Garden of Life is a popular supplement brand known for its wide range of nutrition products, including protein powders and multivitamins. The company emphasizes supplement safety and quality, making it a trusted brand among healthcare professionals and consumers alike. This article provides an in-depth review of Garden of Life, focusing on its products, quality and safety standards, customer reviews, and more, with a special emphasis on its Keto Fit line.
About Garden of Life
Founded in 2000 and acquired by Nestlé Health Science in 2017, Garden of Life maintains its B Corporation status, demonstrating its commitment to environmental and social impact. To achieve B Corporation certification, a company must meet rigorous standards for transparency and accountability, including employee benefits and charitable contributions.
Garden of Life distinguishes itself through:
- Transparency: The company prides itself on transparency, adhering to standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the pharmaceutical quality of its dietary supplements.
- Third-Party Certifications: Many Garden of Life products are certified by third-party organizations such as NSF, and the company offers certified organic and gluten-free products.
- Environmental Responsibility: Garden of Life is the first supplement company to be certified carbon neutral by Carbonfund.org Foundation, both at the brand and product level. It also offers products that are USDA certified organic and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, ensuring traceability of ingredients back to their origins.
Garden of Life Product Range
Garden of Life offers a wide array of nutrition products, including:
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
- Herbal blends
- Probiotics
- Protein powders
- Collagen products
- Greens powders
- Coconut oil
- Fiber supplements
- Protein bars
The brand caters to various specific needs and dietary preferences, with products designed for:
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- Children
- Pregnant women
- Athletes
- Older adults
- Individuals following vegan, paleo, keto, gluten-free, or vegetarian diets
Many of Garden of Life's sports-specific products are NSF Certified for Sport, ensuring they are free of banned substances. Additionally, some products are certified by Informed Choice, a dietary supplement testing program that regularly tests supplements for prohibited substances.
Dr. Formulated Keto Line
Garden of Life's Dr. Formulated Keto line, developed by David Perlmutter, M.D., is designed to make following a ketogenic diet easier and more convenient. This line is specifically formulated to help individuals enter ketosis or maintain a low-carbohydrate diet. The products are fully traceable, third-party certified for use on a keto diet, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Pricing and Value
Garden of Life products are generally more expensive than drugstore brands due to their quality ingredients, nutrient forms, and commitment to transparency. Multivitamin supplements typically range from $30 to $50, while protein powders fall in the $40 to $60 range. However, the company frequently offers sales, discount codes, and in-store coupons to help customers save money.
Returns and Warranty
Garden of Life provides a generous return policy, allowing customers to return products within 60 days of purchase if they are unsatisfied. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs. Note that returns are not accepted for items purchased through other distributors, but those may be returned directly to the merchant of purchase.
Quality and Safety Standards
Garden of Life takes supplement quality and safety seriously. Its products undergo extensive third-party testing, and many are verified by organizations like NSF and Informed Choice. The company also maintains certificates of analysis (COAs) for all raw materials, ensuring they meet specific quality standards. Finished products are tested for contaminants such as heavy metals, microbial growth, and pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.
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Customer Reviews
Online customer reviews for Garden of Life are predominantly positive. Customers appreciate the company's dedication to transparency and the perceived health benefits of its supplements. Many reviews also praise Garden of Life's customer service. Less favorable reviews sometimes mention taste issues with protein powders or the higher cost of some supplements.
Manufacturing and Sourcing
Garden of Life vitamins are not manufactured in China. The company sources ingredients from various countries, including Canada, China, Germany, and the United States. All products are third-party tested to ensure label claim accuracy.
Protein Powders and the Keto Diet
Protein powders can be a convenient way to supplement a low-carb or ketogenic diet, providing an easy way to increase protein intake. Most protein powders are low in carbohydrates, but it's essential to choose the right one to fit a keto lifestyle.
When selecting a protein powder for a low-carb or keto diet, consider the following factors:
- Third-Party Testing: Choose only protein powders that have been third-party tested to ensure purity and potency. Look for NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice Certified products.
- Total Carbohydrate Content: Aim for protein powders with less than 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving, ideally under 5 grams. Be mindful of added sugars.
- Protein Source: Select a protein powder made from a protein source that aligns with your dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Allergens: Carefully read labels to avoid allergens like milk, soy, tree nuts, or wheat.
- Cost: Consider the cost per serving to ensure the protein powder is financially sustainable for long-term use.
Types of Protein Powders Suitable for Keto
- Whey Protein Isolate: A high-quality, easily digested protein source with a high protein percentage and very low carbohydrate content.
- Casein Protein: A slow-digesting protein that's a good source of protein and calcium with few carbs.
- Egg Protein: A nutrient-dense protein source, with most egg-based protein powders made from egg white, which are low in carbohydrates.
- Collagen Protein: May aid in injury prevention, but incomplete protein and not optimal for muscle protein synthesis.
- Soy Protein Isolate: A high-quality, plant-based protein alternative that is very low in carbohydrates.
- Pea Protein Isolate: An allergy-friendly, plant-based protein source with a low carbohydrate content.
- Rice Protein Isolate: A plant-based protein source that is hypoallergenic, with a very low carbohydrate content.
Tips for Enhancing the Flavor of Unflavored Protein Powders
- Add small amounts of cocoa powder.
- Stir the powder into low carb beverages.
- Drizzle in sugar-free syrups.
- Spoon in artificial sweeteners like Splenda or natural sweeteners, including stevia or monk fruit extract.
- Use unflavored protein powders in baking.
- Stir in sugar-free, flavored pudding mixes.
- Add natural flavor extracts or spices, such as cinnamon.
The Benefits of Protein Powders
Protein powders can help ensure you're getting sufficient protein to support muscle maintenance and repair. Low carbohydrate protein powders made from high quality protein sources that contain the essential amino acids required to promote muscle growth and maintenance are similarly effective as regular protein powders that contain more carbohydrates.
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While protein powders can be a convenient way to help meet increased protein needs, trying to meet your protein requirements from whole foods can help ensure you are consuming other nutrients your body needs and can be more satisfying than replacing a meal with a protein powder.