Greens Powders

by Liv Stampke

Parents always said to eat our greens and the Australian Dietary Guidelines say to aim for at least 5 serves of vegetables and 2 serves of fruits a day but I’ll be the first to admit, that even as a nutritionist, I find there are days where I struggle to eat the 2 & 5 despite knowing how amazing these foods are for our bodies. Fruits and vegetables are packed with micronutrients, which are organic compounds our bodies need for various metabolic processes to function. 

Green powders are a convenient way to increase a person’s micronutrient intake and although they should not replace whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, they can be used to help a person achieve their vitamin and mineral requirements when life gets busy.

At Soul Supps we stock True Protein, PranaOn, Switch Nutrition, Naked Harvest and JSHealth greens in a range of flavours. The blends that make up the greens powders are unique for each brand but generally they contain:

Grasses (wheat, barley, oat, spelt)

Vegetables (spinach, kale, celery, broccoli)

Natural flavours/sweeteners (matcha, peppermint oil, coconut, stevia)

All of which contribute a range of vitamins, mineral and antioxidants which are essential for general health.

Additional benefits of some powdered blends include:

Collagen – involved in hair, skin, nail and joint health

Fibre – helping to meet daily requirements that whole foods provide

Probiotics – to support gut health

Digestive enzymes – to assist with digestion

My personal favourite is JS Health Greens + Collagen in the flavour Tropical + Mint.

This greens powder tastes refreshing and easily mixes with water, otherwise I’ll add it to my smoothie for an extra nutrient boost. Note the type of collagen within this powder means it is not vegan, however, the other brands of greens we stock are and have their own nutritional benefits.

Greens powders alone do not provide the same satiety (feeling of fullness) as whole fruits and vegetables and are often significantly lower in fibre, therefore, greens powders should not be used to replace whole foods in the diet but added to a healthy, varied diet. Also be aware that some greens powders contain caffeine from ingredients like green tea and may contain gluten but this will always be stated on the labelling. 

Overall, listen to your parents and eat your greens but know that these powders are a safe and convenient option that may help you to achieve better gut, immune and overall health.