Written By Vanessa Carrillo, BS

You may have come across those morning routine videos that start with a glass of water, a milk frother, and a heaping scoop of a green powder. You might be wondering, “Do people really drink that every day? Does it taste good? Can it actually replace real vegetables?” I had those same questions too.

Here’s the breakdown: 

Price

An 8.14 oz. container that provides 30 servings costs around $40, which means each serving costs about $1.39.

Regulation

The FDA doesn't regulate supplements, so it's unclear if they actually contain what the label says.

Expensive Urine 

Some powders can give you 700% of your daily vitamin needs, but your kidneys will filter out the excess and excrete it through your urine. So, that $1.39 you just spent per scoop is literally going down the drain.

Weight loss

It's easier to feel full by eating veggies than drinking them. Eating more for fewer calories is helpful for weight loss.

Convenience 

Green powders are extremely easy to throw together in a rush and don't spoil as quickly as fresh produce.

Bottom line:

While green powders can be convenient and help you include more veggies in your diet, no supplement can fully replace the benefits of eating real fruits and vegetables. If you're looking to achieve weight loss, consuming real produce is a better option due to its high volume, low-calorie properties. However, if you're in a hurry or looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, green powders can be a helpful addition.

About the Author

Vanessa Carrillo BS Nutritional Science 

Contributing Editor 

Vanessa is a Chicago-based community nutritionist. She has a BS in Nutritional Science from Iowa State University. 

She enjoys writing about Latino food, trendy health products, and pop culture. She writes, edits, and creates content for The Millennial Nutritionist. If she’s not working, you can find her running with her Husky along Chicago’s lakefront path. Catch more of her on The Millennial Nutritionist Podcast.