I took a deep dive on my hunt for the best greens powders, speaking with dietitians and trying popular brands to uncover whether or not they're worth the money. The health supplement market is booming. Thanks to a 1994 FDA ruling that supplements are food and not medicine, it's also unregulated—people are purchasing products that may or may not work, and which could have almost anything in them.
Spoiler alert: Greens powders aren’t harmful, ultimately, but the dietitians I spoke to agreed that they're not a replacement for a healthy, varied diet. You need to eat your greens, plain and simple. Your body needs fruits and veggies.
Greens powders are an expensive product that may or may not help your various woes. But if you’re someone who doesn’t eat enough fruits and veggies, and you speak with your health care provider beforehand to ensure the ingredients are safe based on your own medical history and needs, greens powders may help bridge the gap.
Ultimately, you (and your doctor) should figure out which powder—if any—is best for your needs. Your doctor can help you determine which nutrients you're missing and assess whether a greens powder can help supplement any gaps. But I’ve tried a ton of these supplements (with my doctor's approval!), and I have noticed better, smoother digestion; heightened energy levels; and a general sense of wellness.
I love fruits and veggies, but I also tend to eat like a 5-year-old with access to grown-up money. One personal anecdote that may be useful is that drinking a greens smoothie in the morning makes me feel healthier all day. You know how when you have a super healthy meal for lunch, you think more carefully about what you’ll have for dinner? Greens powders make me consider my choices carefully all day long. I drink more water, I eat more mindfully, and I feel like a Fitness Queen much more so than on the days where I wait until 4 pm to consume anything but coffee.
I think greens powders make sense for me as a supplement, but I refuse to be separated from my kale salads and fruit plates. Or my Hot Cheetos. Life is about balance, after all.
Is there a greens brand you want WIRED to try? Do you have one you swear by? Let me know in the comments below.
Updated August 2025: We’ve updated our assessment of WelleCo Super Elixir and added updated information on the newest AG1 flavors. We’ve also checked for accuracy throughout.