It used to be that you’d have to go to a special health food store to find super greens. No, I’m not talking about spinach, celery, cucumbers or kale. I’m talking about a relatively new category of food supplements that combines the best of several nutrient-dense foods and puts them into powder, capsule of liquid form. Super greens are generically called such due to their dark grass-like (and often grass-tasting) color, and come from many sources, including wheat grass, alfalfa, barley grass, spirulina and chlorella to name a few. Slowly but surely, these mighty mineral boosters have made their way onto the shelves of conventional grocery stores and are proving to be the saving grace of supplements.

Finding nutrition in our daily diet

Super greens on their own won’t lead to perfect health, but if you’re having a tough time squeezing in all your fruits and veggies, it’s a pretty good reason to think about giving these greens a shot. According to the CDC, less than a third of American adults eat the minimum amount of fruits and veggies recommended by the USDA. Each and every one of us should get about four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables a day. Unfortunately, busy schedules and crafty food advertising makes just about every food except fruits and vegetables appealing. Muffin and scones are a quick fix for breakfast, heavy sandwiches and veggie-less salads are served to us for lunch, and dinner in a box is common fare for many of us at the end of the day. Okay, not all of us eat this poorly on a regular basis, but the fact of the matter is we’re deprived of good nutrition.

Carbohydrate, protein and fat, otherwise known as macronutrients, are on the brain of most calorie-conscious people. They’re in nearly everything we eat and drink. There’s a big difference, however, between the carbohydrates found in a pound of apples versus the carbohydrates found in a pound of applesauce! That difference (aside from loads of useless sugar and bad fats) is in the micronutrients – that is the vitamins and minerals. Many of the fruits and vegetables we eat are often processed. Whether they’re canned, frozen or stewed, they’ve lost the powerful vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be found in their whole form.

Different from vitamins

We all know vitamins are important to us, but so are minerals. The more processed our diet, the more we need vitamins and minerals for support. Whether you’re taking an isolated vitamin, such as C, or a multivitamin that provides most of what you need throughout the day, you’re probably still not getting all the minerals you need to keep your body in check. Minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium play an important role in many of our bodily functions. When we take a vitamin, unless it’s from a whole food source, only a small percentage is actually absorbed. Super greens come from whole food sources, so the vitamins and minerals are better absorbed by the body.

What they do

Super greens can be bought on their own or in combination with other micronutrients. Popular types of greens or algae (another similarly showcased super green) include:

Wheat Grass Known to:
● Improve digestion and ease constipation
● Detox the body
● Enhance the health of skin, teeth and hair

Alfalfa Known to:
● Increase energy levels
● Improve heart health
● Alleviate pain associated with arthritis and bursitis

Barley Grass Known to:
● Possess strong anti-aging properties
● Contain large amounts of anti-oxidants
● Promote healthy circulatory, digestive and immune systems

Spriulina Known to:
● Possess anti-cancer and anti-viral properties
● Eliminate food cravings
● Contain large amounts of digestible protein

Chlorella Known to:
● Help the body eliminate heavy metals and other toxins
● Improve overall digestion
● Contain omega-3 fatty acids, a natural antioxidant

Which is right for you?

There are several companies that have mastered the art of creating green foods by putting many of the above greens in one form. What’s more, many of the “condensed” versions also contain probiotics (the good bacteria for your gut). Green foods aren’t cheap, so it might be a good idea to buy a couple packs of single servings before buying a larger canister. If not taken in capsule form, green foods are usually mixed with water or juice. If you can get past the grassy taste and have a green drink everyday, you’re likely to reap the benefits. To learn more about a couple companies that offer green foods, go to http://www.vibranthealth.com or www.purityproducts.com.