I never recommend anything to my clients that I haven't already tried in my work as a nutritionist. As a result, I've tested lots of green powder supplements in recent years. Many prove to be underwhelming. Some are actually scams. However, the ones that deliver on promises really deliver. Two of the green powder supplements that I keep going back to are KOS Show Me The Greens and Athletic Greens AG1, two of the best tasting greens powders on the market. The truth is that there's really only room in your life for one green powder. Which one should it be? Let me lay out all the facts of KOS versus Athletic Greens from a nutritionist's perspective to help you make the right choice!

Table Comparison of Athletic Greens Vs. KOS Greens

About KOS Show Me The Greens!

KOS Show Me The Greens is an amazing way to start the day. In fact, my recommendation for my clients when they choose this supplement is to mix up a glass immediately after waking up to begin the detoxification process. Being short on time doesn't have to be a reason to forgo wellness in the morning! The great thing about this formula is that you can have a juice-bar-level drink with just a few shakes.

You can actually enjoy KOS Show Me The Greens in three ways. The first way is to simply mix it with water. The second way is to add it to your fresh-pressed juice or smoothie. The third way is my own little nutritionist hack. This stuff tastes great when you freeze it to make popsicles. I like this method because it allows you to grab something premade that you can take on the go!

I think that anyone who tries Show Me The Greens is going to notice a change in their energy level pretty quickly. However, you may be curious to know what this mix is actually doing for your body on a long-term basis. The Show Me The Greens formulation is designed to proactively strengthen the immune system on a daily basis, aid in digestion, and help the body to absorb nutrients.

KOS Greens Formula

There's so much to unpack with the KOS Show Me The Greens formula. Let's get all of the basics out of the way first. This is a plant-based, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free product that's made in a GMP-certified facility using organic ingredients. What's more, every individual ingredient used in Show Me The Greens is free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, colors, and GMOs. Every batch is proudly made using USDA-certified ingredients in Southern California.

I'm so impressed by the rich, nutrient-filled ingredients packed into every scoop of Show Me The Greens. It's so easy to sip your way to better health with help from chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass, oat grass, lemon juice, cabbage powder, kale powder, broccoli powder, apple, green bell pepper, and assorted prebiotics. Once you taste the flavor of this powder, you're going to wonder how KOS created such sweetness without filling it with sugar. The answer is a mix of monk fruit extract, organic mint flavor, organic apple flavor, and stevia extract.

Pros

I love all of the natural prebiotic power packed into this powder. While it's easy to see how the ingredients can provide energy using vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, I think it's important to stay focused on just how beneficial this mix can be for your gut! I love seeing spirulina in there because this is such an underused natural prebiotic. In fact, spirulina has recently been linked with cancer prevention. Overall, you're getting a very clean formula that allows you to enhance your health without the questionable ingredients I've seen in many so-called health powders.

Cons

It's clear that I'm a fan of this green powder. However, I will admit that the formula is a bit "simple" compared to competitors. It lacks the probiotics, adaptogenic herbs, and other "exotic" ingredients that some other green powders use. Of course, not everyone is looking for highly potent formulas that make them feel "altered." That's why the Show Me The Greens formula is generally my pick for those of you seeking a gentle green powder that works with your body instead of potentially altering hormones.

Cost and Where to Buy

KOS Show Me The Greens costs $39.99 for a 30-day supply. Anyone who has browsed the aisles of their local supplement store knows that this is actually a steal. When ordering directly from the KOS website, you can save 15% by signing up for monthly deliveries.

About Athletic Greens (AG1)

Clients are constantly coming to me to ask if AG1 is "just hype." You'd have to be living under a rock to not hear about this "influencer" favorite. What do I really think about AG1 as a nutritionist? I like it.

The truth is that AG1 is a great product. However, I don't necessarily think this green powder is everyone's cup of tea. The reason why is that its formulation could be a little "extreme" in relation to the basic nutritional needs of everyday people. The big claim to fame with AG1 is that it packs in 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced nutrients. Let's break down the formula a little bit to see what that means for your health goals.

AG1 Greens Formula

AG1's formulation is definitely intense. First, AG1 uses carefully balanced multivitamins and multiminerals designed to help boost the nervous system and immune system. While I like this aspect of the formula, it isn't actually my favorite part. What I really like is the fact that AG1 uses both probiotics and prebiotics to support gut health. In addition to providing probiotic strains, AG1 also packs in the prebiotic fibers that act as food sources to help good bacteria multiply and flourish throughout the digestive system. While this mix of prebiotics and probiotics would be enough to impress me, AG1 hits it over the fence by also adding digestive enzymes to help you absorb nutrients as effectively as possible.

A mix of vitamins and digestive aids isn't all that rare in the supplement world. However, AG1 really takes it to the next level using two extra categories. The first category I want to discuss is AG1's phytonutrient blend. This green powder uses phytonutrients from nutrient-dense superfoods to amplify your nutritional intake within just a few weeks. The superfoods are sourced at peak harvest times to ensure optimal nutrient content. The second category is AG1's mix of plant extracts, adaptogenic herbs, and antioxidants that's designed to boost metabolism, support the immune system, and increase your resilience against stress.

Pros

I love the digestive support offered through a mix of probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes. In addition to supporting a healthy gut microbiome, this aspect of the formulation also ensures that you're going to get more "bang for your buck" because you can actually digest and absorb your green powder at optimal capacity. Ultimately, a green powder's quality comes down to your body's ability to actually use what it's ingesting. AG1 sets things up to make optimal absorption possible.

Cons

The things I like most about AG1 are also the things that give me pause. Let me explain. While I love the plant extracts and adaptogenic herbs in this formula, my experience as a nutritionist has shown me that not everyone responds positively to exotic herbs. In some cases, these types of ingredients can be powerful and potent enough to actually create hormonal changes. You really need to take things on a case-by-case basis when deciding if you want to get involved with a formula that is so intense. Many people might feel comfortable using a simpler formula that has lower potential for side effects.

Cost and Where to Buy

I will say that Athletic Greens doesn't do the best job of being transparent about pricing. In fact, you'll need to create an account on the Athletic Greens website to be able to review pricing. I'll tell you the "top-secret" price here. The cost for a 30-day supply works out to be $99. However, that gets bumped down to $79 for a 30-day supply if you subscribe for recurring deliveries.

Comparing Cost and Overall Value

There's no hiding the fact that AG1 is significantly more expensive than Show Me The Greens. I actually think that the higher cost is justified due to the fact that the ingredients used in AG1 are significantly more complicated than the ingredients in Show Me The Greens. However, I don't think that the ingredients are necessarily higher in quality. Quality is basically even. The question of value comes down to how intense you want to get with plant extracts and adaptogenic herbs.

Comparing Formulas

While I don't want to sound like a broken record, I will say again that AG1's formula is significantly more complex than the Show Me The Greens Formula. Show Me The Greens covers all the bases that a green powder should cover in terms of promoting healthy digestion, a strong immune system, and a robust metabolism. However, it stops short of introducing probiotic strains and adaptogenic herbs that can powerfully alter your body's chemistry. People interested in getting a natural boost are going to love it. If you're at the point where you want to play around with how various herbs and extracts can impact your body, AG1 is the way to go.

Comparing Taste: Which Tastes Better?

Both are tasty for a green powder. KOS Show Me The Greens is slightly tastier. The sweet, nourishing flavor of Show Me The Greens makes this powder very palatable. While AG1 is also pretty palatable, it has what I would describe as grassy, earthy flavor.

Main Differences Between Athletic Greens and KOS Greens

KOS has created a "universal" formula for anyone looking to add more green goodness to their diets. This green powder is ideal for boosting energy, getting the gut in balance, and fortifying the immune system. However, the formula isn't designed to fundamentally change the way your body operates. By contrast, AG1 is a powerful supplement that introduces herbs and supplements that alter body chemistry. That means that AG1 requires a bit more caution when deciding if it's an appropriate choice for you. Finally, I do want to acknowledge the price difference. You shouldn't feel like you have to go broke just to be healthy. Paying three times more for AG1 isn't actually necessary if your budget is more compatible with the price of Show Me The Greens.

Which Is Better: KOS Greens or Athletic Greens?

I'll go on record as saying I like both. However, the green powder that I feel more comfortable about recommending to my own clients is KOS Show Me The Greens. The lack of experimental herbs in this formula makes me confident that it's a well-tolerated, gentle green mix that can help you to boost energy levels without feeling altered in any way. AG1 definitely impresses me with its bold mix of nutrients and adaptogenic herbs. I can see how this might be a good next-level option for someone who has already had success with other green powders. However, I'm not sure it's my top pick for someone looking to try green powder for the first time.

Final Thoughts From a Nutritionist on Choosing Between KOS Greens and Athletic Greens

My final verdict actually has two parts. I think that KOS Show Me The Greens is the right pick if you're trying green powder for the first time. This formula is great for experimenting with the ways that green juices can boost health, energy levels, metabolism, and immunity. You can also use this "gateway" green powder to gauge how you feel after infusing antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients into your life. If you're ready to graduate to a more sophisticated green powder, I think AG1 can be a good choice. My only word of caution is to do your research to make sure that you can tolerate the herbs within the AG1 formula based on your personal health history.