Protocolby Health Food Experts

Head-to-head

AG1 vs a custom supplement stack on a GLP-1

AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens) is a once-daily greens powder that packages 75 ingredients into a single scoop. It is positioned as a nutritional insurance policy — a way to cover gaps without thinking about individual supplements. A custom stack, by contrast, means choosing each supplement individually: typically protein powder, creatine, magnesium, and omega-3s for someone on a GLP-1.

For people eating less and trying to maintain muscle while managing a busy life, both approaches have real merit. This comparison is not about which product is better in the abstract — it is about which approach fits how you actually live and what your nutrition gaps actually are when food volume is lower than normal.

AG1

AG1

AG1 is a comprehensive greens powder containing vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, probiotics, and digestive enzymes in a single daily scoop. It mixes in water and is designed to replace multiple individual supplements with one product. The formulation covers a broad range of micronutrients, but it is not a high-protein product — one scoop provides 2 g of protein — and it does not contain creatine.

Pros

  • One scoop covers a wide range of micronutrients including vitamin D3, zinc, and B vitamins — useful when food variety is reduced
  • Probiotics and digestive enzymes are included, which may support GI comfort for people adjusting to eating less
  • Maximum convenience: one product, one habit, one subscription

Cons

  • At roughly $3-$4 per serving, it is expensive relative to what you get in the specific nutrients most relevant to GLP-1 users: protein, creatine, and magnesium
  • Provides only 2 g of protein per serving — meaningfully below what most GLP-1 users need to protect muscle
  • Many ingredients are in a proprietary blend with undisclosed amounts, making it hard to know whether you are reaching effective doses of individual nutrients

Custom stack

Custom stack

A custom stack for a GLP-1 user typically includes whey or plant protein powder (25-30 g protein per serving), creatine monohydrate (3-5 g per day), magnesium bisglycinate or L-threonate (200-400 mg elemental per day), and an omega-3 fish oil (1-2 g EPA + DHA per day). Each product is chosen and dosed independently based on your specific gaps, budget, and preferences.

Pros

  • Protein powder directly addresses the most critical nutritional gap on a GLP-1: getting enough protein in fewer meals
  • Each supplement can be dosed precisely and swapped out independently if something is not working
  • Total cost is typically lower than AG1 per day when buying quality individual products, and you get meaningfully higher protein and creatine

Cons

  • Requires managing 3-4 separate products, labels, and replenishment cycles — more friction than a single daily scoop
  • Micronutrient coverage is narrower; you may still have gaps in vitamins and trace minerals unless addressed through diet or a separate multivitamin

Side by side

AG1Custom stack
Protein per daily serving2 g25-30 g (protein powder serving)
Creatine includedNoYes (3-5 g monohydrate)
Magnesium includedYes (80 mg as part of blend)Yes (200-400 mg dedicated supplement)
Omega-3 includedNoYes (dedicated fish oil, 1-2 g EPA+DHA)
Probiotics / digestive enzymesYesNot standard (add separately if needed)
Approximate daily cost$3.00-$4.00 (subscription)$2.00-$3.50 (quality individual products)
Number of products to manage13-4

Which to pick

Pick AG1 if

Your diet is already high in protein from whole foods, your primary concern is micronutrient coverage and gut support, and you place a high premium on a single daily habit with zero decisions.

Pick a custom stack if

Hitting your daily protein target is the primary challenge — as it is for most people eating less — and you want creatine and a therapeutic dose of magnesium alongside that protein, at a similar or lower total cost.

Worth knowing

These are not mutually exclusive: some people use AG1 for micronutrient insurance and add protein powder and creatine separately. But if the budget allows for only one, the custom stack addresses the most critical gaps for muscle preservation during reduced eating.

Common questions

Is AG1 worth it on a GLP-1?

AG1 provides broad micronutrient coverage in one scoop, which has genuine value when food variety is reduced. The main limitation is that it does not address the most pressing gap for most GLP-1 users: protein. At 2 g of protein per serving, it is not a substitute for a protein powder. Whether the micronutrient insurance is worth $3-$4 per day depends on your diet and your budget.

What supplements are most important on a GLP-1?

The research most directly relevant to people eating less points to protein (to protect muscle), creatine (to support strength and lean mass), magnesium (often depleted when food volume drops), and omega-3s (for inflammation and cardiovascular support). Electrolytes are also worth attention if sodium intake falls with food volume. Talk to your clinician or dietitian about what applies to your situation.

Can I build my own supplement stack for less than AG1?

Yes. A quality protein powder, creatine monohydrate, magnesium bisglycinate, and a basic omega-3 fish oil can typically be sourced for $2.00-$3.50 per day combined — comparable to or below AG1 per serving — while providing far more protein and creatine than AG1 does.

Does AG1 have enough protein for someone on Ozempic?

No. AG1 contains 2 g of protein per serving. Most guidance on muscle preservation during weight loss suggests 1.2-1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight per day. For a 75 kg person, that is 90-120 g per day. A protein powder providing 25-30 g per serving is a more direct way to close that gap.

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General wellness and nutrition information, not medical advice. We help with nutrition, not medication — talk to your clinician or pharmacist about your medication and routine.