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If you’re more of a fries than a side sal type of gal, and your main servings of daily fruit come in mimosa form, then hi! Hello! We totally get it. It's not easy ingesting the recommended daily serving of fruits and veggies, which is *exactly* why you're gonna be all about the green juice that everyone seems to be obsessing over: the As-Seen-On-IG greens powder. Before we get into the nitty gritty of green life, you're probably wondering, "Is my kitchen about to resemble the inside of a Jamba Juice?" Why, yes. Yes it is.
"Greens powders are a convenient, compact, and shelf-stable way of adding greens to your diet to boost your nutrient intake," says Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD, founder of The Hormone Dietitian. "There are many different formulations of greens powders, so depending on the ingredients, the dissolvable powders are a great way to get in greens and other nutrients that you wouldn't normally eat, such as moringa and seaweed," Azzaro says.
While that all sounds reassuring, how is one actually supposed to drink these so-called ~magical~ greens? Azzaro replaces her afternoon coffee with a scoop of the greens for a jolt of energy that doesn't involve caffeine. You can take that route, or you can totally blend 'em into smoothies too.
No matter your morning routine, there's truly a greens powder for every occasion: Some are best for that post-gym protein boost, while others come in clutch lil packets for chugging at the airport (where there will definitely be a serious lack of health food in sight). Whether you're in need of a dose of antioxidants or a hit of energy to get you through that 4:00 meeting that could have been an email (le sigh), look no further than below for the best greens powders money can buy.
Best Overall Greens Powder
Amazing Grass Greens Blend Superfood: Super Greens Powder Smoothie Mix
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Amazing Grass Greens Blend Superfood: Super Greens Powder Smoothie Mix
Pros
- No added sugar
- Certified Organic
- Can be stirred into water, smoothies, or baked goods
Cons
- Always, *always* check with your doc beforehand
"The Amazing Grass Original is a good basic greens powder with no added sweeteners," says Azzaro. She notes that this particular formula contains herbs that could potentially interact with certain medications, so double check with your doc before you begin scooping.
Pro tip: Bake the powder into cookies or brownies for an added boost. Don't ya just feel healthier already?
Naked Greens Green Superfood Powder
Pros
- No sugar or additives
- Gluten and dairy-free
- Contains 6 organic veggies (including broccoli, kale, and spinach)
Cons
- Unflavored and unsweetened
Broccoli not your vibe? Get your greens in slightly camouflaged form with a tub of Naked Greens. This superfood blend boasts tons of vitamin K (which is great for bone health), plus it's gluten free too.
Mixhers Hergreens
Pros
- Comes in convenient single-serve packs
- Multiple flavor options
Cons
- Has a tiny bit of added stevia
Travel greens powder packs? Genius. Stash a few of these bbs in your carry on for an in-flight health boost. The fiber from the added veggies aids in healthy digestion, and flavors include mango, pink grapefruit, apple and pomegranate.
CYMBIOTIKA Plant Protein
Pros
- High in fiber and protein
- Vanilla flavor
Cons
- A bit pricey $$
This bb is loaded with 20 grams of plant-based protein plus plenty of amino acids to help your muscles rebuild post-HIIT class. There are certain adaptogens (aka a type of herb) and digestive enzymes that may not agree with you depending on what other supplements you take, so just double check the ingredient labels on all supplements before you sip.
SAKARA Sakara Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder
Pros
- 12 grams of plant-based protein
- Rich in iron and magnesium
- Easily blends into smoothies or nut milk
Cons
- Definitely a splurge
For starters, let's talk packaging. Sakara's Protein + Greens is so pretty, it deserves a permanent spot on your kitchen counter. What's inside is equally as good too. Each serving boasts 12 grams of plant-based protein, and the coconut flavor blends perfectly with your go-to milk of choice. When in doubt, blend up Sakara's signature smoothie recipe: greens powder, nut milk, nut butter, spinach, and banana.
HUM Nutrition Raw Beauty Skin & Energy Green Superfood Powder
Pros
- Contains antioxidants that may benefit skin health
- Mint chocolate chip flavor
- Solid price for 30 servings
Cons
- Contains sugar
If you're vegan, chances are you're already ingesting plenty of greens, but you could always use more vitamin C and zinc, which are staples in this superfood powder. It's mint chocolate chip flavored too, so it tastes like you're drinking a super indulgent milkshake.
Golde Pure Matcha
Pros
- Contains caffeine, but not enough to make you jittery
Cons
- Can be a bold taste for some
Okay, so! When we said greens, we were't technically talking matcha, but it *is* green and chock full of antioxidants, chlorophyll, and amino acids, so it counts.
Falling asleep at your computer rn? Matcha has significantly less caffeine than coffee if ya need a little afternoon pick-me-up. Whisk some into a smoothie or latte, and sip until satisfied.
Ora Easy Being Green Superfood Greens Powder
Pros
- 20 different kinds of greens
Cons
- Contains a tiny bit of sugar in the form of monk fruit
There are 20 different kinds of greens and veggies stuffed into this powder. Green pepper? Check. Broccoli? Check. Parsley? Check. Sure, you can sprinkle some into your morning smoothie, or! You could pull an Ina G. and add it to pesto for some superfood-infused pasta.
Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens Powder
Pros
- Contains collagen and hyaluronic acid for skin health
Cons
- Some reviewers say it doesn't taste great in smoothies
To all my girlies with the 15-step skincare routine, this greens powder is for you. Vital Proteins contains 15 grams of collagen, a protein that nourishes the cells that make up your skin, hair, and nails, plus 120 milligrams of hyaluronic acid (ya know, that moisturizing ingredient that's in your fave face cream).
Pros
- Vegan *and* gluten free
- Available in chocolate, apple, and original flavor
Cons
- Don't consume if you're already taking probiotics
This apple-flavored blend of sprouts, seeds, and antioxidants aids in digestion thanks to a healthy dose of probiotics. Reviewers recommend blending it into your morning smoothie with other fruits and veggies.
Primal Harvest Greens Powder Supplement by Primal Harvest
Pros
- Tastes great in juice or smoothies, according to reviewers
- Less than 1 gram of sugar
Cons
- Don't consume if you're already taking probiotics
If you set 10 alarms in the morning, this primal greens blend may be the answer to waking up on time. This powder features a mushroom blend (that you can barely taste, btw) that supports a healthy dose of energy, no matter what time you chug your greens.
thrive Organic Greens & More Superfood Blend, Original
Pros
- Blends smoothly
- Contains a few grams of proteins in addition to the greens and vitamins
- Sugar-free and soy-free
Cons
- Some reviewers say it has an odd taste on its own
Always in a rush to blend your a.m. green juice before heading out the door? Hi, same. Thankfully, this one dissolves easily into juices and smoothies, making your morning routine that much more seamless.
What are the benefits of greens powders?
Hate to rain on your food pyramid parade, but you're probably not consuming enough fruit and veggies throughout your day. "The US Dietary Guidelines recommend 2.5 cups of veggies and 2 cups of fruit per day, and most people are averaging less than that" Azzaro says. That's where greens powders come in, especially if you're the type of grocery shopper that buys a XL bag of spinach only to toss it a week later. Azzaro suggests substituting greens powders in place of fresh baby kale or spinach during moments when you need veggies most (ahem, morning, noon, and night). "Green powders ar also super convenient when you're traveling and not sure how many veggies you're going to be able to consume on the go," she says.
How often should you take greens powders?
Yes, you can safely consume greens powders on the daily. But Azzaro points out that you should always double-check the ingredients and call your doc before consuming. She also notes that since green powders can't completely replace the need for whole fruits and veggies, you should sneak in and snack on the latter as often as possible.
How to choose the best greens powder
Read the ingredients and read 'em again
Use the same skills you use to stalk your ex's new GF to scope out the label of any greens powders before buying. "The goal is for your greens to include ingredients that are as close as possible to fresh fruits and veggies," Azzaro says. Be cautious with some ingredients that are more 'supplements' than food—many greens powders have added pre- and probiotics, digestive enzymes, adaptogens and herbs that may interact with medications that you're currently taking.
If you're chasing your morning smoothie with other vitamins or supplements, check those labels too while you're at it. "Some greens powders are so high in certain vitamins and minerals that those levels may become toxic if you're taking other supplements like multivitamins," Azzaro says.
Check for the sugar content
It's not that you can *never* have sugar (would not get through the week without it, trust), but it's best to avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible. (Those may read like sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin on an ingredient list.) They're not the best for you and could be especially irritating if you struggle with IBS or bloating.
"Be cautious of consuming too much added sugar or too many non-caloric sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit," Azzaro adds.
Make sure you're buying from a legit retailer
Alright, one more spoiler for you: Greens powders are *not* FDA-regulated, so you have to do your own research before clicking add to cart. "Pay attention to the quality of the supplement and buy from a reputable company to make sure you know what you're taking," Azzaro says.
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