3 Best Palatable Greens Powders Under $30
Everyone knows that a healthy, well-balanced diet must include plenty of fruits and vegetables. In addition to supplying the body with many essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, fruits and vegetables are rich in natural antioxidants that help the body fight free radicals and reduce oxidative damage.
Studies have shown that most Americans do not meet the recommended daily intake for fruits and vegetables, which could be a factor increasing the risk of different chronic diseases. [ref.]
If, for one reason or another, you are unable to consume an adequate amount of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, then supplementing with a greens powder can be your next best option.
Greens supplements are formulations of various dried and powdered fruits, vegetables and herbs. While they are not as good and nutritious as fresh food, they can be a more economic option for getting many plant-based nutrients in your diet.
Before You Buy Any Greens Powder
Many nutrition brands offer greens powders with a whole lot of glamorous claims and very little, if any, supporting scientific evidence. So, before we get to which brands are best, let me provide a short list of some important facts you should know before you buy any specific product:
- Most greens powders have a rather bitter, earthy or grassy taste, especially those that contain leafy greens — such as kale — and root vegetables — such as beetroot.
- Generally speaking, these powders aren’t quite a tasty treat. Most healthy vegetables don’t taste great as a dry powder. Blending it into a shake, a smoothie or a citrus juice will mostly mask the earthy/grassy taste, but fresh greens will always be tastier and overall better.
- There are many exaggerated claims and rave reviews about the benefits of these products, but the truth is, you aren’t going to notice any significant effects after drinking a greens juice. This is simply a food not a drug with instant results. You must have eaten many healthy fruits and vegetables before, so what did those make you feel? You may feel a little healthier and vitalized, but it’s not gonna give you a sudden burst of energy like stimulants do.
- Greens will not help you build muscle. In fact, there is some evidence that antioxidant supplementation shortly before or after exercise can hinder muscle growth. Since greens are loaded with antioxidants, they probably aren’t suitable to supplement pre- or post-workout for those trying to gain muscle.
3 Best Greens Supplements
The following are three of the best-formulated greens powders with a palatable taste and a reasonable price just under $30.
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1ORAC-Energy Greens by Paradise Herbs is a rich blend of green juice powder, organic vegetables, berries, adaptogenic herbs, mushroom extracts, probiotics and prebiotics. It’s a well-rounded formula with many nutritious and healing natural ingredients.Price: $28.99 (30 servings)
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2Greens Powder by Ora Organic is a simple blend of various organic veggies, grasses and herbs. It blends easily with smoothies, shakes, juices, or just plain water. It contains natural citrus flavors (lemon and orange).Price: $23.79
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3Super Greens by Nested Naturals contains several essential leafy greens, a few vegetables and herbs, fiber, probiotics and enzymes. It mixes well and tastes good when added to a citrus juice.Price: $27.95