Pros and cons of taking a greens powder

Greens powders are ALL over social media. You see so many influencers promoting them with millions of likes and shares. But are they actually worth it? Here, I’ll give you a brief overview of the pros and cons of taking a greens powder. But, if you want even more information, check out my YouTube video on the topic!

Pros to taking a greens powder

 1.    May be a nice “back up” if you feel like you didn’t get enough vegetables and fruit that day

• My #1 recommendation is to eat whole, minimally processed food. For vegetables and fruit, this means eating them in their most unprocessed form (note: frozen vegetables and fruit are totally fine!)

• But, on days where you think you didn’t get enough vegetables and fruit, a greens powder might be a nice back up.

2.    Pretty convenient and quick to consume

• All you have to do is mix them with water and drink. So, that’s pretty convenient for a lot of people.

3.    Might be helpful for people who struggle to eat vegetables and fruits (e.g., picky eaters, those who have digestive issues)

• If you’re a picky eater or have a hard time digesting whole vegetables and fruit, taking a greens powder might be helpful in this case.

4.    May inspire other health habits (a lot of people use it as a stepping stone to other healthy habits)

• I find most people taking a greens powder simultaneously also start adopting other healthy habits, such as drinking more water, eating a more nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting better sleep.

• So, if you would like to use a greens powder to help push you in the right direction AND it fits your budget, then sure, it might help!

Cons to taking a greens powder

1.    They will not provide the same benefits as eating whole vegetables and fruits

• The nutrients in whole foods provide synergy and work together, you don’t get this from a greens powder

• Likely the powders will not have the same level of phytonutrients, which are nutrients that are uniquely found in plants that have different health benefits

• Won’t contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. In most cases, greens powders are really low in fiber which is crucial for a healthy gut. Yes, some greens powders contain probiotics, which is nice, but really you’re going to get the most benefit from eating whole plants.

2.    They’re highly processed

• At the end of the day, a greens powder is a processed product.

• If you’re trying to follow a minimally processed diet, then it’s ideal to also get your vegetables and fruit in their whole, natural form.

3.    Many people don’t like the taste

• You usually will get more enjoyment from eating whole veg/fruit

4.    They’re expensive

• Most greens powders range from $35 to $100 per container, which usually provides 30 servings. Honestly, at this point you’re better off spending that money on whole vegetables and fruit.

5.    There’s not a lot of research on them

• Despite the many claims companies make about greens powders, there aren’t really any studies on them. What companies usually do is make claims based off of ingredients found in their products, but to say their product is going to help you lose weight, detox your body, or banish bloating? There’s no quality research to support it.

6.    Not all are third-party tested

• Third-party testing helps to ensure that what the label says is actually in the product. If possible, it’s best to use products that are third-party tested. Does it mean that the product is horrible if it’s not third-party tested? No. But you can’t guarantee that it contains what it says it does. Just keep in mind that new, smaller companies may not be able to afford to get third-party testing done.

7.    Might not contain enough of each ingredient to provide benefit

• Greens powders usually contain a huge list of ingredients, but they’re usually in pretty small amounts. So, I question whether you’re actually getting enough of each nutrient to actually benefit your body.

If you want more information, please check out my YouTube video below!