Monthly Guest Blog: Kavisha Jega

SHOP Vitamix by Region:
SHOP Vitamix by Region:
Aus & NZ
USA
UK
Canada

Kavisha is a Food and Wellness Coach holding a Masters degree in Wellness. With expertise in holistic nutrition, preventative medicine and corporate wellness, Kavisha has taken her knowledge, personal experience and passion for wellness to develop comprehensive healthy eating programs and educational cooking classes and seminars to help you transform your diet and overall health for the better.

We are lucky enough to have Kavisha as our July Guest Blogger and she is breaking down the benefits of Green Superfood Powders, what they are and why you should be taking them.

Green Superfood Powders – What Are They and Why Take Them?

Green powders are made by taking substances such as organic vegetables, fruits and herbs (anything high in nutrients and antioxidants), drying them out and turning them into a powder. What’s left is a dehydrated form of the original substance, thus making consuming them very convenient and quick.

More often than not green drinks also contain Algaes such as chlorella and spirulina . Now I know this sounds disgusting but these algaes are extremely nutrient rich, help detox your system, are more bioavailable (meaning they’re absorbed more effectively) and should be included in your diet every single day.

Chlorella contains nutrients that are known to bind with heavy metals such as mercury and remove them from your body. Much of the sea fish that we eat, such as tuna, contains heavy metals due to industry that pollutes the sea. Chlorella is natural detoxifier.

Spirulina is a powder that is incredibly high in protein (65%) and nutrients. When harvested correctly from non-contaminated waters, it is one of the most potent nutrient sources available. The benefits of spirulina are endless…

Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s.
Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.
Spirulina has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation.
Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc.
Spirulina is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk.

Many people who are new to super food products are a bit put off by the intense tastes of the more potent powders. I’m constantly asked which powders actually taste good and the answer is… none! Sure some are more palatable than others but these often come from artificial flavours or sweeteners and are best avoided. To make a green powder taste better you can mix it with coconut water instead of plain water. You may also want to experiment blending them into your smoothie, but don’t add too much as it can greatly effect the taste. Honestly my best tip is just to hold your nose and gulp it down (if you’re really having trouble some brands make a pill version). At the end of the day It’s important to remember that MOST of these products are good for you and none of them are going to taste like chocolate milk.

Why You Should Be Drinking One Daily…

For a lot of us, the food we consume is heavily processed and lower in enzymes and antioxidants, meaning we’re more likely to have free radical damage or oxidative stress on the body. Green foods act as a counter balance. Now I’m not saying that if you take a powder you can still eat all the crappy food you like (we should be getting our nutrients from a healthy diet), but these powders can give your health and wellbeing a giant boost.

Ditch your multivitamin and opt for a green powder instead. As opposed to multivitamins, green powders aren’t synthetic and aren’t made in a lab. They are one of the most convenient forms of wholefoods supplements going around. Most people also report having better energy after taking one for a while, and nowadays I certainly notice when I’ve missed taking mine.

What You Should Look For…

The best type of green super food powders are those with less ingredients (because they are more nutritionally dense). I tend to stick to those that contain a simple mix of spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and marine algae Green Superfoods by Green Nutritionals. Make sure to read the ingredients list as ingredients are listed on the back in order of percentage in the mix. The best types of powders will list spirulina and chlorella as the first. Barley grass can be a cheap filler and isn’t as nutritious as the first two. If the product lists barley grass first it will usually be an inferior product (usually reflected in the cheaper price). When taking your green powder make sure to stick to the recommended amounts (usually 1 teaspoon a day). If taken in excess (we’re talking multiple heaped teaspoons daily) you’ll become best friends with your toilet (and nobody wants that!).