If there’s one supplement I never skip, it’s my daily greens powder. It has become an essential part of my morning routine, helping me feel energized, balanced, and ready to take on the day. As a holistic health coach and athlete, I know how important it is to get enough micronutrients, but let’s be honest—getting a variety of greens in every single day isn’t always easy. That’s why I rely on a high-quality greens supplement to fill in the gaps. I even make sure to bring my favorite travel-size greens supplement with me whenever I travel.
Why I use a greens supplement every day
Even though I eat a healthy diet, there are days when I don’t get enough leafy greens or nutrient-dense superfoods. Whether I’m traveling, busy adulting, or just not in the mood for ass big salad, my greens powder is my nutritional safety net. Here’s why I love adding it to my routine:
1. It provides natural energy without the crash
Unlike coffee, which can sometimes leave me feeling jittery, my greens supplement provides a steady and natural source of energy. Many greens powders contain ingredients like chlorella, spirulina, and matcha, which help support cellular energy and oxygenation. I’ve noticed that when I drink my greens in the morning, I don’t experience that mid-afternoon slump.
2. It supports gut health and digestion
As someone who prioritizes gut health, I love that most high-quality greens supplements contain prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. These ingredients help my body break down food more efficiently and support a healthy gut microbiome. Since adding greens to my daily routine, I’ve noticed a big difference in bloating and digestion.
3. It detoxifies and reduces inflammation
Many of the ingredients in greens powders, like wheatgrass, dandelion, and spirulina, are known for their detoxifying properties. They help support liver function and eliminate toxins from the body. I also love that they’re packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation—so important for athletic recovery and longevity.
4. It's a convenient (aka lazy way) to get more nutrients
Even when I’m eating well, I know I’m not always getting the wide variety of vitamins and minerals my body needs. A high-quality greens supplement provides a concentrated dose of vitamins A, C, K, and B-complex, plus minerals like magnesium and zinc. It’s like a multivitamin, but in a form my body can absorb more easily.
When and how I take my greens powder
I like to keep my supplement routine simple and sustainable, so I make sure my greens powder is part of my daily ritual. But I don’t always necessarily drink it at the same time every morning. Here’s how I incorporate it into my day:
First thing in the morning
On the days where I eat breakfast later in the day (like on the days that I’m doing intermittent fasting), I will consume my greens first thing.
On those days, as soon as I wake up, I add a scoop of this greens powder to my morning hydration cocktail (click for recipe). I do this before I drink anything else that might jolt my system awake – like a protein shake or coffee.
Post-workout for a recovery boost
If I’ve had a tough training session, I sometimes add my greens powder to a post-workout smoothie with chocolate protein powder, creatine, frozen berries, and almond milk. It’s a great way to replenish electrolytes, reduce inflammation, and support muscle recovery.
Afternoon pick-me-up
I’ve cut my caffeine intake way back lately to the point where I only drink 1 cup of half-caf coffee each day. I used to rely on caffeine in the afternoons to get my through that mid-afternoon slump. And because I’m not a morning person (100% bear chronotype over here), this is also the time that I prefer to workout.
If I need an energy boost later in the day instead of grabbing or brewing a cup of coffee, I’ll mix my greens powder with coconut water. This gives me a gentle and hydrating lift without the caffeine crash.
Mixed with a simple milk frother
One of the downsides about most greens powders is that they don’t mix very well in water. I could use a blender but honestly I’d rather not dirty have to clean my Vitamix if I can use a milk frother instead. These little devices are great to use for mixing powder into liquid, are easy to clean (just rinse) and they are very inexpensive. This is the one that I use which cost me $9.99 and it’s one that I highly recommend. I bought a couple with covers, but you can purchase one without a cover for even less (right now the coverless frothers are on sale here for $7.64). I have one at home that I bring with me when I travel, and also keep one at work in my cubicle.
The best greens supplements for optimal health
I’ve tried a lot of different greens powders over the years, and I’ve found a few favorites that check all the boxes—clean ingredients, great taste, and noticeable benefits. Here are my favorite picks – in ranked order.
In my opinion, there is no better greens powder than the one that Legion Athletics makes. It contains the highest quality ingredients and is backed by 57 peer-reviewed scientific studies which you can read about here. These greens not only contain higher quality ingredients with higher bio-availability compared to others, they also taste better. I prefer the unflavored version so I have more options for mixing but they do have a very palatable acai flavor if you’d want to be hardcore and just mix with water.
They run about $2 per serving (or $1.80 with a subscription) but if you use this link to purchase and use code HGA at checkout, you’ll save 20 percent on your entire order. I think the cost is totally worth the value you get with this product. And it’s way less than buying a cup of coffee from the local coffee shop every afternoon.
What I love about these single serve packets is that it makes traveling with my greens super easy. Along with my milk frother or a stainless steel shaker bottle, I will pack one packet per day that I’ll be out of town and bring along several different flavors of my favorite electrolytes. I also love this brand because it’s unflavored so I can mix it up with different flavors of mocktini electrolytes – like pina colada or peach bellini.
Right now you can snag these on Amazon for $1.90 per serving which is significantly cheaper than Athletic Greens (AG1) travel packs which can cost you around $2.82 per serving with a subscription. I’ve compared them both and have found that they taste exactly the same, both are sweetened with stevia, and both contain a variety of organic foods and herbs to detoxify and support gut health. If you’re going to purchase single-serving travel-packs, save some money and opt for these greens instead. There’s no subscription required although if you wanted to do that, you can choose the “Subscribe and Save” option on Amazon and save an extra 5 or 10% on every order.
Because Legion Athletics’ Genesis Greens are the best greens supplements on the market, they are often sold out. When that happens, my fall back option is this one. According to a report on ConsumerLab.com which tested a variety of greens powder supplements, they found this option to have the least amount of lead in it compared to other popular brands such as Dr. Mercola, Athletic Greens (AG1) and Paleo Valley. These brands had detectable levels of lead higher than 0.15 micrograms of lead per gram of powder. Country Farms Super Greens had the lowest amount of lead (0.04 micrograms per gram) detected of all the mixed greens supplements that were tested.
Not only is this one of the best options for quality and has more ingredients as more popular brands because it also contains superfoods, prebiotics and probiotics, it’s also one of the cheapest greens products on the market. Right now on Amazon, one serving of Country Farms Super Greens will cost you around $0.82 per serving.
Get yours here.
Final thoughts: why you may want to consider adding a greens supplement
If you’re looking for an easy way to boost your energy, support digestion, and get more essential nutrients, I highly recommend adding a greens supplement to your routine. It’s one of the simplest and most effective habits I’ve incorporated into my wellness journey.
If you’re interested in trying one, check out the affiliate links above to find a high-quality option that fits your needs. Based on the benefits I’ve felt so far, my body shows thanks for consuming my greens and yours will too!
Do you already use a greens supplement? Let me know your favorites in the comments!
