I like this formula very much. It’s very high in greens — alfalfa, spirulina and barley grass primarily but also some parsley, watercress, seaweed (dulse) and chlorella. Other veggies in this mixture include carrot and beet juice powders, which are excellent additions. It also has some very nice added herbs, including rose hips, horsetail, royal jelly, green tea, ginseng and Echinacea. All good choices.
The only thing I’d do differently in this mixture is reduce the amount of “fillers” included. Despite the company’s claims to the contrary, there are several fillers in this product, including soy lecithin, apple pectin and flaxseed meal. Still, it’s an excellent formula that covers the greens and fatty acids while also giving you some good herbal extracts. At $3.50 per ounce, it’s a fair price for what you’re getting. If you purchase the multi-canister options, then the price goes from “fair” to “good.”
Manufacturer’s Description
Start your day with a tasty energy boost! All Day Energy Greens is a light, refreshing energy drink that’s heavy on health benefits. All Day Energy Greens’ 38 herbs, herbal extracts, and grass juices work with your body to provide the bio-absorbable vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and disease-fighting antioxidants you need to enjoy peak health. In addition to all the other benefits, All Day Energy Greens gives you a full day’s supply of vegetables. Plus All Day Energy Greens has NO common allergens and is certified pesticide-free. Make All Day Energy Greens a part of your daily routine.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Online retailers.
Some health food stores and whole foods markets.
Taste
Earthy and sweet. Sweetened with stevia.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click image to enlarge
Pros
Good mixture of greens and other herbs for a fair price.
Cons
Too many fillers. Not everyone will like the stevia sweetener.
Recommended Usage
Mix approximately 1 rounded tablespoon in 6 to 8 ounces of water or your favorite smoothie.
Certifications & Manufacturing
n/a
Price
11.4 oz (approximately 30 sevings) = $39.95
Price per oz = $3.50
Manufacturer offers 4, 8, and 16 canister options for better pricing. 16 canisters costs $1.65 per ounce.
July 18th, 2010
The Greens Today blend is formulated to offer great nutrition, plus cleansing effects and immune support. It features a heavy dose of greens (mostly Spirulina, broccoli, alfalfa and barley grass — a very good mix), plus antioxidants (green tea, beet root, acerola, bilberry and others). That covers over 50% of the mixture. What’s great about this formula are the extra herbal additions. Some highlights include Pine Bark Extract (one of my favorites for immune support and antioxidants), artichoke (appetite suppressant), Licorice Root (adaptogen for brain and immune support), plus Horsetail Root, Astragalus, and Dandelion (all excellent herbs for health and wellness). Finally, there is a small amount of these powerful additions: Maitake and Reishi mushroom (brain support and disease fighting properties), Royal Jelly (pure nutrition), and CoQ-10 (essential supplement for health and energy).
The down side is that the manufacturer decided to add some unpleasant ingredients for flavor. These include fructose, maltodextrine (a thickening agent and sweetener), and strawberry flavoring. This takes a few notches off of an otherwise excellent formula.
The price of Greens Today is quite good at just $2.39 per ounce. This is one of the best values among green drink formulas.
Manufacturer’s Description
Greens Today Original Formula is designed specifically to help support those who want a Health Promoting, Energizing, Cleansing, Immune Enhancing, Alkaline Promoting, Complete Nutritional Supplement. Greens Today Original Formula provides these powerful bioactive Phyto-Nutrients: Lycopene, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanphin, Lutein, Sulforaphane, Ellagic Acid, Carotenoids, Isothiocyanates, and Indole 3 Carbinols.
* 72 Powerful Superfoods with all vitamins & minerals.
* 1900 mg Certified Organic Earthrise® Spirulina per serving
* 2000 mg Broccoli Powder per serv.
* 500 mg Calcium per serving
* Low Carb – 7 grams per serving
* 18 oz Powder – 30 servings
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Online retailers.
Some health food stores and whole foods markets.
Taste
Slightly grassy. Slightly fruity from the added flavor ingredients. Overall neutral flavor.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click image to enlarge
Pros
A strong formula with an excellent dose of greens, plus several powerful herbal extras. The price is hard to beat.
Cons
Contains fructose and some artificial flavoring additions that should not have been added. Some people might not like all of the herbal extras in this formula — opting for a more simple mixture.
Recommended Usage
One to two servings per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International
Price
18 oz (approximately 30 sevings) = $42.94
Price per oz = $2.39
February 27th, 2010
Green Magma is formulated with a different philosophy than most other green drinks. It contains only one active ingredient, which is barley grass juice powder. Except for a little sweetener from the maltodextrin and brown rice, this is essentially like getting pure barley grass. Naturally, I tend to prefer the more robust mixtures, but that does not mean some people will not benefit greatly from getting a pure barley grass formula. Others might like to add extra barley grass to their other green drink formula — using Green Magma as the source. There are many studies showing the benefits of this grass, so people who are sold on its benefits might do well to get a green drink like this one. The quality of the grass in this mixture is quite high. The price tag is also on the high side at $4.50 per ounce.
Manufacturer’s Description
Since 1969, Green Magma® has been the world’s premier barley grass supplement. Backed by over 40 years of scientific research and consumer satisfaction. It contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, and other valuable phytochemicals that support every system of the body. Consumers report a dramatic increase in energy, increased regularity, and better looking hair, skin, and nails. Green Magma® is a juice extract, not a fiber product. Our bodies can more easily and completely absorb the nutrients from a juice supplement than one containing fiber, which locks in many of the important nutrients. Green Magma is certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI). Our barley is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Online retailers.
Some health food stores and whole foods markets.
Taste
Grassy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Ingredients: Powdered juice from organic young barley grass, organic maltodextrin (a complex carbohydrate), organic brown rice. Does Not Contain: Added sugar, salt, colorings or fillers and is free of animal products, gluten, soy, wheat, yeast, and genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Pros
Good quality barley grass with very little else.
Cons
Many people will want more than just barley grass. Although the quality is high, this is rather expensive for a single ingredient product.
Recommended Usage
Dissolve 2 teaspoons (6g) into an 8 oz. glass of water or your favorite juice. Recommended once or twice daily on an empty stomach (20 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal).
Certifications & Manufacturing
Certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI). Our barley is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Price
11 oz (approximately 30 sevings) = $49.49
Price per oz = $4.50
February 27th, 2010
Vega is designed differently than most green drinks. It provides a larger than usual amount of protein, which makes it a cross between a protein drink and a green drink. The protein comes from hemp and green pea mostly, but also contains some rice and flax. The last two would be fillers to most people, but they do provide some protein. These ingredients give the mixture a slightly gritty texture, but you can easily overcome that by mixing with a “thick” fruit juice or nectar.
After the protein, the formula contains Chicory Root, which is generally considered filler, but does contain vitamin C and fiber to aid in elimination and cholesterol reduction. The formula is also high in Maca Root, which is excellent for natural energy and hormone balance and is used as a general tonic and libido enhancer. However, Maca is one of the ingredients I consider to be “average” in terms of benefits-to-bulk ratio (see my list of best, average and worst ingredients here). Finally, Vega lists Chlorella and Essential Fatty Acids on the label representing 3,250 mg of the mixture. That’s where the nutrition is…but it’s not as high as I’d like to see it.
Overall, the mixture is not bad if you’re interested in a mostly-protein drink that uses no animal products for its protein. At approximately $4.35 per serving, the formula is a bit on the high side in terms of cost-benefit. The cost per ounce is low at $2.14, but the suggested serving size is larger than normal at over 2 ounces (61g). Flavored and sweetened with Stevia, the taste is something you have to try for yourself.
Compare with Juvo.
Manufacturer’s Description
A synergistic collection of plant-based superfoods, Vega is not only a complete meal replacement, but also an ideal daily health-optimizing supplement. High in fiber, protein and essential fatty acids, Vega is naturally filling and satisfying, helping to reduce appetite and cravings. An instant, one-stop meal made exclusively from plant-based whole foods, Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer is:
- Packed with complete protein, 100% RDI of vitamins and minerals, fiber, Omega-3 and 6 EFAs, antioxidants, probiotics, enzymes, ChlorEssence and MacaSure.
- Made exclusively from natural, plant based ingredients.
- Free of animal products, dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat, yeast artificial sweeteners, GMOs or pesticides
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Some health food stores and markets.
Taste
Flavored with vanilla, berry, chocolate, or natural, these mixtures have a strong taste of stevia. If you don’t mind stevia, then you’ll be fine with these flavors. The texture is a bit thick and gritty, but that can actually work well if you mix correctly to make a kind of “shake.” Those with sensitive taste will be able to detect the green pea…which is not bad, but unusual in a green drink.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
click image to enlarge
Pros
Excellent source of non-animal protein, along with some energy boosting ingredients and a bit of nutrition.
Cons
A bit low on the nutritional ingredients for the price. Some may not like the strong stevia taste.
Recommended Usage
Take one serving daily for optimal health and vitality. A full serving of Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer equals two level scoops—these make a nutritionally complete and satisfying liquid whole food meal without compromises. For those with smaller appetites, try just half a serving (one scoop) for a meal or snack.
Certifications & Manufacturing
100% Vegan
Price
35oz = $74.95
Price per oz = $2.14
January 10th, 2010
New Formulation
One of the best green superfood drinks is now a bit better with a new, updated formulation that provides more nutrition for the same price — and enhances the taste for better combining with juices, chocolates, or milks. The new formulation has some added greens, including basil leaf, moringa leaf (a super botanical from India that helps purify the blood, calm the nerves and much more), yacon leaf (detoxing and sweetness without sugar), and alma berry. It also has a few extra seaweeds, which gives the product a wider variety of nutrients. In all, Vitamineral Green now has a more robust formulation and a better flavor.
Ben Kim’s Greens, Billy’s Greens, Sun Is Shining, and Vitamineral Green are all formulated at the same laboratory — by expert formulator Jameth Sheridan of Health Force Nutritionals. Sheridan’s own product, Vitamineral Green, is one of my favorite green drink products. It has a lot of grasses, which are high in nutrients, plus it is high in spirulina and various seaweeds too, so you can bet you’re getting a quality blend here. To compliment the grasses is a healthy dose of Nettle and juices of alfalfa, dendelion, broccoli, kale and other veggies. There are no fruits other than alma berry, but honestly, most green products don’t have enough fruits to make them a substitute for the “Red” products, so the lack of a fruit blend is not a huge negative on my list. Vitamineral Green clocks in at $3.11 per ounce, which makes it one of the best values among the super robust formulas.
Manufacturer’s Description
Vitamineral™ Green is the current evolution of a 20 year quest for excellence. It simultaneously represents the innate wisdom of nature and the advancements of science. It contains an extremely potent & comprehensive array of nature’s most nutritive and cleansing superfoods, grown and processed to maximize their benefits. It was designed to be the most nutrient dense and comprehensive superfood product ever offered. Contains a full spectrum of naturally occurring, absorbable and non-toxic vitamins, minerals (including calcium) and trace minerals (including naturally colloidal and better). Contains no synthetic or isolated nutrients (not excreted as expensive yellow urine or stored as toxic deposits). “Manufactured” by Mother Nature herself; not a chemist. Also naturally occurring are all the essential amino acids (protein), antioxidants, fatty acids, chlorophyll, soluble and insoluble fibers, tens of thousands of phytonutrients, and a plethora of other synergistically bound nutrients. 100% whole food nutrition.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Slightly Grassy. Slightly Nutty. Neutral.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
click to enlarge image
Pros
One of the most robust and high-quality green drinks on the market…for an excellent price. Excellent quality of ingredients and lab standards. High in all important ingredients and no waste or filler. Comes in glass jars, not plastic.
Cons
None. This is the best formula on the market.
Recommended Usage
One or two times per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
100% vegan and cruelty-free
100% gluten free (new standards implemented)
100% wildcrafted ingredients
Lab is certified organic with rigorous standards. All ingredients are from top-quality sources.
Price
17.65 oz = $54.95
Price per ounce = $3.11
Quantity purchases lower the price to as low as $2.83.
June 20th, 2009
Here’s a quick article to cover some of my favorite green drink recipes. Modify these basic ideas in any way you see fit…and remember that each green drink tastes different. These all work well with neutral-tasting drinks and I’ve made notes for mixing with green drinks that have more “flavor” to them.
Enjoy and send me your ideas!
Chocolate, Peanut Butter Smoothie
Mix 12oz of vanilla almond milk with 2 tablespoons of pure cacao powder, one small ripe banana, and two tablespoons of organic peanut butter. Add your green drink powder (your normal serving size) and honey or unrefined sugar to taste. I also add liquid B complex (half dropper), olive leaf extract (half dropper), mushroom powder (or extract), and dandelion extract (full dropper). If you have some bee pollen, throw a teaspoon in too. This does not work well with green drinks that have a strong fruit flavor.
Fruit Smoothie
Mix 6oz of vanilla almond milk, 6oz of fruit juice (grape, pomegranate, or apple are best) with frozen berries. I prefer a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, but use whatever suits you. Add your green drink powder and a packet of Emergen-C or equivalent, a teaspoon of bee pollen, liquid B complex (half dropper), olive leaf extract (half dropper), and dandelion extract (full dropper). This does not work well with chocolate or mint-flavored powders, but can work well with vanilla-flavored powders.
Healthy Mary
If you like spicy tomato juice, then this mix is for you! Add 12oz of tomato juice (not vegetable juice) and double your normal green drink powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of tumeric, 1 teaspoon of celery root powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, the juice of 1/2 freshly-squeezed lemon or lime and salt to taste. Extras: olive leaf extract, dandelion extract, liquid B complex, and mushroom powder or extract. If it gets too thick, you can add a little water and shake well.
May 6th, 2009
Juvo has a unique an interesting formulation that, I think, you need to try for yourself and see if it works for you. The mixture is fairly heavy in grains (millet, rice solids, various beans), which act as filler and also provide some cleansing action and some protein. Once you get beyond this, the mixture starts looking interesting — with a healthy dose of veggies (kale, beet, parsley, carrot, tomato, pumpkin, radish, and cabbage) and a huge amount of alfalfa as the primary green superfood (other greens include spirulina and chlorella, radish leaves and seaweeds). The mixture also offers plenty of fruits (lingonberry, black currant, aronia, concord grape, pomegranate, sour cherry, acerola, blueberry, cranberry, elderberry, and many others).
Finally, the formula includes a larger than normal amount of mushrooms, which I love to see in a green drink formula because they are so healthy and fairly expensive to include (which is why most don’t). Mushrooms include Shitake, Reishi, and Agaricus.
Interestingly, with all that fruit, the mixture does not taste fruity. In fact, it tastes fairly earthy with a hint of beans and mushrooms. Its neutral taste means it mixes well with any juice or with chocolate and almond milk. I’ve also mixed it with spicy tomato juice. It comes in at only $2.95 per ounce, which makes it one of the more cost-effective formulas around.
Manufacturer’s Description
JUVO retains nature’s purity without any modification or additions. The whole grains, vegetables, sea vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits of JUVO are grown organically in fertile land to bring you the purity and full vitality that mother nature offers. JUVO is made with organic, kosher, and NON-GMO ingredients from whole grains, vegetables, sea vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits that are grown organically in fertile land to bring you purity and full vitality of nature. JUVO ingredients are freeze-dried to keep nutritive properties and enzyme. It’s absolutely free of preservatives, whey, yeast, dairy, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Some health food stores and whole foods markets.
Taste
Slightly Earthy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
USDA Certified Organic Kosher Brown Rice, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Sprouted Alfalfa, Fresh Freeze-Dried Non-GMO Naturally Grown Rejuvo Wholegrain Blend (Alpha Brown Rice, Italian Millet, Indian Millet, Job’s Tears, Soy Bean, Black Bean, Black Rice, Red Bean), USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Parsley, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Beet, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Kale, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Carrot, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Freeze-Dried Tomato, Wild Crafted Kosher Camu Camu Extract, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Acerola Extract, Fresh Freeze-Dried Organic and Kosher Berry Power (Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Wild Berry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Wild Lingonberry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Black Currant, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Aronia, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Concord Grape, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Pomegrante, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Sour Cherry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Wild Blue Berry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Wild Cranberry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Wild Elderberry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Red Rasberry, Organic Fresh Freeze-Dried Kosher Black Rasberry), USDA Certified Organic Kosher Enzymatically Active Mushrooms: USDA Certified Organic Kosher Enzymatically Active Shitake Mushroom, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Enzymatically Active Reishi Mushroom, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Enzymatically Active Agaricus Mushroom, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Spirulina, Certified Kosher Chlorella, Fresh Freeze-Dried Naturally Grown Non-GMO Rejuvo Aqua-Vegi Blend (Burdock, Lotus Root, Pumpkin, Radish, Radish Leaves, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root, Ashitaba, Cabbage, Mugwort, Nori, Brown Seaweed, Sea Tangle), USDA Certified Organic Kosher Jerusalem Artichoke Extract, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Isolated Soybean Protein, USDA Certified Organic Kosher Brown Rice Protein, Rejuvo Functional Blend (Soybean Peptide, Hibiscus Extract, Green Tea Extract, Solomon’s Seal Extract, Momordicae Grosvenori Extract, Fructose, Salt), Vitamin A Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin D3, DL-Alpha Tocophrol, Thiamine HCL, Riboflavin, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine HCL, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Fumerate, Aquamin-F (Mineralized Seaweed)
Pros
A unique formula that sets it apart from the others. Includes mushrooms and plenty of special herbs for an excellent price.
Cons
Has a lot of grains and beans that, while they have benefits, constitute fillers by most standards.
Recommended Usage
1 scoop of Juvo with 8-10 ounces of juice or soy milk, 1-3 times per day.
[editor's note: I used 2 scoops instead of 1 and had excellent results. The price makes this very do-able while still being competitive with other formulas.]
Certifications & Manufacturing
USDA Organic Certified
Kosher
100% Vegan
100% Raw
Price
12.7 oz (60 sevings) = $37.50
Price per oz = $2.95
April 12th, 2009
Mighty Greens is made by one of the nation’s most reputable wheat grass growers. They supply a great many of the formulators of other green products and now they have created their own green formula, getting the non-wheat-grass ingredients from some of their own best customers. The formulation is designed to do one thing very well: provide green superfoods. Not surprisingly, it’s heavy in grasses and has a good deal of Spirulina and some chlorella. The fillers are soy lecithin, which has some nutritional benefits along with being a filler, brown rice bran, and apple pectin fiber. There’s not much else to this product…just a little royal jelly (excellent addition and very nutrient rich) aleo vera, pineapple powder, dulse (a seaweed that’s full of nutrients), ginseng, grape skin extract (also full of nutrients and antioxidants) and some herbs like ginko, bilberry leaf and ginger.
The price is on the high side for this product, but what you get in exchange are the best quality ingredients on the market, a company that is completely transparent (note the full disclosure of ingredient quantities), and a formula that covers all the bases. You can add to this formula the extra herbs and nutrients you want.
Compare with GreenShield, Emerald Balance, and Amazing Grass — all have similar formulations.
Manufacturer’s Description
Mighty Greens Superfood Blend is a highly nutritious, refreshing drink mix made with PINES premium cereal grasses and alfalfa, plus spirulina, chlorella, royal jelly, and 16 other superfoods and herbs. (Click for: Full List of Ingredients). Balanced to provide great taste, quick energy, and the long-lasting benefits of green vegetables. Formulated for daily use to increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Some health food stores and whole foods markets.
Taste
Slightly Grassy. Slightly Fruity. Slightly Minty.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
PINES Wheat Grass (1033 mg)
PINES Barley Grass (1033 mg)
PINESAlfalfa (1033 mg)
Soy Lecithin (973 mg)
Spirulina (558 mg)
Pectin Apple Fiber (533 mg)
Sprouted Barley Malt (516 mg)
Brown Rice Bran (516 mg)
Bee Pollen (217 mg)
Pineapple Powder (217 mg)
Nova Scotia Dulse (128 mg)
FOS (107 mg)
Chlorella (87 mg)
PINES Beet Juice Powder (87 mg)
PINES Oat Grass (87 mg)
PINES Rye Grass (87 mg)
Siberian Ginseng (63 mg)
Grape Skin Extract (57 mg)
PINES Peppermint Leaf (43 mg)
Royal Jelly (43 mg)
Acerola Juice Powder (43 mg)
Licorice Root (43 mg)
PINES Rhubarb Juice Powder (43 mg)
Aloe Vera (17 mg)
Ginkgo Biloba (17 mg)
Ginger Root (13 mg)
Bilberry Leaf (8 mg)
Pros
Excellent quality ingredients and a good basic formula to cover the basics in green superfoods.
Cons
On the expensive side and it does not offer very many “extra” ingredients for the price.
Recommended Usage
Take one tablespoon per day mixed in water or juice.
Certifications & Manufacturing
n/a
Price
8oz = $37.50
Price per oz = $4.69
March 22nd, 2009
NonoGreens10 is pretty much like a lot of green drink formulas (suggested comparisons appear below). It is heavy in grasses and the “spirulina/chlorella duo,” although like most green drinks, you can’t really tell how much spirulina/chlorella is in the mixture, since all three (barley grass, spirulina and chlorella) are grouped into a single category, called Greens Blend.
This mixture is very high in fillers, which consist of rice bran, oat beta glucan, and lecithin. All together, these fillers total 59 percent of the mixture. Of the rest, 51 percent (21 percent of the total) is the “Greens Blend” and the remaining 49 percent (or 20 percent of the total mixture) consists of green & white tea (and extract), fruits (blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, etc.), veggies (broccoli, tomato, spinach, carrot, kale, etc.), and a smattering of special herbs (pine bark extract, aloe vera, cinnamon, milk thistle, marigold). I love that pine bark extract is represented here, but we really don’t know how much is in there, because the quantity is hidden in the label.
For the price of $3.93 per ounce, it’s an acceptable product, although not overwhelmingly impressive. Compare with Amazing Grass, which is cheaper, but has fewer ingredients, Greens First, which is a slightly more robust formula for a slightly higher price, Greens Pak, also a slightly more robust formula, and ultimately Green Vibrance, a more robust formula for about the same price.
Manufacturer’s Description
The team of scientists and doctors at BioPharma Scientific has formulated NanoGreens10 to be the most complete, balanced and potent supplement of its kind, that when taken as directed supplements the diet to contain the phytonutrition of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables of all the colors. NanoGreens10 mixes easily and is great tasting in pure, cold water. NanoGreens10, made with organic ingredients, is a 100% natural, vegan formula of the highest purity, quality, and potency.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Slightly grassy. Slightly Earthy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Pros
A basic formula for a decent price.
Cons
Nothing special here. Lots of fillers and nothing that stands out.
Recommended Usage
One or more servings per day with juice or water.
Certifications & Manufacturing
FDA approved facility.
Price
12.7 oz = $49.95
Price per oz = $3.93
March 1st, 2009
UPDATED January 4, 2009
Click to Enlarge Graph
NOTES: This chart uses the manufacturer’s published price of a 30-day supply (or equivalent) whenever possible. Most manufacturers offer discounts on quantity purchases, so be sure to check for any specials that might be available. See our Coupons page for details.
January 4th, 2009
pHion Green is formulated especially to help make your blood pH more alkaline. Alkalinity in the body is an important factor in overall health, as an alkaline system is unfriendly to bacteria, viruses and parasites. Most of these harmful antibodies thrive on acidic environments. That’s why there is a huge movement in increasing blood and body alkalinity via food and water. The trick is…experts don’t agree on how body alkalinity should be measured and, therefore, what foods increase alkalinity. For example, some say that fruits like orange and lemon are alkaline, because they convert from acid to alkaline in your digestive process. Others call them acidic because they will increase the acidity of your urine after you eat them.
Since pHion Green is made specifically to increase alkalinity, it would be unfair to judge it only on its nutritional quality. Instead, it should be judged on both nutrition and its ability to increase alkalilnity. So here’s my evaluation: pHion is well formulated for blood alkalinity since it’s heavy in grasses, which are very alkaline, if not the most nutritious of the greens. The rest of the formula includes some fruit and veggie powders (grapefruit, lemon, cucumber, kale, spinach, tomato, etc). There’s not much else to speak of. As an alkalining formula, it’s on the expensive side, but it does the job. As an overall green drink, it’s very weak in comparison to, say, Vitamineral Green, which is also quite alkaline but includes more nutrition in its greens (and it’s less expensive). If this product were closer to $3.00 per ounce, instead of $4.72, I’d feel a lot better about giving it high marks.
Manufacturer’s Description
Even the most devoted students of pH balance can have trouble including enough alkalizing foods in their diet. That’s why a greens product like pHion Green is so essential. pHion Green contains 40 different raw alkalizing juices and foods that are so alkalizing, they easily make up for the gaps in your diet. Unlike ordinary greens, pHion Green contains only alkaline ingredients from 40 different grasses, veggies, low sugar fruits and sprouts. And pHion Green tastes SO GOOD…you’ll forget it’s green!
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Grassy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Pros
Great for those wanting an alkalizing formula.
Cons
More expensive than other, comparable formulas.
Recommended Usage
Once in the morning and/or once in the afternoon.
Certifications & Manufacturing
None
Price
7.4 oz = $34.95
Price per oz = $4.72
January 4th, 2009
LifeForce is very close to hitting my ideal green drink formula. It has absolutely no fillers and is very high in spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed. Its grasses and greens content is one of the highest I’ve seen (although it’s mostly grasses with some nettle, spinach and parsley powders thrown in). These land and sea greens comprise more than 10 of the 16.8-grams in the recommended serving size. The rest are roots (ginseng, beet, astragalus, and dandelion–very good choices) and fruit-related powders (lemon and orange peel, rose hips). Overall, this is an excellent blend at an amazing price of only $2.11 per ounce. This is pretty hard to beat. If the formula is missing something for you (and it probably is), you’ll have plenty of money left over from your purchase to get the extras and add them yourself. I might suggest some green tea powder (for those who don’t mind a little caffeine), tumeric, and perhaps some mushroom powder.
Compare to Vitamineral Green which has an equally high-quality formulation with no fillers, but has a wider variety of greens (and a slightly higher price tag).
Manufacturer’s Description
LifeForce High Potency Energy and Immune Support contains a perfectly balanced blend of super foods and is specifically formulated to supply you with natural food source vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytochemicals, and essential trace nutrients. Each and every ingredient has been pains-takenly selected for its nutritional value and support of vital force, so that when combined together in a perfect ratio, they form a complete nutrition supplement, promoting a vital, active, healthy lifestyle.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Grassy, slightly citric and slightly earthy. You’ll want to mix this with a strong-tasting juice.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Pros
Excellent, high-quality mixture with no fillers and no gluten. The price is hard to beat.
Cons
Could use a little more variety in the types of land veggies it contains. You may want to augment this formulation with some botanicals of your own.
Recommended Usage
1-3 servings per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
n/a
Price
14.2 oz (24 servings) = $30.00
Price per oz = $2.11
December 21st, 2008
Greens Pak offers a fairly typical mixture of greens (grasses and spirulina), veggie powders (carrot, broccoli, spinach juices) and special herbs (in this case grouped into an “antioxidant blend” including milk thistle, red beet root and aloe vera leaf powders). There are good amounts of all of these blends and a good amount of filler, which is Lecithin in this case. The product comes in handy, single-serving packs, but the serving size is only 7.5 grams, about half of what other brands suggest. This makes the price tag rather steep for this product, even though the formulation is comparable to several other products. Compare price and formula to these products: Antioxidant Greens, Delicious Greens, and Go Greens.
Manufacturer’s Description
Greens Pak is a great-tasting, easy-to-mix phyto-nutrient powder that is loaded with energy-packed whole foods, super fruits, antioxidant foods, vegetables, enzymes, probiotics, fiber and plant extracts to help energize your body. A super blend of completely natural vitamins, ConcenTrace® ionic trace minerals, enzymes, phyto-nutrients and symbiotic intestinal flora helps to provide your body with added energy, increased metabolism, efficient digestion and detoxification, and helps strengthen your body’s natural defenses for heightened rejuvenation and longevity.
Where to Purchase
Online health stores and vitamin centers.
Select retail outlets.
Taste
Sweet and slightly fruity. Flavored with Stevia.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
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Pros
Good mixture, comparable to many others on the market. Strong in greens, veggies and special herbs.
Cons
Cost is higher than competing products.
Recommended Usage
Open packet and place the entire contents of the packet into 6-8 oz. of water and stir. May also be put in juice, a smoothie, or other beverage. Some caking may occur.
Certifications & Manufacturing
ORAC = 800 per gram
Price
7.9 oz = $32.23
Prices vary greatly, depending on the outlet. Shop around!
Price per oz = $4.08
November 30th, 2008
By looking at the massive ingredients list of this product, you might come to the conclusion it has everything. While it is a good blend with plenty of functional ingredients and not much filler, a close look at the numbers shows that it’s very heavy in grasses and rather low in everything else. I’m not knocking it completely; this is a good blend at a really good price! Just don’t let that huge list of ingredients throw you off. Compare the greens, veggies and antioxidant herbs to a product like Antioxidant Greens* and you’ll see that ORAC Energy Greens has more grass, but quite a bit less of the herbs and veggies. To give it some extra credit, ORAC Energy Greens has very little filler and adds quite a few fruits instead (a vitamin C fruit blend and some others). Plus, I give it some credit for having a number of “extra” herbs if you total them all up (there are very small amounts of each, but all totaled it’s not bad). Some highlights in the special herbs department include the mushrooms (I love to see this in a green drink), the green and white tea (powdered tea which is better than extract), and the adaptogen blend.
In summary, this is a good blend that is heavy in grass powders and covers a wide spectrum of everything else…all for only $2.73 per ounce.
* to compare, you have to double the numbers on the ORAC Energy Greens label, due to the smaller serving size used in the calculations.
Manufacturer’s Description
Paradise Herbs ORAC Energy Greens is the next generation in greens and provides a powerhouse of unparalleled antioxidants and superfoods. It contains over 42 certified organic and pesticide free ingredients including highly bioavailable juice powders, freeze-dried berries/veggies and ecologically wild crafted or naturally grown True Full Spectrum™ herbal concentrates.
Where to Purchase
Health Food Stores and whole foods markets (see store locater at site).
Online health stores and vitamin centers.
Taste
Slightly grassy. Slightly fruity.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
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Pros
Lots of grasses and a good variety of other ingredients (including mushrooms) for an excellent price (shop around for a good source). Very few fillers.
Cons
Heavy in the grasses and light in everything else.
Recommended Usage
One level tablespoon (scoop) daily. Tastes great mixed in water, apple juice or your favorite fruit smoothie.
Certifications & Manufacturing
ORAC = 12,000 per serving (6g).
Most ingredients are wild harvested.
Price
12.8 oz = $34.99
Prices vary greatly, depending on the outlet. Shop around!
Price per oz = $2.73
November 30th, 2008
This is one of the most robust formulas I’ve seen in a green drink, with a HUGE portion of spirulina, chlorella, and algae (bladderwrack, dulse, kelpl) together with green grass juices (barley, alfalfa, parseley, spinach, kale). Together these ingredients represent over 4.5 grams of each serving. Those are great numbers! Next on the list are the “fillers” and fibers, which include sprouted millet and Quinoa. Not bad choices if you want to include some bulk while also keeping the quality high. There are some fruits, including apple, blueberry, raspberry, and papaya. The herbal additions are an interesting and unique blend of mushrooms, root herbs and healing plants. Some highlights include Reishi, Shitake and Maitake mushrooms; Astragalus, Teng Kuei root, and ginger (among many others); plus nettle, burdock, yellow dock, and dandelion (many of my favorite botanicals). This mixture is not sweetened and it tastes pretty green and earthy–so you probably want to mix it with fruit juice or vegetable juice. The manufacturing is all in-house and the quality of this formula is among the top on my list. The price is not the best, but for the quality of this product, it’s not bad at $4.24 per ounce.
Compare to Emerald Balance, which has a similar price tag and robust mixture but a different combination. Also, compare to Vital Greens, which has some similarities in its formulation, but a higher price.
Manufacturer’s Description
Pure Synergy’s cleansing and regenerative grass juices, algae, seaweeds and enzymes are combined with protective fruits and berries and restorative, adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms to enhance natural detoxification and the radiant energy that results from genuine well-being. Unlike many companies, we never add fillers or bulking agents (such as whole grasses, apple fiber or pectin, rice bran or flax), which dilute nutritional potency and are a potential source of genetically modified material. Pure Synergy is special not only because of its extraordinary formula, but also because we meticulously cultivate and protect all the precious constituents contained in it.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site or by phone.
Taste
Earthy. Slightly fishy. Slightly grassy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
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Pros
Great formulation with lots of botanicals that you probably won’t get otherwise, such as the mushrooms and root herbs.
Cons
Includes AFA algae from Klammath Lake, Oregon, which some people claim is not a good strain in comparison to spirulina grown in controlled environments. Slightly high priced, but worth the extra expense if you want high quality.
Recommended Usage
Mix with juice once or twice per day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
100% vegan
100% Kosher
Shipped in glass bottles
Price
12.5 oz = $54.95
Price per oz = $4.24
October 25th, 2008
Although ProGreens was formulated for use by doctors who need specific information about ingredients for their patients with food allergies and other issues, its formulation is utlimately quite comparable to several others. The approach is to offer a variety of greens for nutrition, along with a collection of botanical herbs for overall health and immune support.
The greens consist largely of spirulina and a variety of grasses with some wheat sprout, beet juice and spinach powders to round out the mix. It does not have much fruit (just acerola berry juice powder), but makes up for that with a host of anti-oxidant-rich botanicals (green tea extract, billberry extract, milk thistle, astragalus). Other key ingredients include plenty of bee pollen and royal jelly (two of my favorite superfoods), ginko and Echinacea. The fillers include lecithin, apple pectin and flaxseed meal (3000mg total, which is higher than I like to see). Overall, the formulation is decent, but not spectacular…and the price is on the high side at $4.85 per ounce, but this may be offset by the security you get from knowing the exact amount of each ingredient in the formulation (not many products provide this).
Compare with Delicious Greens 8000 and Green Vibrance.
Manufacturer’s Description
ProGreens® is an all-natural blended variety of “Super Foods” that provide broad-spectrum nutritional support from certified organic grasses and natural food factors not found in isolated vitamin or mineral concentrates. In addition to the green grasses, sea vegetables and algae, ProGreens® contains adaptogenic herbs, active probiotics, fibers, and a variety of nutrient rich superfoods. Best kept refrigerated to retain natural freshness and probiotic activity.
Where to Purchase
Health Food Stores and Doctor’s offices Nationwide.
Taste
Slightly grassy
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Click to enlarge image
Pros
Well rounded formulation with a variety of greens, antioxidants, and some good botanical additions.
Cons
A bit too much filler makes this product more expensive than it should be.
Recommended Usage
As a dietary supplement, add 1 scoop (8.8 g) to shaker containing 8 oz. of juice or water, drink immediately. Best taken on an empty stomach.
Certifications & Manufacturing
This product was formulated at the request of Doctors who wanted a source of living nutrients for patients with food sensitivities. All ingredients are listed with their quantities.
This product has been tested for nutrient values (see label) and for the absence of heavy metals in its ingredients.
Price
9.27 oz = $45.00
Price per oz = $4.85
September 21st, 2008
This formulation is a lot like many others: fairly robust with a variety of greens (barley grass, spirulina, chlorella), followed by filler (oat betaglucen, apple fiber, brown rice, lecithin), and then antioxidant herbs and fruits (carrot, green tea, blueberry, plum, and other fruits and veggies). The rest is a collection of veggie powders and herbs. This particular formulation is pretty heavy in the fillers with almost 4 grams of it (I look for under 2 grams of filler in a good formulation). This product’s label, like so many others, call their fillers a “Fiber Blend” to give it a purpose in the formulation. And while it’s true that many of these fillers add fiber, I look for a more substantial reason for the filler to call it anything but “filler.” The rest is really nothing special…a few herbs and not enough kelp to even warrant mention (a token amount). At $4.22 per ounce, I think this is a bit pricey for the quality of the blend.
Manufacturer’s Description
Contains 49 super foods, extracts and concentrates including super greens, vegetables, fruits, probiotics, soluble and insoluble fibers, herbs, spices, natural flavonoids, enzymes and lecithin. Eating five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables daily is ideal. However; it isn’t always possible. Now you can ENJOY many of the phytonutrient and antioxidant benefits of a fruit and vegetable rich diet of vibrant colors and dark greens…everyday!
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Sweet. Slightly fruity. Slightly earthy.
Flavored with stevia and natural flavors.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
Click to enlarge image
Pros
A decent formula with a good variety of ingredients that include green superfoods, fruits, and herbs.
Cons
A bit high priced for the quality of the formulation. A bit too much filler.
Recommended Usage
Mix one level scoop (provided in bottle), with 6-8 ounces of water. Stir briskly or shake in a closed container and enjoy one or more times a day.
Certifications & Manufacturing
Some organic ingredients.
Price
9.95 oz = $41.99
Price per oz = $4.22
September 14th, 2008
This formulation is made with no spirulina, chlorella or sea vegetables because the manufacturer believes that these are acid-forming botanicals. In fact, these are not acid forming ingredients; they are simply not as alkaline as some other greens. So if you are going for an alkaline-enhancing formulation (which this formulator clearly is), you might choose to leave these water-based greens out. If you do, you’d better replace them with some pretty nutrient-dense veggie powders because you’re losing a lot of potent nutrients without these ingredients in your formulation. Does Mega Greens meet this challenge? Pretty much.
The formulation is high in barley grass, which is not super nutrient-dense, but it makes up for this with ingredients like beet root powder, broccoli powder, bilberry leaf, spinach, kale, and beat leaf powder. Other ingredients I like seeing include olive leaf (one of my top three botanicals), dandelion leaf (also very high on my list of healthy herbs), and watercress. There is absolutely no filler in this formulation, so this is pure vegetable and leaf powder with a focus on alkalinity. They add MSM to stand out from the crowd, but I think this formula stands on its own even without the MSM. And the price is more than fair at $3.87 per ounce.
Compare to Energy First Greenergy, which also has MSM and a more robust formulation of greens. Also compare to Vitamineral Green, which is similar in its concentrated formulation (no fillers and lots of veggie powders), but is not necessarily focused on alkalinity. Finally, compare to Phion Greens, which is a different formula focused on alkalinity.
Manufacturer’s Description
Mega Greens plus MSM™ formula is a concentrated powerful formulation of green grasses, vegetables, sprouted grains, herbs, and MSM (MethylSulfonylMethane). Mega Greens plus MSM™ contains alkaline forming ingredients to help balance your body’s pH, while providing you with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and plant proteins you need for cell support.
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Minty. Spicy.
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
* Barley Grass, *Beet Root Powder, *Bilberry Leaf, Broccoli Powder, *Carrot Powder, *Dandelion Leaf, Garlic, *Ginger Root, *Red Raspberry Leaf, *Rosemary Leaf Powder, *Sage Leaf, Spearmint, *Spinach, *Olive Leaf, -Alfalfa Leaf, Alfalfa Sprouts Powder, Aloe 200:1, Barley Sprouts, Beet Leaf Powder, Cabbage Leaf, Celery, Kale, MSM, Okra, Parsley Leaf Powder, Peppermint Leaves, Shave Grass, Strawberry Leaf, Watercress Aerial Parts, Wintergreen Leaf, Cauliflower, Avocado, Cucumber, Green Tea Extract, L-Beta Carotene. Made with gluten free vegetarian capsules or concentrated powder
*100% organic ingredients.
Pros
Simple, efficient formulation focused on alkalinity with no fillers and a very good price.
Cons
This is not the most nutrient-rich formulation, as its focus is alkalinity, not nutrition.
Recommended Usage
Mix one scoop (teaspoon) into an 8 -12 oz. glass of water. Take 2-3 times daily.
Certifications & Manufacturing
Price
8 oz = $30.95
Price per oz = $3.87
September 14th, 2008
If you want your green drink to provide high levels of antioxidants, then you should consider this formula. The antioxidants in this formula come from a wide variety of sources, including numerous fruits (blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, bilberry, cherry, lemon, apple, peach, elderberry, pomegranate, blackberry, Acerola, Apple, Pomegranate, Mangosteen, and Acai) plus herbs like green and white tea (I love that they include the expensive white tea, which is higher in antioxidants than green tea), pine bark extract (this is one of the most expensive and most powerful botanicals you can get — I’ve never seen this in a green drink before), cinnamon and marigold. The greens are mostly barley grass juice and chlorella, but they include some salina, kelp, spinach, kale, and broccoli. They bulk up this potent formula with rice bran, oat beta glucan, and lecithin. Overall, this is a very nice formula, even if the price is a bit high at $5.17 per ounce.
Compare to Antioxidant Greens, which has a slightly more broad spectrum formula.
Manufacturer’s Description
Go Greens is fortified with oat beta glucan, the USDA patented fiber that supports healthier cholesterol levels. Go Greens is 100% natural, made with organic ingredients, and contains no MSG or glutamates, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavorings and no genetically modified organisms. Go Greens contains no added sugar, and has a low glycemic load, adding only 6 carbs and 32 calories per serving. Go Greens uses no animal products. Suitable for vegans. Go Greens is also hypo-allergic, containing no wheat, soy protein, egg, or dairy. Go Greens is low temperature freeze-dried and spray-dried to preserve antioxidant power and enzymes. Go Greens is manufactured according to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
Where to Purchase
Online at manufacturer’s site.
Taste
Very sweet. Fruity. Sweetened with stevia and Xylitol (a natural sweetener made from corn)
Ingredients & Nutritional Facts
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Pros
This formula is maximized for antioxidants with some of the best herbal additions I’ve seen in a green drink powder.
Cons
If you don’t seek your antioxidants from a green drink, you may prefer a formulation that is heavier in green nutrients. Some people will not like the stevia sweetener. This is an expensive formula.
Recommended Usage
Just add 1 packet to approximately 8-16 fl oz of bottled water (to taste preference), shake, and enjoy. For best results take a couple of drinks from a water bottle before adding packets.
Certifications & Manufacturing
ORAC = 4,000
100% Vegan
Price
6.76 oz (24 packets) = $34.95
Price per oz = $5.17
August 24th, 2008
Udo is doing something special here. His formulation is made to provide green nutrition and omega-3 fatty acids, while offering some special herbs that help cleanse and rejuvenate the body. His formula is part of a diet and weight loss plan, so it is optimized for this, but it’s a worthwhile formulation to consider, even if your ultimate goal is not weight loss.
Continue Reading August 24th, 2008
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