Brain Garden was started by Don Tolman as a nutritional products company in 1997.  It sells “whole foods” in Canada, the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.  Whole foods are combinations of seeds, vegetables, and grains.  They are: not synthetic, non-processed, and additive-free.  The major product sold is called Pulse, which combines dried fruits, seeds, grains, legumes, and nuts.  Pulse is said to contain all seven known dietary fibers. They also market oils, personal care and learning products. 

Brain Garden claims that their products contain all 24 essential ingredients of “balanced food,” which the body needs and craves.  Note that they don’t claim the products are “balanced nutrition” or “whole grains.”  Brain Garden also claims that their products are so healthful that you can avoid all diseases and replace your medicines with them, in addition to enjoying good health!  The company implies that many regular foods are lacking in essential nutrients and that you can only achieve good health with their products.

Brain Garden makes high profits with their multilevel marketing system.  The products are much more expensive than purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at your local supermarket.  Shipping costs are also added on.  A distributor pays $14.95 for a Garden Starter Kit and then recruits other distributors to earn commissions through product sales.  The products are very expensive.  “Food for Life” costs $149.95, plus a shipping cost of $29.95 and you are required to sign up for monthly shipments.  Cancelling any order is very difficult to do.

Brain Garden seems to try to scare the public into believing that the only foods that contain all essential nutrients are their own and that store-bought food cannot possibly maintain your good health; all of which is untrue.  I also question their product descriptions.  “Whole food” and “balanced food” do not mean the same as “whole grains” and “balanced nutrition.”  Perhaps I’m quibbling over semantics, but it seems as though the phrasing is meant to protect Brain Garden in case someone challenges their claims about the “24 essential ingredients.”  In addition, customers claim that the foods are no longer organic and the oils not high quality, as they used to be.

Here are two reviews on Brain Garden, one good, one not.

James Lowe from Queensland, Australia rated Brain Garden 5 stars out of 5. 

“I thought to myself, ok not another gimmick, another Company sprouting too good to be true statistics.  Then I finally got it.  Raw whole food can be a treat and not a chore.  All the doctors and researchers tell us to have more fruits and veggies in our diet for a very good reason.  Because you cannot make up for it and cut corners by having pills, capsules and supplements.  Doesn't happen !  The Brain Garden has shown me how to eat healthy every day without having to have weird stuff or become a vegetarian.  If you want to live long enough to enjoy your kids or even your grandkids, you have to make the choice to eat well now. I have been a very satisfied customer for 4 years now and I see plenty of reasons to stay!  And if you want to start a business it is ethical.”

Estelle from Littleton, Colorado, USA rated Brain Garden 1 star out of 5, unacceptable.

“I started eating the Brain Garden food about five years ago. At the time it was an incredible company.  The food tasted great and really changed my life.  It helped my auto-immune problems and I even let the company use my testimonial on their website.
Unfortunately, about two years ago the company started lowering the quality of their ingredients while raising their prices.  The food is no longer organic and has a horrible synthetic aftertaste.

The same thing happened with their essential oils.  They used to be of the highest quality I could find but now they are no longer pure and of course they raised the prices on them too.  I am very sad that Brain Garden lost their integrity and decided money was more important than quality.  I will no longer buy from, recruit for, or recommend Brain Garden.”

Overall, I recommend eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains purchased at your local store or home-grown.  Brain Garden doesn’t live up to its claims and is too expensive!