What To Look For In A Superfood Powder

Everyone knows they need to eat more veggies. We know they’re good for us. We know they contain fiber, antioxidants, iron, and other vital nutrients we need to survive and thrive. The truth is, it’s hard to consume enough foods that contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our bodies need. Superfood powders, on the other hand, are easy to add to your daily routine and they’re chock full of everything your body craves to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Let’s go over everything you need to know about selecting a superfood powder and adding it to your diet.

What is a Superfood Powder?

Superfood powders are made from nutrient-dense veggies, fruits, herbs, spices, and other ingredients. Since they’re powdered, it’s easy to drink a full meal full of vitamins and antioxidants with your favorite smoothie or juice. Superfoods tend to contain high levels of specific nutrients – especially antioxidants – so you get the most bang for your buck in every serving. Kale, spinach, cranberries, blueberries, mushrooms, ginger, and many more are all considered superfoods in one way or another.

Why Should You Consider Adding Superfood Powders to Your Diet?

According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 90% of Americans don’t consume enough fruits and vegetables. (1) With diets lacking key fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, this puts over 90% of the nation at-risk for developing countless chronic conditions including cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, diabetes, and many others. Costs also plays a large role. Many might run into budget or accessibility problems when it comes to consuming enough fruits and veggies. While superfood powders aren’t cheap, they do have a decently long shelf life – unlike fresh fruits and vegetables. Sure, you could purchase frozen or canned varieties, but you’d still have to manage time to prepare them. Superfood powders contain several servings in each bottle, won’t rot or expire after a few days, and are easy to consume on-the-go. Plus, you can order them online and have them delivered to your door if you live in a food desert. In reality, these qualities make superfood powders a budget-friendly way to consume enough vitamins and minerals.

Can't I Just Eat More Vegetables or Take Vitamins?

Eating more fruits and veggies simply isn’t an option for many people who don’t live near decent grocery stores or farmers’ markets. Not to mention, life gets in the way. We don’t always have time to prepare meals that contain the right variety of fruits and veggies our bodies need. Vitamins are an excellent option. However, experts say that it’s better to consume vitamins and minerals through diet. It’s easier for your body to process and use the substances more efficiently when you digest them through food. It’s always a great idea to add a vitamin D supplement or vitamin B complex to your diet since these vitamins are difficult to find in food, but for the others, look for superfood powders or food sources.

Which Ingredients May a Good Superfood Powder Include?

Superfood powders are each unique. Every brand and variety contains its own special blend of ingredients and substances. Look for ingredients like these listed below for a flexible blend of antioxidants, minerals, and flavoring or sweetness without added sugar.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Nature provides a broad range of medicinal mushrooms for improving health across different parts of the body. Mushroom extracts are perfect for supporting energy, weight loss, concentration, and overall nutrition. Plus, they’re generally lacking in flavor so you can easily add them to smoothies and other recipes.

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants including vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, iron, amino acids, calcium, and plenty of other substances your body needs.

Spirulina or Chlorella

Spirulina and chlorella are both varieties of algae and are filled with nutrients and vitamins that aren’t easy to find in other sources such as vitamin K, magnesium, and carotenoids.

Barley Grass

Aside from providing nutrition as a whole grain, barley grass also boasts plenty of magnesium, selenium, copper, vitamin B1, chromium, and other important nutrients.

Acai Berry

Acai berry powder is perfect for adding a little flavor and sweetness to your superfood powder without too much sugar. Plus, you get tons of antioxidants for supporting the immune system and warding away free radical damage

Alfalfa Grass

Alfalfa is one of the best plant sources of vitamin K. The modest plant also provides phytoestrogens for balancing hormones and other substances for cholesterol and metabolic support.

What Ingredients Should You Avoid When Choosing a Superfood Powder?

Likewise, there are a few ingredients and substances you definitely don’t want inside your superfood blend. Carefully read every label before making your selection and avoid the ingredients below.

Fillers

Look for anything ambiguous on the ingredient list like “superfood blend” or “proprietary blend.” These blends are likely just random ingredients without much or any nutritional value. They could even be dangerous.

Contaminants

Chlorella, for example, has the potential to absorb heavy metals during its production and manufacturing. It’s important to buy superfood powders that are made from organic ingredients and routinely tested with each batch for heavy metals and contaminants.

Added Sugar

Many brands add extra sugar to improve the taste of their superfood powders. Read the ingredient list carefully.

Artificial Sweeteners

Keep an eye out for aspartame, sucralose, and ace-k which are all artificial sweeteners that haven’t been tested for the safety of long-term daily consumption. Stevia is a safe and natural sugar alternative.

Factors to Consider When Making Your Selection

Keep a few factors in mind as you browse superfood powders and make your decision.

• Taste: You’ll be eating it every day so you definitely want something that tastes good, right? When buying online, read through plenty of reviews.
• Plant-based ingredients: Read labels to ensure that all ingredients are sourced from plants rather than synthetic substances.
• Organic: When you’re consuming so many ingredients in every scoop, quality is especially important. Look for organic and good manufacturing certifications.
• Protein content: You won’t find it in every superfood powder, but protein will turn your drink into a full meal.

 

5 Benefits of Superfood Powders

As a disclaimer, remember that each superfood powder contains its own special blend of ingredients. Overall, however, superfood powders can boast several health benefits – especially when you consider that you’re swapping out simple water or tea for a nutrient-packed boost.

1. Immune System Support

Plenty of ingredients you may find in your superfood powder are excellent for supporting your immune system and warding away disease. Ginger, turmeric, spinach, and broccoli are all perfect immune-boosting ingredients to look for in a superfood powder. Mix your powder into green tea for extra immune support and antioxidants.

2. Good for Improving Weight Loss

There's no miracle cure for weight loss. However, replacing sugars, salts, and cholesterol-laden fats with fruit and veggie-based ingredients can help you meet nutritional guidelines and swerve cravings. If weight loss is your goal, look for a superfood powder that contains decent protein levels (at least 10g) and adequate fiber.

3. Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation causes problems across the body including acne, headaches, digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue, insomnia, frequent infections, and even mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Nutrients and antioxidants inside your superfood powders can help combat inflammation. Experts recommend leafy greens like spinach and kale. Dark berries like blueberries, cranberries, and cherries are also packed with inflammation-fighting antioxidants. (2) Mix your superfood powder with green tea or coconut water for added antioxidant properties.

4. Boosting Energy and Concentration Levels

When your body receives the nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants it needs, your cells can function at optimal levels – this goes for every cell in your body. Superfood powders made from leafy green veggies are especially beneficial for improving energy levels. Consider mixing your superfood powder with tea, yerba mate, or coffee for added energy.

5. An Easy Route to Get Your Protein and Vitamins

The standard Western diet contains high levels of saturated fats, sodium, processed carbohydrates, and sugar. If you consume an average American diet, you’re probably lacking most key micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. (4) Lacking these important substances leads to a wide range of gut issues, chronic diseases, and even mental health conditions. Emerging research shows a direct link between mental health symptoms and gut microbes. (5) Superfood powders make it easy for anyone to get their daily supply of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for optimal health.

The Bottom Line

If you live in a Western country, there’s a good chance you’re not consuming enough fruits and vegetables. At the same time, it isn’t easy to buy, prepare, and eat enough important ingredients every day. Superfood powders make it easy to include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in your diet without sacrificing time. Make sure to read labels and reviews before making a purchase to ensure your superfoods are filled with high-quality well-tested ingredients.