Not Just Protein Powder: 20 Healthy Powders To Get Your Daily Dose Of Nutrients
Not Just Protein Powder: 20 Healthy Powders To Get Your Daily Dose Of Nutrients
Super Powders to the Rescue!
Protein powder gets all the hype, but there are other noble powders worth adding to your diet. Powders are a great addition when you don't get all the nutrients you need from your meals. Although this list of powders packs a nutritious punch, consult your doctor before scooping heaps into your smoothie.
1. Hemp
Hemp powder comes from the cannabis plant that's making waves in the health industry. Not be confused with marijuana, hemp has no THC. The green plant makes a mean powder that is protein-rich and high in fiber. It's the perfect plant-based protein for vegans and its mild taste makes it versatile to blend in smoothies or add to baking.
2. Maca
Flourishing in the Peruvian mountains, maca is an ancient root that many believe contain medicinal properties. While there's not enough evidence to fully back this up, some will find it's aphrodisiac properties amusing. Along with vitamins and minerals, maca powder is supposed to be good for reducing stress, improving menopausal issues, boosting energy levels.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is the most magical bright orange root. Although it's not actually an ingredient for a witch potion, it's bursting in health benefits. It's a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and has also been shown to have a positive impact on serious diseases like type 2 diabetes. Add it to curry, chutney, or steep it with ginger for a gut-loving drink.
4. Pea Protein
Those peas in a pod are good for your body! Besides the protein powders made with multiple ingredients, pea protein is one of the highest plant-based protein sources containing all the healthy amino acids. The iron-rich powder goes well in many recipes including smoothies and pancakes.
5. Spirulina
Spirulina is in the blue-green algae family that is supposedly drenched in benefits for your heart, eyes, and lungs. This mermaid powder contains all the healthy fats your body needs along with antioxidants, iron, and essential vitamins. From hummus to pasta sauce, you can add it to almost any dish, as long as you're ok with the vibrant green color.
6. Cacao
Real dark chocolate is a superfood! Raw cacao is chockfull of iron, magnesium, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. It's known to improve your mood and boost your energy. With cacoa powder you can make healthy desserts like a decadent hot chocolate or chocolate banana bread.
7. Acai
These super berries grow on palm trees in Central and South America. They're as rich in nutrients and health benefits as they are in the color purple. They promote brain health and are powerful antioxidants that could help control blood sugar levels. There's a good reason acai bowls are very popular at health-conscious cafes.
8. Baobab
The baobab tree is mainly found in Africa, Madagascar, and Australia and its roots contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. As a powder, its a high-fiber ingredient known to help manage weight. It tastes great in drinks or sprinkled on oatmeal or yogurt.
9. Goji
Goji berries are the bright red fruit you see in a lot of granolas and trail mix but its become popular as a powder too. Along with vitamins, they contain all the antis–– they're anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, and antimicrobial. The powder is ideal in smoothies and drinks but it can be added to many recipes.
10. Lucuma
Lucuma powder is an Andean powder known as "gold of the Incas" and it comes from a nutritious yellow fruit. It's very high in fiber and has shown to help with blood sugar control. Lucuma powder is a fabulous substitute for brown sugar.
Augustus Binu : flickr on Wikimedia
11. Mushroom
Many types of fungi contain unique health benefits and have been used in Asian medicine for centuries. Mushroom powders have been produced to help with sleep, focus, cognitive health, anxiety, and so much more. You can add mushroom powder to all kinds of recipes like soup, lattes, and puddings.
12. Beetroot
The benefits of this root are hard to beat! Beetroot powder is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as well as many vitamins and minerals. The purple powder decorates smoothie bowls and juices while infusing them with body-loving benefits.
13. Chlorella
Chlorella is a green algae that thrives in freshwater and contains an extremely high dose of vitamin B12. It boasts in many other vitamins and minerals as well like iron, vitamin A, and beta-carotene–– that stuff that improves your eyesight, immune system, and skin. It's nutrients works best in raw dishes and beverages like energy bites and smoothies.
14. Matcha
Matcha green tea powder has been a ceremonial tea for centuries, especially amongst Buddhist monks in China. Matcha is rich in antioxidants which benefits the heart and brain. It's high caffeine content is balanced out by the L-Theanine content which is an effective stress-reliever. It's become most popular as a creamy latte, hot or iced.
15. Moringa
Moringa powder comes from the leaves of moringa trees that are native to Central America, Asia, and parts of Africa. It's has a mighty antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content and essential amino acids. It tastes great simply mixed with juice, coconut water, or good ol' regular water.
16. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass are the fresh leaves that sprout first on a growing wheat plant. As a powder, it's nutrient-dense, chockfull of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Scoop some wheatgrass powder into a smoothie, it may help your body digest and boost the immune system.
17. Flax
Flax seeds are well known for their high dietary fiber content but they also contain so much more. Ground flax provides your body with healthy fats, lowers cholesterol, and could help lower the risk of some cancers. It's a versatile powder with a mild flavor that works very well in baked goods to boost their health.
18. Ginger
Ginger has been used in holistic medicine for a very long time and it's known to aid digestion and nausea. It's a root with anti-inflammatory compounds and is very high in antioxidants. Ginger powder adds a spicy kick to any beverage or saucy dish like soups and curries.
19. Kale
Kale is no secret to the health market but its only recently become a popular powder. Not only is it full of vitamins and minerals, kale powder is known to improve blood sugar and blood pressure, and lower the risk of several diseases. If you need more greens in your life, kale powder is easy to sneak into your recipes, including fruit smoothies.
20. Superfood Blends
If you feel like your body needs a nutrient booster, a superfood blend might be a good option for you. Superfood powders are created with several powder ingredients that usually contain a mix of protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They've become a very popular additive to breakfast smoothies and pre-workout shakes.
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