Is AG1 Considered a Meal Replacement? The Full Nutritional Breakdown

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

A single scoop of AG1 contains approximately 50 calories and only 2 grams of protein, making it nutritionally insufficient to be considered a meal replacement. Instead, this green powder supplement is designed to complement a healthy diet and fill nutrient gaps, rather than to replace a complete, calorie-dense meal.

Quick Summary

AG1 is explicitly not a meal replacement; it's a low-calorie nutritional supplement designed to fill nutrient gaps, support gut health, and boost energy.

Key Points

Not a Meal Replacement: AG1 is a low-calorie dietary supplement and lacks the macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat) needed to replace a complete meal.
Designed to Complement, Not Substitute: The product is intended to be used in addition to a healthy, balanced diet to help fill nutritional gaps.
Focuses on Micronutrients: AG1 provides a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, superfoods, and adaptogens, not the bulk calories of food.
Supports Foundational Health: Its benefits are centered on improving energy production, immune function, and gut health with probiotics.
Food First Approach is Key: Experts emphasize that supplements should augment, not replace, the nutrients and fiber derived from whole fruits and vegetables.
Consider the Cost and Missing Nutrients: It is an expensive supplement and does not contain significant amounts of certain key nutrients like Vitamin D and iron.

What AG1 Actually Is: A Foundational Nutrition Supplement

AG1, formerly known as Athletic Greens, is a popular greens powder that combines a multivitamin, probiotics, prebiotics, and a superfood blend into one daily drink. It is marketed to provide foundational nutritional support for overall wellness, including gut health, immune function, and energy levels. While it offers a concentrated source of micronutrients and beneficial compounds, its calorie and macronutrient profile is far too low to provide the sustained energy and satiety required from a proper meal. The company's own materials state clearly that AG1 does not replace a meal.

The Nutritional Gap Between AG1 and a Meal

To understand why AG1 is not a meal replacement, one must look at the standard nutritional requirements for a complete meal versus the nutritional content of a single scoop of AG1. A typical meal replacement shake is formulated to be a complete and balanced source of nutrition, including a substantial number of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It is intended to provide the body with the fuel it needs to function for several hours. AG1, on the other hand, is a micronutrient powerhouse, but it lacks the necessary macronutrients to be a standalone meal. For example, with just 2 grams of protein per serving, it offers only a fraction of what most people require to build and repair muscle tissue and stay full.

Why a 'Food First' Approach is Still Essential

Nutrition experts consistently advocate for a 'food first' approach, where the majority of your nutrients come from whole food sources like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. While AG1 can be a convenient tool to bridge potential nutrient gaps, especially for people with busy lifestyles or restrictive diets, it cannot replicate the complex fiber content, phytonutrients, and synergistic benefits of eating a diverse range of whole foods. The fiber content in AG1 is minimal, and its powdered form does not provide the same benefits as eating whole produce.

AG1 vs. Meal Replacement Shake: A Comparison

To highlight the key distinctions, here is a comparison between the typical nutritional content of AG1 and a standard meal replacement shake.


Feature	AG1 (per scoop)	Typical Meal Replacement Shake
Calories	~50	200-250+
Protein	~2g	15-25g+
Carbohydrates	~6g	20-30g+
Fiber	~2g	5g+
Macronutrient Balance	Minimal	Balanced source of protein, carbs, fat
Micronutrient Focus	High concentration of vitamins, minerals, superfoods	Includes vitamins and minerals, but may be more standardized
Purpose	Nutritional support, filling nutrient gaps	To replace a complete meal

The Proper Role of AG1 in a Healthy Diet

Rather than viewing AG1 as a substitute for a meal, it is best utilized as a daily foundational supplement to enhance overall wellness. Its formulation, which includes over 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced ingredients, is designed to support several bodily functions. Many users report benefits such as increased energy levels, improved digestion due to the probiotics, and a feeling of greater overall health. By taking it consistently, ideally in the morning on an empty stomach, it can help create a positive daily health routine.

Potential Benefits When Used Correctly

Energy Production: High doses of B vitamins found in AG1 are known to support energy metabolism and combat fatigue.
Gut Health: The inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics (specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Immune Support: Nutrients like Vitamin C, zinc, and selenium contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
Nutrient Gaps: AG1 provides a simple way to get a wide array of vitamins and minerals that might be missing from an average diet.

Considerations and Drawbacks

Proprietary Blends: As with many supplements, AG1 uses proprietary blends, so the exact amount of many ingredients is not disclosed. This makes it difficult to assess the efficacy of specific components.
Cost: AG1 is one of the more expensive greens powders on the market, which may not be financially sustainable for all consumers.
Missing Nutrients: The supplement notably lacks Vitamin D and a significant amount of iron, two nutrients that are commonly deficient in the population.
Potential Side Effects: Some users report experiencing digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea, especially when first starting the supplement.

Conclusion

In summary, AG1 is not a meal replacement. It is a comprehensive nutritional supplement intended to complement, not replace, a balanced diet based on whole foods. While it can be an effective and convenient way to fill nutrient gaps and support overall wellness, its low calorie and macronutrient content makes it unsuitable for substituting a full meal. For individuals seeking to boost their nutritional intake, AG1 can be a valuable addition, but it should not be relied upon as a primary source of sustenance. Always prioritize a healthy diet and consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your nutritional regimen.

AG1 Official FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

AG1 is not a meal replacement because a single serving contains only about 50 calories, 2g of protein, and 6g of carbohydrates, which is insufficient to provide the necessary energy and macronutrients of a full meal.

While AG1 is low in calories and can be part of a healthy lifestyle, it is not a weight loss product on its own. A healthy weight management plan requires a balanced diet and regular exercise, and AG1 should not be used to replace meals in an effort to lose weight.

No, AG1 is not a substitute for eating whole fruits and vegetables. While it provides some nutrients found in produce, it lacks the fiber and complex benefits of eating whole foods. It is designed to supplement, not replace, these dietary staples.

The primary purpose of AG1 is to act as a foundational nutrition supplement. It combines vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and superfoods to help fill nutrient gaps and support gut health, energy levels, and overall wellness.

No, AG1 contains only 2 grams of protein per scoop, which is not a significant source of protein. It is not intended to replace a protein supplement, and users can combine it with a protein powder if needed.

AG1 is more comprehensive than a typical multivitamin, containing not only a blend of vitamins and minerals but also probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, adaptogens, and a superfood blend. A standard multivitamin generally only covers the essential vitamin and mineral needs.

For optimal absorption, it is recommended to drink AG1 first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You simply mix one scoop with 8-10 ounces of cold water.