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As a nutritionist, I know how important it is to get the proper vitamins and minerals in your diet. But, as a mother, I also know life can get in the way of always eating well. Like many of you, I care deeply about what goes into my body (and my family’s), so I’ve kept a close eye on the explosion of greens powders in the wellness world. They promise to boost your vitamin and mineral intake, increase your energy, and decrease bloating—but not all powders are created equal.
Live it Up Super Greens and AG1 are two of the most popular super greens powders. On the surface, they seem pretty comparable, but I always read the labels to see what I’m really getting.
Want the Quick TLDR?
If you’re in a hurry, I’ll cut to the chase. Live it Up Super Greens is my go-to greens powder choice due to its balanced blend of high-quality ingredients at an affordable price!
What I Discovered About Live it Up Greens vs. AG1 Upon Further Inspection
I did in-depth research on Live it Up and AG1, ultimately uncovering five important factors that clearly tilts the scale in favor of one powder. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Whole Food Ingredients vs. Synthetic Vitamins
A vitamin is a vitamin, right? Not necessarily. There’s a difference between synthetic and whole-food vitamins. Vitamins derived from whole foods may be more easily absorbed than synthetic vitamins because the foods containing the vitamins also contain other minerals and enzymes that allow the nutrients to be used optimally by the body.
One study found that naturally-derived vitamin E, in particular, may have double the bioavailability of synthetic vitamin E. Double! And the same may be true for other vitamins. There’s a reason we nutritionists recommend you get the majority of your vitamins by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, lean proteins, and whole grains. There’s no beating a proper, nutrient-rich diet.
Live it Up’s ingredient list includes wheatgrass, barley grass, chlorella, moringa, spirulina, alfalfa, broccoli, parsley, kale, spinach, and kelp—all of which are real plants that are naturally rich in essential vitamins.
AG1, on the other hand, contains synthetic versions of these vitamins, such as thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), riboflavin (vitamin B12), and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
If you’re a busy mom like me and aren’t getting enough of your daily vitamins from food, I’d recommend opting for supplements made from whole-food ingredients rather than synthetic vitamins.
2. Too Much of a Good Thing
Another thing I look for on a nutrition label is the percent daily value (%DV) of each vitamin and mineral. The FDA requires food and supplement packaging to list facts about the recommended daily value (DV) of each nutrient and the percent daily value (%DV) of that nutrient in the product. Getting enough vitamins is important, but there is such a thing as too much.
High doses of certain vitamins may actually harm your health. For example, too much vitamin C could cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. And excessive vitamin D intake could cause heart problems over time. If you take a super greens powder in addition to eating a reasonably balanced diet with fresh fruits and veggies, you may be ingesting a much higher dose of vitamins your body needs.
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AG1 contains the following %DV for certain vitamins:
- Vitamin C: 556%
- Vitamin E: 133%
- Vitamin B1: 250%
- Vitamin B2: 154%
- Vitamin B6: 294%
- Vitamin B12: 16,667%
- Biotin: 1,100%
Most of these percentages are more than double the %DV, which essentially means the rest becomes waste.
Live it Up provides smaller percentages of these vitamins, which means the super greens powder can complement your whole-foods diet rather than overwhelming it. I appreciate that Live it Up is truly designed to supplement your nutrition rather than replacing or overloading it.
3. What’s Really Inside: Fillers, Sweeteners & Additives
The %DV of vitamins and minerals is just one factor I consider when comparing nutrition labels. I also look to see if the product has added sweeteners, emulsifiers, or flavoring agents. These ingredients can have unintended consequences.
As an example, AG1 contains stevia, which is a common no-calorie sweetener in sugar-free snacks. Stevia is a great sugar alternative that can cut calories and won’t impact your blood sugar, making it ideal for people with diabetes. But stevia can cause gas and bloating in some people, and it can have a slightly metallic aftertaste that some find unpleasant. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of stevia, though I appreciate that not everyone feels that way.
Live it Up uses monk fruit extract to sweeten the powder. Monk fruit is a plant that has been used in Chinese medicine for many years, but has only recently gained popularity as a sugar alternative. This ingredient may also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. If you have a sensitive stomach, monk fruit extract could be a better option than stevia.
4. Taste and Texture: The Most Overlooked Factor
Let’s be honest: Greens powder can be an acquired taste. And if something doesn’t taste great, you won’t keep drinking it. Like many of my clients, I’ve tried greens powders that tasted chalky or grassy—two words you don’t want to hear regarding something you drink! Independent taste test results found that consumers often used these words when describing the taste and texture of AG1.
Live it Up, on the other hand, was named “Best Tasting” greens powder by VeryWell Health and “Most Refreshing” by Healthline. If you want to form a sustainable habit with a powder you actually look forward to drinking, this one fits the bill.
5. Value for Money: Quality vs. Price
I never recommend making a decision on your nutrition solely based on price, but there’s no denying that the cost of a greens powder can affect your choice. You’ll need to find a product at a price point you’re comfortable with. Here’s how Live it Up and AG1 compare when it comes to cost.
Live it Up Super Greens
AG1
One-time purchase cost (30 servings)
$59.99 ($2 per serving)
$99 ($3.33 per serving)
Subscription cost (30 servings)
$39.99 ($1.33 per serving)
$79 ($2.64 per serving)
Live it Up is substantially cheaper than AG1, and it also tastes better and has only whole-food ingredients. When comparing greens powders, ask yourself whether you’re paying for fluff or function. If you find a greens powder that includes all the ingredients you need and makes you feel great, that price may be worth it. But the choice is clear if you can find a better product at a cheaper price.
Final Verdict
Whether you’re a parent, have a demanding job, or simply don’t enjoy cooking, it can be hard to meet your daily nutrition needs. That’s why I recommend a greens powder as an easy way for my clients to get the vitamins and minerals their bodies need (and why I enjoy drinking my greens on my busiest mom days).
When searching for a greens powder, consider the ingredients, the vitamin levels, sweeteners, the taste rating, and the price vs. value. What sounds like the best product or has the fanciest packaging may not be the best option for your health.
In the case of Live it Up and AG1, only one greens powder has whole-food ingredients, a balanced percentage of vitamins, a highly rated taste, and a low price. Live it Up Super Greens is committed to clean nutrition and customer satisfaction, making it the clear choice for those seeking natural, effective, and enjoyable daily nutrition.
