Ritual Vitamins: A Dietitian’s Review

Share on Pinterest

Ritual is a subscription-based supplement company that offers a variety of multivitamins and protein powders made from simple, high quality ingredients.

Founded in 2016, Ritual has become one of the most popular brands for nutritional supplements, thanks to its transparency and traceable ingredients.

However, Ritual products are more expensive than most other multivitamins. This may lead you to wonder whether they’re really worth the hype.

To help you decide whether Ritual is right for you, we tried a variety of the brand’s products, including multivitamins, protein powders, and the Synbiotic+.

This article also takes a closer look at how Ritual works, what it offers, and how it compares with similar services.

What is Ritual?

Ritual is a supplement company that offers a selection of multivitamins and protein powders for all ages and stages of life, including prenatal and postnatal supplements and a synbiotic (a supplement that combines prebiotics and probiotics).

It prioritizes transparency by providing detailed information on how and where every ingredient in its products is sourced, along with the science behind each formulation.

All Ritual products are tested for heavy metals and contaminants by an independent lab, and several are certified by third-party organizations like United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Informed Sport.

Additionally, the company’s multivitamins are made using delayed-release capsules, which are designed to dissolve in your small intestine rather than your stomach (1).

According to Ritual, this can mimic the way your body digests food and be gentler on your stomach, meaning you don’t have to pair your multivitamin with meals.

Ritual’s signature beadlet-in-oil design combines oily and dry ingredients in a single capsule, making it easy to get a variety of nutrients your body needs in a single dose.

Pros and cons of Ritual vitamins

Here’s a closer look at a few of the pros and cons of Ritual:

Quality and ingredients

Ritual provides information on the sourcing of each ingredient, as well as details on the company’s specific suppliers.

All products are vegan and free of gluten, sugar, GMOs, and other major allergens. Additionally, none of Ritual’s supplements contain artificial sweeteners or synthetic flavors, fillers, or colors.

Ritual supplements are tested by independent labs, including Eurofins and IEH Laboratories, to verify that each batch meets high standards for purity and potency. To ensure safety, the products are also tested for heavy metals, impurities, major allergens, and microbes.

Several of Ritual’s supplements are certified by third-party organizations.

For instance, all the brand’s protein powders are certified by Informed Sport, which means they have been tested to ensure that they are free of substances banned by athletics organizations.

The Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ is also verified by USP, an organization that evaluates the strength and purity of supplements.

What types of vitamins does Ritual offer?

Ritual offers a variety of products, including multivitamins for every stage of life, protein powders, and a synbiotic supplement. Here’s a closer look at the supplements the company offers.

Essential for Women Multivitamins

• Price: $33
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Main ingredients: folate, omega-3 DHA, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron (18+ only), vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, and magnesium

Ritual offers two types of multivitamins for women:

• Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+
• Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+

Unlike many other Ritual supplements, the Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ includes iron. Women of childbearing age need more iron because of increased losses during menstruation (2).

Meanwhile, the Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ contains several essential micronutrients to support healthy aging after menopause, including vitamin D3, which is necessary for maintaining strong bones and increasing calcium absorption (3).

Here’s a closer look at how these products compare in terms of nutritional content:

The two multivitamins contain similar amounts of boron and omega-3 DHA per serving. Additionally, Essential for Women 50+ contains 100 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K2 per serving, and Essential for Women 18+ provides 90 mcg.

Both multivitamins feature Ritual’s signature delayed-release capsules and beadlet-in-oil technology, which the company claims can help increase absorption.

Additionally, both multivitamins are vegan, third-party tested, and free of gluten and other major allergens. Plus, the Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ is verified by USP.

What our tester says

“I’ve tried several multivitamin supplements, and I was overall impressed by Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+. The pills were easy to swallow and were surprisingly pretty to look at thanks to the beadlet-in-oil technology.

“As someone who doesn’t eat fish on a regular basis, I also appreciated having a multivitamin that contains omega-3 DHA. Plus, while some online reviewers complain about a fishy burps, I found that the minty-fresh flavor masked any fishiness.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor

Essential for Men Multivitamins

• Price: $33
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Main ingredients: omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin E, and boron

Ritual provides two multivitamins designed specifically for men:

• Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+
• Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+

Both contain omega-3 fatty acids sourced from microalgae, which may help support heart health, reduce inflammation, and enhance brain function (4).

Each supplement also provides a hearty dose of zinc, which is important for immunity, wound healing, protein synthesis, and more (5).

In addition to featuring Ritual’s delayed-release capsule design and a subtle mint flavor, both products contain vitamin E, which doubles as an antioxidant, along with vitamins K2 and D to support bone health (6, 7, 8).

Here’s how these supplements compare in terms of nutrition:

The two supplements also contain similar amounts of boron, DHA, and vitamin K2.

Prenatal and Postnatal Vitamins

• Price: $39
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Main ingredients: folate, omega-3 DHA, vitamin B12, choline, iodine, biotin, vitamin D, iron, boron, vitamin E, vitamin K2, magnesium, vitamin A (postnatal), vitamin C (postnatal), zinc (postnatal)

The Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin from Ritual is designed to provide an array of essential nutrients both before and during pregnancy.

For instance, it includes folate, which can protect against neural tube development issues, and choline, a micronutrient that can improve pregnancy outcomes (9, 10).

One mom who tested the product found that she had much more energy while taking the Ritual prenatal during her third pregnancy than she’d had while taking a generic prenatal during her first two pregnancies.

Just keep in mind that this supplement provides only 10% of the DV for choline during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s important to include choline-rich foods, such as eggs, in your diet.

In case you’re not getting enough choline from your diet, Ritual makes a protein powder for pregnancy and the postpartum period that contains additional choline.

Ritual also offers an Essential for Women Postnatal Multivitamin, which is formulated specifically for women who have given birth within the last 6 months and those who are nursing.

The postnatal vitamin provides several vitamins and minerals that postpartum women are often lacking, including vitamin D, iron, and folate (11).

It also contains other nutrients that are required in higher amounts while nursing, such as iodine and biotin (12, 13).

Here is a closer look at how the supplements compare:

In addition to the nutrients listed above, both supplements contain boron, DHA, and vitamin K2.

Like other Ritual supplements, both of these feature a delayed-release capsule design. The prenatal vitamin has a lemon flavor for freshness, and the postnatal vitamin is made with a mint tab in each capsule.

Both supplements are vegan, gluten-free, and tested by a third-party lab to ensure safety and quality.

What our tester says

“I’ve found Ritual’s Essential for Women Prenatal to be a great prenatal vitamin option. I appreciate the convenience of the subscription model and find the ingredients to be of higher quality compared to many other more mainstream brands.

“On a few occasions, I’ve experienced the infamous “fishy burps” that can come with taking a DHA supplement, but I’ve been happy that I’ve been able to avoid them most of the time.

“Additionally, while it’s marketed as having a lemon essence, I’ve found the taste and smell to be quite neutral and not overpowering.

“Overall, I’d recommend this supplement to anyone looking for a prenatal with traceable ingredients and who doesn’t want to worry about remembering to purchase their vitamins each month.”

— Catherine Conelly, Healthline Editor II

Essential Multivitamins for Kids and Teens

• Price: $33
• Dosage: 2 capsules or 3 gummies per day
• Main ingredients: omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, iron (teen girls), magnesium (teen girls/boys), zinc, vitamin K2, vitamin C (kids), choline (kids), iodine (kids)

Ritual provides three supplements for kids and teens:

• Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Her: formulated for girls ages 13–17
• Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Him: formulated for boys ages 13–17
• Essential for Kids Multivitamin 4+: formulated for children ages 4–12

All three supplements provide several nutrients that regulate immune function, including zinc and vitamins A and D (14, 15, 16).

They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to promote brain health throughout the life span (17).

This Multivitamin for Her contains several nutrients that are particularly important for teen girls, including iron.

Like other Ritual multivitamins, both multivitamins for teens feature a delayed-release capsule, which is intended to be easier on your stomach so you don’t have to take it with food.

The Kids Multivitamin 4+ comes in gummy form, is made without any added sugar or sugar alcohols, and is naturally flavored.

Here is how these three multivitamins compare in terms of nutrition:

All three supplements contain DHA and vitamin K2. However, the Kids Multivitamin 4+ also contains a blend of fiber and prebiotics, both of which can support the health of the gut microbiome (18, 19).

All three are tested by an independent lab and made without gluten, GMOs, major allergens, or synthetic fillers and colors.

Essential Protein Shakes

• Price: $40
• Dosage: 1–2 scoops (30–32 grams [g])
• Main ingredients: organic pea protein, vanilla flavor, fermented sugarcane, L-methionine, choline, calcium HMB (50+)

With 20 g of plant-based protein in each serving, Ritual’s protein shakes can help you squeeze more protein into your diet.

The company offers three varieties:

• Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
• Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+
• Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum

All three are vegan-friendly and formulated without any sugar, stevia, soy, gluten, or GMOs. They are also naturally flavored with vanilla and sweetened with fermented sugarcane and monk fruit.

Here is a closer look at the nutritional value of each:

The Daily Shake 50+ contains calcium beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a compound that may help increase muscle mass and improve strength and physical function in older adults (20, 21).

Best of all, all three varieties are Informed Sport Certified, meaning they have been tested and screened by a third-party lab to verify that they are free of substances that are banned by many competitive sport organizations.

What our testers say

“I’ve tried countless protein powders over the years and am pretty picky about the taste and texture. Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+ had a thicker consistency than many other powders that I’ve tried, and I appreciate that it’s Informed Sport Certified.

“However, the texture was a bit gritty and took a long time to smooth out using a shaker bottle. I also found the vanilla flavor to taste artificial, though it didn’t leave a bad aftertaste.

“While it’s not my favorite protein powder, nutritionally, I think it’s a solid option for people looking to add a boost of protein and essential nutrients to their morning smoothie.”

— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Market Editor

“I’ve found the Essential Protein Daily Shake Pregnancy & Prenatal to be a super helpful part of my daily routine.

“I try to eat a mostly plant-based diet, so I chose this powder because it still provides a complete amino acid profile with that extra boost of choline for pregnancy.

“It blends well into a simple smoothie with fruit, and I feel reassured that the ingredients are traceable and high quality.

“My only complaint is that I wish it came in a tub or jar type of container instead of a bag. The powder gets messy scooping it out of the bag each time (it always gets on my hands), and the seal isn’t the easiest to re-close.”

— Catherine Conelly, Healthline Editor II

Synbiotic+

• Price: $54
• Dosage: 1 capsule per day
• Main ingredients: probiotic blend, PreforPro, Tributyrin (as CoreBiome)

Designed to support gut health, enhance immune function, and relieve digestive issues like gas and bloating, Ritual’s Synbiotic+ is a 3-in-1 supplement that features prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic.

Each capsule provides 11 billion colony-forming units with two strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12), both of which have been studied for their ability to boost immune function and digestive health (22, 23).

It also contains PreforPro, a blend of prebiotics, and Tributyrin, a type of postbiotic. In addition to probiotics, both prebiotics and postbiotics can help support the health of the gut microbiome (18, 24).

Like other Ritual supplements, Synbiotic+ is third-party tested, vegan, and free of gluten and other major allergens.

It’s also shelf-stable and made with a delayed-release capsule to optimize absorption.

What our tester says

“As someone who struggled with digestive health for years and still experiences digestive issues occasionally, I was excited to try Synbiotic+ as a possible replacement for the expensive pre- and probiotic supplements that I was taking.

“While I’ve only been taking it for less than 1 month, I’ve already noticed success with Synbiotic+.

“The capsule has a peppermint taste that’s much better than other supplements I’ve tried, and I appreciate the company’s transparency around its ingredient sourcing and quality measures. Plus, having a pre-, pro-, and postbiotic in one fell swoop is awesome.

“I’d highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to support their gut health without needing to take multiple pills.”

— Christy Snyder, Healthline Editor II

Other factors to consider before purchasing Ritual

Here are a few additional factors to consider before trying Ritual.

Taste

Ritual’s multivitamins and postnatal vitamins contain a mint tab, which adds a fresh flavor to each dose, and the prenatal multivitamin features a lemon-flavored tab for a citrusy zing.

Still, although the vitamins containing microalgae rather than fish, many reviewers note that the capsules have a distinct fish-like flavor due to their content of omega-3 fatty acids. Some people may have a hard time getting past this.

Additionally, the company’s protein powders are available only in a vanilla flavor and are free of sugar, stevia, and sugar alcohols.

Though many online reviewers report that the powders blend well, others note that they find the taste and texture unpalatable, especially when consuming the powder on its own.

Blending the protein powder with other nutrient-dense ingredients, like fresh fruit or nut butter, may help improve the flavor if you’re not a fan.

Nausea

Ritual multivitamins are formulated to prevent nausea and stomach irritation thanks to the design of its capsules, which are formulated to dissolve in the small intestine rather than the stomach (1).

According to Ritual, this can help prevent digestive side effects such as nausea, which are commonly associated with multivitamins (25).

The brand’s prenatal vitamins also contain a citrus-flavored tab, which is believed to be beneficial for reducing morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy (26).

Subscription

Ritual is a subscription-based service, meaning you need to set up a monthly subscription to purchase products.

You can also choose from discounted bundles or create your own monthly bundle by mixing and matching your favorite products.

Monthly subscriptions include free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

You can easily change your delivery date or cancel your subscription at any time directly on the company’s website.

Dosage

All Ritual products — both the multivitamins and the protein powders — are intended to be taken once per day.

The dosage for most of the multivitamins is 2 capsules per day, which can be taken without meals. However, the dosage for the multivitamin for kids is 3 gummies per day and the dosage for the Synbiotic+ supplement is 1 capsule per day.

Ritual’s protein powders should be combined with 8–12 ounces (237–355 mL) of any liquid and enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Customer reviews and brand reputation

Ritual is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and currently holds an A+ rating, which is based on factors like the company’s complaint history and business practices.

On Trustpilot, Ritual has an average rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars, which is based on 18 customer reviews.

Online reviewers generally appreciate the simple list of ingredients in Ritual products, as well as the transparency regarding sourcing and suppliers.

Many like that each capsule contains an array of important nutrients, eliminating the need to take several supplements each day or purchase multiple products.

However, because the capsules contain omega-3 fatty acids, many reviewers note that the taste is unpleasant and report experiencing side effects like “fishy burps” after taking their multivitamin.

Some dislike the flavor of the protein powders, saying that the powders should be blended with other ingredients to mask the taste.

A few reviewers also report experiencing issues with deliveries, recurring monthly subscriptions, and the responsiveness of customer service.

Ritual alternatives to consider

If you’re looking for a subscription-based vitamin company, there are a few others to consider: Care/of, Persona Nutrition, and HUM Nutrition.

Here’s a closer look at how these companies compare.

Potential downsides

While Ritual has many positive aspects, there are a few potential downsides to consider:

• Price: Ritual products can be more expensive than some similar supplements, which may not make them a great choice for cost-conscious consumers or people on a tight budget.
• Subscription: Ritual supplements require a monthly subscription, which might not be suitable for people who prefer having more flexibility to purchase products only as needed.
• Personalization: Though Ritual offers products for men and women in a wide age range, the company doesn’t offer personalized bundles or supplements.
• Nutritional needs: Some Ritual supplements don’t contain certain nutrients that some people might want or need, such as iron, calcium, or vitamin C. Additionally, Ritual’s prenatal vitamin is low in choline, so people who are pregnant should make sure they’re consuming enough choline-rich foods.

If a healthcare professional has recommended that you take a multivitamin or supplement with specific nutrients, you should discuss with them whether a Ritual product contains the right ingredients and amounts for you before purchasing.

Are Ritual vitamins worth it?

Ritual vitamins may be worth purchasing if you’re looking for a convenient and easy way to fill any gaps in your diet.

The company provides detailed information on the sourcing of each ingredient, and all products undergo thorough testing by an independent lab, which might be an important consideration for some people.

Because they are made using delayed-release capsules, Ritual products may be a good option if you often experience digestive issues with other multivitamins.

However, if you have specific nutrient needs or preferences, you may want to choose a service that offers more options for customization, more add-ons, or more comprehensive multivitamins.

Additionally, if cost is a concern, several more budget-friendly options are available that can provide the same set of nutrients at a lower price.

Frequently asked questions

Are Ritual vitamins FDA-approved?

Unlike foods and medications, supplements are not regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, all Ritual supplements are produced in accordance with the current good manufacturing practices established by the FDA — a set of guidelines that help ensure the safety of products.

Are Ritual vitamins good for you?

Ritual vitamins are a great way to increase your intake of several key vitamins and minerals, especially if you need help rounding out your diet.

They’re free of sugar, gluten, and other common allergens and third-party tested to ensure strength, safety, and purity.

Just keep in mind that Ritual products don’t contain as many types of vitamins and minerals as other products on the market. Therefore, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to find out whether Ritual vitamins are a good fit for your needs.

How do you cancel Ritual vitamins?

If you decide Ritual isn’t for you, it’s easy to cancel your monthly subscription.

After logging in and navigating to your “Account” page on the company’s website, select “Edit or Cancel Subscription” and click “Continue to Cancel.”

The bottom line

Ritual offers a variety of multivitamins and protein powders that help make it easy to meet your nutritional needs.

The monthly subscription plan may be a good fit for you if you value convenience, transparency, and third-party testing or if you have difficulty tolerating other types of multivitamins.

On the other hand, it might not be ideal if you are on a tight budget or prefer having more options for personalization.

To determine whether Ritual is right for you, consider the factors above and be sure to check online customer reviews for the specific products you’re interested in.