menu

In terms of food, YUMI’s menu features 2 types of organic snacks: bars and puffs. You’ll also find a series of interesting accessories, such as branded totes, YUMI’s book First Bites (featuring recipes and nutritional advice for a baby’s first 1000 days), stickers, bibs, and even towels.

YUMI also had a Milestone Program, which offered fresh purees and bites delivered weekly. However, this program was paused at the time of my YUMI review. If you find it difficult to find a replacement, YUMI is happy to send you a free copy of their digital guide, Starting Solids, to help soften the blow.

Meal Options

The organic bars menu section features 3 bar recipes: Apple Cinnamon & Squash, Blueberry Purple Carrot, and Strawberry Rhubarb. According to YUMI, these are picky-eater-approved, and toddlers love to munch on them. 

Each bar includes 13 essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, fiber, and more. There’s no added sugar, but due to the natural sweetness of the fruits, they’re still delicious to a toddler’s palate.

The other type of delicious snack is the organic, rice-free, meltable veggie puffs. These are made for babies 8+ months old and include iron and choline (among other essential nutrients), which are known to help with brain development. They also include vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system.

The puffs are available in 3 recipes: Strawberry Basil, Apple Broccoli Puffs, and Berry Sweet Pea. Both the puffs and the bars are made gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, no sugar added, and non-GMO.

YUMI Bars and Puffs don’t include most of the major allergens, such as milk, shellfish, peanuts, eggs, fish, wheat, soy, sesame, or any tree nuts besides coconut. Plus, they're gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian-friendly, and Kosher, making them a great choice for a wide variety of dietary needs and preferences.

Customization

The bars and puffs come in packs of 6 and are available in the same flavor or as variety packs. You have the option to buy as many 6-packs as you want in any flavor combination you like. To choose the flavors, click on the combo box underneath the name of the snack.

YUMI also offers one pre-defined bundle – the YUMI Starter Pack, which includes 4 boxes of bars, 2 cans of puffs, an oversized YUMI tote, a copy of First Bites, a set of stickers, and a free download of YUMI’s Starting Solids guide. 

You can also buy other accessories, such as a minim tote, an insulated tote, or a 2-pack of long-sleeve bibs. YUMI is also available in physical stores such as Whole Foods, Target, or Sprouts Farmers Market across the nation.

Unboxing

Your YUMI order is shipped in a sturdy cardboard box, which is 100% curbside recyclable. Inside the box, you’ll find the items you ordered stacked neatly. Since these are shelf-stable foods, you can store them in a dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat.

To keep the flavor fresh, make sure that Puff cans have the lid on when your toddler is not enjoying them. Also, any leftover bar pieces should be wrapped and stored away in a closed container until your toddler is ready to have more. 

The YUMI Bar wrappers aren’t recyclable, but the boxes are. The Puff cans are also recyclable – just make sure to remove the outer sleeve.

Cooking with YUMI

YUMI offers great snack options, so there’s no cooking involved. But if you like to cook baby food at home, YUMI’s First Bites book (available on the website) has a collection of 60+ easy-to-follow recipes, including blends for babies just starting solids and finger foods for toddlers. All the recipes are gluten- and dairy-free and have no added sugars.

Shortlist of My Favorite Snacks

During my YUMI research, I learned that toddlers lean more toward the Blueberry Purple Carrot Bars and the Apple Broccoli Puffs. Since I don’t have a toddler’s palate, I’ll trust their preferences and put these recipes as my top 2 favorites. 

Organic Blueberry Purple Carrot Bars

Made with 9 Superfood veggies and containing no added sugar, this bar is great for toddlers and big kids (even the ones who go to school). The crunchy crust is made from organic ingredients, such as oat flour, date paste, inulin, and coconut oil (among others). For flavor, there is cinnamon, rosemary extract, and French vanilla flavor.

The filling (also organic) includes a bunch of delicious stuff, such as apples, bananas, blueberries, purple carrots, and more. The filling also contains YUMI’s Superfood Blend, which is a combination of veggies, sunflower seed, cranberry, and other ingredients.

Rice-Free Organic Apple Broccoli Puffs

These delicious snacks come packed with lots of nutrients derived from kale, broccoli, apples, spinach, carrots, beets, and other superfoods. To add sweetness and flavor, these puffs include YUMI’s Organic Berry Blend, which is a combination of Raspberry, Blueberry, and Strawberry.

This recipe is also packed with vitamins and minerals, such as Calcium Carbonate, Iron Bisglycinate Chelate, Choline Bitartrate, and Organic Vitamin D2 Mushroom Powder.

Prices

YUMI’s pricing system is simple, and it doesn’t matter if you choose a one-time purchase or subscribe for monthly deliveries. A box of 6-pack of bars is $33, and a 6-pack of puffs is $24. Add to this a $10 flat shipping fee, and you have a pretty good idea of the overall cost.

If you want to see what YUMI is about, you can choose the Starter Pack for $50. There’s also a selection of cute accessories, with pricing starting at $5 for the Sticker Pack and going as high as $32 for the insulated tote.

Now, if you want to recommend YUMI to other parents, you can do so by sending them a gift card. YUMI offers gift cards for $20, $50, and $100, so you can have your pick. The gift card can be used to purchase any YUMI products.

Shipping & Delivery

The company delivers to all 48 states in the continental United States. Sadly, Alaska and Hawaii are left out, but according to some other YUMI reviews, you can also find the bars and puffs in physical stores. So, check your local Whole Foods or Target if you live in these 2 states.

Your order is shipped within 1 to 3 business days after placing it and should reach its destination within 5 to 7 days. YUMI will update you regarding your order status via email notifications. 

You may still be able to cancel an order after placing it, but you have to reach out to customer support. If your email reaches them before the order is shipped out, they may be able to cancel it. However, it’s a bit of a gamble.

For changes to your current subscription, you are free to use your online account 72 hours before the system processes the charge. Overall, YUMI is flexible, but its system is a bit clunky.

How YUMI Works

YUMI is easy to use overall, especially if you have an account. You can create one while placing your first order, but there’s also the option to create the account first (without any active orders). 

How to Sign Up

1. Click Login in the upper-right corner of the home page.

2. Insert your email address under the Register section, and click Register. You will receive a link to set your password and gain access to your account.

3. Go to the Snacks page to choose your items. From any page, hover over the Shop menu item in the upper-left corner of the page. Click on YUMI Snacks.

4. Select the snacks you want to add to your order and decide if you want a subscription. You can have subscription and non-subscription items in the same order.

5. Start the checkout process when you’re satisfied with your selection. Click the View Cart icon in the screen's upper-right corner (next to the Try YUMI button) and click Go to Checkout. Fill in the details for shipping address and payment and click Place Order.

6. Wait for your order confirmation email.

Managing Your Subscription

Your YUMI account comes in handy when you want to check the status of your order or skip a delivery. You can also change your subscription, but things are a bit tricky in this case. The only way to change your subscription is to cancel the current 1 and sign up for a new subscription with the terms you want.

To make sure the changes apply right away, modify your subscription or order 72 hours before the system processes the charge for your following order. You'll have to contact customer support if you have additional questions or requests.

Customer Service

You can contact a YUMI representative via email or text. The team is available from 9 am to 6 pm PST Monday through Friday and will try to reply within hours (according to other YUMI reviews). Still, if you email or message outside of business hours, you’ll have to wait until the following day for a reply.

If you’re in a hurry, browse YUMI’s FAQ section (or Help Center). I like that you can search for specific keywords or browse by category. Also, I love the blog section (titled Learn in the main menu) – here, you can find a wide range of well-thought-out tips for different life stages.

How YUMI Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

YUMI vs. Nurture Life: Nurture Life is your go-to for a well-rounded menu for toddlers and kids. The offering is diverse, ensuring that meals can be mixed and matched, and includes options for various dietary restrictions like vegetarian, gluten-free, and milk-free. Prices start at $5.99 per meal, but the snacks are mostly sweet, and some do include added sugars.

YUMI vs. Once Upon a Farm: Once Upon a Farm takes the lead for those seeking a wide array of organic, plant-rich meals and snacks for all age groups, from babies to big kids. The menu includes cold-pressed blends free of added sugars, pouches, frozen meals, oat bars, and more. Prices start at $2.99 per meal, and the oat bars (Once Upon a Farm’s snacks) are more affordable than YUMI’s bars.

YUMI vs. Little Spoon: Little Spoon caters to babies, toddlers, and big kids, with a menu that adapts as your child grows. Alongside healthy and veggie-forward meals, the brand also offers a diverse range of snacks. It's worth noting that not all recipes are free from added sugars. Just like YUMI, Little Spoon uses fresh, organic ingredients, but its menu diversity and better prices (starting at $2.82 per meal) make it the better choice.

The Bottom Line: Is YUMI Worth It?

YUMI is a great option if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to the snacks you can find in stores. Its recipes include organic ingredients and a special blend of vitamins and minerals that will give you some peace of mind when your toddler asks for a snack for the 11th time in a day. 

However, as other YUMI reviews have said, the company doesn't have what it takes if you’re looking for a well-rounded menu that caters to various life stages. Plus, other baby food brands, like Nurture Life or Once Upon a Farm, also have snacks on their menu (alongside foods for various life stages).

Overall, YUMI doesn’t seem to have much to offer without their Milestone Program.

FAQ

How much does YUMI cost?

YUMI prices start at $24 for a box with 6 cans of puffs and $33 for a box with 6 bars. You can choose between one-time purchases and monthly subscriptions. In both cases, you’ll pay a flat fee of $10 for shipping.   

Are YUMI bars healthy for babies?

The bars and puffs are packed with essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and fiber. All the snacks are plant-based, use organic ingredients, and are made without any added sugar. None of the recipes include major allergens, such as milk, soy, eggs, or nuts.  

Does YUMI have sugar?

YUMI bars and puffs naturally contain sugar from the fruits and veggies in the composition. However, no sugar is added, making these recipes healthier than many alternatives in supermarkets nowadays.