Remember back in the day when you’d sneakily push your broccoli to the side of the plate, refusing to eat it? Oh so young and innocent. Little did we know that mom was right all along; it’s so important to eat your greens. However, your inner rebellious kid may rejoice because it is possible to up your veggie intake without taking a single bite of the green stuff. How? Three words: green superfood powders.
While it’s always a good idea to prioritize real, whole foods to meet your vitamin and mineral needs, it’s not always easy. In fact, only one in ten Americans meet the daily recommended servings for fruits and vegetables. And that’s exactly where superfood powders swoop in and save the day. High-quality supplements can be an absolute saviour when it comes to upping your nutrient intake.
These delicious powders are a super-concentrated source of nutrients and are an easy way to bridge the gap between eating a bland, not-so-nutritious diet to increase your veggie intake. Most green powders are packed with fruits, vegetables, herbs and yum natural sweeteners that actually taste amazing.
And talk about convenience. It’s hard enough to drink your eight glasses of water, nevermind get all the nutrients you need in a day. Green powder is a perfect way to keep your health in check on the go. Most companies even offer single packets, allowing you to seamlessly add it to your beverage of choice at the gym, work or running errands.
So, ready to go green? Thought so. Let’s talk about what you should look for in a green superfood powder
A quick Google or Amazon search will tell you just how many green powders are vying for your attention. So how do you know which one to choose? While it definitely does come down to your personal dietary needs, taste preference and overall health goals, there are some universal things you should be looking for in every green powder.
According to celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder, you should reach for green powders that are certified organic. The unfortunate fact is that terms like “natural” and “organic” are not regulated. This means that companies can freely slap these buzz words onto their packaging without having to prove anything. Instead, look for powders that are certified organic by checking for the USDA seal. This ensures that the powder is made from at least 95% organic ingredients.
Does It Include Added Sugar?
You’ve probably guessed this one, right? Of course you want your green superfood powder to be free of all unhealthy (and sometimes sneaky) sugar additives like glucose, dextrose, maltose, sucrose, the list goes on. The only exception here is if it’s lightly sweetened with natural forms like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, for example. If you still crave that sweet taste, feel free to add your favourite healthier alternatives like a splash of honey or maple syrup in your go-to green smoothie recipe.
Less Is More
When it comes to ingredients, less is definitely more. Read the nutritional information carefully and opt for brands that have a short list of high-quality ingredients. A good litmus test for this is to see if you can pronounce what’s in the powder. If you can’t, next! Regardless of your end goal, paying close attention to the list of ingredients is so important before you buy.
But Does It Taste Good?
Choosing a tasty green powder is the best way to ensure it doesn’t end up collecting dust in your pantry. We may speak for ourselves here, but we want our go-to green bevvys to be so tasty, it practically tastes like dessert. So what’s your preferred end use? Are you more of a powder + water kind of gal? Or an all-out smoothie lover? This is something to consider because if you’re only adding water, taste will matter. However, if you’re adding it to a bunch of other ingredients in your favourite smoothie recipe, taste won’t matter as much.
Call us biased, but we wholeheartedly stand by our newest protein powder, Glow-Getter Greens as the best overall superfood powder. Made with a full serving of veggies (including kale, broccoli and spinach) in every scoop, our nutrient-dense, high-quality blend will leave you feeling nourished and ready to hit your next PB. Greens include a six-strain probiotic blend that removes toxins from your body, improving your immune system and supports nutrient absorption to boot. So we have to ask, why eat your greens when you can drink them instead? Glow-Getter Greens helps improve gut health, digestion, immune support, energy, and gives an antioxidant boost. Add to your smoothie or drink on its own.
If you’re mindful of your sugar intake, our pick is Garden of Life Juiced Superfood Greens Powder. It has all organic, raw, non-GMO ingredients and is free of added sweeteners (even stevia) without compromising taste. They keep it simple by dying their greens at low temperatures to lock in nutrients. If you’re in the market for a powder that includes zero additives and sweeteners, this is your new go-to. Remember, you can always add in a cheeky banana, berries or your favourite fruit along with dairy-free milk to make that extra delicious green smoothie.
When you’re looking for a little tummy reset, we love Nested Naturals Super Greens formula. It’s easy to digest, contains no artificial sweeteners and is packed with plenty of good-for-you greens. Think alfalfa, spirulina, a healthy fruit and veggie blend and even a hit of probiotics. Plus did we mention that this powerhouse blend has a digestive enzyme combo that helps fight bloating. Just one serving will provide you with over 50% of the recommended daily intake of iodine and over 75% of vitamin B12 that will help boost energy levels.
Lastly, it’s certified vega, organic, non-GMO and comes in a super tasty chocolate flavour. Yum! We love to blend Nested Naturals with a banana, ice and unsweetened non-dairy milk for a light breakfast or a delicious snack.
If you’re in the market for a high-protein, post-workout green powder, RSP Nutrition TrueFit Protein Powder is our top choice. A scoop of TrueFit’s superfood blend contains 25 grams of grass-fed protein with 12 non-GMO fruits and vegetables including organic broccoli, carrot, kale, elderberry and more. It’s also designed to improve gut health with fiber from sweet potato powder and other low-glycemic fiber. All of the protein, fibre, healthy fats, probiotics without any gluten, artificial ingredients or preservatives. It’s easy to see why this is our top post-workout green powder.
Bringing it back to the fact that only one in ten Americans meet the daily recommended servings for fruits and vegetables, we think that green superfood powders are definitely worth it. They’re convenient and an easy way to consume nutrients and hard to find ingredients (I.E spirulina) on a daily basis. Green powders also serve as a great pick-me-up in the morning or afternoon slump, can help with detoxification and digestion.
However, that’s not to say that you never have to eat another green veggie again. A diet rich in whole, plant-based foods will always trump powders. But when it comes down to convenience and ease, powders are the way to go. Just remember to keep our tips in mind when you’re looking for the right green superfood for you.
