Here's the thing about AG1...
a look at wellness from a girl who travels full-time (and isn't sponsored) ✈️
If you watch travel vloggers regularly, or you are simply online in any capacity ever, you may have seen ads for something called AG1 or Athletic Greens. It’s a “science-driven supplement that supports physical health and mental performance” and it is being marketed by everyone— at least it seems like it.
As someone who travels full-time, I often wonder if it would be easier to eat clean if I weren't constantly on the road—healthy airport dining options are few and far between. While traveling, I make it a point to enjoy treats and local delicacies, but to also eat as much whole, real food as possible. Sometimes, this looks like ordering a grilled fish entree and finding places like Honest Greens in Barcelona that make whole meals with fresh and local ingredients. I also try to keep my hormones balanced by eating something before having a cappuccino in the morning, and I make an effort to drink enough water throughout the day. It’s harder thank you’d think— those European water cups are small.
I understand how hard it is to consistently eat clean while traveling and the wellness concerns that arise from it. However, I have a hard time believing that a magic pill—or green powder—will solve all my wellness concerns, especially when the solution is as simple as consistently eating real food and maintaining a relatively active lifestyle.
Couple that with a veritable onslaught of advertisements from vloggers earnestly looking into the camera lens and delivering lines like:
“Hey guys, just taking a second to talk about my good friends over at AG1"
“Here at [insert ubiquitous travel vlog name here], we’re always on the go, that’s why we LOVE AG1!…”
…and it’s enough to make a girl question the legitimacy of it all.
Listen—
My issue isn’t with AG1 exactly, but more with the idea that AG1 represents. The notion that our wellbeing concerns can be solved by a manmade, quick, and easy purchase is everything that is currently wrong with the wellness industry. Conversations in the wellness space are —and always have been— consistently composed of sponsored product recommendations and silver bullet solutions to complex issues.
It’s a common theme in the wellness industry— the idea of simple fixes. They say things like:
“Drink this and you’ll balance your gut microbiome.”
“Try our anti-anxiety essential oil blend”
“Use this Goop Pelvic Clock Exercise Device developed by a former Olympic rhythmic gymnastics coach and you’ll increase your mobility” (this is actually real and on the Goop website)
All things that can be achieved by exercising regularly, eating a diet filled with real ingredients —which naturally contain vitamins and minerals— and not stressing yourself out by doing things like drinking caffeine first thing in the morning.
And hey— I get it. The wellness industry is buzzing with opportunity and I’m sure some of these products are actually effective. But I am tired of being constantly bombarded with new wellness trends.
Throughout my travels, I consistently meet new people from far off villages and cities. People who have never thought to consider the benefits of a probiotic soda or red light therapy, and instead, they eat yogurt or sauerkraut and go outside regularly, something human beings have done for millenia. It has forced me to come to terms with the fact that true wellness is not buying the new greens powder or red light therapy mask, it’s the continuation of a species wide tradition— eating food from the land, breathing fresh air, drinking mineralized water from the earth, and living intrinsically active lifestyles. There are also other elements to wellness —like community and creativity— that are currently being overlooked in favor of ample product marketing opportunities.
But this is an article about AG1, so let’s talk about AG1.
I have tried AG1. After being thoroughly convinced by my favorite travel vloggers that this was the solution to my greens intake issues (when in reality the solution is to just eat more greens), I tried AG1 at my sister’s house in Slovenia. I understand that taste is totally subjective, but come on. Let’s just say I’d take a side of spinach over that any day.
There are also many conflicting theories on whether or not AG1 is beneficial to your diet in the long run, especially over whole fruits and veggies. Also, there has been speculation on whether or not AG1 is actually made in New Zealand— theories and speculations I will not discuss for fear of liable.
Instead of researching the ingredient sourcing information for AG1 or pondering the ethical implications of using red light therapy masks made with a conflict mineral like tungsten, I’d personally rather just eat readily available fruits and veggies and lay out in the sun every once in a while.
What are your thoughts on the wellness industry right now? Have you ever tried a green supplement powder or red light therapy mask? Did it work? Was it better than just eating a salad or going outside? I’m genuinely curious to hear other opinions!
Still get nauseous thinking about the taste. 🤢🤢🤢