A greens supplement sounds simple: a scoop of powdered vegetables. In practice, what is inside the tub varies a lot from brand to brand. Knowing what to look for on the label is the first step to finding one that is worth taking.
What is a greens supplement?
A greens supplement, usually a powder you mix with water or blend into a smoothie, is a concentrated blend of dried plant foods. Most combine some of the following:
- Grasses such as wheatgrass and barley grass
- Leafy and cruciferous vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli
- Algae such as spirulina and chlorella
- Sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse
- Extras such as herbs, adaptogens, prebiotic fibers, probiotics or digestive enzymes
Read more about one popular ingredient in our guide to chlorella.
Who might benefit from a greens powder?
Most of us fall short on produce: only about one in ten US adults eats the recommended amount of vegetables, according to the CDC. A greens powder is an easy way to add plant nutrients on busy days. It does not replace whole fruits and vegetables, which also bring fiber, water and volume, but it can help fill the gap alongside them.
What should you look for on the label?
Greens supplements are often expensive, so it pays to be choosy. Ask:
- Do you recognize the ingredients? If not, does the brand explain why each one is there?
- Are the amounts disclosed? A "proprietary blend" lists a total weight but not how much of each ingredient you get.
- Is it certified organic? USDA Organic certification means the ingredients were grown without genetic engineering and with only approved pest controls.
- Is it independently tested? Look for third-party testing for heavy metals, pesticides and microbes, and published certificates of analysis.
- What is added for taste and texture? Check for added sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors, and fillers.
- Is it truly plant-based? Some greens blends include dairy-derived probiotics or other animal ingredients.
What is in Easy Being Green?
We built Easy Being Green around those questions. It is certified USDA Organic and vegan, with more than 20 organic greens and superfoods from land and sea, which supply naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It also includes triphala and prebiotics to support more regular digestion, and ashwagandha, an adaptogen traditionally used for stress, mood and sleep. It has a refreshing orange flavor and mixes into 8 to 12 ounces of chilled water, a smoothie or juice.
Every batch is tested under our 5 Nation Standard, and you can read the results on our certificates of analysis page. Because it contains ashwagandha, which the NIH advises avoiding during pregnancy and breastfeeding and with thyroid or autoimmune conditions, check with your doctor first if any of those apply to you.
How to take a greens powder
Take it at any time of day, whenever you will remember it most consistently. Shake one scoop into cold water, blend it into a smoothie, or stir it into juice. For more on the ingredients behind our blend, read what is triphala? and what are adaptogens?
