Knowing that only 9% of US adults are eating enough vegetables every day, I’m always on the lookout for greens supplements to help bridge that concerning health gap.
Shaklee Organic Greens Booster aims to support individuals’ daily vegetable intake, providing one cup of greens in every serving. But upon taking a closer look at its ingredients, purported health claims, and Shaklee reviews, I know that I likely won’t recommend this supplement to most of my clients.
Keep reading to learn why I’ve made this determination—and why other daily greens powders like Live it Up Super Greens provide more comprehensive nutritional benefits. Below, I’ll share:
- Is Shaklee Greens Worth a Try?
- What Is Shaklee?
- Purported Benefits
- Ingredients Breakdown
- Quality and Safety
- Cost Analysis
- Taste Review
- Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens
Shaklee Organic Greens Booster Quick Facts
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Key ingredients:
- Kale, spinach, and broccoli sprouts
- 7 vitamins and minerals
- Lutein and zeaxanthin (carotenoids)
- Flavors: One flavor, original unsweetened
- Manufacturer health claims: Supports bone, eye, and cardiovascular health as well as overall nutrition.
- Container size: 30 servings (1 scoop = 1 serving)
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Supplement facts: One 2.5g scoop =
- 10 calories
- 1g of carbohydrates
- <1g of fiber
- <1g of protein
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Price:
- $31.45 for 30 servings ($1.04 per serving)
- $26.75 for 30 servings with a membership ($0.89 per serving)
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Shipping:
- Free shipping over $150 for members
Bottom Line: Is Shaklee Greens Worth a Try?
Shaklee Organic Greens Booster gets high marks in terms of product quality and safety, and it helps people boost their greens intake. But some of its purported health benefits aren’t fully supported by its minimal nutrients, making this greens powder likely to be less effective for comprehensive daily nutrition.
Live it Up Super Greens offers higher quantities of powerful superfoods, essential nutrients, and even probiotics in every scoop.
What Is Shaklee?
Shaklee Corporation was founded in 1956, but the company’s story began well before then. Forrest C. Shaklee, a nutritionist and chiropractor, is known for inventing “Shaklee’s Vitalized Minerals,” the first multivitamin in the United States, in 1915. Years later, Shaklee started selling nutritional supplements with his sons as the Shaklee Corporation, which was structured as a multilevel marketing (MLM) company.
Shaklee still runs as an MLM today, but individuals can also purchase products without going through a Shaklee ambassador (Shaklee’s term for an independent distributor). The company’s mission is to build “healthier communities and a healthier planet,” and it aims to enhance consumers’ nutrition through personalized vitamins, powders, snacks, and more.
Shaklee Organic Greens Booster is a greens powder targeted toward individuals who aren’t getting enough greens in their daily diets, providing one cup of nutrient-rich green vegetables per scoop.
Shaklee Greens Pros
- Gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO
- Conducts ingredient and product quality testing
- Raw organic nutrient-rich greens
- No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives
Shaklee Greens Cons
- Tiny amount of greens in a 2.5g scoop
- Only 1 flavor
- Only 3 greens
- No sweeteners to enhance the flavor
- Only 7 listed vitamins and minerals
Shaklee Greens Purported Benefits
Shaklee Greens claims to support four key areas: daily nutrition, eye health, cardiovascular health, and bone health. I took a closer look at its Supplement Facts panel to determine the credibility of some of these purported benefits.
#1: Nutrition
As a decent source of daily nutrition, Shaklee Greens fits the bill, providing the equivalent of one cup of raw organic vegetables in one serving. For individuals who have difficulty getting the recommended servings of vegetables every day, Shaklee Greens can help.
Every little bit counts, but with such a small amount per serving and only seven vitamins and minerals, this greens powder doesn’t provide the comprehensive nutrition that other supplements (like Live it Up Super Greens) do.
#2: Eye Health
Shaklee’s claim that its Organic Greens Booster supports eye health is backed up by its inclusion of vitamin A and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A is known as the “eye vitamin,” nourishing various parts of the eye and helping to prevent certain eye-related medical conditions. Lutein and zeaxanthin help to filter out blue light and may even prevent cataracts.
But yet again, the amounts of these nutrients are likely too small to be effective. With only 5% DV of vitamin A, for example, Shaklee Greens consumers must make sure that they’re incorporating other Vitamin A-rich foods into their daily diets.
#3: Bone Health
With calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K, it’s clear that Shaklee Greens aims to support bone health. Magnesium and vitamin K are known to support the healthy formation and strengthening of bones, and calcium is essential to building and protecting our bones. This greens powder only includes calcium as 3% DV, but the real concern is that it’s lacking vitamin D, calcium’s sidekick. Without vitamin D, calcium won’t be effectively absorbed by the body.
Shaklee Greens Ingredients Breakdown
Shaklee Greens takes a minimalist approach to ingredients, but those that it does include are powerhouses in the powdered greens market. Let’s see what its blend and added phytonutrients bring to the table.
Organic Greens Booster Powder Blend
- Kale is a highly nutritious leafy green rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K. In fact, one cup of kale can provide about 70% of the daily value of vitamin K. This vegetable also serves up antioxidants, which can neutralize free radicals.
- Spinach is included in this blend and many other greens powders for good reason: it’s an excellent source of several of the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need every day, like iron, calcium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.
- Broccoli sprouts provide fiber, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, and the powerful phytochemical sulforaphane, which has been shown to support many aspects of health.
Although each of these ingredients has several health benefits, my main concern is that there are only three greens in this blend—and in the entire product—totalling 2500mg (2.5g). There are simply not enough superfoods in this Shaklee product for it to serve as a well-rounded daily greens supplement, and many of the individual ingredient benefits likely won’t have a significant nutritional impact in such small amounts.
Added Nutrients
Shaklee Organic Greens Booster also contains two carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are found naturally in kale and broccoli and are powerful antioxidants that are known to support eye and skin health.
However, with lutein, for example, the recommended dosage is 6mg to 30mg per day, a dosage much, much higher than what is present in Shaklee Greens. Other studies support the claim that the average amount of lutein that Americans ingest (1–2mg per day) is too low to see any of the nutrient’s benefits. And with only 0.22mg in one serving, Shaklee Greens doesn’t provide even close to that amount.
Shaklee Greens Quality and Safety
Shaklee has a robust quality and safety process for all of its products:
- 350+ tests per year for contaminants
- 100,000 product quality tests per year (across all product lines)
- Products are made from imported ingredients in a GMP facility in the United States
- Raw materials undergo 19 quality checks on average
I’m pleased to see that Shaklee invests heavily in ingredient and product testing to ensure purity, potency, and quality. The ingredients in Shaklee Greens are organic, and the product is vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO.
However, I couldn’t find if the Organic Greens Booster is third-party tested; a Shaklee blog article mentions that the company’s protein powders are tested by third-party labs but does not specifically mention its greens powder. To compare, Live it Up Super Greens is third-party tested, is manufactured in a US-based GMP facility, and is also non-GMO, vegan, and free of gluten, soy, dairy, and sugar.
Shaklee Greens Cost Analysis
Choosing a greens powder is often influenced by cost, so it’s helpful to drill down to the price per serving. Here’s what you can expect to pay for a 30-day supply of Shaklee Organic Greens Booster:
- Single purchase: $31.45 for 30 servings ($1.04 per serving)
- Member price: $26.75 for 30 servings ($0.89 per serving)
- Shipping: Fees vary depending on single vs. member vs. ambassador purchase and the order amount. Members get free shipping on orders of $150 or more.
This is one of the cheapest greens supplements on the market, but remember that you often get what you pay for. It makes sense that the price per serving is low—it’s only 2.5g!
Compare that to other greens powders like Live it Up Super Greens, which, yes, costs a little more, but it provides 8g of nutrient-rich superfoods, vitamins, and minerals along with 5 billion CFUs of probiotics. That seems worth it for only $1.33 per serving (with a subscription) plus a 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days.
Shaklee Greens Taste Review
One of the first things I noticed about Shaklee Organic Greens Booster is that it doesn’t include any sweetener: no sugar, no stevia, no fruit extracts, or juices. I wondered how it would taste without anything added to make the flavor more palatable.
For those who don’t mind a spinach-forward aroma and flavor, Shaklee Greens will likely pass the taste test. Although average customer ratings on Shaklee's website are high, many customers take issue with the lack of sweetener, noting that the greens powder “does not taste very good by itself” and that it “smells bad and tastes bad.”
Most people mix a scoop of the powder into smoothies, protein shakes, sauces, and soups, as the Shaklee product page recommends—likely to mask the taste and enhance its mixability. One Shaklee reviewer tried to mix it in juice and it didn’t dissolve well, but other customers didn’t have any trouble adding it to the suggested foods.
“I use this in my daily greens smoothie. The taste is ok. I add powdered protein & frozen berries & blend it. I believe that it is a great way to add to my greens intake.” ~Amazon Reviewer
I’m cautious recommending supplements that don’t taste good alone when dissolved in water, as that’s often the easiest, most accessible method for anyone on the go.
Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens
Is Shaklee Organic Greens Booster a decent option for those who need to fill in some gaps in their regular diet? Yes–offering one cup of organic nutrient-rich greens per scoop, Shaklee Greens can help people reach their recommended servings of vegetables. Plus, the greens powder implements product quality and safety testing.
But in terms of comprehensive daily nutrition, effective nutrient doses, and taste, Shaklee Greens doesn’t stand up to Live it Up Super Greens, which contains 20+ superfoods (compared to Shaklee’s three), 24 vitamins and minerals (compared to Shaklee’s seven), and natural sweeteners to enhance the flavor (compared to Shaklee’s omission of any type of sweetener and resulting lackluster taste).
For these reasons, I tend to refer clients to Live it Up. Of course, every person’s health and wellness goals are different, so choosing a greens supplement that works for your body is paramount.
FAQs About Shaklee Greens Booster
Still curious about Shaklee? Here, I answer some commonly asked questions about the company.
How healthy is Shaklee?
Shaklee Greens is healthy overall, providing one serving of green vegetables in every scoop. It has several vitamins and minerals that may support individuals’ health, but many of them may not be effective doses to support Shaklee’s health claims. I typically refer clients to Live it Up Super Greens, which provides comprehensive nutrition and more effective doses of vital nutrients.
Is Shaklee made in China?
No, Shaklee products are manufactured in the United States from ethically sourced domestic and imported ingredients.
Are greens powders really worth it?
Greens powders are worth it if they align with your health and wellness goals and any dietary restrictions. Each person’s health journey and lifestyle is unique, so one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to greens powdersWith any supplement you choose, ensure that it fits your budget, contains effective doses of superfoods, and includes ample vitamins and minerals to support your wellness. Live it Up Super Greens is a great option for people looking to fill any nutritional gaps in their regular diet.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or individualized nutrition counseling. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to supplements or medications. Any product or brand mentions are for general information and don’t guarantee results.
References
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/nccdphp/dnpao/division-information/media-tools/adults-fruits-vegetables.html
- https://us.shaklee.com/en_US/s/Nutrition/Targeted-Solutions/Greens/Organic-Greens-Booster/p/21306?categoryCode=11006
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_C._Shaklee
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eye-vitamins#vitamin-a
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eye-vitamins#carotenoids
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/calcium-nutrition-and-bone-health/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-kale#high-in-nutrients
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/spinach
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/broccoli-sprouts
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10313060/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lutein-and-zeaxanthin
- https://www.macular.org/living-and-thriving-with-amd/nutrition/important-nutrients/lutein
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5715043/
- https://us.shaklee.com/en_US/s/highest-quality-commitment
- https://go.shaklee.com/our-commitment-to-clean-and-safe-protein-powders/
- https://www.amazon.sg/Shaklee-Organic-Greens-Booster-2-6oz/dp/B07BHGVNSP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pl_foot_top?ie=UTF8#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor
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