In recent years we have seen green powders rising in popularity. To some, they are seen as a convenient and reliable method of getting one’s daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables without having to go through the trouble of buying and eating whole foods.
After all, why bother to cook, wash, and eat ten servings of fruits and vegetables a day when you can just drink all of it?
It has to be said that this is a misconception and we should take this as being the extreme approach to nutritional supplementing that it is.
Multiple studies have shown that green powders do offer numerous health benefits, but they aren’t supposed to completely replace one’s intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
Let’s take a look at why vegetables are irreplaceable.
Vegetables Are Extremely Nutritious
Regardless of whether you love eating vegetables or simply can’t stand the sight of them on your plate, a well-balanced diet still includes whole vegetables.
Vegetables are important as they are a source of vitamins and minerals which are essential for maintaining healthy bodily functions. Some examples include vitamin A, C, E, K, potassium, folate, and fiber.
Studies have also shown that individuals who consume ample amounts of fruits and vegetables were at a lower risk of contracting chronic illnesses such as heart diseases, cancers, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis. (1)
Additionally, fruits and vegetables also help to keep your skin and eyes healthy, as well as supporting the functioning of a strong immune system. This is just one of the reasons why (despite our best efforts!) super greens should be considered a supplement to – rather than – replacing whole fruits and vegetables in your diet.
That said they are a fantastic way to increase your nutrient intake and make sure that you are getting all the micronutrients required for a healthy functioning body.
Super Greens Versus Whole Vegetables: The Benefits
While both super greens and whole vegetables provide great nutritional and health benefits, they still have their own strengths and shortcomings.
Here is how they compare next to each other.
Super Greens Are Easy To Digest
Super greens typically allow for easy digestion. This is because the ingredients have been dried and blended into powder form — saving your body the trouble of having to digest any excess fiber.
Some super greens also include probiotics which may further support the digestion process, ensuring that your body can break down all the food that you consume and extract the maximum amount of nutrients (studies are, however inconclusive).
Super Greens Are Packed With Nutrients
Depending on your lifestyle, you may need different amounts of vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy functioning body. Getting all these necessary nutrients from different sources of whole foods is a tall order, given how preoccupied we are with work and life.
Factors such as cost and seasonal availability may limit the types of vegetables you can eat.
This means that there will be moments in life where you cannot get all the nutrients you require from whole foods. In the long run, it might cause you to be deficient in certain types of nutrients — and this is when super greens come in.
Super greens are made from a wide range of fruits and vegetables. They are packed with all kinds of vitamins and minerals. Here is what a typical super greens powder might contain:
- Calories: 40 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Fat: 0.5 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Dietary fiber: 2 grams
- Sugars: 1 gram
- Vitamin A (as beta-carotene): 80% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin C: 80% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 60% of the RDI
- Sodium: 2% of the RDI
- Calcium: 5% of the RDI
- Potassium: 5% of the RDI
- Iodine: 100% of the RDI
- Iron: 20% of the RDI
- Selenium: 70% of the RDI
- Chromium: 60% of the RDI
Super greens are an excellent option to help supplement your nutritional needs and serve as nutritional insurance when you find that you are not getting enough micronutrients from your diet.
Vegetables Contain Natural Fiber
If there’s one thing that vegetables don’t lack it’s fiber. This dietary compound is extremely important when it comes to maintaining regular bowel movements and supporting good gut health.
It is thought that consuming a diet rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables may also lower the risk of chronic illnesses.
While super greens do contain added fiber, they often occur in smaller dosages as compared to eating whole vegetables, so it’s important you have variety.
Excessive consumption of fiber may also lead to bloating, gas, and constipation. (2)
Vegetables Promote Weight Loss
Whole fruits and vegetables may be the best approach for those looking to lose weight. Whole vegetables are high in water and the process of chewing vegetables can boost feelings of satiation.
These two factors increase the feeling of fullness, reducing the chances of overeating. (3)
So vegetables may be better than green powders in terms of offering more satisfaction when consumed, therefore aiding weight loss.
The bottom line
Consuming super greens and vegetables should ensure that your body gets all the required nutrients to remain productive and healthy.
While whole fruits and vegetables provide a good chunk of nutrients naturally, super greens can be used to help fill in any nutrient gaps that may exist in your diet.
That’s why our Super Greens drink is made from 15 carefully selected organic ingredients that are included in their optimal dosage. Some of the ingredients included (spirulina, kale, spinach, ashwagandha root extract, Rhodiola Rosea, and garlic) are considered superfoods. These have multiple benefits such as adaptogenic properties to help combat stress, or they are known to boost the immune system and increase energy levels.
This allows consumers to reap the benefits of the superfoods, something which may be lacking in their regular diet due to availability, cost, or access to the full range of ingredients.
So, whilst not aimed at replacing a well-balanced diet, super greens serve as nutritional insurance to ensure that you get all the micronutrients you need — and more. More than that though, with our greens powder you can even improve your brain health.
