The 6 Best Greens Powders of 2021, According to a Dietitian

Fruit and vegetable intake is critical to meet our vitamin and mineral needs. However, only one in ten Americans meet the daily recommended servings for fruits and vegetables. While it's best to prioritize real, whole foods, powders can be a great way to boost nutrient intake if someone is averse to eating whole vegetables or is traveling somewhere with limited access to fresh produce.

Registered dietitian, Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN, recommends blending greens powders into smoothies with other nutrient-dense ingredients to maximize flavor and nutrient intake. "I suggest blending the powder into a smoothie for optimal taste and consistency. Add a source of healthy fat, such as nut butter, chia seeds, or avocado, to your smoothie to help absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in the powder."

It is important to note that research on greens powder is limited and generally conducted by individual companies to back their label claims. The impartial studies that have been done show minimal or no health benefits to nutritional supplements. That said, greens powder do contain some of the same health-promoting properties as fresh fruits and vegetables, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and polyphenols.

What to Look for in a Greens Powder

Nutrients

People take greens powders for different reasons. Regardless of your motivations, paying attention to the ingredients and nutrition label is essential before buying. Some greens will have higher fiber content, while others provide a variety of antioxidants.

Decide what health benefits you’d like to see before purchasing a greens powder. If you’re looking for multiple health benefits, look at the variety of greens included. Generally, a greater amount of greens used typically correlates with a greater amount of nutrients.

Additives

While some greens powders are designed to help you get all of your vegetable servings into your diet, others have additives such as protein or probiotics. If your diet is lacking these supplements, finding a greens powder that contains additional health benefits might be a good option. 

Be aware that some powders contain high amounts of sugar. Look for powders with little to no added sugars and avoid any products with artificial sweeteners, with the exception of stevia or monk fruit.

Taste

Taste is another key consideration when choosing a greens powder because one that doesn’t taste good is one you likely won’t use. If you’re consuming the greens alone or with water, the taste may come off as chalky or unpleasant.

If you’re adding it to shakes or smoothies with a variety of other ingredients (similar to a protein powder), the taste may not be as important. It’s a good idea to read reviews to see what people think about the taste to ensure it’s easy enough to stomach. However, note that taste is very individual—what someone else thinks tastes fine may not be palatable to you.

Labeling and Sourcing

Labeling and sourcing are critical when choosing a greens powder. If picking a product without any fertilizers or antibiotics is important to you, look for a USDA Organic seal. Avoid brands that use marketing buzzwords like "natural" which are not regulated, unless the product has other certifications.

You’ll also want to pay attention to third-party testing certifications, which generally test for purity and potency. Lastly, take a look at the full list of ingredients, either on the packaging or on the brand’s website. Go for products that have ingredients you recognize that are whole, real foods.

Greens Powder Dosage

There is no established RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for greens powders. However, there are RDAs for the vitamins and minerals that they contain. Take a look at the nutrition label and the percent daily value of the vitamins and minerals and assess how the powder might fit into your diet.

It is important to remember that any dosage of greens powders should be supplemental and not take the place of whole plants in your diet. In general, it's best to follow the recommended dosage the brand outlines for the specific product you are using, as all greens powders are different.

How We Select Supplements

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. 

We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science, as well as clinically tested and approved for use in humans. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. These attributes include non-GMO, organic, and allergy-friendly products that are free of most artificial ingredients, including colors, flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners. When possible, we recommend products that are third-party tested and certified.

It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.

Here are the best greens powders on the market: