Is There a Product Better Than Balance of Nature?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2019 survey, over 80% of Americans take at least one dietary supplement, yet many are unaware of the best options available. For those wondering, 'is there a product better than Balance of Nature,' the answer is yes—numerous alternatives offer competitive pricing, clearer ingredient sourcing, and more transparent third-party testing. These factors are crucial for consumers seeking to make informed decisions about their whole-food supplement options.

Quick Summary

Several dietary supplements offer competitive or superior benefits to Balance of Nature, featuring improved transparency, better value, and more comprehensive formulations. Alternatives like Simply Nature's Promise, Juice Plus, and Athletic Greens are often cited for their better pricing, third-party testing, and additional ingredients such as probiotics and enzymes.

Key Points

Superior Alternatives Exist: Products like Simply Nature's Promise, Juice Plus+, and Athletic Greens AG1 often provide better value and more comprehensive formulas than Balance of Nature.
Balance of Nature Faces Scrutiny: The brand has been criticized for its high cost, poor customer service, restrictive return policy, and legal issues with the FDA concerning unsubstantiated claims and manufacturing practices.
Whole Foods are Still Best: No supplement can fully replace the nutritional benefits of a diet rich in fresh, whole fruits and vegetables.
Transparency is Key: Many alternatives offer superior transparency through public third-party testing and certifications like NSF, which Balance of Nature lacks.
Evaluate Additional Features: Some competitors include beneficial ingredients like probiotics and digestive enzymes that are absent in Balance of Nature's core offering.
Check Return Policies: Compare the customer-friendly return policies of competitors, as Balance of Nature's policy is notoriously restrictive and limited.

Understanding the Balance of Nature Controversy

For years, Balance of Nature has been a prominent player in the whole-food supplement market, advertising its capsules as an easy way to increase fruit and vegetable intake. However, the company has faced significant scrutiny and legal issues. The FDA has issued warnings regarding unsubstantiated health claims and manufacturing practices, and the company has been involved in consumer protection lawsuits. Additionally, customer service complaints, restrictive return policies, and a lack of transparent third-party testing have led many consumers to question the product's value and seek alternatives. These issues, combined with a relatively high price point, motivate the search for superior options.

The Importance of a Whole-Food Diet

Before exploring specific supplements, it is vital to remember that whole foods should always be the foundation of a healthy diet. Supplements are intended to fill nutritional gaps, not replace the complex matrix of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other compounds found in fresh produce. A supplement should be exactly what its name implies: supplementary. Many experts, including those from Harvard Health and Purdue Extension, emphasize that nutrients from supplements may not be as well-absorbed as those from whole foods due to the natural synergy of food-based components.

Key Whole-Food Supplement Alternatives

Several competitors offer similar or enhanced formulations to Balance of Nature. The best alternative for you depends on your priorities, such as budget, specific ingredients, or certification requirements.

Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies: A close match to Balance of Nature's formula, this alternative is often highlighted for being more affordable and transparent. It is GMP-certified and third-party tested, providing better quality assurance. The formula also omits soy, which is a consideration for those with allergies.
Juice Plus+: A long-standing player in the market, Juice Plus+ is notable for its robust clinical research and NSF certification, indicating a high degree of quality assurance. While it requires a subscription, its 180-day return policy is more generous than Balance of Nature's. It is also more affordable and requires fewer capsules per serving.
Athletic Greens AG1: Positioned as a comprehensive green powder, AG1 offers more than just fruits and vegetables. It includes a blend of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and digestive aids, which may address a broader range of nutritional needs. AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport and transparent with its testing standards.
Texas Superfood: Available in both powder and capsule form, Texas Superfood features a larger number of ingredients, including enzymes and probiotics not found in Balance of Nature. This provides a more holistic approach to digestive and immune health.
Ensō Supergreens: This option emphasizes organic, natural ingredients and includes a 5 billion CFU probiotic blend for significant gut health support. The formula is free of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and common allergens, and is also third-party tested.
Garden of Life Raw Fiber Powder: While not a direct fruit and veggie capsule, this alternative from a reputable, third-party tested brand is a strong competitor for Balance of Nature's Fiber & Spice product. It is more affordable, contains organic ingredients, and includes probiotics.

A Comparative Look at Alternatives


Feature	Balance of Nature	Simply Nature's Promise	Juice Plus+	Athletic Greens AG1	Ensō Supergreens
Key Benefit	Fruits & Veggies in capsule form	Cost-effective whole foods	Clinical research support	All-in-one greens powder	Probiotics & organic ingredients
Cost (Approx.)	High ($89.95/month)	Medium ($59.95/month)	Medium ($54/month)	High (approx. $79/month)	Medium (approx. $59/month)
Third-Party Testing	'Periodic' and not transparent	Yes, verified & transparent	Yes, NSF Certified	Yes, NSF Certified for Sport	Yes, verified & transparent
Additional Ingredients	Few, proprietary blends	Few, similar to BoN	Juice concentrates	Probiotics, digestive enzymes	Probiotics, digestive enzymes
Return Policy	Very restrictive	Standard 30-day	180-day for unopened	Standard 30-day	Standard 30-day

Considerations for Choosing an Alternative

When deciding if there is a product better than Balance of Nature for you, consider these factors beyond just the ingredient list:

Transparency and Testing: Reputable companies openly share their third-party testing results, confirming product purity and ingredient accuracy. Balance of Nature's lack of transparent testing has been a consistent consumer concern.
Value and Cost: The price of Balance of Nature is consistently cited as a major con, especially given the competition. Compare the cost per serving, bottle count, and additional ingredients offered by competitors to determine the best value.
Additional Nutritional Support: Many alternatives, like Athletic Greens and Ensō Supergreens, offer added benefits such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, or adaptogens, which address more than just fruit and vegetable intake.
Customer Experience: Poor customer service, difficult subscription cancellations, and restrictive return policies are frequent complaints against Balance of Nature. Researching competitor policies and customer reviews can prevent frustration down the road.
Holistic Health: Ultimately, no supplement can truly replace a diet rich in whole, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. The best approach involves prioritizing whole foods first, using a high-quality supplement to fill any remaining nutritional gaps. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

While Balance of Nature has built a strong brand presence, numerous factors suggest that superior products exist. The combination of its high price point, inconsistent manufacturing oversight, and poor customer service has driven many to seek alternatives. Whether you prioritize transparent testing, budget-friendly options, or comprehensive formulas with added probiotics, alternatives like Simply Nature's Promise, Juice Plus+, Athletic Greens, and Ensō Supergreens all offer distinct advantages. The key is to evaluate your specific health goals and choose a product from a company that values transparency and quality. For most people, a healthy, whole-food diet remains the most effective strategy, with supplements playing a supportive role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies is often cited as a comparable and more affordable alternative. It features a similar whole-food ingredient list but costs less and offers better third-party testing transparency.

Juice Plus+ is a well-known alternative that has been used in clinical trials researching the benefits of powdered fruit and vegetable supplements. It also holds NSF certification for quality assurance.

Athletic Greens (AG1) is often considered a better product for those seeking a more comprehensive solution. It's an all-in-one powder that includes probiotics, digestive enzymes, and adaptogens, unlike Balance of Nature's focus solely on fruit and vegetable blends.

The FDA has issued warnings to Balance of Nature regarding exaggerated health claims and a lack of adherence to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The company was also ordered to stop manufacturing and selling its products at one point.

For most healthy adults with a balanced diet, supplements are not necessary. Whole foods offer greater nutritional synergy and better absorption. Supplements are intended to fill gaps for those with specific dietary needs, restrictions, or health conditions.

When choosing an alternative, prioritize transparent third-party testing (e.g., NSF, GMP), clear ingredient lists without proprietary blends, competitive pricing, and positive customer service reviews. Consider if you want additional benefits like probiotics or digestive enzymes.

Balance of Nature's customer policies are often criticized for being restrictive, particularly its return policy which is limited to first-time, preferred customers. Competitors like Juice Plus+ offer much more generous return windows and fewer conditions.