Skip to content

Make Your Own Athletic Greens with 5 Ingredients & Save Money!

Athletic Greens has become one of the most popular green superfood supplements in recent years. With its claims of containing 75 high-quality ingredients to give you better gut health, immunity, energy levels, and more, it‘s gained a strong following.

But there‘s no denying Athletic Greens comes at a steep price – around $100 per month if you subscribe. That adds up quickly if you use it daily as intended.

The good news is you can make an Athletic Greens dupe at home using just 5 key superfood ingredients. And it won‘t cost you nearly as much per month!

Why Make Your Own Athletic Greens?

Before we get to the recipe, let‘s look at why you may want to make your own "Athletic Greens" instead of buying the commercial product:

Main Reasons to Make Your Own Version

  • Major cost savings – Buying a month‘s supply of Athletic Greens costs close to $100 per month. The homemade version costs around $16-20 per month – over 80% savings!
  • Ingredient transparency – Athletic Greens uses a proprietary blend of 75 ingredients. But you know exactly what‘s going into your homemade blend and can customize to your needs.
  • Nutrient density – Just 5 core superfood ingredients give you wide-ranging vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits, and more.
  • Sustainability – Loose superfood powders create less plastic waste and transportation emissions than mass-market supplements.
  • Flavor and mixing – It‘s easier to tweak a simple 5 ingredient homemade blend to maximize taste and mixing options.

Essentially, by making your own version you get exceptional nutritional benefits each day while saving money long-term. And you can customize your blend for maximum sustainability and flavor.

Analyzing the 5 Key Ingredients

Recreating the complex blend of 75 ingredients in Athletic Greens isn‘t realistic. But you can get impressively comprehensive nutrition using 5 proven superfoods:

1. Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of microalgae that has been consumed by humans for centuries due to its dense nutritional profile. Modern research has revealed spirulina contains:

  • 65-71% protein – more protein than beef per gram and all essential amino acids
  • Vitamins A, K1, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, D and E – dense in antioxidants that protect cells from damage
  • Iron – excellent plant-based source, 5x more than spinach per gram
  • Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) – anti-inflammatory Omega-6, with 4 times more GLA than evening primrose oil
  • Phycocyanin – antioxidant pigment that fights inflammation and regulates the immune system

According to a systematic review in Nutrients, regular spirulina supplementation has been shown in studies to:

  • Raise hemoglobin levels in those with anemia
  • Lower blood pressure, inflammation, and blood lipids
  • Improve muscle strength and endurance
  • Protect the brain, liver, kidneys from toxins and pathogens

So in summary, spirulina tackles nutrition, oxidation, inflammation, immunity – making it the ideal base of any supergreens blend!

2. Moringa Leaf Powder

Like spirulina, moringa is another superfood with its roots in ancient medicine that modern science is now validating. Among many other nutrients, moringa leaf powder provides:

  • 7 times more vitamin C than oranges (142% DV)
  • 4 times more calcium than milk (125% DV)
  • 4 times more vitamin A than carrots (448% DV)
  • 3 times more potassium than bananas (20% DV)
  • 3 times more iron than spinach (40% DV)

With its supreme vitamin & mineral levels, moringa powder can have the following benefits:

  • Supreme antioxidant activity – protecting cells from oxidative damage
  • Reduction in inflammation biomarkers like C-reactive protein by up to 67% (study)
  • Balancing hormones linked to weight management in obese individuals (study)
  • Lower blood sugar levels – beneficial for diabetics (study)

So moringa is the ultimate supporting player that enhances energy, inflammation, hormones, blood sugar already optimized by spirulina.

3. Baobab Fruit Powder

The baobab fruit has been used medicinally in Africa for centuries, but its popularity has now exploded worldwide as the fruit‘s benefits have become clear:

  • Vitamin C – One of nature‘s richest sources with 6x more than oranges per gram
  • Antioxidant content similar to acai berries, goji berries, and other celebrated superfoods
  • High in potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc yet low glycemic index
  • Up to 50% fiber content rivals bran cereal, aiding digestion & weight control

According to an extensive research review, baobab fruit extracts have demonstrated:

  • Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antipyretic (fever-reducing) capabilities
  • Improved insulin resistance in diabetic patients
  • Protective effects against toxicity-induced liver and kidney damage in animal studies
  • Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects comparable to pharmaceutical drugs

So baobab completes our trifecta of base superfoods with its vitamin C goodness, prebiotic fiber, and time-tested medicinal effects.

4. Ginger Root Powder

No anti-inflammatory blend would be complete without the spicy gint that is ginger root. Ginger has an extensive history of use treating inflammation, gut issues, nausea, pain, and other ailments. It contains potent compounds like gingerols, shogaols, zingerone and over 50 antioxidants:

  • Reduces nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, chemotherapy, pregnancy
  • Lowers blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, DNA damage from oxidative stress
  • Analgesic effects similar to ibuprofen that can ease muscle pain
  • Potent anti-inflammatory via suppressing inflammatory cytokines
  • Improves digestion and gut mobility to beat bloat and constipation

Per an extensive review in Food Science & Nutrition, "Substantial evidence shows the pharmacological properties of ginger root extract, thus supporting its use in treating neurological disorders, internal cancers, and bacterial infections."

So ginger rounds out our quartet providing anti-inflammatory reinforcement while easing digestion.

5. Magnesium

Lastly, magnesium is the icing on the antioxidant cake for an Athletic Greens dupe. One of the most common nutritional deficiencies, most people get less than 50% of the RDA of magnesium from food alone.

Getting enough magnesium should be a top priority considering it:

  • Is involved in over 600 cellular reactions and bodily processes
  • Supports muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, immunity
  • Can raise testosterone levels, energy, exercise performance
  • Only 50% of people get the RDA of magnesium from foods alone

Taking supplemental magnesium ensures sufficient levels to generate energy, regulate inflammation, and maximize the benefits of the other plant-based nutrients.

The Complete Homemade Athletic Greens Recipe

As you can see, each of these 5 ingredients packs immense nutritional value on its own. But combined, they complement each other perfectly to mimic (or even exceed!) Athletic Greens benefits.

The full homemade Athletic Greens recipe is:

Ingredients:

- 2 teaspoons spirulina  
- 1 teaspoon moringa leaf powder
- 1 teaspoon baobab fruit powder   
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ginger root powder 
- 100-200mg magnesium
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 8-12oz water
- Sweetener (optional) 

Instructions:

1. Add spirulina, moringa, baobab, ginger powder, magnesium, lemon juice to blender
2. Pour in water (and sweetener if desired)  
3. Blend for 45 seconds until fully mixed  
4. Drink immediately or store in fridge for up to 3 days

Let‘s compare the nutrition you get from these superfood ingredients to an equivalent serving of Athletic Greens.

Nutritional Comparison

The table below compares Athletic Greens versus 1 serving of the homemade blend:

Nutrient %DV per serving Athletic Greens DIY Home Blend
Vitamin A 100% 450%
Vitamin C 100% 713%
Iron 6% 41%
Potassium 3% 33%
Calcium 13% 4%
Antioxidants – ✅ ✅
Anti-inflammatory – Limited ✅✅✅
Adaptogens – ✅ ✅

Key Takeaways:

  • The DIY blend provides 750% vitamin C, 450% vitamin A and nearly 7x more iron and potassium per serving
  • Athletic Greens has more calcium but otherwise lower % DVs of core vitamins & minerals
  • Both blends supply antioxidants but the homemade blend has more anti-inflammatory activity thanks to ginger and moringa
  • Home blend also supplies adaptogenic nutrients to balance hormone levels

So for immunity, inflammation, energy, and muscle function – the homemade blend appears to be as good or superior based solely on nutrient amounts!

And when you factor in potential contaminants in commercial blends, the transparency of the homemade recipe makes it even more appealing.

Now let‘s examine the cost breakdown.

Price & Savings Comparison

As highlighted earlier, the #1 reason most people will want to make DIY Athletic Greens is the incredible cost savings:

Athletic Greens Cost

  • $99 per month supply → $3.30 per serving
  • With subscription discount: $2.50 per serving

Homemade Athletic Greens Cost

Based on highest-quality ingredients from reputable brands purchased in bulk amounts:

- Spirulina - $18 per 1LB → $0.20 per serving  
- Moringa - $20 per 1LB → $0.15 per serving 
- Baobab - $17 per 1LB → $0.20 per serving
- Ginger - $12 per 8oz → $0.12 per serving
- Magnesium - $17 per 300 caps → $0.11 per serving  
Total Cost → $0.78 per serving

With typical subscription savings, this still equates to over 70% savings per month!

If taking one serving daily, thencompare monthly costs look like:

  • Athletic Greens: $99
  • Homemade Version: Just $23.40

And recipes can be tweaked overtime to source highest quality ingredients at best costs for maximum savings.

So for under $25 per month you can get far more vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and transparency than the commercial option costing 4X as much!

Maximizing Your Homemade Blend

To make the most of your homemade supergreens blend, here are some tips:

  • Soak moringa and baobab powders before blending to enhance nutrient absorption
  • Add ice and blend into smoothies for better palatability & cooling benefits
  • Mix into orange juice or berries instead of water for an antioxidant & vitamin boost
  • Customize serving sizes based on your needs and preferences
  • Rotate additional powders like wheatgrass, ashwagandha or camu camu for variety
  • Consume first thing and/or between meals for energy and gut support
  • Store in airtight container away from heat, light for freshness

With some trial and error, you can create the perfect greens powder tailored to your tastes and health goals.

Here is an example daily smoothie recipe incorporating the Athletic Greens dupe:

Green Berry Athletic Smoothie

  • 1 Serving Homemade Greens Powder
  • 1 Frozen Banana
  • 1 Cup Spinach
  • 1⁄2 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries
  • 1 Cup Coconut Water
  • Blend on high until smooth. Enjoy!

Conclusion

Recreating the complexity of a supplement like Athletic Greens that contains 75+ ingredients simply isn‘t realistic or necessary.

But the bottom line is that by using 5 proven superfoods – spirulina, moringa, baobab, ginger and magnesium – you can create your own transparent greens blend with exceptional nutrition at a fraction of the cost.

So skip the $100 per month subscription fees, take control over your ingredient list, and make your own Athletic Greens dup at home instead!

I hope this guide gives you everything you need get started with blending nutrient-dense superfoods rather than buying overpriced commercial greens powders.

Let me know if have any other questions in the comments below!