Smoothie, shake or over ice – add a dash of greens powder to boost your beverage and get your daily serving of vitamins and minerals. With many on the market, which blend is best?
Let’s identify the key ingredients that give greens powders their nutritional strength, determine what to avoid, and learn how to pick the blend that brings the health benefits you’re looking for.
Key Ingredients in Greens Powders
Greens powders contain more than just shredded spirulina or wheatgrass. In fact, it’s the variety of ingredients that give greens powders their nutritional power.
- Leafy Greens – Arugula, spinach and chard are packed with vitamins and minerals. In particular, vitamin K helps prevent bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Seaweed/Kelp & Spirulina – These ‘ocean veggies’ support thyroid health, weight loss and lower blood pressure.
- Wheatgrass – Natural antioxidants help boost the immune system, remove toxins, and reduce inflammation.
- Prebiotics & Probiotics – These support digestion!
- Adaptogens – Some greens powders have ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms, or other adaptogens that assist with stress relief and anxiety. These may interfere with other medications, so be conscious of that.
- Minerals – Calcium, potassium, selenium and other minerals help support healthy blood pressure and immune system functioning.
Greens powders with the most nutritional value have a balanced variety of ingredients. To get the most health perks, you want to find a blend that covers the bases with veggies, fruits, probiotics, prebiotics, and micronutrients.
What to Avoid
Don’t fall for marketing hype! Some greens powders have ‘superfood’ written all over the packaging, but that buzzword isn’t enough to cut it. Check the label to verify the specific breakdown of ingredients and determine that the product isn’t loaded with cheap fillers like maltodextrin, artificial gums, or synthetic thickeners. These low-quality ingredients can be used to improve the drink’s texture or add bulk so it seems like you’re getting more in the package.
Artificial sweeteners, flavors, and sugar are also added to greens powders to improve taste. If possible, avoid these blends because they can cause blood sugar spikes and interfere with weight management.
Overall, a good indicator of a high-quality greens powder is that it has been third-party tested. Instead of falling for flashy packaging or viral trends, take time to read labels and understand exactly what it is you’re mixing up.
Get Over the Biggest Drawback: a Dirt-Like Taste
Ask anyone who quits greens powders and they’ll probably echo this response: “It tastes like dirt!” Flavor is, by far, the biggest hurdle when it comes to trying a greens powder smoothie – that is, if you don’t like earthy flavors.
Another thing to consider: some greens powders are sold in large tubs with a measuring cup, some require refrigeration, and some come in single-serve envelopes for tossing in a gym bag. Plan ahead to pick a greens powder that requires easy prep and storage that suits your lifestyle.
How to Pick the Best Greens Powders
- Look for Organic.
- Avoid greens with ginseng – unless you want the caffeine boost.
- Pick a powder with “no added sugars” and “no artificial sweeteners.”
- Label should include Daily Value Percentages.
- Watch out for adaptogens, if taking certain medications.
- Choose a blend that fits your beverage style (smoothie, shaker bottle, or water poured over ice).
Here’s the final takeaway. Greens powders are great – but they don’t deliver the same amount of fiber as eating whole fruits and vegetables. My advice? If you’re drinking green smoothies, include them as part of a well-rounded diet, not as a substitute for whole meals.
