The Best Things to Mix With Your Greens Powder
Many people like the idea of greens powder because it's an easy way to get vitamins and minerals from fruits and veggies without having to put in much effort. The taste can be a problem for some people, though, especially if there aren't any added sugars in your green juice.
Some people think that greens powder has a grassy taste and a chalky texture to it, but this issue is quite fixable. Simply mix your greens powder with water to get that familiar, fresh minty flavor. If you’ve already tried this and still don’t like the taste, you can try mixing your greens powder into a smoothie, some yogurt, or even your breakfast pancakes.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best things to mix with your greens powder, so stick around. Who knows? You might even start to look forward to your daily dose of green juice!
What Are the Benefits of Taking a Daily Greens Powder?
According to the CDC, only about 1 in 10 adults are meeting the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. This is worrisome because fruits and veggies are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need in order to function properly.
Fruits and vegetables are also exceptionally high in fiber, which helps to regulate blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Fiber can also be helpful when it comes to managing cholesterol levels.
Since we know we need to eat more fruits and veggies but struggle to do so, many of us are constantly searching for easy ways to boost our intake of vitamins and minerals. One option is to take a daily greens powder (also known as super greens powder or powder greens). You've probably seen ads for these products or heard people talk about their benefits on social media. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of taking a daily greens powder below:
Excellent source of nutrients
As we’ve already discussed, greens powders are chock-full of nutrients. They’re a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals and maximize nutrient intake. Usually, greens powders contain vitamins A, C, and K, along with minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium, as well as antioxidants.
Having just one serving of greens supplements can easily help you meet your daily needs for vitamins and minerals. This is especially great news for people who don't have easy access to fresh produce. In general, taking a daily greens powder could make it a lot easier for you to add extra nutrients to your diet, too.
Increases energy and endurance
Clinical studies have found that the natural compounds in fruits and vegetables can improve energy and endurance. This is likely because fruits and vegetables are rich in phytochemicals. Research also shows that phytonutrients, which are typically found in greens powders, can increase energy, improve agility, reduce feelings of tiredness, and shorten recovery time.
Taking greens powders as a dietary supplement might help keep your energy levels up, particularly on days when you’re not feeling the best. If you like to go to the gym first thing in the morning, taking a daily greens powder might just give you the extra boost of energy you need to have a great workout.
Improves digestive health
Greens powders contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which are super important for keeping your digestive system healthy. Fiber also helps you feel full and satisfied after eating, which means you won’t experience excessive hunger. As an aside, this is one of the reasons why greens powders can help with weight loss and bloating as well.
Eating foods that are high in fiber is linked to better control of blood sugar levels and improvements in the variety of bacteria in your gut. These are important for maintaining a healthy weight and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses, like type 2 diabetes. Not only that, but the flavonoids found in greens powders have been found to help with constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating related to irritable bowel syndrome.
Boosts immune health
Another benefit of using greens powders as supplements is their capacity to support a strong immune system and decrease inflammation due to their high antioxidant levels. Greens powders containing seaweed or algae are particularly rich in phytochemicals and polyunsaturated fatty acids, both of which have strong antioxidant properties.
A study involving obese women discovered that a blend of fruit, berry, and vegetable powder concentrate decreased oxidation and inflammation. This was linked to the presence of phytochemicals in these fruits and vegetables. This is another testament to the fact that taking a daily greens powder could help with weight loss.
Promotes detoxification
Both the liver and kidneys are super important for the body's natural detoxification process. Your liver helps process nutrients from the food you eat and eliminates waste and toxins through the kidneys. The leafy greens and other plants that are used in greens powders contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that specifically protect the liver and kidneys from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.
Certain vitamins, like vitamin C, also act as antioxidants and reduce free radical damage. Not only that but when you drink greens powder, you’re increasing your fluid intake (since most people mix greens powder with water). This extra hydration supports the body's natural detoxification process by helping to filter waste through the kidneys.
Can Greens Powder Replace Fruit and Vegetables?
No. Although greens powder might seem like an easy way to get your daily fruit and veggie intake, it can't replace the real deal. According to experts, while it can add to a healthy diet, greens powder can't match the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables in their natural state.
To stay in good health, you need to eat a balanced diet with plenty of whole fruits and vegetables. Why, you might ask? Fruits and veggies contain lots of vitamins, fiber, and protein. Different fruits and veggies have unique mixes of carotenoids that aid your body in different ways. Beta-carotene, for example, turns into vitamin A, while lutein and zeaxanthin help to keep your eyes healthy.
Eating these nutrients in their natural form ensures that your body can use them effectively. The main reason people take supplements in addition to eating fruits and vegetables is that supplements fill in the blanks.
When fruits and veggies get turned into powder, especially if they're juiced before drying, you can lose a lot of fiber. Also, water-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals, like vitamin C and polyphenols, can get lost during the drying process.
A diet with a mix of fruits and veggies gives your body exactly what it needs. While greens powder certainly has its benefits, it can't replace the full nutritional value of eating real fruits and vegetables.
The Best Things to Mix With Your Greens Powder
Now, onto the fun part! If you don’t particularly like the taste of greens powder, even when mixed with water, you’re not alone. Let’s take a look at the best things to mix with greens powder below:
Smoothie
Do you put spinach in your morning smoothie? If so, you might as well start putting your daily dose of greens powder in there, too! Mixing greens powder into a smoothie with natural sweeteners can hide its taste in a couple of ways. For example, the cold temperature of the smoothie can lessen the flavor.
Adding other delicious ingredients can help mask the taste of the greens powder, too. To add more fiber and nutrition, try blending a serving of greens powder with some ice cubes, half a banana, a handful of frozen strawberries, one pitted date, a handful of spinach, a tablespoon of nut butter, and a splash of almond milk in a high-speed blender.
If you find that the taste is still too bitter, try adding a teaspoon of cacao powder. There’s nothing a little chocolate flavor can’t fix, after all!
Yogurt bowl
Adding greens powder to your regular yogurt bowl can also be a great idea. The dietary fat present in yogurt helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like K, A, D, and E, which are found in greens powder.
Just sprinkle a bit of greens powder over a serving of your preferred plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and mix it in thoroughly. To add some sweetness, include fresh fruits, like banana slices and blueberries on top, and for a crunchy texture (and some extra omega-3), add crushed walnuts.
Salad dressing
You can easily enhance the nutritional value of your salad by including a bit of greens powder in your preferred salad dressing recipe. The distinctive taste of the greens is quickly disguised by the other salad ingredients, so don’t worry about it being too bitter!
For a simple dressing, blend 1 minced shallot, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon of greens powder. Mix thoroughly, and drizzle it over your salad!
Pancakes
If you don’t like green eggs and ham, maybe you’ll enjoy green pancakes. To make this interesting-looking and nutritious breakfast, all you have to do is whip up your favorite pancake recipe and stir in your daily dose of greens powder.
We’d recommend topping your green pancakes with fresh strawberries or blueberries, and some sugar-free syrup. This may be the perfect breakfast to accompany your greens powder smoothie!
Hummus
When making homemade hummus, think about adding a spoonful of greens powder for extra nutrition. It’s easy! Just blend 1 can of cooked chickpeas (rinsed and drained), juice from 1 lemon, ½ cup of tahini, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of greens powder.
Add olive oil gradually until you reach your preferred thickness. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin. If you're short on time, you can also mix some greens powder into your favorite store-bought hummus.
Enjoy the Maximum Benefits of Greens Powder With Revive MD
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make your daily dose of greens powder taste better. Feel free to try out Revive’s Daily Greens Powder if you’re looking to add a little extra nutrition to your daily routine.
The information being presented in this blog is intended to be used as educational or resource information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. This content should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider. You should call 911 for all medical emergencies. Revive MD is not liable for any advice or information provided on this blog, which advice or information is provided on an “as-is” basis, and assumes no liability for diagnosis, treatment, decisions, or actions made in reliance upon any advice or information contained on this blog. No warranties, express or implied, are made on the information that is provided.