My grandfather at all times mentioned just a few phrases which have guided and haunted me all through my life: “It’s a must to strive one thing 12 occasions earlier than you could be certain you don’t prefer it.” Although the precise numbers differ, there’s some science to again up the adage. I anticipated this to use to seafood, wine, and anything thought of an acquired style. However, I used to be shocked to find that it additionally described my experiment with the wellness complement du jour: AG1, by Athletic Greens.
Whereas I’m not one to fall prey to influencer advertising and marketing, I’ve to say Athletic Greens’ partnering with all my favourite social media personalities labored its strategic magic. In the event that they have been hooked, I’d need to think about that I may additionally profit from the stuff.
So, with one too many aesthetically pleasing Reels of fairly folks prepping the inexperienced stuff, just a few five-star suggestions from pals, and a podcast promo code, Athletic Greens had damaged me down. I, too, was curious whether or not this seemingly miraculous, science-backed mix of 75 nutritional vitamins and minerals might do my thoughts and physique some much-needed good.
I positioned my order and dove in, ready to be amazed—or doubtlessly upset. That is my sincere overview.
What’s Athletic Greens?
To begin, let’s break down Athletic Greens’ historical past. Based in 2010, Athletic Greens is most identified for its flagship product, AG1. The greens powder combines nutritional vitamins, minerals, and vitamins designed to advertise intestine well being, help immunity, enhance vitality, and show you how to get better sooner from exercises and bodily exercise.
Based on CEO Chris Ashenden, the model’s focus is on “foundational vitamin.” I assume this speaks to the product’s position in supplementing a wholesome life-style, serving to to fill the dietary wants our on a regular basis weight loss program may not fulfill.
Anecdotally, I started to be aware of the model a few years again, when it appeared like each well being web site and wellness influencer was taking AG1 every day. I can pinpoint the precise second my curiosity was absolutely piqued, and I gave the model a comply with on social media. I used to be deep into considered one of my favourite podcasts, The Blonde Information, when host Arielle Lorre (whom I can thank for my promo code) known as AG1 considered one of her “wellness non-negotiables.” And although I felt the ability of affect at play, I held onto the reminiscence of that minute-long advert. If all I needed to do was purchase, combine, and drink liquefied powder for enviable vitality, then perhaps I used to be being naive, however I wished in.
How is AG1 completely different from different greens powders?
Whereas I’m referring to the complement as a greens powder all through this text, Athletic Greens is adamant about being far more than merely an alternative choice to your darkish leafy greens. The really useful every day serving—a single scoop—provides:
- nutritional vitamins and minerals to help immune well being and strengthen your nervous system
- prebiotics and probiotics to offer digestive help
- superfood-derived phytonutrients that help the microbiome
- immune-supporting mushrooms
- adaptogenic herbs and antioxidants to alleviate stress and supply metabolic and vitality help
My AG1 ritual
AG1 is expensive. I bought the one, 30-day subscription for $79. Along with your order, you get a month’s provide of AG1, a storage jar and shaker, and 5 “free” journey packs. On prime of that, my delivery price was $9. Whereas it may not seem to be a lot, I needed to grit my tooth on this heyday of free delivery. Fortunately, you possibly can cancel your subscription anytime, so the dedication was comparatively minimal.
I got down to see how AG1 would fare with my already-established wellness routine. That meant understanding on the identical schedule as I at all times do, aiming for a similar quantity of sleep, and never making any main adjustments to my weight loss program. Whereas my week on AG1 was certainly not a deeply scientific examine, I wished to know if I’d really feel any completely different by merely including the complement to my on a regular basis habits.
Day 1
As recommended, AG1 was the very first thing I consumed within the morning. Earlier than my espresso and avocado toast, I combined a scoop of AG1 with eight ounces of water. My bundle got here with a branded wide-mouth water bottle completely designed for getting my greens in liquid type. After securing and shaking the bottle, I undid the lid to uncover a frothy, mossy inexperienced beverage.
Hesitant however curious to eat the vanilla taste opinions claimed, I took a sip. My first thought? There’s no means I’m ending this. IMO, the style was far too candy. Although it had a barely fruity, tropical tang, the dominant style was unmistakably synthetic and, frankly, gave me a headache. All in all, it took me about two hours to complete the entire thing (child sips, of us).
I carried on with my exercise as deliberate. As a result of this was my first day, I didn’t discover any shift in my vitality or how I felt general. My foremost takeaway from the kick-off of my experiment was: How on earth am I going to make it via this week?
Day 2
I awakened feeling somewhat extra decided to find the crave-worthy taste of AG1 that everybody’s been touting. Adopting a distinct method, I shook up my scoop with water and ice. That drop in temperature made a major distinction. Once I drank the AG1 this time, it had a clearer, crisper taste and mouthfeel. It was much less sludgy than the day earlier than. (Although I swear, I shook it as onerous as I might.)
Feeling like a wellness girly, I plopped my AG1 down subsequent to my laptop computer as I began my day sifting via my inbox. Although the placebo impact was clearly at play, one thing about having that inexperienced bottle subsequent to me made me really feel a bit extra productive. There are worse issues.
Day 3
On the tail-end of my interval in the present day, I awakened and seen that my pores and skin was considerably clearer than it had been the day prior. It was brighter than it often is at this level in my cycle. I went to the kitchen, shook up my AG1, and located that I used to be already starting to get used to the flavour. My preliminary impression was that of a barely thinner inexperienced juice. It felt like the flavour had been engineered to masks one thing significantly unsavory. However I used to be coming round to it. At this level, I’ll have even appreciated it.
That morning, I texted just a few pals who had tried Athletic Greens. They confirmed that the style takes somewhat getting used to. For many, they started to stay up for their every day dose of AG1 between their third and seventh day—props to me for being on the early finish.
Day 4
Athletic Greens’ Instagram is filled with concepts for consuming their product past the ol’ H20 standby. So, I attempted their final summer time smoothie bowl recipe to combine issues up midway via my trial. I discovered that the beforehand offending taste was utterly masked by including almond butter, banana, apple, dates, and oat milk. I might see this turning into a go-to breakfast. And whereas the blood-sugar-balancing fans would possibly protest this smoothie’s glucose overload, pairing your fruits with the almond butter’s wholesome fat is a strong technique to mitigate the spike.
This was the primary day I seen a delicate physiological change. I had extra vitality throughout my afternoon barre exercise and—day 5 spoiler—wasn’t in any respect sore after I awakened the following day.
Day 5
The wake-up this morning was the most effective I can recount in current historical past. With little effort, I received up instantly to my 6:30 a.m. alarm and went straight into just a few morning stretches and a quick meditation. Whereas I’d take into account myself a morning particular person, this stage of alertness was out of the atypical. Mentally, I felt sharp, aligned, and motivated to transition to my to-do record.
I made the identical AG1-infused smoothie as I did the day earlier than and found an extra burst of vitality after ending my glass. I made it via my morning to-dos whereas staying on-task and targeted. Thanks, AG1.
Day 6
Whereas my wake-up name wasn’t as miraculous as yesterday’s, I did sleep soundly and awoke feeling rested. Craving my common savory breakfast (a slice of avocado toast with a poached egg), I opted for AG1 and ice water. Apparently, it took till in the present day to note that my longing for a second mid-morning espresso had disappeared totally. As an alternative, my single cup sufficed when it comes to each my vitality ranges and feeling satiated post-breakfast.
I usually fall sufferer to the dreaded 3 p.m. stoop, however in the present day, I managed to push via all my end-of-day duties and even loved a 45-minute exercise. To say that my vitality ranges stayed regular all through the day could be an understatement. I’m not an evangelist of wellness (meditation apart), however when one thing solves my dwindling vitality, I’ve to shout it from the rooftops. I seen a simple wind-down after dinner and was in a position to go to sleep shortly and soundly. That’s quite a bit to be mentioned for somebody who offers with occasional bouts of insomnia.
Day 7
I began this journey not sure of how I’d make it up to now. In hindsight, nevertheless, issues turned out for the higher on day three. By now, my every day rhythms got here to count on the AG1 earlier than all else, and I’ve to confess: There’s something comforting and ritualistic about sipping on it very first thing.
Whereas I mentioned I wouldn’t make any vital adjustments to my weight loss program, I did discover that the complement naturally impressed me to make nutrient-dense selections. I saved up a constant sample of greens all through the day: a protein-packed salad for lunch, a inexperienced smoothie for a snack, and a tall pile of roasted broccoli to accompany that night time’s meal. One thing about doing good issues for my physique within the morning impressed me to maintain up the momentum all day lengthy. Can AG1 encourage a mindset shift? The correlation doubtless isn’t sturdy sufficient to name it reality, however after per week on the greens powder, I can verify with confidence: The outcomes I noticed this week have been sufficient to maintain me going.
The takeaway
I nonetheless have about 20 servings left in my first cargo of AG1, and I’ll see it via to the tip. Admittedly, per week isn’t sufficient time to really feel the long-term advantages construct up. In fact, the value level marks a steep barrier to entry, and as many nutritionists will verify, you don’t want a flowery complement to fulfill your every day necessities for nutritional vitamins and minerals. However with the constructive outcomes I skilled, I can verify that it’s definitely worth the hype.
Finally, this can be a handy product that performed into my mind’s constructive reward facilities—and that’s not a nasty factor! The routine of prepping AG1 every morning earlier than breakfast (or as part of my morning meal) signaled that I used to be doing one thing good for my physique. It helped set the muse for these habits to proceed all through the day. A reworked perspective and extra vitality? That’s what we wish to name a win-win.
Supply: The Every Girl
