If you struggle to get the recommended five daily servings of vegetables and fruits, greens powders can fill the gaps. These supplements are made from freeze-dried, ground-up produce, like spinach, seaweed, wheatgrass, blueberries, and broccoli.
Some companies amp up the nutritional power of their greens supplements by adding vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, and other ingredients.
“Of course, we should try to get as [many] of our nutrients from a well-balanced, diverse diet, going with food first, supplementation second,” Koszyk says. “Think of greens powders as an insurance policy to get your nutrients covered.”
“Think of greens powders as an insurance policy to get your nutrients covered.”
Ideally, you’ll find a greens powder to address nutrient deficiencies; get a blood test at your doctor’s office if you’re not sure what nutrients you might be lacking. Some vitamins and minerals can be dangerous at high doses, so check the supplement label to be sure you’re getting the correct amounts.
Also, keep in mind that some powders contain caffeine; these supplements are best taken in the morning so they don’t mess with sleep, says Koszyk.
She suggests looking for third-party-tested greens powders with organic, nonbioengineered ingredients, when possible. “Since the greens powders can be concentrated, you want to make sure the sourcing is as pure and toxin-free as possible.”
Learn More
Read “Should You Use a Greens Supplement?”
Listen to “Why Supplement With a Greens Powder?”
More on Functional Water Additives
See “3 Functional Water Additives to Try” (from which this article was excerpted) for two additional supplements, their benefits, and tips on finding a high-quality product that meets your needs.
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