Are you struggling to eat your greens?
Despite the minimum recommendations of 5 a day, a majority of us struggle to have half of the amount of vegetables that we should be having daily. I know I speak very passionately about my green smoothies and such like, but I know that not everybody is a fan of veggies. Perhaps it stems from childhood and you simply couldn't stand the taste and texture of cabbage, broccoli or other dark greens. This predicament has open the door to a wide range of green and other powders to make up for the shortfall. So what exactly are in these strange green potions??
Well green powders are basically concentrated versions of greens that have been dehydrated and condensed to a powdered form. So in a few daily teaspoons, you can feed your body with those vitamins and minerals that you may have lost from not having much greens in your diet. There are not only green powders, but also powdered versions of fruits, seeds and other grains.
Who needs green powders?
I guess it all depends on how good you are with eating vegetables!! I would say that if you are experiencing any deficiencies or struggle to add more vegetables to your day, then there is definitely no harm in adding these powders into your diet.
Which one is the best?
That's a tough question!! There are so many on the market at present, so I would first consider the health benefits and your nutritional needs. Here is a summary of just a few options.
Spirulina Powder - Spirulina is a green algae which is a rich source of protein, calcium and iron! Perfect for us vegans looking to boost our vitamin B12 levels too!! I would say that this is the more palatable of the green powders
Barley Grass Powder - This is made from dehyrated barley leaves and these full of magnesium (which helps the nervous system), chlorophyll (helps to prevent anaemia)and dietary fibre (keeps the gut healthy!!).
Chlorella Powder - This is another algae cousin of Spirulina. This is one of the stronger tasting green powders (I warn you now!!) which comes from the dark green variety. It is rich in vitamins B, E, iron zinc and calcium!
Wheatgrass Powder - Although it has wheat in the same, it is actually gluten free!! It is a great source of vitamin E and with its antioxidant rich properties, helps to cleanse and detox the body!!
Moringa Powder - Again another popular leaf which provides natural iron, potassium, calcium, protein and a range of vitamins to help your body to feel rejuvenated and energised!!
Matcha Powder - This is made from Japanese green tea leaves which boast 5 times as many antioxidants as regular green tea and is perfect for boosting energy, burning calories and improving your mood!
The great thing about all of these powders, is that you can simply add them to smoothies, juices and soups! So these are definitely optional extras. They can be a little pricey and vary in taste, so it is worth doing your research. Don't forget, having the whole fruit or vegetable is always going to be the best option, but I hope this blog has inspired you to take a closer look at some of these powders and make an informed choice.
Keep sending your comments and emails as they are really keeping me on my toes, but helping so many of us on this juicing challenge!!
x
Despite the minimum recommendations of 5 a day, a majority of us struggle to have half of the amount of vegetables that we should be having daily. I know I speak very passionately about my green smoothies and such like, but I know that not everybody is a fan of veggies. Perhaps it stems from childhood and you simply couldn't stand the taste and texture of cabbage, broccoli or other dark greens. This predicament has open the door to a wide range of green and other powders to make up for the shortfall. So what exactly are in these strange green potions??
Well green powders are basically concentrated versions of greens that have been dehydrated and condensed to a powdered form. So in a few daily teaspoons, you can feed your body with those vitamins and minerals that you may have lost from not having much greens in your diet. There are not only green powders, but also powdered versions of fruits, seeds and other grains.
Who needs green powders?
I guess it all depends on how good you are with eating vegetables!! I would say that if you are experiencing any deficiencies or struggle to add more vegetables to your day, then there is definitely no harm in adding these powders into your diet.
Which one is the best?
That's a tough question!! There are so many on the market at present, so I would first consider the health benefits and your nutritional needs. Here is a summary of just a few options.
Spirulina Powder - Spirulina is a green algae which is a rich source of protein, calcium and iron! Perfect for us vegans looking to boost our vitamin B12 levels too!! I would say that this is the more palatable of the green powders
Barley Grass Powder - This is made from dehyrated barley leaves and these full of magnesium (which helps the nervous system), chlorophyll (helps to prevent anaemia)and dietary fibre (keeps the gut healthy!!).
Chlorella Powder - This is another algae cousin of Spirulina. This is one of the stronger tasting green powders (I warn you now!!) which comes from the dark green variety. It is rich in vitamins B, E, iron zinc and calcium!
Wheatgrass Powder - Although it has wheat in the same, it is actually gluten free!! It is a great source of vitamin E and with its antioxidant rich properties, helps to cleanse and detox the body!!
Moringa Powder - Again another popular leaf which provides natural iron, potassium, calcium, protein and a range of vitamins to help your body to feel rejuvenated and energised!!
Matcha Powder - This is made from Japanese green tea leaves which boast 5 times as many antioxidants as regular green tea and is perfect for boosting energy, burning calories and improving your mood!
The great thing about all of these powders, is that you can simply add them to smoothies, juices and soups! So these are definitely optional extras. They can be a little pricey and vary in taste, so it is worth doing your research. Don't forget, having the whole fruit or vegetable is always going to be the best option, but I hope this blog has inspired you to take a closer look at some of these powders and make an informed choice.
Keep sending your comments and emails as they are really keeping me on my toes, but helping so many of us on this juicing challenge!!
x
