Is there a good substitute for Balance of Nature? Your comprehensive guide

According to ConsumerLab.com, fruit and vegetable supplements may only provide a fraction of the nutrients found in fresh produce. When seeking a Balance of Nature substitute, it's vital to look beyond marketing and focus on ingredient quality, third-party testing, and value.

Quick Summary

This guide compares alternatives to Balance of Nature, focusing on important factors like ingredient transparency, price, and quality. Options such as Live it Up and Juice Plus are highlighted, offering potential improvements in quality control and added benefits like probiotics. Prioritizing a whole-foods diet remains the ideal approach.

Key Points

• Cost & Quality: Many alternatives offer similar or better quality ingredients and transparency at a more competitive price point than Balance of Nature.

• Probiotics & Enzymes: Unlike Balance of Nature, leading competitors like Live it Up and Athletic Greens often include probiotics and digestive enzymes for enhanced gut health benefits.

• Transparency & Safety: Brands like Live it Up and Simply Nature's Promise provide more transparent third-party testing results, addressing a key concern with Balance of Nature.

• Subscription & Returns: Alternatives generally feature less restrictive subscription models and more generous return policies compared to Balance of Nature's strict terms.

• Whole Foods First: No supplement is a perfect substitute for a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide superior nutrient bioavailability and fiber.

Why Look for a Balance of Nature Substitute?

Many consumers are seeking alternatives to Balance of Nature due to a variety of concerns regarding its price, manufacturing transparency, and marketing claims. The company has faced regulatory issues with the FDA and has a historically strict return policy and costly subscription model. For these reasons, many people are exploring alternatives that offer a more transparent and cost-effective way to supplement their daily nutrition.

Top Alternatives for Whole Food Supplements

When searching for a comparable product, several strong contenders stand out, each with its own advantages over Balance of Nature.

Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies

This product offers a very similar formula to Balance of Nature's Fruits & Veggies capsules but with significant improvements in affordability and transparency. According to Innerbody, it costs significantly less and has more lenient return policies. Crucially, the product is third-party tested, providing a higher degree of quality assurance for consumers concerned about safety and contaminants.

Live it Up Super Greens

For those who prefer a greens powder with added gut health benefits, Live it Up is a strong competitor.

• Superior Transparency: Live it Up is lauded by dietitians for clearly disclosing the exact amounts of micronutrients in its formula, unlike Balance of Nature.
• Gut-Friendly Formula: It includes a blend of 5 billion CFU probiotics, 3 grams of fiber, and digestive enzymes to support gut health, which Balance of Nature lacks entirely.
• Fair Pricing: With competitive pricing and no hidden membership fees, Live it Up is a more straightforward and budget-friendly choice.

Juice Plus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend

Juice Plus is another long-standing player in the market. It has been used in clinical research and holds an NSF certification, demonstrating a commitment to safety and quality. While it requires a subscription, its return policy is more generous, and its pricing is generally more favorable than Balance of Nature's.

Athletic Greens (AG1)

AG1 is a comprehensive greens powder that goes beyond just fruits and vegetables. It includes probiotics, digestive enzymes, adaptogens, and a wider range of superfoods. While it is generally more expensive than Balance of Nature, its detailed formula and NSF certification for quality appeal to those seeking a more robust, all-in-one supplement.

Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food

This line of products offers certified organic, whole food-based powders and capsules. It focuses on juiced greens that are low-temperature dried to preserve nutrients, providing a potent and natural supplement. It also includes probiotics and digestive enzymes for added gut support.

The Ultimate Substitute: A Whole-Foods Diet

No supplement, regardless of its quality, can fully replace the benefits of eating a balanced diet rich in fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. Whole foods offer a complex matrix of nutrients, fiber, and other beneficial compounds that work synergistically in the body.

• Enhanced Bioavailability: The body can more effectively absorb and utilize nutrients from whole food sources.
• Essential Fiber: Eating whole fruits and vegetables provides soluble and insoluble fiber crucial for digestive health and regularity.
• Complex Nutrients: Real food contains a multitude of phytonutrients and antioxidants that cannot be fully replicated in a pill or powder.

Supplement Comparison Table

Feature	Balance of Nature	Live it Up Super Greens	Juice Plus+	Simply Nature's Promise	Athletic Greens (AG1)
Key Ingredients	Whole fruits/veggies	Organic greens, probiotics, enzymes	Fruit/veggie juice powders	Whole fruits/veggies	Superfoods, probiotics, adaptogens
Cost per Serving	Approx. $3.00	Approx. $1.99	Approx. $1.80	Approx. $2.00	High-end; varies
Third-Party Testing	Periodic; not transparent	YES; transparent	YES; NSF certified	YES; transparent	YES; NSF certified
Probiotics & Enzymes	NO	YES	Minimal	YES (some products)	YES
Whole Foods	Flash-dried whole produce	Organic whole food sources	Extracted juice powders	Flash-dried whole produce	Greens, botanicals, roots
Return Policy	Strict 30-day (1st order only)	Standard, no harsh restrictions	Generous 180-day (unopened)	30-day, more lenient	Varies by retailer

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Health

While Balance of Nature has its following, numerous credible and more transparent alternatives exist, offering comparable or superior benefits at a better value. Options like Simply Nature's Promise, Live it Up, and Juice Plus provide clear benefits and address many of the concerns surrounding Balance of Nature's business practices. However, remember that no pill can replace a balanced diet rich in fresh produce. Supplements are best viewed as a way to fill nutritional gaps, not as a replacement for healthy eating. Before adding any supplement to your routine, consult a healthcare provider to ensure it's the right fit for your individual needs. Healthline provides guidance on getting vitamins from food vs. supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are people looking for a substitute for Balance of Nature?

Many consumers are looking for alternatives due to concerns about Balance of Nature's high cost, past FDA warnings, and a lack of transparency regarding third-party testing and ingredient sourcing.

Is Simply Nature's Promise a good alternative to Balance of Nature?

Yes, Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies is a viable alternative. It offers a similar formula at a lower price point and uses independent third-party testing for safety assurance.

How does Athletic Greens (AG1) compare to Balance of Nature?

Athletic Greens (AG1) is a more comprehensive greens powder that includes probiotics, enzymes, and adaptogens, which Balance of Nature lacks. While often more expensive, AG1 has a higher certification standard and greater ingredient transparency.

Is Juice Plus+ better than Balance of Nature?

Many believe Juice Plus+ offers advantages over Balance of Nature. It is NSF certified for quality, has a more generous 180-day return policy, and has been used in clinical research. However, unlike Balance of Nature, it uses extracted juice powders rather than whole food.

Can a greens powder really replace my daily fruits and vegetables?

No, greens powders cannot fully replace the nutritional benefits of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. While they can help fill dietary gaps, whole foods provide a complex mix of fiber, nutrients, and other compounds that supplements cannot replicate.

Are there more affordable alternatives to Balance of Nature?

Yes. Brands like Simply Nature's Promise, Terra Kai Organics, and Live it Up are often cited as more affordable options than Balance of Nature's typically high pricing.

What is the most important factor to consider in a Balance of Nature alternative?

The most important factor is third-party testing and transparency. Look for a brand that publicly shares its testing results to ensure the product is safe, free of contaminants, and contains what it claims.