Is a greens supplement right for you? If you hated finishing your veggies as a kid and still loathe the idea of eating massive amounts of fresh greens you're not alone. Plenty of us suffer from great intentions in the produce aisle and a drawer full of wilting veggies that we never seem to have time to cook.
We don’t have to lecture you on the long list of benefits green veggies offer. Still that doesn’t mean you have to love eating them. Although it’s great to be culinarily adventurous, let’s agree to let the food guilt end here. Thankfully, greens supplements can provide many of the benefits of fresh veggies. So whether you just dislike the taste of kale or swiss chard, or simply don’t have time to prepare fresh veggies on the fly, you still have options for maintaining a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
What are the Benefits of Greens?
From the classroom and dinner table to the doctor’s office and family holidays, all of us have grown up hearing adults in our lives tout the benefits of eating our greens. Well, your parents, teachers, doctors, and great aunt were right. Greens are packed with many necessary nutrients that improve your overall health. Sure, you may get these nutrients from other food sources, but often in much lower quantities.
Some of the health benefits of greens are:
Help with Weight Management
Despite being highly nutritious, green veggies are very low in calories. So regardless of how much you’re eating, the scales won’t show much of a drastic change. Bulking up your meals with more greens can help you manage your weight without feeling hungry.
Prevent Signs of Ageing
Green veggies contain magnesium, calcium, vitamins K and B, and other nutrients that can help prevent the signs of ageing.
Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
These veggies are significantly high in dietary fibre and low in fat. They’re also a great source of magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and phytochemicals. Consuming these delicious healthy veggies may help you reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Improve Immune Function
The vitamin A and beta-carotene in green veggies may help boost the immune system.
Support Bone health
Your bones require calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K to stay strong and prevent injuries. Lucky for you, a mix of green veggies is all you need for a boost of these essential minerals and vitamins.
Do Most People Get Enough Greens?
According to a survey, only 28.6% of Canadians aged 12 or above have been consuming five portions of vegetables and fruits per day. Greens are not always convenient when you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to prepare fresh meals every day.
Not getting enough greens can cause your body to be at a higher risk of health conditions like stroke and diabetes. People may also suffer from a poor immune system, reducing their ability to fight off viruses and bacteria.
One reason people avoid greens is because their taste doesn’t inspire mouthwatering hunger pangs like more flavour-packed foods might. Some people have grown accustomed to the taste and convenience of processed and ready-to-eat foods, which prevent them from eating green veggies. If, for any reason, you’re missing some of those vital greens in your daily diet, the easiest way to meet your body’s requirements is to take a green supplement. This way, you can stay healthy and active and don't have to worry about eating all of your veggies.
What Kinds of Greens are the Best Options?
If you’re willing to introduce greens to your daily diet, you can choose from a bundle of tasty options. You don't need to eat them raw – you can prepare delicious and mouthwatering recipes as well.
Here are some healthy and highly nutritious greens that you can include in your diet.
- Kale
- Microgreens
- Spinach
- Collard greens
- Cabbage
- Beet greens
- Romaine lettuce
- Endive
- Arugula
- Bok choy
- Turnip greens
Why are Greens Supplements a Good Alternative to Veggies?
Green supplements, a type of dietary supplement, are gaining popularity among several different age groups. This is because the supplements provide you with the daily recommended dose of minerals and vitamins. Wondering why they are an excellent alternative to green veggies? Here is why.
Provide Necessary Nutrients
Green supplements provide you with all the necessary nutrients that you need in your veggies. Based on the supplements you choose, you’ll get the necessary amounts of fibre, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and other nutrients. This way, a reliable supplement can prevent or combat different health problems. These supplements also provide your body with carbohydrates that act as an effective energy source.
Don't Have a Strong Taste
If you choose a high-quality and reliable brand, the supplements will be tasteless or have great taste. This way, people who don't like the taste of green veggies can still enjoy the benefits of nutrients.
Easy to Eat
Supplements are pretty easy to eat compared to green veggies. You don't need to cook them or visit the market to purchase them. And they won’t go bad in a few days when you forget them in your fridge. All you need to do is to grab a capsule, gummy, or whatever supplements you have purchased and take it with water.
What to Look for in a Green Supplement?
When choosing a green supplement, make sure it meets the following requirements.
- It needs to contain all the necessary ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
- You need to look at the brand that is manufacturing green supplements to ensure their quality.
- The supplements need to be free from artificial content like additives.
- They need to meet your body’s daily requirements.
What can a Green Supplement do for Your Body?
Here are some health benefits that a greens supplement can offer your body:
- Supports immune system
- Helps in disease prevention
- Provides strength to perform daily activities and chores
- Offers eye and cognitive health
- Contributes to a healthy lifestyle that supports heart disease and diabetes prevention
Bottom Line on Greens Supplements
So, yes, eating green veggies is beneficial for your health. But if you can't eat them (or just won’t), try incorporating green supplements into your diet. This way, you don't have to deal with common nutrient deficiencies.
Greens Supplements Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I take a greens supplement?
You should take your greens supplement every day to maximize its benefits. Like with vitamins and other supplements, consistency is key to realizing all the perks from the nutrients found in greens supplements.What are some key ingredients to look for in a greens supplement?
It's important to look at the label and ingredients list when selecting a high quality greens supplement. You want to look for a greens supplement which contains a variety of useful ingredients and nutrients, which include similar nutrients that you would find in fresh veggies. Look for vegetable ingredients sourced from both land and sea. The addition of fibre and digestive enzymes can also be beneficial.
Try these Greens Supplements
Progressive VegeGreens 265g Pineapple Coconut
North Coast Naturals Ultimate Daily Greens 270g Sweet Iced Tea
Allmax Cytogreens 535g Acai Berry
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