If you’re in search of a new protein supplement, you may have realized that not all protein powders are created equal. With so many on the market, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of ingredients on each nutrition panel.
Garden of Life is a very popular health and wellness product brand with different supplements and protein powders. This specific protein powder, Garden of Life Protein and Greens, is a very popular option among fitness and health gurus alike. With 20 grams of raw, organic plant protein and six different types of greens and veggies, this protein powder claims to be a great addition to your daily nutrition, at an actually affordable price.
So, is it truly all it claims to be? Let’s take a closer look at this protein powder’s ingredients, benefits, and more in this Garden of Life Protein and Greens review!
Garden of Life Protein and Greens Benefits
Improves Digestion
This protein powder is made from organic, raw plant protein sources, so it is not as hard on the digestive system as other protein powders and protein sources. Additionally, the greens in this powder are great for digestion and bowel regularity. This protein powder also contains a raw probiotic and enzyme blend, which is especially crucial in protein powder formulas. The enzymes in this formula help enhance digestion and increase the bioavailability of many of the nutrients in this protein powder. The probiotics are also great for overall digestion and bowel regularity.
Increases Energy
This protein powder is also packed with nutrient-rich energy due to its greens component. The greens in this formula, including ingredients like organic broccoli, organic peas, organic kale, and other organic greens, are beneficial for overall health and natural energy levels. These greens are nutritiously dense and important for cellular health and cellular energy, which can help naturally boost our energy levels throughout the day.
Great Source of Protein
This protein powder contains 20 grams of organic, raw protein derived from pea protein and organic sprouted brown rice protein. This raw, organic protein is a great option, especially for those following a plant-based diet that otherwise may not be getting protein from animal sources. This protein powder and its high protein content are very beneficial for muscle health and muscle repair, which can be especially important for those not getting enough protein and those who are maybe more active and looking to build muscle.
Garden of Life Protein and Greens Ingredients
There are two main blends in this formula: a raw protein and greens blend and an enzyme and probiotic blend.
The raw protein and greens blend contains plant-based protein sources in the form of organic brown rice protein and organic pea protein. Garden of Life raw protein powder also contains a wide array of organic greens including organic spinach, kale, broccoli, and peas.
This blend also contains superfood greens like organic alfalfa grass juice. Organic chia is also included in the formula, which is a great source of omega fatty acids, which can help promote heart and brain health. Chia is also quite beneficial for the digestive system as well. The greens in this formula are potent in nutrients, especially some micronutrients that you may not be getting in your everyday diet.
This vegan protein powder is also easy on the digestive system, and is really a great option for plant protein, with 20 grams in total, to help ensure muscle health and recovery as well as amino acid levels in the body.
The enzyme and probiotic blend contains a formula of digestive enzymes like lipase, protease, and cellulase. These digestive enzymes help ensure proper digestion of some of these ingredients and greens, and just helps make sure your digestive system is operating at its highest potential throughout the day. The digestive enzymes also help ensure that you are actually absorbing so many of these vitamins and minerals in the blend. This raw organic protein also contains 1.5 billion CFU of probiotics, making it a great supplement for healthy digestion and bowel regularity as well.
The formula also contains a flavor blend that includes vanilla flavors and stevia leaf extract, which is used to sweeten Garden of Life’s raw organic protein.
Is Garden of Life Protein and Greens Really That Healthy?
This clean organic protein is really a great protein powder to consider when it comes to plant-based protein. With certified organic greens, nutrient-dense ingredients, potent plant protein sources, and a full digestion-promoting blend, this formula was designed to really support whole body health.
The protein content in this powder is also really great. Plant protein sources are not all created equal, but pea protein and brown rice protein are really great sources that boast a complete panel of amino acids that support muscle health and recovery. However, we should mention that there are protein powders on the market with even more protein than just 20 grams.
The other concern when it comes to the healthy attributes of this protein powder is the flavoring and sweetener source. The vanilla flavors are questionable since we don’t know where they are derived from, so it might be a processed source, although it is organic. The stevia leaf is used to provide naturally occurring sugar sources, however, stevia is known to provide digestive discomfort and might not be suitable for those with digestion issues. In the grand scheme of things though, many protein powder formulas contain far more concerning ingredients.
Is Garden of Life Protein and Greens Safe?
This formula in Garden of Life Protein and Greens is very safe for consumption. The largest area of concern would be digestion due to the high fiber content, enzyme and probiotic blend, and the stevia extract. If you have digestion struggles, the fiber, enzymes, and probiotics might cause bloating. The stevia also has some side effects, users often reporting the following side effects:
- bloating
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- abdominal pain
How Does Garden of Life Protein and Greens Compare?
Garden of Life Protein and Greens ranks pretty high among the many protein powders on the market. However, there are some other options that are just as powerful and healthy, at potentially a more affordable price point.
Naked Nutrition is a well-known protein powder brand, with many different vegan protein powders available. Their most popular product is their Naked Pea Protein, which contains 27 grams of pea protein, more protein than Protein and Greens. The only ingredient in this protein powder is yellow pea protein, making it pretty healthy and reduces the likelihood of side effects. However, it does not contain those greens and enzymes/probiotics that set Protein and Greens apart. Naked Pea Protein is also about $58, far more expensive than Garden of Life’s powder, but it contains five times as much protein powder, so it’s actually a more economical option.
Another great protein powder is by the brand Nuzest. Nuzest contains 21 grams of protein powder derived from peas, which is also the only ingredient in this formula. This protein powder is one of the most highly rated protein powders on the market, and has been found to be very tasty among consumers with a wide array of flavors. It is about $26 for 0.5 pounds of the powder, which is about half as much as Garden of Life’s and about a tenth as much as Naked Nutrition’s. This is definitely a pricier product, but is one of the most popular brands in the protein world.
Where to Buy Garden of Life Protein and Greens
Garden of Life Protein and Greens is available directly from the Garden of Life website.
A one-time purchase of Garden of Life Protein and Greens is currently priced at $38.39, on sale from $47.99.
