7 Best Superfoods for Vegans Who Want to Stay Healthy

If not approached carefully, jumping into a vegan diet without preparation can lead to gaps in nutrition. Here’s a list of the best superfoods for vegans.

By Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC | Expert Consultant at Live it Up,

— On Jan 16, 2026

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Superfoods for vegans are a lifesaver if you struggle to get enough fiber and nutrients into your diet. Experts recommend eating at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, but more often than not, most people fall short of this mark.

There are many delicious and convenient ways to add more nutrition to your diet and get the best possible benefits for your health. But which superfoods should you take if you're a vegan? Let's look at why you should try superfoods if you’re a vegan, plus the top seven recommendations to get you started.

Why Vegans Need Superfoods

One big challenge for vegans is finding plant-based alternatives for proteins. The best superfoods carry enough proteins to replace dairy, meat, eggs, and honey.

You can add superfoods to your favorite smoothie, juice, or milk alternative and enjoy a balanced diet. Superfoods also punch above their weight in terms of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients may support your body’s natural defenses and may even help manage allergies or digestion.

That said, superfoods can power-pack an already healthy diet. You don't need to love these fruits and vegetables to enjoy their potential benefits. Choose the best superfoods, mix them in a smoothie or stir fry, and you're good to go.

“Remember, a vegan diet doesn’t automatically equate to being healthier! It’s still important to prioritize high-quality, whole-food ingredients to ensure your body is getting as many plant-based nutrients as possible.”

Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

Top 7 Amazing Superfoods for Vegans

The list below features a variety of superfoods that you can easily incorporate in your daily meals, smoothies, and drinks. These superfoods are all vegan-friendly and packed with essential nutrients, but be sure to talk to your doctor about your needs before using them.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a fine golden powder packed with curcumin, a well-known compound for inflammation. Its warm, earthy flavor works well in superfood smoothies. Turmeric also goes well with ginger for an extra nutritional boost.

Turmeric has a rich history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to its potent antioxidants and ability to support the body’s natural immune response, turmeric may assist with post-workout soreness and inflammation.

However, taking too much turmeric can cause some adverse effects, so you should consume only one form at a time—powder, pills, or capsules. If you’re taking any routine prescriptions, talk to your doctor before adding turmeric supplements into your routine.

Dietitian Tip: Turmeric spice is commonly used in Indian cuisine for its mild, earthy flavor. Today, it can be found in most grocery stores and is easy to use when cooking at home; try adding it to soups, stews, and curries for a nutritional boost!

2. Matcha

Matcha is a type of green tea that's higher in caffeine than other green tea varieties. Matcha powder makes the list of superfoods for vegans for its incredible antioxidant content. Taking matcha may help support your skin health and support the body’s metabolic function. It may also aid your memory and cognition.

Add matcha powder to fresh, fruity smoothies to mask its slightly grassy flavor. You should note that matcha has a high caffeine content that can interrupt your sleep cycle if taken at night, as well as increase your stomach acidity. However, the caffeine content is still lower than that of coffee, so it is an excellent alternative to your morning cup of joe.

3. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have high fiber and protein content, making them one of the best superfoods for vegans. These little black-and-white seeds have been around for centuries, only gaining global superfood status in recent years.

Thanks to their high fiber content, chia seeds can support digestive health and regularity and may aid weight loss efforts by promoting satiety after meals, which may help reduce cravings.

Raw chia seeds have no taste and go well with any smoothie recipe. However, they may cause bloating and gas, so you should consume no more than a tablespoon of chia seeds a day. Anyone looking to add chia seeds to your diet, consult your doctor.

4. Spirulina

Spirulina is a dark green powder made from blue-green algae. It's packed with vitamins, proteins, minerals, and nutrients. For the best results, use spirulina with sweet fruits to mask its seaweed flavor.

Research shows that spirulina’s high antioxidant content and potent nutritional properties may assist with inflammation. The high iron content of spirulina may also promote red blood cell production.

Spirulina offers incredible potential benefits for vegans, but be sure that you use an ethically sourced, clean product to avoid possible heavy metal contamination.

5. Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds have exceptional protein and fiber content, making them great superfoods to add to your diet. You can use whole hemp seeds or hemp hearts (seeds with the shell removed), but hemp powder is the best option for vegan smoothies.

Studies have shown that hemp seeds have natural properties that may help with inflammation. They may also help manage bloating, nausea, or an upset stomach.

However, the high fat content of hemp seeds may lead to mild nausea. If you take prescription medications, talk with your doctor before adding hemp seeds to your diet.

6. Acai Berries

You can’t have a list of superfoods without acai berries. These delicious purple berries have more antioxidants than other berries, such as blueberries or strawberries. You can add acai berry powder or frozen acai berries to your vegan smoothies for added nutrients.

Acai berries have high nutritional properties because they are rich in vitamins (like vitamins A and C), minerals (like potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc) and proteins. Vitamin C, in particular, is well-known for its ability to help support the immune system.

These tasty berries are packed with potential benefits like supporting energy and aiding weight management, but you should take them in moderation. People who are allergic to berries or on certain medications should avoid taking acai berries.

7. Raw Cacao

Raw cacao is made from cacao beans that were sun-dried or slow-roasted to retain their nutrients. The properties found in raw cacao can help promote a balanced immune response, assist with inflammation, and support cognitive function. This superfood is filled with flavonoids, iron, protein, and fiber, making it a healthier alternative to processed cocoa.

You can make delicious vegan smoothies with raw cacao powder. Raw cacao powder is an excellent substitute for processed cocoa in smoothies and baked goods, but it has a bitter taste. Consider using sugar alternatives like maple syrup, dates, monk fruit extract, or applesauce if you have a sweet tooth.

Dietitian Tip: You don’t need to eat every single superfood to be healthy. Even just adding a few superfoods to your diet regularly can make a small but mighty impact on your health!

How Live it Up Super Greens Could Help

All of these incredible superfoods are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but they can be tough to get down, expensive, or hard to find in some areas. That's why a quality superfood supplement or greens powder like Live it Up Super Greens can help.

This natural blend is packed with some of the best superfoods for vegans, including:

Spirulina
Kale
Broccoli
Nettle leaf
Alfalfa
Peppermint

Free of any grassy flavors and texture, Super Greens is available in two delicious, refreshing flavors: Original, which is sweet with a hint of mint, and the tart and refreshing Wild Berries flavor. You can enjoy it at any time, although it's best in the morning or after a good workout.

Although nothing beats getting your fruit and vegetable intake from whole foods, Live it Up Super Greens is an all-natural supplement packed with superfoods, vitamins, and minerals intended to help support energy, immunity, and gut health. For vegans, this superfood powder offers 3 cups of veggies per serving and is incredibly potent at bridging any gaps in your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some vegan superfoods?

There are numerous vegan superfoods packed with vitamins and minerals that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. In addition to the ones described above, consider trying swiss chard, fresh or ground ginger, kale, spinach, broccoli, lentils, or beans. You can also consider more niche foods like spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and alfalfa leaf.

Are superfoods worth it?

Superfoods offer lots of potential benefits for your vegan diet and health. They increase your vitamin and fiber intake to meet your recommended dietary intake, helping your body get the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

What are the best superfoods to add to smoothies?

Natural greens and berries work well in superfood smoothies. Add a scoop of Super Greens powder to banana, pineapple, cucumber, mango, or pear smoothies for an added nutritional and hydration boost.

What are the best superfoods for my brain?

There are numerous whole foods that are amazing for supporting your brain health. For example, add chia seeds to your smoothies for a beverage that can help support your brain function. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that may contribute to brain health. Acai berries may also contribute to your brain function because they are rich in vitamins and minerals.

What vitamins and minerals do vegans need to take?

If you’re following a vegan diet, you may need to seek out foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals, or consider adding supplements to your diet. Some key vitamins and minerals for vegans to take are vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and zinc.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or individualized nutrition counseling. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to supplements or medications. Any product or brand mentions are for general information and don’t guarantee results.

References

About the author:

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC | Expert Consultant at Live it Up,

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician dedicated to helping others lead healthier lives through evidence-based nutrition advice.

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