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What's the Best Alternative to Balance of Nature?

4 min read

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nearly 9 out of 10 people do not meet the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. Finding the best alternative to Balance of Nature is a common goal for those seeking to fill nutritional gaps, given the brand's premium pricing, past FDA issues, and lack of transparent third-party testing. Many consumers are now looking for better value, quality, and ingredient transparency in their whole food supplements.

Quick Summary

Several superior and more affordable whole-food supplement options are available, such as Juice Plus+ and Simply Nature's Promise, which offer better transparency and rigorous third-party testing. These alternatives provide concentrated fruit and vegetable nutrition, often with additional beneficial ingredients like probiotics, and more consumer-friendly policies. A whole-food diet remains the gold standard, with supplements acting as a complementary aid.

Key Points

  • Superior Alternatives: Several brands offer better value and transparency than Balance of Nature, including Juice Plus+, AG1, and Simply Nature's Promise.

  • Transparency is Key: Brands like AG1 and Juice Plus+ provide robust third-party testing and certifications, which Balance of Nature lacks, leading to more consumer trust.

  • Whole Foods First: The most effective alternative is always a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, as supplements can't fully replicate the complete nutritional benefits.

  • Consider Your Needs: Choose a supplement based on your specific goals—Juice Plus+ for clinical backing, AG1 for comprehensive greens, and Simply Nature's Promise for an affordable, straightforward capsule.

  • Check Pricing and Policies: Competitors often offer better pricing and more lenient return policies compared to Balance of Nature's restrictive subscription-based model.

  • Whole Food Diet Benefits: A balanced whole-food diet offers superior nutrient absorption, boosts immunity, and improves digestive health more effectively than supplements alone.

In This Article

Why Look for an Alternative?

Balance of Nature has been a popular name in the whole-food supplement market, but several factors have driven consumers to seek alternatives. Issues such as the company's high price point, history of FDA warning letters for unsubstantiated health claims, and a lack of publicly available third-party testing results have eroded trust among many. The subscription service, while offering a discount, is often cited for its less-than-flexible policies. These concerns have highlighted the need for more transparent, affordable, and trustworthy options that still deliver the nutritional benefits of concentrated fruits and vegetables.

Leading Whole-Food Supplement Alternatives

For those who prefer the convenience of a supplement, several brands offer a comparable or superior product to Balance of Nature. These alternatives often feature more stringent quality control, transparent testing, and better overall value.

Juice Plus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend

Juice Plus+ is a long-standing and well-regarded competitor known for its extensive clinical research and NSF certification, which ensures quality and safety.

  • Key Features: Includes a wide variety of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable powders, as well as added vitamins and minerals.
  • Pros: Supported by numerous clinical trials, generous 180-day return policy for unopened products, NSF certified for quality assurance.
  • Cons: Requires a subscription for purchase, which some consumers may find inconvenient.

AG1 (Athletic Greens)

AG1 is a comprehensive greens powder known for its extensive list of 75 ingredients, which include whole-food-sourced nutrients, probiotics, adaptogens, and digestive enzymes.

  • Key Features: A robust formula designed for overall health, digestion, and energy.
  • Pros: NSF Certified for Sport, transparent about third-party testing, and includes additional functional ingredients.
  • Cons: On the higher end of the price spectrum.

Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies

Simply Nature's Promise offers a product very similar in formulation to Balance of Nature but with several key improvements.

  • Key Features: Uses a mix of freeze-dried fruits and veggies, similar to Balance of Nature's blends.
  • Pros: Significantly lower price point, better return policy, and GMP-certified with third-party testing for safety and purity.
  • Cons: Not made with organic produce.

Garden of Life Raw Fiber Powder

While focused on fiber rather than fruits and veggies, Garden of Life offers a transparent, whole-food alternative for those interested in the Fiber & Spice element of Balance of Nature.

  • Key Features: Contains organic sprouted grains, seeds, and legumes with added probiotics and Omega-3s.
  • Pros: High transparency regarding ingredients and testing, includes probiotics, and has a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
  • Cons: A fiber product, not a direct replacement for fruit and veggie capsules.

Comparison of Alternatives to Balance of Nature

To help you decide, here is a breakdown comparing Balance of Nature with some of its top competitors:

Feature Balance of Nature Juice Plus+ AG1 (Athletic Greens) Simply Nature's Promise
Key Product Fruits & Veggies Capsules Fruit & Vegetable Blend Greens Powder Simply Fruits & Veggies
Cost (Monthly Approx.) $89.95+ $54.00+ $79.00+ $59.95+
Ingredients Freeze-dried whole fruits & veggies Concentrated juice powder 75+ whole foods, probiotics, adaptogens Freeze-dried whole fruits & veggies
Third-Party Testing Periodic; not public NSF Certified NSF Certified for Sport Third-party tested & GMP certified
Transparency Low; minimal testing results public High; NSF certification visible High; testing standards are clear High; testing information available
Added Benefits None advertised Some vitamins, minerals Probiotics, prebiotics, adaptogens None advertised
Return Policy 30-day for first order, subscription only 180-day for unopened products 90-day money-back guarantee 30-day policy (more lenient)

The Ultimate Alternative: A Whole-Food Diet

While supplements offer convenience, the best and most natural alternative to Balance of Nature is prioritizing a diet rich in fresh, whole foods. A balanced whole-food diet provides a complex synergy of nutrients, fiber, and water that supplements cannot fully replicate.

  • Benefits of a Whole-Food Diet: Provides superior nutrient bioavailability, improved satiety due to fiber and water content, and a broader range of health benefits than isolated or powdered nutrients. Whole foods also help maintain a healthy gut microbiome through natural fiber and fermented options.
  • Practical Steps: Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins into your daily meals. Make small, sustainable changes, such as adding extra vegetables to dinner or snacking on a handful of nuts instead of processed foods.

Conclusion

For those looking for the best alternative to Balance of Nature, several excellent options exist, depending on your priorities. For a clinically studied, high-quality capsule at a better price point, Juice Plus+ is a strong contender. If a comprehensive, all-in-one greens powder with probiotics and adaptogens is your goal, AG1 is a top choice. For an affordable, straightforward fruit and veggie capsule with better transparency, Simply Nature's Promise stands out. However, no supplement can fully replace the benefits of a balanced diet centered on whole foods. The ideal approach combines a nutrient-rich diet with a high-quality, transparently tested whole-food supplement to fill any remaining nutritional gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people seek alternatives due to Balance of Nature's high cost, history of FDA warning letters for unproven health claims, and the company's lack of transparent, publicly available third-party testing results.

No, a whole-food supplement is not better than a diet rich in whole foods. While supplements can help fill nutritional gaps, whole foods offer better nutrient absorption, fiber, and water content that supplements cannot fully replicate.

Yes, Juice Plus+ is a strong alternative, offering several advantages. It is supported by clinical research, is NSF certified for quality, and has a more generous return policy than Balance of Nature.

AG1 is a more comprehensive greens powder with over 75 ingredients, including probiotics and adaptogens, whereas Balance of Nature offers simpler fruit and veggie capsules. AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport and offers transparent testing, but is also more expensive.

Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies is a budget-friendly alternative. It offers a similar ingredient list at a significantly lower price and provides transparent third-party testing, which is often not public for Balance of Nature.

Yes, several alternatives offer superior quality assurance. Brands like AG1 and Juice Plus+ carry certifications like NSF, and others like Simply Nature's Promise provide transparent third-party testing results.

Whole-food supplements are typically more bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body because they come from natural sources. They also provide a broader range of beneficial phytonutrients that work synergistically, unlike isolated synthetic vitamins.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.