Athletic Greens (AG1) vs. 1st Leaf?

1st Leaf Microgreen Powder vs. AG1: Which Greens Powder Fits Your Lifestyle?

Greens powders have become one of the fastest-growing supplements in wellness. They’re convenient, nutrient-packed, and designed to support energy, digestion, and immunity. Two names stand out: AG1 (Athletic Greens), one of the most recognized brands in the industry, and 1st Leaf Microgreen Powder, a new player redefining what greens should mean.

If you’re trying to decide between the two, the answer depends on what you value: comprehensive coverage vs. pure, nutrient-dense greens. Let’s compare.

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What is 1st Leaf Microgreen Powder?

1st Leaf takes a food-first approach. Instead of mixing dozens of ingredients, the focus is on five microgreens: broccoli, kale, mustard, red cabbage, and pea shoots. These microgreens are grown in a controlled indoor farm, harvested at peak potency, and freeze-dried to lock in 97% of their nutritional value.

Why microgreens? Research shows they can contain 4–40× more vitamins and up to 100× more phytonutrients than their mature counterparts. One scoop of 1st Leaf equals 6–7 cups of vegetables—no unnecessary fillers, artificial sweeteners, or synthetic vitamins.

It’s a clean, transparent, wholefood formula designed for people who want pure plant nutrition in its most powerful form. Made in the USA with microgreens grown and processed by 1st Leaf.

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What is AG1 (Athletic Greens)?

AG1 has been around for over a decade and built its reputation as an all-in-one daily supplement. One scoop contains 75+ ingredients, including:
    •    Whole-food powders
    •    Synthetic vitamins and minerals
    •    Probiotics and prebiotics
    •    Adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi
    •    Digestive enzymes

AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport, making it popular among athletes and professionals who want assurance that it’s safe, clean, and accurately labeled.

It’s designed to replace multiple supplements by covering nutrition gaps in a single scoop. AG1 is manufactured in New Zealand and is manufactured from all third-party ingredients. 

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Ingredient Philosophy: Simplicity vs. Complexity
    •    1st Leaf: Minimalist, wholefood only. Microgreens = maximum natural nutrient density.
    •    AG1: Comprehensive and broad. Many ingredients, but some are present in small amounts.

This is the main dividing line: 1st Leaf bets on potency through purity, while AG1 emphasizes breadth through diversity.

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Nutritional Benefits

1st Leaf Microgreen Powder
    •    Sulforaphane from broccoli microgreens supports detox and cellular health.
    •    High antioxidant levels from kale, mustard, and red cabbage.
    •    Natural prebiotic fiber supports gut balance.
    •    No synthetic vitamins—just food-based nutrition.

AG1 (Athletic Greens)
    •    High doses of synthetic vitamins (B12, C, D, etc.) to fill gaps quickly.
    •    Five probiotic strains for digestion.
    •    Adaptogens to help manage stress and recovery.
    •    Wide coverage across many wellness areas.

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Taste and Mixability
    •    1st Leaf: Fresh, light citrus-mint flavor. Mixes smoothly in water or blends well in smoothies.
    •    AG1: Earthy with pineapple/vanilla notes, sweetened with stevia. Pleasant for most, though flavor preference is subjective.

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Price Comparison
    •    1st Leaf: Priced competitively within premium greens powders, offering high value for its nutrient density.
    •    AG1: Around $2.50–$3 per serving, reflecting its positioning as a multivitamin + probiotic + greens powder in one.

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Who Should Choose What?
    •    Choose 1st Leaf if:
You want clean, plant-based nutrition from wholefoods only. Perfect if you care about ingredient transparency, gut health, and maximum potency per scoop.
    •    Choose AG1 if:
You want a broad supplement solution that combines vitamins, probiotics, and adaptogens. Ideal if you prefer the convenience of an all-in-one product.

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Final Thoughts

Both AG1 and 1st Leaf are leaders in the greens category, but their philosophies couldn’t be more different:
    •    AG1 offers breadth—a wide net of nutrients, probiotics, and adaptogens in one scoop.
    •    1st Leaf delivers purity and potency—the concentrated nutrition of real microgreens, made with wholefood ingredients nothing more and nothing less.

If your goal is to simplify your supplement routine with a broad nutritional safety net, AG1 may fit your lifestyle.

But if you’re looking for maximum nutrient density, wholefood purity, and clean ingredients you can trust, 1st Leaf is the standout choice.