As a registered dietitian, I know that many people struggle to eat enough leafy green vegetables. Eating on the go, having limited time for meal prep, and disliking how they taste are all legitimate obstacles to getting your greens in, and this is where products like Kiala Nutrition Super Greens aim to help.
While they can’t completely replace the health benefits gained from eating your vegetables, the best greens powders can be helpful tools for boosting your intake of key micronutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Many brands promise improved digestion, less bloating, clearer skin, better overall health, and Kiala Greens are no different. To determine how these greens stack up, our BarBend expert product tester followed our comprehensive supplement testing methodology when testing them out. Overall, this is a great-tasting, budget-friendly option for people seeking a boost of antioxidants from a greens powder, but we found the label a bit lacking.
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
This greens powder from Kiala Nutrition features organic fibers and digestive enzymes to help with digestion and overall gut health. Micronutrients including vitamins A, C, and E can also help promote more radiant skin — perfect for giving you that ideal glow when sweating toward your fitness goals.
Main Takeaways
- One of the most cost-effective greens powders on the market
- Simple greens supplement with added antioxidants and electrolytes, sweetened with sucralose
- Doesn’t contain probiotics or digestive enzymes
Kiala Greens Specs
Price Per Serving | Starting at $1.25 |
Available Flavors | Tropical Splash, Mixed Berry, Lemon Drop, Carnival Candy, Watermelon Slush, Orange Sherbet, Green Apple, Strawberry Swirl, Miami Vice |
Nutrition Per Serving | Calories: 20 |
Dosage | 1 scoop (8.3g) |
Sweeteners Used | Sucralose |
Servings Per Container | 30 |
Kiala Nutrition touts their super greens as an effective way to boost energy levels, improve digestion, reduce bloating, strengthen the immune system, and promote clear skin thanks to their blend of powdered green vegetables, grasses, and algae, in addition to other antioxidant-rich ingredients.
Kiala Greens is surprisingly affordable for a greens powder at less than $2 per serving for a container that lasts the whole month. Consisting of powdered greens, an antioxidant blend, and electrolyte-rich coconut water powder, this is a relatively simple, nutrient-dense greens powder that can help boost your intake of key micronutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Notably, it’s available in nine unique fruit or dessert-based flavors — a dream come true for anyone who doesn’t want their greens to taste like greens.
With only 20 calories per scoop, these greens are a great option for a strict cut or calorie deficit. While the packaging lists each individual ingredient, they’re included as proprietary blends so the actual amounts aren’t specified. Unfortunately, macros and micronutrients aren’t included in the nutrition facts either.
Our product tester liked the product’s formulation overall, with one caveat. “I can drink this plain without any qualms, apart from the use of sucralose as a sweetener,” they noted.
[Related: Greens Powders vs. Multivitamins]
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Kiala Greens
We know that while a supplement could be a good fit for one person, it may not fit the needs of another. To help you decide whether Kiala Super Greens is right for you, we’ve listed our suggestions as to who this product is best suited for below.
Recommended for:
- People who want an extra boost of antioxidants
- Those who struggle to eat enough leafy green vegetables
- Anyone looking for a budget-friendly greens powder
Not Recommended for:
- Anyone trying to avoid caffeine or artificial sweeteners
- Those who want a greens powder with added probiotics and digestive enzymes
- People with Celiac disease, as wheatgrass and barley grass may not be 100 percent gluten-free (1)
Our Experience Using Kiala Greens
This greens powder is easy to prepare — all you have to do is mix it with water. Kiala Nutrition suggests drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach, which is what our product tester did.
They didn’t notice any obvious improvements in energy, skin appearance, or digestion, although many customers have reported these benefits in online reviews. However, it was a great-tasting way to get a head start on hydration for the day.
Ingredients and Formulation
The ingredients in Kiala Nutrition Super Greens are fairly simple compared to other greens powders:
- Organic Greens Blend: Organic alfalfa grass, organic wheatgrass, organic barley grass, organic lemon juice, organic kale, organic astragalus, organic spirulina, organic oat grass, organic chlorella
- Organic Coconut Water Powder
- Spectra Antioxidant Blend: Coffea arabica extract, green tea extract, broccoli sprout, onion extract, apple extract, quercetin, tomato, broccoli, camu camu, maltodextrin, acerola extract, acai, turmeric, garlic, basil, oregano, cinnamon, carrot, elderberry, mangosteen, black currant extract, blueberry extract, sweet cherry, raspberry, spinach, chokeberry, kale, blackberry, bilberry extract, brussels sprout, sunflower lecithin
- Other ingredients: Citric acid, natural flavors, silica, sucralose
A significant distinction between this product and most other greens powders is the lack of probiotics and digestive enzymes. These ingredients are often added for their purported gut health benefits. Considering the lack of scientific evidence showing that these ingredients provide significant benefits for healthy people, this isn’t necessarily a problem. Still, many people prefer to have them in their greens powder.
Of note, the greens and superfood antioxidant blends are both proprietary blends. We asked registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois for her thoughts on the formulation. “If you like to know exactly what and how much of it is going into your body, this probably isn’t your jam,” she advised, rating the formulation a disappointing 1 out of 5.
Additionally, because the macros and micronutrients aren’t listed on the nutrition facts label, it’s impossible to tell how many vitamins and minerals you’re getting.
The use of sucralose, an artificial sweetener, could also be an issue for some. “I’m sensitive to sucralose, so I did experience a little bloating after drinking this greens powder. That said, I didn’t have any unwanted GI distress or other side effects, so I can’t really complain,” our product tester noted.
While sucralose is safe to consume in moderation, some people prefer to avoid it. Preliminary research suggests potential problems with artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose negatively impacting the gut microbiome and increasing glucose and insulin levels in the blood, although more studies are needed. (2)
Keep in mind that one serving contains 12 milligrams of caffeine, the amount in about an eighth of a cup of coffee.
Overall, it’s nice to have a budget-friendly greens powder option, and the added electrolytes could make this a better choice for rehydration in hot temperatures than other greens powders depending on their micronutrient content. However, it has some significant limitations. “The proprietary blends and lack of evidence-based information on the website gives me pause,” said Bourgeois. “Customers are expected to trust the hype surrounding greens powders and consume this product without nutrition facts available.”
Taste
After a slight modification, our product tester ended up loving the Tropical Splash flavor.
“I really enjoyed it once I fine-tuned the water-to-powder ratio. For me, the recommended 8 ounces of water was too sweet, but mixing this greens powder with 12 ounces was right on the money,” they said.
Because it was one of the best-tasting green powders we’ve tried and didn’t need to be blended with juice or a smoothie to be palatable, we rated it a 5 out of 5 for taste.
Keep in mind that Kiala Super Greens comes in nine different flavors. If you try the Tropical Splash and aren’t in love with it, another flavor may suit your preferences better.
Solubility
We’ve tried our fair share of gritty greens powders, so our product tester was pleasantly surprised by how well Kiala Greens dissolved with water in a shaker cup.
“This Kiala offering mixes easily and I had no issues with gritty textures or leftover residue. Some customer reviews have reported otherwise, but I had no complaints from my experience,” they said, rating it a 5 out of 5 for solubility.
Price Per Serving
Kiala Greens start out at $1.25 per serving if you sign up for a subscription, which saves you 25% on every order. Otherwise, it’s priced at $1.67 per serving for a one-time purchase.
It’s a little pricey for a daily supplement, but is one of the most affordable greens powders we’ve found. Other brands that include ingredients like prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can cost upwards of $2 per serving or more. Kiala Greens is likely cheaper since it omits these ingredients and isn’t certified USDA Organic, gluten-free, or vegan.
Third-Party Testing
Because the FDA doesn’t assess the safety or purity of dietary supplements, third-party testing is the best way to ensure that your greens powder is free from dangerous contaminants.
On their website, Kiala Nutrition states that their supplements are third-party tested for contaminants like heavy metals, microbes, and allergens, although they don’t specify which labs conduct the testing. Because of this, we rated this greens powder a 4 out of 5 in the third-party testing category.
Their supplements are also manufactured in facilities certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, adding another level of safety.
What to Consider Before Buying Kiala Greens
After testing 39 different greens powders, we’re pretty familiar with what makes a good product. Finding a supplement that fits your budget, tastes great, and is made with an ingredient list you’re comfortable with can make all the difference in taking it consistently and reaping the most benefits of greens powder.
- Flavors: Kiala Greens is available in 9 different flavors, so it could be a great choice if you need to mix up your flavors to keep from getting bored.
- Probiotics and digestive enzymes: Kiala Greens doesn’t contain probiotics or digestive enzymes; they aren’t necessary, but many people prefer them especially when seeking to improve digestion.
- Price: Starting at $1.25 per serving, Kiala Greens is more affordable than many other greens powders. Products with more certifications and that include probiotics, enzymes, and prebiotic fibers usually cost between $1.40 to $2.50 per serving, sometimes more.
- Sweeteners: Kiala Greens uses sucralose (Splenda), an artificial sweetener, which some people may be sensitive to.
- Micronutrient content: If you want a greens powder to help you get more vitamins and minerals, be aware that the amounts of these aren’t listed on the nutrition facts label, which is unusual.
Kiala Greens Vs. Competitors
With so many super greens powders on the market, finding the right one for your needs can be difficult and confusing. To help, we’ve compared Kiala directly to a few of the most popular, top-rated greens powders available.
As you can see below, Kiala Greens have the lowest price per serving, are available in the most flavors, use sucralose instead of stevia or sugar alcohols like erythritol, and contain the least calories, which could be due in part to the smaller serving size.
[Related: Athletic Greens AG1 Review]
Kiala Greens | Athletic Greens AG1 | Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens | Legion Genesis Greens | |
Price Per Serving | Starting at $1.25 | Starting at $2.48 | Starting at $1.38 | Starting at $1.80 |
Available Flavors | Tropical Splash, Mixed Berry, Lemon Drop, Carnival Candy, Watermelon Slush, Orange Sherbet, Green Apple, Strawberry Swirl, Miami Vice | Original | Original, Pineapple Coconut, Peach Mango | Original, Acai Berry |
Nutrition Per Serving | Calories: 20 | Calories: 50Carbs: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 0gDietary fiber: 2g | Calories: 40Carbs: 9gProtein: 4gFat: 0gDietary fiber: 5g | Calories: 70Carbs: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 0.5gDietary fiber: 1g |
Dosage | 1 scoop (8.3g) | 1 scoop (12g) | 1 scoop (15.7g) | 1 scoop (21.1g) |
Sweeteners Used | Sucralose | Stevia leaf powder | Stevia extract | Erythritol, stevia leaf extract |
Servings Per Container | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Places to Buy Kiala Greens
Kiala Greens can be purchased from the following online retailers:
- Kiala Nutrition
- Amazon
- Walmart
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
Overall, the product and brand are rated highly with over 4.5 stars on the Kiala Nutrition website and 4.2 stars on Amazon. Of note, Kiala Nutrition offers free shipping on all US orders.
Unfortunately, multiple customer reviews on the Kiala Nutrition website mention being put on a subscription without their knowledge and having a difficult time canceling. It’s possible that some customers didn’t realize they were choosing the “Subscribe & Save” option when ordering, so make sure to pay close attention to whether you’re choosing a one-time purchase or automatic deliveries.
That said, many customers appreciated the quick delivery times. Experiences with health benefits were mixed; some said the product helps reduce bloating, abdominal cramps, and constipation, assists with weight loss, and improves energy levels, while others said they didn’t notice any such improvements.
Our Final Verdict on Kiala Greens
Kiala Greens is a tasty, simple choice for a greens powder, if a little sweet. It can help you get more antioxidants and electrolytes, but it lacks the probiotics and digestive enzymes provided by most of its competitors. It’s also sweetened with an artificial sweetener, sucralose, which could pose digestive issues for some.
The antioxidants, electrolytes, and vitamin C could help you feel more energized if you aren’t getting enough of them from your diet, but it’s unlikely to do much more for your health than eating more fruits and veggies would. That said, it’s worth trying out if you want a convenient, quick way to get more plant-based nutrients — as long as you are not opposed to proprietary blends.
Kiala Greens FAQs
How much does Kiala Greens Powder cost?
One container of Kiala Greens costs $49.95, equating to $1.67 per serving. If you sign up for a subscription, you can get it for $1.25 per serving. This is on the lower end for greens powders, as many of its competitors are priced closer to $2 or more per serving.
What are Kiala Greens sweetened with?
Kiala Greens is sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener sold under the brand name Splenda. Sucralose can cause digestive issues for some, so it’s important to take that into consideration if you have a sensitive stomach.
How much caffeine is in Kiala Greens?
Kiala Greens contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per serving from natural Coffea arabica and green tea extracts. For reference, a cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams. According to the FDA, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered safe for the majority of healthy people. (4)
References
- Dennis, Melinda. Do wheat grass and barley grass contain gluten? National Celiac Association website. Accessed 7/12/24. https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/do-wheat-grass-and-barley-grass-contain-gluten/.
- Schiffman SS, Rother KI. Sucralose, a synthetic organochlorine sweetener: overview of biological issues. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2013;16(7):399-451. doi:10.1080/10937404.2013.842523. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856475/#R300.
- United States Food & Drug Administration. Facts about dietary supplements. FDA website. Accessed 7/12/24. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/rumor-control/facts-about-dietary-supplements.
- United States Food & Drug Administration. Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much? FDA website. Accessed 7/16/24. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much.