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. I took a deep dive into the world of greens powders, speaking with dietitians and trying popular brands to uncover whether or not they're worth the money.
Spoiler alert: Greens powders aren’t harmful, but 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. But if you’re someone who doesn’t eat enough fruits and veggies, and you speak with your doctor beforehand to ensure the ingredients are safe based on your own medical history and needs, greens powders may help bridge the gap. They’re sort of like multivitamins (which are also unregulated by the FDA)—your body will take what it needs and flush the rest down the toilet.
Ultimately, you (and your doctor!) should figure out which powder—if any—is best for your needs. But I’ve tried a ton of them. 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.
Updated June 2025: We’ve added new powders from Amazing Grass, WelleCo, BrickHouse Nutrition, and Sips Club, as well as updated information on the newest AG1 formula. We’ve also ensured accurate links and prices throughout.