The modern world is in the midst of such a dynamic change, and it’s sweeping everyone along. We are too busy with work and pursuits of achievements.

So much so, that meal prep is becoming more of a chore than the fun activity it used to be. That is where meal replacement shakes come in, and most of the brands in this space are cashing in (big time) on this void.

However, not all brands in the meal replacement industry live up to their customers’ expectations. Thankfully, however, every once in a while, you’ll come across one, or two, that deliver exactly what they promise, or very close to it.

Ka’Chava and Athletic Greens are some of the brands that seem to have figured out just how to give their consumers what they want. If you’re scratching your head trying to decide which of the two you should go for, this post is for you.

Ahead, I will take you on a deep dive into pretty much all you need to know about Ka’Chava and Athletic Greens (aka AG1) and how similar, or different they are.

Strap in, let’s get this show on the road!

What is Kachava?

Kachava is an all-rounded meal that comes in a small, portable, and easy-to-prepare package. Kachava packs quite a nutritional punch, being a plant-based, high-fiber, high-powered protein superfood.

The shake is meant to give you energy, help curb hunger, improve digestion, and even build muscle mass.

The brand has been around since 2014, and it has since become a popular household name.

It sprung from the owner – Simone Malone seeking to offer us a plant-based powder that we can mix with water and shake or blend this powder into a tasty treat that we can gulp down in no time. (1)

You can mix it with water, or milk, or add it to your smoothie for a better taste and richer nutrition. Can I? Oh, you sure can! Ka'Chava ranks among the best protein powders for smoothies on the market right now, and has been for the longest time.

Looking into the future, the Ka’Chava’s cause is bent on protecting thousands of acres of forest. These efforts are already underway, having helped protect over 100,000 acres since partnering with Rainforest Trust in 2017. (2)

Is It OK to Drink Ka’Chava Every Day?

Yes you can absolutely take it every day. I rely on this meal replacement shake or daily essentials nutrition shake to reach my fitness goals. I have it once a day, every day!

And this not just for fitness junkies. You can drink a protein shake without working out, no problem at all. But there's a catch. This, or any other protein powder, should not be the only meal you’re having for the day. 

Why so?

Well, the average guy needs around 2,000-2,500 calories per day, but Kachava offers only around 240 calories. (3)

Ka'Chava should be more of a once-per-day-shake, more like a quick pick-me-up to get you through the day. Often, I also take a quick gulp for a much-needed energy boost before heading down into my little basement gym.

How Healthy is Kachava for You?

Very healthy. I mean, seriously, with the probiotics, dietary fiber, digestive enzymes, and natural sweeteners and flavors, it’s a no-brainer that this powder is healthy for the average guy.

Ka'Chava also ranks among the best whey-free, creatine-free, low-sodium, and overall, mild protein powders for users with sensitive stomach.

To break it down some more, you get 6 grams of dietary fiber in each serving, which gives you 21 percent of the daily value requirement for your body.

Of course, 21% is far from being adequate, but it would make for an important addition as part of a healthy everyday diet.

It’s hard to say whether a product is healthy or safe unless it has been independently tested through third parties. Thankfully, Kachava is rigorously testing its products through third-parties.

Does Kachava Have Too Much Sugar?

Yes, Kachava contains sugar, but not anywhere near the “too much sugar” league. On average, you’re getting 5-6 grams per serving, which is within the ideal range of 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women.

This falls within the ideal amount of added sugar as recommended by the American Heart Association, making the sugar in Kachava within the perfectly healthy sugar level. (4)

If you're looking for an alternative to reduce your sugar intake per serving, then Lyfe Fuel (my personal 2nd favorite after Kachava) is a good choice. As I mentioned earlier, their Essentials Shake (this one here) is the one I personally use still to this day. With just 3 grams of sugar per serving, it's a great option for those mindful of their sugar consumption.

What Does Kachava Do for the Body? – Does Kachava Help Lose Weight?

This shake does a lot for your body, all thanks to the essential fats, fiber, the balance of proteins, macronutrients, and a whole lot more. Whether you are doing full body workout every other day or working to strengthen your core, Kachava will surely help you achieve just that.

The idea is to replace 2 meals a day with it if your goal is to lose weight. By doing so, you can make significant progress towards your weight loss goals. Even if you stop working out for six months, this shake won't cause you to gain weight.

If your goal is to maintain your current weight, you can take Kachava in the place of 1 meal per day. 

Moreover, this shake can also help you with your workout journey. If you’re a gym rat and dedicated to working out six days a week, you’ll have a ton of benefits to reap with this shake, from quick muscle recovery, and energizing your body for long workout sessions.

What is Athletic Green?

Also known as AG1, Athletic Greens is the brainchild of Chris Ashenden. And albeit Kachava is more popular, AG1 has been around for longer, having been founded back in 2010.

The idea behind its conception was to make nutrition and performance, as easy and convenient as it gets.

And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is sure to be a given considering this shake contains probiotics, whole foods, adaptogens, minerals, and up to 75 vitamins.

That is the story, now let’s look at the cause that this brand has its eyes on.

Athletic Greens believes in a healthy world, so the company is working towards this on several fronts.

• Reducing their carbon footprint as a Climate Neutral Certified company
• Joining How2Recycle program
• Continuously reviewing sustainability to reduce their impact on the planet.
• Working with the NoKidHungry association to give back to the society

What Vitamins does Athletic Greens have in it?

AG1 comes chocked to the brim with a shit ton of vitamins, from folate (B9), Vitamin B6, methylcobalamin (12), biotin (B7), and thiamine (B1).

So…

Can Athletic Greens Replace Multivitamins?

That depends on what you’re aiming to achieve. If you’re using the typical multivitamins – which often come in the form of pills or gum, then AG1 can make for an awesome replacement. AG1 already has a wide array of minerals and vitamins, ergo, you don’t need to take multivitamins along with this shake.

Why do People drink Athletic Greens? - What does Athletic Greens do for your body?

Besides all the vitamins and minerals, you’re going to get with AG1, you also stand to benefit from other nutrients like ashwagandha, which is great for stress relief, spirulina – good for detoxification, and even probiotics that help with gut health. (5)

Besides, AG1 also claims that using this shake daily also has other benefits;

• Healthy Aging
• Neural and hormonal health
• Boosting energy levels
• Improving immune health
• Enzymes and fiber for digestive support

Does Athletic Greens Burn Fat?

AG1, like most other green powders, is quite low in calories – 50 per serving to be precise. This means the powder won’t hinder your weight loss, but it won’t necessarily help you lose weight. So far there isn’t any research that suggests that one can lose weight just by using green powders.

What is the Difference between AG1 and Ka’Chava?

Let’s get to the elephant in the house; What are the differences that set Ka’Chava and AG1 apart? Turns out, several aspects make each one of these shakes stand out, not just from each other, but also from other AG1 and Ka'Chava alternatives on the market.

Ka’Chava - My Personal Favorite

Let’s go over them one by one;

Texture

If you’ve had enough run-ins with low-end meal replacement shakes, then you must have learned (the hard way) that texture is a big issue. I have had my fair share of super tasty shakes, loaded with great ingredients, but the texture just put me off.

Then Ka’Chava happened, and there was no looking back. I mean, you don’t get such a healthy, nutrient-rich, yet smooth shake every day.

The good thing with this shake is how easy it is to mix and blend, and how smooth it gets. No silt at the bottom of your glass, no congealed chunks floating around, or inconsistency in pretty much every sip.

If you want to improve the texture for a super smooth feel, just add your preferred number of scoops in your blender, add water or milk, and just whip it up for a couple minutes.

Taste

However good your shake gets, if it tastes like chalk, you can bet you won’t be very fond of taking it very often. Granted, taste is subjective, you really have to give this shake a shot to see if it brings your taste buds to life (in a good way), but for me, it’s one of the (if not THE) best shakes I have tried.

From the very first day, I was instantly hooked by this shake, despite having tried numerous others such as Jimmy Joy, Huel, Shakeology, Herbalife, Vega one, Orgain and many more.

I mean, I’m not here to blow their trumpet, the long list of positive reviews say it all. 

Flavor Options & Sweeteners

This is what the taste is all about, right? It comes down to the sweeteners added to the powder and the different flavors available.

Ka’Chava comes with a myriad of these too. You can choose from five flavors, including;

• Chai
• Coconut acai
• Matcha
• Vanilla
• Chocolate

The good thing about any of these is that each of them tastes the way it should not too strong and not more on the flat side.

Ka’Chava’s sweeteners are also as natural as they come, mostly using coconut flower nectar, which is generally healthier than artificial ones.

Nutritional profile

The nutrient profile in Ka’Chava stands head and shoulder above most of the competition. This shake comes with the right amount of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and essential macro & micronutrients -minerals and vitamins. 

This gives you the nutrients your body needs to run on whether you’re an average guy going about your business or a fitness buff who needs to fire on all cylinders during grueling gym sessions.

Benefits

Where do I even start? Ka’Chava contains ingredients that benefit you in a variety of ways. It has a combination of adaptogens that bring forth stress reduction and relaxation.

Adaptogens? Yes, these come from some of the superfoods in each pack, which are;

• Chia
• Acai
• Amaranth
• Maca
• Chlorella
• Maqui
• Coconut 

If you have read our detailed Ka'Chava review, then you know what's in each of them. But for the lazy few, I have given you the gist.

Then we have proteins that help with muscle recovery as well as growth.

This shake further packs in digestive enzymes for better gut health, as well as fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics that help with the same cause.

Then we have Omega-3 fatty acids for improving cardiac health. We also get antioxidants that help boost immunity, reduce stress, and offer anti-aging properties.

And for y’all who are looking to lose weight, the low-calorie, nutrient-dense, high-protein nature of this shake combines to help you achieve just that.

Cost

With all the bells and whistles, how much does Ka’Chava cost? There’s also a variety of options to choose from depending on what works for you. You can get this shake for $69.95 for each bag, but you also have the liberty to go for a monthly subscription – this will save you $10 as you will need to fork out $59.95 for each bag in this case.

Do note, that with each bag you’re getting 15 meals, which when you do the math, you’re just paying $3.99 for each meal. (7)

Athletic Greens

Now that we know the ins and outs of Ka’Chava, it’s time to turn our attention to AG1 and see what it has to offer in those same respects.

Texture

The one thing that AG1 seems to be getting wrong is the texture. To be honest, I thought I was the only one who found it to be quite weird when I first tried it, but the fair chunk of customer reviews mentioning it to have a grainy texture affirmed my doubts.

Some have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the shake’s sort of grassy smell. But of course, you can cancel this out with a little creativity by adding some fruits and whipping them together in a blender.

Taste

What AG1 lacks in texture, it makes up for in the taste – the vanilla and pineapple taste is hands down impressive. Yes, there have been a few complaints about different batches having different flavor and texture.

In their response, AG1 stated that in addition to the live probiotics, their product contains ingredients whose flavor can change depending on the time of the year, the area they are sourced from, and the weather conditions – pretty much the way wine can taste different depending on the terroir of where it’s sourced.

However, the company goes ahead to say that they hold their suppliers to high-quality standards and are constantly testing and refining the formula they use for a great taste in their product.

Nutritional profile

AG1 is one of the most nutrition-dense meal shakes out there, spanning the whole breadth of the spectrum to give its users almost everything they need to pull through their day.

Flavor options & Sweeteners

As aforementioned, AG1 boasts remarkable vanilla and pineapple flavors that taste darn great. The shake does not contain any added sugars, what they use for sweeteners is stevia, which is a natural and low-calorie option while still bringing the flavor to life.

Benefits

There are several great benefits that you can get with AG1. It has great probiotics, it is also claimed to be great for users with food and different diet allergies. And above all, it is CGMP-compliant and NSF Certified, thus making it useful for those who are involved in sports.

Cost

If you opt to give AG1 a go, you’ll need to part with $99 for a 30-serving bag. And like Ka’Chava, you also have the choice to get the bag on a monthly subscription for $79, and you can have it delivered to you once each month.

Then there’s the travel pack, which comes as a 30 sachets package going for $109, which also offers the option of it getting it for $89 if you go for a monthly subscription.

Ka’Chava Vs AG1; Which is Better?

As much as both are meal-replacement shakes, these are two different products, with different ingredients, sweeteners, and flavors. Such is the case in the meal replacement shake industry. So, it makes sense that different shakes will suit different users in unique ways.

Which is better for Athletes? – AG1

Athletic Greens takes the cake here for several reasons. If you are a sports person, you would want a meal shake that you can consume with confidence that you won’t run into issues with the regulations.

Being NSF-approved, and CGMP compliant, AG1 comes across as a shake that any athlete can take without any concerns about any questions or issues down the road.

Only downside is, AG1 is quite low in calories, at about a fifth compared to Ka'Chava's, and only a tenth compared to that of Huel, as you might have seen in our Huel Vs Athletic Greens comparison.

Which is better for fitness junkies? – Ka’Chava

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey and making the baby steps of losing weight, or in the advanced stages where you want to grow muscle, Ka’Chava will go with you all the way.

Ka’Chava proves to be more than your ordinary protein powder. You can add it to your diet to help you keep feeling full for longer (for maintaining your current weight) or replace 2 of your daily meals with a shake for weight loss.

Moreover, its essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients (like plant-based proteins) are guaranteed to fuel your workouts and help with muscle growth and recovery. (9)

To break it down even further, here are the muscle-supporting nutrients that you can get from this shake;

• Iron
• Carbohydrates
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C, D, & E
• Electrolytes
• Protein

Which is Good for the Average Joe? – Ka’Chava

Call it an all-rounder, because that’s exactly what it is! Ka’Chava is not just a great meal shake for weight loss and muscle building, it also doubles as a healthy supplement for any busy guy or girl who just doesn’t have the time to prepare a healthy meal.

Whether you’re too caught up with work, or you’re looking for a quick meal that will give you the energy you need to get you through the day, this shake will be there for you.

No, don’t replace it for every meal of the day – this should complement your diet, not replace it. But yes, if you’re looking for a healthy replacement for that midnight snack, this is it right here.

Ka’Chava vs. AG1; Which is More Affordable?

To give you a perspective on how this duo compares price-wise, here’s a table that pitches the prices of both side by side;

What are the Potential Downsides of Each

Great as these options are, each one does have its potential shortcomings that you should be on the lookout for when making your decision.

Kachava

• It might need a lot of water to mix well
• Some find the chocolate taste quite flat
• You can’t use it to replace a full nutritious meal
  

Athletic Greens

• The company lists the ingredients by blend, not the individual ingredients – making it hard to know how much of the different ingredient is in each serving
• It’s quite costly
• Lacks iron and Vitamin D
• It has some side effects like bloating, diarrhea, and upset stomach

What Are Customers Saying? – Customer Reviews for Both Ka’Chava & AG1

Helpful Kachava Reviews

Helpful AG1 Reviews

Ka’Chava vs. Athletic Greens FAQs

Still have more questions? Here are some more answers to some of the other questions you might have concerning Ka’Chava or AG1;

Does Ka’Chava Raise Cholesterol? – How Does Kachava Affect Blood Sugar?

Ka’Chava boasts a blend of several plant-based proteins as well as fiber, both of which help slow the user’s absorption of sugar into one’s bloodstream. Ergo, this proves helpful in preventing blood sugar spikes and/or crashes.

Is Ka’Chava Good for Your Kidneys?

Containing only plant-based proteins, Kachava proves to be safe not only for your kidneys but also offers a myriad of other great benefits for your internal organs. (10)

Is Ka’Chava meant to be a meal replacement?

Ka’Chava is pretty much that, a meal replacement shake. Make no mistake though, this shake isn’t meant to be a complete replacement for your daily meal routine. You can use this meal replacement for breakfast to complement your diet, but you still need to have a diet comprised of healthy, nutritional meals.

Is there Milk in Ka’Chava?

Ka’Chava does contain milk, but we’re talking about coconut milk in this case. If you’re looking for a dairy-free meal replacement shake, you can safely, and confidently enjoy Ka’Chava without any compromise on your health. The coconut milk still brings about a smooth, creamy taste to your shake, which brings us to the next one…

Do you Mix Kachava with Milk or Water?

That is a matter of preference really, although if you add something milky to your powder, it can get a tad too thick. However, you can always fool around with the different options like almond milk, water, milk, or portions of each to see which one works best for you.  

Apart from that, you can enhance your shakes by adding a variety of vegetables and fruits from time to time. There are also numerous tasty and nutritious Ka'Chava recipes that you must try out.

Can Kachava Make Me Gain Weight?

No. Ka’Chava helps more with maintaining your current weight, or losing weight than putting on some more. With this powder, you’re unlikely to overeat, which, on the contrary, is more likely to help you lose weight – but in a healthy way thanks to the nutrient-rich nature of this shake.

However, if you’re bent on gaining weight, you can still add this shake to your diet.

How Safe is Ka'Chava?

Ka’Chava reports that they do extensive screening and testing for each ingredient in their products. And this is not just pre-production, but also during and even after production – with third-party labs.

For Ingredient testing… The tests include checking for pesticides, heavy metals, allergens, potency, aflatoxins, microbial, organoleptic, and ingredient ID.

For product testing… The tests include checking for allergens, microbial, organoleptic, heavy metals, and supplement fact verification.

Is Athletic Greens Better than Other Brands?

AG1 does stand out from other shakes in its league, thanks to its massive array of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, probiotics, and superfoods. However, it’s hard to say that one powder is better than the other since different people like unique aspects of different powders. Yes, AG1 is great (not as great as Ka’Chava if you ask me) in its own right, but just how great a powder is boils down to user preference.

Can I Take Athletic Greens Every Day?

AG1 makes for a great addition to your nutrition that you can add to your daily diet. You sure can take this shake daily, but don’t be fooled, you should not replace your diet with this shake. It should be added to your daily diet, not used solely as the only thing you consume.

Why is Athletic Greens so Expensive?

Most likely the reason why AG1 is quite costly is because of the high number of ingredients in it, and the extensive testing the company goes to for their product – third-party testing for quality assurance.

My Recommendation; Which is Better Option Overall? – Ka’Chava

Great as AG1 is (rightly earned), I would choose Ka’Chava any day. It’s a given really. It is safe, it’s nutrient-rich, the taste is darn amazing, there are more flavors to choose from and it’s as natural as they come.

Not forgetting, we’re getting all this for cheaper? Damn! Sign me up!

Don’t take my word for it, go ahead and give either, or both of these powders a shot and see which one catches your fancy. Also don't forget to let me know which one you like the most by commenting below.

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• Best Motivational Water Bottles for Inspiration & Hydration
• Kachava vs. Shakeology: Which is Better? How Do They Compare? Worth the Hype? My Personal Review
• Best Huel Alternatives
• Why Is Protein Powder so Expensive

References:

1. https://www.kachava.com/pages/our-story
2. https://www.kachava.com/pages/our-cause
3. https://support.kachava.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002861043-Can-I-have-it-for-every-meal-3-times-a-day
   
4. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars
5. https://exercisewithstyle.com/athletic-greens-vs-multivitamin/
6. https://www.kachava.com/pages/ingredients
7. https://support.kachava.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045974531-How-much-does-Ka-Cha
8. https://www.mynetdiary.com/food/calories-in-ag1-by-athletic-greens-lb-29467987-0.html
   
9. https://www.kachava.com/pages/muscle
10. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2016/01/impacts-of-plant-protein-chronic-kidney-disease