Buying guide for best superfood powders
We’ve all heard of superfoods like blueberries, kale, and spinach. Nutritionists tout their many health benefits and encourage us to make them a part of our daily routine. But in today’s busy world, that isn’t always easy to do. Fortunately, there’s now an alternative for those who want a more convenient way to add some healthy foods to their diet: superfood powders.
These powders contain a mixture of several nutrient-dense plant foods. You can either stir them into a glass of water and drink them plain or use them as a base for a smoothie. They vary in taste, texture, and price depending on the brand and the nutrients they contain.
At BestReviews, we created this guide to help you choose the best superfood powder for your needs. Our top choices are outlined in the table above. You can start with one of these or keep reading to learn more about superfood powders.
Why use superfood powder?
Superfood powders enable you to get the nutrients of various fruits and vegetables without actually eating those foods. They’re a great way to introduce more variety into your diet without buying a bunch of produce that you won’t be able to eat quickly enough.
Many consider superfood powders to be a useful supplement to their routine because the powders contain phytonutrients not found in traditional multivitamins. But a superfood powder isn’t a replacement for a good multivitamin because it rarely contains all of the vitamins and minerals you need.
A superfood powder is also not a replacement for eating fruits and vegetables. Depending on how the powder is processed, some nutrients can be lost. These powders usually don’t have quite as much fiber as the foods themselves, either, and fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive tract.
In short, a superfood powder is a good addition to your routine if you’re looking for a quick way to introduce more nutrients into your diet. However, it should not be a replacement for any of the other healthy choices you’re (hopefully) already making.
Types of superfood powders
Superfood powders come in two main varieties: green and red. There are also rainbow powders and powders that are a mix of green and red.
Green superfood powders
Green superfood powders are the most common type. They contain a mixture of a variety of green plants such as spinach, kale, parsley, broccoli, and seaweed. You may want to opt for one of these if you’re having trouble getting your two to three cups of vegetables per day. Notably, however, some people have trouble stomaching green superfood powders due to the taste. These powders usually contain more vegetables than fruits, and it can be difficult to mask the veggie flavor. If you find this is a problem for you, you may want to consider mixing your green superfood powder into a smoothie with fruit.
Red superfood powders
Red superfood powders are a newer invention. They’re often composed of berries and therefore have a much sweeter taste. This also makes them higher in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells against damage from free radicals.
Red superfood powder is the better choice if you’re picky about flavor and want something that’s going to go down easily. But you should note that these powders are usually more expensive than greens powders.
Expert Tip
Red superfood powders are generally sweeter and can be used as a sugar substitute in some recipes.
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Key ingredients
Read the ingredient label carefully before choosing a superfood powder. Here are some of the key components to watch for.
Vitamins and minerals
The specific vitamins and minerals included from powder to powder. It’s not uncommon to find some vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium in these powders. You’ll see these listed on the nutrition label, along with quantities to help you compare one powder to the next.
Unfortunately, most of these products contain proprietary blends. These are listed on the nutrition label as a bunch of fruits and vegetables without individual quantities. This can make it difficult to determine how much and what type of nutrients you’ll get from the powder.
If you find yourself having trouble, it may be best to focus on a few key superfoods that you know contain the vitamins you’re looking for. Look for these ingredients on the product label, and go with the one that best serves your goals.
Fiber
Most people don’t get enough fiber in their diets. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of natural fiber, and superfood powders can provide some of what you need. However, you’ll probably only find one to two grams of fiber per serving at most.
You may be tempted to look for a product that has lots of fiber, but this may not always be the best move. Fiber is bulky, and a lot of fiber may leave little room for the rest of the nutrients you expect to get from a superfood powder.
If you’re concerned that you’re not getting enough fiber in your diet, consider eating more fiber-rich foods or adding a fiber supplement. Don’t rely on superfood powder alone to provide all of the fiber you need each day.
Enzymes and probiotics
Enzymes help your body break down food. They’re found in all types of raw foods, but they’re often lost during the cooking process. Probiotics are good bacteria that line your digestive tract and help boost your immune system. Not all superfood powders contain enzymes and probiotics, but many of the top brands do.
If you’re looking for a powder that has enzymes and probiotics, opt for a product that has multiple types of each. Different enzymes break down different types of foods, and having multiple strains of probiotics in your system is better than just one.
Special dietary requirements
This one should be obvious, but it’s important to check the nutrition label carefully for any ingredients you may be allergic to. Common allergens found in some superfood powders include wheat, mushrooms, and soybeans.
If you have other dietary requirements (vegan, organic, non-GMO, etc.), not to worry. These should be listed clearly on the product label as well.
Sugar
It’s not uncommon to find a few grams of sugar in a superfood powder, especially if it contains fruit. A little bit won’t hurt you, and it may even help to improve the taste, but don’t go overboard. A product with more than a couple of grams of sugar could negate some of the health benefits you’re getting from the powder.
Artificial colors and sweeteners
Most superfood powders don’t contain artificial sweeteners or colors, but it’s a good idea to check the label to be sure. Artificial colors are usually easy to recognize because they have an identifying number such as “FD&C Blue #1” that stands out on a nutrition label.
Here are a few artificial sweeteners you may want to watch out for.
Taste and texture
Some people may argue that the taste of a superfood powder is even more important than its nutritional content. After all, the powder won’t do you any good if you can’t stomach it. Personal preference plays a key role, of course, but you can get some idea of how good a superfood powder tastes by reading customer reviews.
Texture matters, too. Some powders dissolve smoothly into water while others clump up, creating a gritty texture. Customer reviews can help you determine which powders dissolve the best.
Superfood powder prices
Depending on the brand, ingredients, and size of the container, you could end up paying anywhere from $10 to $150 for a superfood powder.
A higher price tag isn’t always an indication of a better superfood powder. The fact of the matter is, it’s difficult to measure how well any superfood powder actually works, and some companies like to capitalize on the commonly held belief that the more you spend, the better the product is. There may be some truth in that statement, but you should never choose a superfood powder based on price alone. Instead, look at the ingredients and customer reviews to help you decide which product offers the best value for your money. The product list above is a great place to start!
Tips
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If you’re looking for a superfood powder with a smooth, creamy consistency, go with one that contain lecithin.
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If you have a sensitive stomach, choosing a superfood powder that has a good mix of digestive enzymes in it may help.
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A large number of different ingredients doesn’t always mean a better product. Sometimes, the ingredients listed are included in such miniscule amounts that you won’t get very much benefit from any of them.
FAQ
Q. How much superfood powder is in a single serving?
A. This varies from powder to powder; the nutrition label should provide you with the needed information. Most superfood powders come with a scoop so you can easily measure out a single serving.
Q. Should I opt for a green superfood powder or a red superfood powder?
A. Red superfood powders are better if you want more antioxidants. Green powders are better if you’re trying to make up for not getting enough vegetables in your diet. If you want both of these benefits, look for a rainbow powder or a red and green powder. These are less common, but they can give you some of the benefits of both red and green superfood powders.
Q. My superfood powder is clumping. What do I do?
A. If this is a consistent problem, you may want to consider investing in a different superfood powder. But you may be able to handle the issue in the short term by stirring it thoroughly and drinking it before the powder can settle again.
