Are Green Powders a Waste of Money?: A Dietitian Weighs In

If you’re here, you already know that daily fruits and vegetables are vital to maintaining a healthy diet. But with a busy lifestyle, that’s not always possible. Many health gurus suggest greens powders are the answer, but are they really worth the price?

The short answer is, yes, they absolutely can be if you choose the right one! This article will lay out the facts about greens powders to help you choose the best product for your individual needs. Read on to learn about their health benefits, essential ingredients to look for, and a cost analysis of the top brands. 

The Bottom Line

• What are greens powders? Greens powders are scoopable, powdered superfoods, fruits, and vegetables that you can mix into a morning beverage to help fill nutrient gaps and gain potential health benefits.
• Are they worth the price? It’s often cheaper to buy greens powders rather than buying their ingredients separately. Plus, many greens powders provide nutrients and superfoods we normally wouldn’t be getting from our diet. 
• What are the benefits? Greens powders have many purported benefits, including supporting energy, aiding digestive health, and helping maintain immune resilience. 
• What is really in them? Every brand varies, but most greens powders contain superfoods like kale and spirulina, plus probiotics and digestive enzymes.
• How much do greens powders cost? Greens powders cost anywhere from $20 to $90 per 30-day supply, often depending on ingredient quality and quantity.
• Do greens powders really work? While results will vary from person to person and product to product, many people claim that greens powders help them feel energetic, help them withbloating, and even feel like they have a resilient immune system 
• Can you drink greens powder every day? Absolutely. Greens powders typically work best when taken daily and make a great addition to water, juice, milk, or a smoothie. 
• Which greens powder is the best? Live it Up Super Greens is our top pick for a high-quality, good value greens powder. 

What Are Greens Powders?

Green powders are nutrient-dense dietary supplements containing leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, superfoods, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients to support nutrition and wellness.

These greens powders have become a staple of healthy lifestyles over the last decade, claiming various benefits, such as supporting digestive wellness, immunity, and daily energy.

What to look for: When choosing a greens powder, it's critical to look for one that contains high-quality, third-party-tested ingredients to support your wellness goals. Green supplements with between 20 and 30 ingredients will typically have more effective dosing than those packed with 40 or more.

What to avoid: Consider avoiding green powder supplements containing fillers, artificial ingredients, or additives such as sugars and sweeteners that may add harmful effects.

The best greens powders can help you meet daily nutrition requirements while aiding your health goals.

Are Green Powders Worth It?

In our expert opinion, yes! But when it comes to deciding what’s best for your health, start by considering your current lifestyle and nutrient intake. If you struggle to meet your daily fruit and vegetable intake or want to promote overall health, greens powders can be beneficial if you choose the right brand. They are a simple way to meet your nutritional goals, and when considering the potential long-term benefits of properly sourced ingredients, some are well worth the cost.

For example, Live it Up Super Greens can help aid your body’s natural defenses, contribute to energy balance, and support digestive health with its well-rounded variety of superfoods, probiotics, and micronutrients naturally derived from the included whole plant foods. Plus, it tastes great, has only 25 calories per serving, is made with all organic vegetables, and no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

However, not all brands offer the same level of quality and value. Always check the nutrition label, company reputation, manufacturing practices, and potential health benefits when looking for the best greens supplement for you.

What Are the Benefits of Green Powders?

Our bodies are complicated machines that require adequate nutrition to maintain overall health. Many greens powders contain essential nutrients that can help support every function in the body.

Gut Health

Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fiber are ingredients found in many high-quality greens powder. These components can aid regularity, helping to prevent common stomach discomfort. Probiotics also help balance your gut flora, supporting digestion and a healthy immune system.

Balanced Energy Levels

Greens powders may help maintain your energy levels in many ways. For example, green vegetables often found in these powders may provide iron, which is needed for energy production. A daily boost of superfoods also has antioxidant properties, which promote proper physiological function.

Additionally, the best powders avoid both caffeine and added sugars that can spike energy but lead to crashes. Instead, products like Super Greens are made with the all-natural nutrients your body needs to stay strong all day.

Weight Management

When your body is getting what it needs nutritionally, you're less likely to feel like engaging in unhealthy eating habits. The right superfood ingredients also provide the body with essential nutrients that can support healthy metabolic maintenance.

Inflammation

Inflammation is not just a key component of everyday aches and pains; it's also linked to severe conditions. Greens powders usually contain ingredients like ginger, burdock root, and moringa which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Hair, Skin, and Nails

Greens powders contain nutrients that support your overall health, including skin, hair, and nails. By maintaining a healthy dose of anti-inflammatory and free-radical fighting ingredients like spirulina, you may notice an impact on your complexion, nail strength, and hair shine. 

The right green supplement will also include micronutrients known to support hair and nail health, such as folate, B12, iron, and magnesium.

What Ingredients Are in Green Powders? 

While many components may be similar, each green supplement will have different ingredients. The following are some of the top ingredients to look for in greens powders.

Superfoods

Greens powders often contain a variety of superfoods, including chlorella, kale, barley grass, ginger root, leafy greens, wheatgrass, seaweed, and others. Superfoods are high in nutritional value and have numerous purported health benefits.

Super Greens is made with organic vegetables and only uses non-GMO superfoods, making it a natural and convenient way to get your daily greens in a single scoop.

Enzymes and Probiotics

Digestive enzyme complexes and dairy-free probiotics are found in the best greens supplements and support digestive health. 

Enzymes like papain and bromelain aid in the breakdown and absorption of food and nutrients. Many people find that digestive enzymes can help with their uncomfortable bloating symptoms., Probiotics are known to promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. Super Greens contains three powerful types of digestive enzymes and 5 billion CFUs of probiotics.

Natural Sugar Substitutes 

Natural flavor enhancers, such as monk fruit or stevia extract, are found in several powdered greens. While both are better choices than artificial sweeteners, monk fruit has a slight leg up as it has less of an after-taste and less debate about whether it may negatively affect our gut health.

Super Greens contains no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, and uses monk fruit for a subtle sweetness that helps bring out the best of its two flavors: Original mint and Wild Berry.

Vitamins and Minerals

As long as a greens powder uses a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients, it will provide a wealth of micronutrients, such as vitamin C and vitamin K.

Super Greens, for example, is high in vitamins K, B2, B12, iodine, copper, chromium, molybdenum, and iron, while also containing at least 14 other micronutrients—all derived from the formula's powdered vegetables. These vitamins and minerals can assist your body in feeling and performing at its best throughout the day.

Not all greens powders contain these nutrients, so be sure to compare brands and find the one with the best nutritional components for your needs.

How Much Do Green Powders Really Cost?

Cost is a valid concern when choosing a nutritional supplement to gauge its sustainability. Using a greens powder daily can certainly add up financially, so choosing the one that best meets your individual needs is imperative.

The bottom line is that some greens powders are better than others. Let's look at some of the choices on the market, compare what they offer, and narrow down the best product for your dollar. 

AG1

• Single 30-day pouch: $99
• Monthly subscription: $79

Athletic Greens is one of the more well-known green supplements on the market, touting itself as your one-stop-shop for all your supplement needs. Its “foundational nutrition” formula includes over 75 ingredients within three proprietary blends, including many greens, 7 billion CFU probiotics, 1 digestive enzyme, and a mushroom blend. It also contains caffeine from green tea extracts.

On the downside, AG1 contains many synthetic vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant supplements, and only 6 of its 75+ ingredients are organic.

Read the full comparison.

Bloom Nutrition Greens & Superfoods

• Single 30-day canister: $34.99
• Monthly subscription: $31.49

This green powder claims to relieve bloat and support digestion and energy. Bloom Greens & Superfoods contains a fiber blend, an adaptogenic blend with mushrooms, a green superfood blend with wheat grass and barley grass along with blue-green algae, an antioxidant blend containing several fruits and green tea extract, and a fruit and vegetable blend with kale leaf powder, carrot powder, and ginger root extract.

Bloom Greens’ main draw is taste. It has a sweeter taste than most other green powder products and has 8 fun flavors.

The drawback is that Bloom does not state how many probiotics it contains, nor does it list any more than two micronutrients.

Read the full comparison.

Amazing Grass Greens Blend Superfood 

• Single 30-serving canister: $39.99
• Monthly subscription: $31.99

This classic contains a green food blend with several grasses such as wheat grass and barley grass, blue-green algae, and an antioxidant blend including the powder form of rose hips, carrot, acai, and maca. All of the plants in this green supplement are organic.

While Amazing Grass contains 2 grams of fiber from added ingredients, it only contains 1 billion CFU probiotics. Additionally, it contains the additive silica and less than 1 gram of sugar from added fructose.

Read the full comparison.

Live it Up Super Greens 

• Single 30-day pouch: $59.99
• Monthly subscription: $39.99

Super Greens’’ purported health benefits include supporting immunity, gut health, and energy levels. This greens powder is made with organic vegetables and is a great example of well-balanced nutrition with 5 billion CFU probiotics, 3 digestive enzymes, and 22+ naturally-derived vitamins and minerals. It has no stevia, additives, or synthetic or artificial ingredients.

The product is GMP-certified and third-party tested, so you can rest assured that their manufacturing standards deliver only the highest quality. Additionally, Live it Up Super Greens is good for people with dietary restrictions, as it is vegan and free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. 

All customers receive free shipping, and subscribers enjoy an incredible 33% regular discount.

Do Green Powders Even Work?

Having a high-quality, nutritionally complete greens powder in your health arsenal can make a positive difference in your life. Most people who start on greens powders begin to see results in about two weeks of daily use and consistent, full results in one or two months.

If you're trying a new greens powder, give yourself ample time to judge its effectiveness. Consumers have reported a broad range of positive results from greens powders.

How to Pick the Best Green Powder

If you have ever looked into trying greens powders, every company promises that their product will transform your health and your life. Unfortunately, those promises can sometimes be empty. The proof is in the ingredients. 

Ask yourself if the product you're considering has the following:

• Superfoods and organic vegetables
• Enough probiotics and digestive enzymes
• No added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or additives
• Ingredients that aid energy production without caffeine
• Between 20 and 30 ingredients to ensure effective dosing
• Allergen friendly
• High manufacturing standards and third-party testing
• A delicious taste

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to add to your daily health routine, a greens powder can be worth the investment. During your search for the best greens powder, consider looking for a powerful blend like Super Greens to boost your day without hurting your wallet.

Live it Up Super Greens is designed to aid your physical and mental well-being. With f 20+ all-natural ingredients, organic vegetables, naturally-derived vitamins and minerals, and plenty of antioxidants, this green powder may support digestion and energy, aid in bloating discomfort, and help immune system health.

The formula is non-chalky, easy to blend, and comes in two flavors subtly sweetened with monk fruit. It’s manufactured in the USA in GMP-certified facilities and thoroughly tested to ensure quality. You won't find any sweeteners, artificial colors, or anything synthetic with Live it Up—just a well-rounded greens powder supplement that checks all the boxes.

Get the greens powder that’s worth the investment, and consider trying Live it Up Super Greens!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about greens powders.

What are the negatives of greens powders?

While most people do not have any side effects when taking powdered greens, occasionally people may experience bloating, digestive upset, or even loose stool. This is often due to added prebiotic fibers or the body adjusting to new probiotics. Usually, minor symptoms reduce after a week or two; however, if symptoms are severe or persist, stop the supplement immediately and call your healthcare provider for further assistance. 

What's the best greens powder supplement?

The best greens powder is the one that works for your individual needs, as this will help provide the most potential health benefits. For example, AG1 is good for high-performing athletes whose micronutrient needs are often higher than average. Bloom Greens & Superfoods may be a good choice for those who need a sweeter concentrated source of greens with more flavor options. Live it Up Super Greens is an excellent choice for the average person looking to boost their nutrient intake and support their digestive health.

Are greens powders as good as vegetables?

While it’s always best to consume fresh produce and whole fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet, greens supplements can help fill nutritional gaps. These blends have many of the same nutrients as fruits and vegetables, and sometimes more because of the added herbal extracts, blue-green algae, and grasses. 

Remember that nothing can replace a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and whole foods in your daily regimen is best for good health.

Are greens powders safe?

There may be rare cases where a person is allergic to an ingredient in a green powder or where someone uses vitamin-rich supplements to excess, causing health problems. Also be aware that some ingredients may interact with certain medications, so always check with your healthcare provider before starting a new dietary supplement. But aside from that, greens powders are generally considered safe for most individuals when used as directed.

Can greens powders replace meals?

Greens powders are typically low in calories and protein, so they don't make a suitable meal replacement on their own. If you want to turn your greens powder into a meal, you can create a delicious smoothie by adding milk or juice, nut butter, protein powder, and other additions such as fresh leafy greens and fruit.

Are powdered greens good for you?

Greens powders are an excellent way to help boost your nutrient and antioxidant intake with foods you may not be getting in your normal diet. While green supplements should not replace whole foods in your diet, they can be helpful if you are not able to eat the recommended number of whole fruits and vegetables within your healthy diet.

References

• https://www.webmd.com/diet/greens-powder-are-there-health-benefits
• https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/digestive-health/how-to-balance-your-gut-flora-to-reduce-symptoms/
• https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamins-for-nails 
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/superfoods-for-weight-loss
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9654013/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/spirulina-benefits-skin
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323783
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9028423/ 
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/super-greens