Morning Complete Vs Athletic Greens: Energizing The Superfood Showdown

In this article, we will compare Morning Complete and Athletic Greens, two popular superfood blends designed to support your gut, energy levels, and more. 

As a dietitian, I understand that it can be tough to stay on top of your nutrition day in and day out. And while you can’t skip fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods too often, you can use a supplement to help you top up.

But which one is the best? I’m here to provide unbiased and research-based information for you to make the best decision for your health journey. 

At a Glance

When considering Morning Complete vs. Athletic Greens, both products offer unique benefits. However, Athletic Greens stands out with its vast panel of ingredients, transparent labeling of micronutrients, certified testing, and positive reviews.

While Athletic Greens takes the lead in terms of ingredients, evidence, and reputation, Morning Complete might be the better option for you if you want a cheaper product with similar health claims.

Keep reading to explore specific features of each supplement, including benefits, ingredients, taste, and side effects. 

Quick Facts: Face To Face Comparison

	Morning Complete	Athletic Greens
Dietary Preferences	Dairy-free, Artificial Sweetener-free, and Vegan	Dairy-free, Wheat-free, Gluten-free, Corn-free, Lactose-free, Sucrose-free, Egg-free, Peanut-free, and Vegan
Ingredient Count	35	75
Probiotic Count	10 Billion CFU	7.2 Billion CFU
Calories per Serving	15	50 Calories per scoop
Macronutrient Count per serving	5g Carbohydrate, No fat or protein listed	6g Carbohydrate, 2g Protein, No fat listed
Net Carbs Per Serving	1g	4g
Serving Recommendations	Mix a scoop (7.6g) of our easy-dissolve powder in with the liquid of your choice – we suggest water or iced green tea – and drink.	Take one scoop (12g) per day with 8-10 ounces of water first thing in the morning.
Flavors	Apple Cinnamon	Vanilla Pineapple
Price Per Serving (One-time purchase)	$2.13 – $2.63	$3.30 – $3.63
Certifications	Made in USA Third-Party Tested	– NSF Certified for Sport – Third-party tested by NSF – Manufactured in a TGA-registered, NSF (GMP) registered facilities

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Introductions

What is Morning Complete?

Morning Complete is a daily superfood blend that aims to support various areas of health and wellbeing. These include gut health, energy production, metabolic function, liver support, and blood sugar management. 

It is made of about 35 ingredients and nine proprietary blends, all created for each health benefit that Morning Complete may offer. 

What is Athletic Greens?

Athletic Greens, now sold as AG1, is a very popular superfood supplement known for its high quality. It has gained recognition for its well-researched formula and positive customer reviews.

AG1 boasts major benefits for healthy aging, immunity, digestion, energy, athletic performance, and cognition. It is made of 75 ingredients, which are split into four different blends.

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Standout Features

Morning Complete

• Made in the USA
• 10 Billion CFU Probiotics
• Nine Proprietary Blends

Athletic Greens

• 75 Ingredients
• Manufactured in a TGA-registered, NSF (GMP) registered facilities
• Option to buy travel-sized packets
• NSF Certified for Sport
• Certified Third-Party Tested
• Certified Allergen-Free

Morning Complete Overview

Morning Complete is produced by a company called ActivatedYou. Its mission is to create scientific wellness products to support overall health. 

On their website, they state “purity” is their number one priority, so they do ensure their products are third-party tested. That being said, I couldn’t find who on their website.

Along with the purity, Morning Complete is free of artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Main Benefits

• May Regulate Digestion and Reduce Bloating: Ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes work together to balance the gut microbiome and regulate digestion. 

Other ingredients like ginger root and green tea extract have been used traditionally to reduce bloating. Together, they can all promote better GI health.

• May Support Metabolic Function and Weight Management: Chromium, grape seed extract, and green tea have been studied for their effects on metabolic efficiency, which can lead to better weight management. 

Chromium especially has been associated with improved energy metabolism.

• Might Help Reduce Stress: There is an adaptogen blend in Morning Complete made with ingredients like Astragalus root extract and Rhodiola. 

Both ingredients have been shown to reduce stress and related cognitive disorders.

• Might Support Healthy Liver and Cellular Function: Morning Complete contains ingredients like milk thistle extract, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and D-mannose, all known for their protective qualities for the liver and other cells. 

Milk thistle especially is known for its ability to support liver function.

• May Help Manage Blood Sugar: An interesting ingredient in Morning Complete is called Gymnema sylvestre extract. 

It is a plant-based ingredient known for its potential benefits for supporting healthy blood sugar.

Pros

• 10 Billion CFU Probiotics
• Third-Party Tested
• Made in USA
• Cheaper than AG1

Cons

• No micronutrient daily values listed on label
• Testing unclear
• Still costs much more than some other greens supplements

Athletic Greens Overview

Athletic Greens, or AG1, is produced by a company of the same name based in New Zealand. They have gained popularity for their focus on comprehensive daily nutrition, gut health, and athletic performance. 

The company’s mission is to provide a convenient daily dose of nutrition filled with all of the essential nutrients in a carefully curated blend. 

They also share their methods of third-party testing, heavy metal testing, and research to back up their product.

Main Benefits

• May Support Healthy Aging: Athletic Greens includes a variety of antioxidants, including resveratrol, Coenzyme Q10, and vitamin C. All of these combat oxidative stress, which is a process that can lead to long-term illness later in life. 

• Might Have Immunity Support: Antioxidants listed above, along with other immune-supporting ingredients like zinc and elderberry extract, play a role in keeping our immune systems strong. 

Research shows these micronutrients even work together to improve immune cell function.

• May Improve Gut Health: The 7.2 Billion CFU probiotics, as well as prebiotics and digestive enzymes in AG1 support a healthy gut microbiome and better digestion. Probiotics have been shown to enhance nutrient absorption, balance gut bacteria, and even improve immune function.

• May Lead to Sustained Energy: Green tea extract, ashwagandha, and Rhodiola are all known for their potential to support energy levels and ward off fatigue. 

Green tea extract has been studied for its impact on energy expenditure, while ashwagandha and rhodiola are both adaptogens that may help your body adapt to stress and promote energy. 

• Might Improve Recovery: This comprehensive blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals may contribute to improved recovery and reduced soreness after exercise. Antioxidants play a crucial role in relieving inflammation, which can occur after exercise.

• May Support Cognitive Health: An ingredient called Bacopa monnieri is just one of many ingredients in AG1 that can support better cognition. It has been used traditionally to support cognitive function and even reduce mental fatigue. 

Pros

• 75 Ingredients
• Nutrition panel lists micronutrient values
• Caffeine-Free, Dairy-free, Wheat-free, Gluten-free, Corn-free, Lactose-free, Sucrose-free, Egg-free, Peanut-free, and Vegan
• Marketed as Keto and Paleo-friendly
• Third-party tested by NSF
• Manufactured in a TGA-registered, NSF (GMP) registered facilities
• No artificial ingredients
• Option to buy travel-sized packs
• Option to make a one-time buy or sign up for a subscription
• Tested for heavy metals

Cons

• More expensive than many other supplements
• Flavor has been reported to differ slightly between each product

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Ingredients Breakdown

Morning Complete

Morning Complete is made of nine proprietary blends to deliver each of its claimed benefits. While specific amounts of each ingredient is not on the label, here are some key components:

Prebiotic Fiber Blend

Something that sets Morning Complete apart from AG1 is this specific blend of prebiotics and fiber. Each serving of Morning Complete packs in 4 grams of fiber, which is about 7% of your daily needs.

Green Superfoods and Antioxidants

Various superfoods are used in Morning Complete, which contribute to antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. However, compared to AG1, this blend is low in diversity and variety of superfood ingredients. 

10 Billion CFU of Probiotics

There are 10 Billion CFU of probiotics in Morning Complete, which is a little more than AG1. Probiotics are live bacteria that help to grow the good bacteria in your gut. 

However, taking such a large amount can cause stomach issues at first, so take it with caution.

It’s also worth noting the Morning Complete doesn’t include any daily values of vitamins or minerals on their panel. This means you don’t know how much of each nutrient you are truly getting. 

Unfortunately, that’s a red flag for me, because you could either be getting a lot less nutrition than you thought, or too much. 

List of Ingredients

• Prebiotic and High Fiber, 4.05 g
  • Organic tapioca fiber, cinnamon bark
• Green Superfoods Blend, 735 mg
  • Spinach, broccoli, kale, mulberry leaf extract, alfalfa leaf, barley grass, berberine HCI (from Berberis aristata root)
• Metabolic Enhancing Blend, 390 mg
  • Green tea leaf extract, ginger root, white tea leaf extract, turmeric root extract, bitter melon fruit extract, black pepper
• Antioxidant Blend, 100 mg
  • Lycium berry, pomegranate fruit extract, Polygonum cuspidatum root extract (50% resveratrol)
• Sugar Balancing Support, 100 mg
  • Gymnema sylvestre leaf, fennel seed, pine bark extract
• Adaptogens, 55 mg
  • Astragalus root extract, Rhodiola rosea root extract, diindolylmethane
• Cellular Function and Liver Support, 30 mg
  • Aloe vera leaf, milk thistle seed extract
• Probiotic Blend, 10 billion CFU
  • B. coagulans, L. gasseri, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, B. bifidum, B. longum, L. acidophilus, L. casei, S. thermophilus

Athletic Greens

Athletic Greens prides itself on a comprehensive formula that they have improved over the last 14 years. Some of my favorite components include:

Adaptogens

You’ll have read the word adaptogens a few times now, and these are just ingredients that help your body adapt to stress, whether physical or mental. They have been studied for their effects on balancing hormones and improving stress levels. 

These ingredients can therefore help to enhance muscle recovery and cognitive performance.

Superfoods

There are so many superfoods in AG1, which is part of the reason why they changed their name. Before they changed to AG1, Athletic Greens was mainly focused on their blend of just greens (i.e. kale, spirulina, spinach, etc). 

However, now that their blend is focused on a plethora of superfoods, they wanted to change the name to encapsulate them all.

Digestive Enzymes

AG1 has a blend that contains many digestive enzymes, including bromelain and burdock root. These digestive enzymes are able to help you digest your food, which means less bloating and more nutrient absorption.

List of Ingredients

• Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Raw Superfood Complex, 7,388 mg
  • Spirulina, lecithin, apple powder, inulin, wheat grass juice powder, alfalfa, chlorella, barley leaf, broccoli flower, papaya, pineapple, bilberry fruit extract, grape seed extract, green tea leaf extract, licorice root, lycium berry extract, ginger rhizome, slippery elm, kelp
• Nutrient-Dense Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants, 2,732 mg
  • Alkaline pea protein isolate, citrus bioflavonoids extract, artichoke leaf extract, citric acid, rhodiola root, eleuthero root, milk thistle seed, R, S alpha-lipoic acid, ashwagandha, dandelion, hawthorn berry, beta-glucans, policosanol, coenzyme Q-10, stevia, vitamin K2
• Digestive Enzyme and Super Mushroom Complex, 154 mg
  • Astragalus root, bromelain, burdock root, reishi mushroom, shitake mushroom
• Probiotics 7.2 billion CFUs, 38 mg
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus UALz-01, Bifidobacterium bifidum UABb-10
• 21 Vitamins and Minerals
  • Vitamin A: 555mcg, 62% DV
  • Vitamin C: 420mg, 467% DV
  • Vitamin E: 83mg, 553% DV
  • Thiamin: 3mg, 250% DV
  • Riboflavin: 2mg, 154% DV
  • Niacin: 20mg NE, 125% DV
  • Vitamin B6: 3mg, 176% DV
  • Folate: 680mc DFE, 170% DV
  • Vitamin B12: 22mcg, 917% DV
  • Biotin: 22mcg, 1110% DV
  • Pantothenic acid: 4mg, 80% DV
  • Calcium: 118mg, 9% DV
  • Phosphorus: 130mg, 10% DV
  • Magnesium: 26mg, 6% DV
  • Zinc: 15mg, 136% DV
  • Selenium: 20mcg, 36% DV
  • Copper: 195 mcg, 22% DV
  • Manganese: 400mcg, 17% DV
  • Chromium: 25 mcg, 71% DV
  • Sodium: 45mg, 2% DV
  • Potassium: 300mg, 6% DV

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Taste Test 

Morning Complete Taste

Morning Complete is described as having a light taste with a hint of sweetness. It states it has an apple cinnamon flavor that is not artificially sweetened. They do use a natural sweetener called monk fruit extract. 

From my research, the majority of consumers like the taste. Some have even compared it to iced tea. 

Morning Complete is also advertised as an easy-mixing formula, so it might have a finer texture than other greens supplements.

That being said, with all supplements there will be user preferences, so some didn’t like the flavor very much. 

Athletic Greens Taste

Athletic Greens markets their mild and pleasant taste profile of tropical vanilla and pineapple. They also use a natural sweetener called stevia leaf. 

Many users appreciate the smooth and refreshing taste, which makes AG1 easy to consume daily.

However, taste is subjective, and some mentioned a grassy or earthy undertone. So, no matter what supplement you choose, the best flavor will come down to your own preferences. 

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Pricing Comparison

Now, let’s compare the pricing. Something to note is Morning Complete does not offer a subscription service, but you can buy multiple jars at a discount. 

Meanwhile, AG1 offers a monthly subscription service and travel packs. 

Morning Complete

• Price
  • It’s $79 per jar of Morning Complete, which contains 30 servings
  • They don’t offer a monthly subscription, but you can buy three or six jars for a discount of $213 and $403, respectively
• Price Per Serving
  • $2.63 without buying multiples
  • $2.36 for three jars and $1.49 for nine jars
• Container Size
  • 8 oz per jar

Athletic Greens

• Price
  • It costs $99 USD for a one-time buy of 30 servings or one container of Athletic Greens 
  • If you choose the single-serving travel packets, it will cost $109 for a one-time purchase of 30 packets
  • The monthly subscription to Athletic Greens will cost $79 per container or $89 for 30 travel packs per month
• Price Per Serving
  • $3.30 per serving without a subscription
  • $2.63 per serving with a subscription
• Container Size
  • 12.7 oz per container
  • 12g per single-serving travel pack

Comparison of Side Effects and Safety

Morning Complete does not list any safety disclaimers on their website. AG1 states that anyone who is under medical supervision, on medication, is pregnant, or breastfeeding should check with their doctor before taking. 

I’d recommend that for any new supplement, so check with your doctor no matter which supplement you choose.

Some users reported bloating or gas while taking either Morning Complete or Athletic Greens, especially at the start. As mentioned above, these effects are usually due to the high intake of probiotics and are often temporary. 

It’s recommended to start with a lower dosage and gradually increase overtime to grow accustomed to it.

Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens: Which Is the Best Option?

When comparing Morning Complete and Athletic Greens, both offer some unique features that set them apart.

For example, Morning Complete is more affordable and has more probiotics and fiber per serving.

However, Athletic Greens offers a lot more ingredients, is third-party tested by the NSF, includes nutrient daily values, and offers a subscription program.

So, even with the higher cost, I think Athletic Greens is better.

Why We Think AG Is the Better Option

After reviewing both products, I would recommend Athletic Greens over Morning Complete.

Its comprehensive list of ingredients, solid reputation, and in-depth information on their site allows me to get all of the information I need to trust this product. 

While it is more expensive, I’d rather invest a little more in my supplement and know what I’m taking rather than just guess.

On top of that, they offer a subscription service, travel packs, and are free of most allergens.

Final Thoughts on Morning Complete vs Athletic Greens

When you’re taking any supplement, it’s important to make sure it’s one that you trust. That means checking for third-party testing, research, and reputable sources before investing in that product.

It’s also key to understand that greens powders cannot replace whole, fresh foods. No matter which superfood supplement you choose, you still need fresh produce in your daily diet for best results.

In general, Athletic Greens tells us more about the quality, safety, and efficacy of their product. They offer tons of great info on their site to make sure I have all of the details I need before making a recommendation. See for yourself here.

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