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Is there a product comparable to Balance of Nature?

4 min read

According to a 2025 review in Good Housekeeping, Balance of Nature's fruits and veggies supplements are among the most expensive of their kind, making many consumers question their value. This naturally leads to the question: Is there a product comparable to Balance of Nature, offering similar benefits at a better price point or with higher quality standards?

Quick Summary

Several brands offer fruit and vegetable supplements similar to Balance of Nature, including Athletic Greens, Simply Nature's Promise, and Garden of Life. Factors like cost, ingredient sourcing, third-party testing, and additional components like probiotics vary significantly across these alternatives, impacting overall value.

Key Points

  • Cost-Effective Alternatives: Many products, such as Simply Nature's Promise, offer similar whole-food capsules at a significantly lower price point than Balance of Nature.

  • Superior Third-Party Testing: Competitors like Athletic Greens (AG1) and Ensō Supergreens feature robust third-party testing and transparency, which Balance of Nature has been criticized for lacking.

  • Added Nutritional Benefits: Alternatives such as Ensō Supergreens and Garden of Life frequently include probiotics and digestive enzymes, which are absent in Balance of Nature's core supplements.

  • Formula and Transparency Issues: Balance of Nature has faced FDA warnings for unproven health claims, and its proprietary blend lacks detailed nutritional information on its label.

  • Variety in Format: While Balance of Nature is a capsule, alternatives are available in both capsule and powder forms, offering different consumption methods and ingredient concentrations.

  • Reputable Brand Options: Established brands like Juice Plus+ and Garden of Life provide reliable and well-tested options for consumers seeking to supplement their diet with fruits and vegetables.

  • Important Caveat: No supplement is a replacement for a healthy diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables; supplements are intended to fill nutritional gaps, not act as a substitute.

In This Article

Understanding the Need for Alternatives to Balance of Nature

Balance of Nature is a popular whole-food supplement, but factors like its high cost, a history of FDA warnings for unsubstantiated health claims, and limited third-party testing have led many consumers to seek alternatives. The core appeal of Balance of Nature lies in its convenient capsules of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. However, many comparable products offer similar benefits, often with more transparency, better pricing, or added nutritional components like probiotics and enzymes.

Top Contenders and Their Key Features

  • Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies: Often cited as one of the closest direct competitors, this brand offers a capsule-based, whole-food supplement with a very similar ingredient list to Balance of Nature. A significant advantage is its more affordable price and better safety profile, which includes third-party testing.
  • Athletic Greens (AG1): Positioned more as a comprehensive daily greens powder, AG1 contains a much broader array of ingredients than Balance of Nature, including a dense concentration of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. AG1 is known for its rigorous third-party testing and transparency, though it comes at a higher price point.
  • Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood: This brand focuses on organic, whole-food ingredients and offers greens powders that include probiotics and enzymes for digestive health. The company is transparent about its sourcing and testing, providing a robust, value-packed alternative.
  • Ensō Supergreens: An organic greens powder that combines a powerful superfood blend with 5 billion CFU of probiotics and digestive enzymes. It is third-party tested, sugar-free, and offers a pleasant, natural taste profile, making it a strong all-around alternative, especially for gut health.
  • Juice Plus+ Fruit and Vegetable Blends: One of the most established names in the market, Juice Plus+ offers fruit and veggie capsules and has been included in some clinical research studies. It is a good option for those who prefer the capsule format, though it requires a subscription.

Navigating the Choices: What to Look For

When evaluating alternatives, consider these crucial factors:

  • Third-Party Testing: Reputable certifications from organizations like NSF or informed-sport verify that the product contains what it claims and is free from contaminants. This is a major area where many alternatives outperform Balance of Nature, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency on this front.
  • Ingredient Quality and Transparency: Look for supplements that use organic ingredients and provide a detailed breakdown of their nutritional content. Some companies, like Simply Nature's Promise, may list similar ingredients to Balance of Nature but offer higher quality at a lower cost. Be wary of proprietary blends that hide exact ingredient amounts.
  • Additional Nutrients: Many alternatives include beneficial additions like probiotics, digestive enzymes, and extra vitamins and minerals. These can offer greater value than a simple fruit and vegetable blend, especially for those focused on gut health.
  • Cost and Value: Compare the cost per serving, not just the monthly price. While some alternatives might have a higher upfront cost, they can provide more nutritional value per dollar. The high cost of Balance of Nature is a primary reason people seek alternatives.
  • Format: Decide if you prefer capsules, like Balance of Nature and Simply Nature's Promise, or a powder, which is common for brands like Athletic Greens and Ensō Supergreens. Powders often allow for more customizable serving sizes.

Comparison of Key Balance of Nature Alternatives

Feature Balance of Nature Simply Nature's Promise Athletic Greens (AG1) Garden of Life Raw Organic Ensō Supergreens
Cost (Fruits & Veggies) High (approx. $89.95/month) Moderate (approx. $59.95/month) High (Approx. $99/month) Moderate (Approx. $38/month) Moderate (Approx. $59.99/month)
Third-Party Testing Periodic and non-transparent Third-party tested & GMP-certified NSF Certified for Sport Non-GMO Verified, NSF Certified Third-party tested & GMP-certified
Probiotics/Enzymes No No Yes Yes Yes (5 Billion CFU)
Sourcing Freeze-dried whole food Freeze-dried whole food Whole-food sourced blend Certified Organic Whole Food Certified Organic ingredients
Format Capsules Capsules Powder Powder Powder
Taste Profile Natural/bland Natural Milder, lightly sweetened Grassy Pleasant, no stevia

Conclusion

While there is no single product that is an exact replica of Balance of Nature, there are numerous comparable, and in many ways superior, alternatives available on the market. Options range from direct whole-food capsule competitors like Simply Nature's Promise to comprehensive greens powders like Athletic Greens and Ensō Supergreens. When seeking a replacement, focus on factors such as transparent third-party testing, ingredient quality, and overall cost-effectiveness. The best alternative will depend on your specific health goals, budget, and preference for capsules versus powder. A consultation with a healthcare provider is always recommended before starting any new dietary supplement.

Choosing Your Ideal Alternative

  1. For a direct, budget-friendly capsule alternative: Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies is an excellent choice, mirroring the format and ingredient profile but at a lower price and with better safety assurances.
  2. For a comprehensive, all-in-one nutritional boost: Athletic Greens (AG1) or Ensō Supergreens are ideal. They offer a wider spectrum of nutrients, including probiotics, though they come in powder form.
  3. For organic, gut-focused nutrition: Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood is a solid option, combining organic whole foods with probiotics and enzymes.

Remember that no supplement can fully replace a diet rich in fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. These products are meant to supplement, not substitute, a healthy eating plan. The alternatives discussed here simply offer more potent, transparent, or affordable ways to add supplemental nutrition to your daily routine.

For more detailed information on supplement comparisons, you can explore trusted health reviews and independent testing sites. A valuable resource for evaluating supplement quality and testing data is ConsumerLab.com, which offers unbiased reports on various products, including Balance of Nature alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many consumers look for alternatives due to Balance of Nature's high cost, lack of transparency regarding third-party testing, and past issues with FDA warnings for unproven health claims.

Yes, Simply Nature's Promise Simply Fruits & Veggies is often considered a close and often superior alternative. It offers a similar whole-food capsule format but at a more affordable price and with more reliable third-party testing.

Yes, several alternatives like Athletic Greens (AG1), Ensō Supergreens, and Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood include probiotics and digestive enzymes to support gut health, features that Balance of Nature's main products lack.

Neither is inherently better, but they offer different advantages. Powder supplements like Athletic Greens or Ensō Supergreens can provide a wider array of ingredients and are often easier to customize in serving size, while capsules are more convenient for those who dislike the taste of greens powder.

Alternatives can vary widely in price, but some, like Simply Nature's Promise or Garden of Life's fiber powder, can be 30% to 50% cheaper per month compared to Balance of Nature, especially when considering the lack of hidden fees.

Third-party testing from organizations like NSF or GMP-certification provides independent verification that a product's ingredients are accurately labeled and free from contaminants, ensuring safety and quality that isn't always clear with Balance of Nature.

Yes. Health experts and supplement companies themselves agree that supplements cannot replace a diet rich in fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. Supplements should be used to complement a healthy diet, not substitute for it.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

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