The post has been sponsored by food photography.
You’ve probably heard of superfoods like blueberries, avocados, dark leafy greens, salmon, and chia seeds, but did you know that you could also get those healthy fats, fibers, protein, vitamins and minerals through superfood powders? If you live a super busy lifestyle and don’t have time to keep your fridge constantly stocked with fresh produce, or if you’re always on the go and simply don’t have time to prep a meal, that’s where these powders in handy!
Superfood powders contain all that natural, raw, nutritional goodness of your favorite superfoods, only they’re ground up so that they can be easily thrown into your juice, smoothies, or yogurt in the morning, or soups and even baked goods for a quick snack! Most superfood powders are carefully processed to ensure that the whole food nutrients are fully preserved. These nutrients can include any and everything – from antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, and even protein, fiber, and healthy fats, so they offer a wide variety of nutrition benefits. The powders themselves are extremely nutrient dense (the labels typically recommend a tiny 1 teaspoon dose a day), plus they’re more readily absorbed than pills so they’re a great way to supplement your diet!
Over the past year, my boyfriend and I have been experimenting with a bunch of different superfood powders. His favorites are maca, cacao, and matcha (all great for boosting energy levels), while I find myself drawn to protein-rich hemp, subtly-sweet beetroot, and vibrant green spirulina (straight from the sea!). If you’re new to superfood powders, here are a few I suggest trying out…
- Maca – Maca powder is rich in protein, vitamin C and copper and can help boost your energy. It’s also packs lots of bone-healthy calcium. Other health claims include helping to reduce blood pressure and support fertility. It has a slightly sweet, malty flavor.
- Cacao – Cacao powder is loaded with magnesium, fiber and heart-healthy flavonols. It also triggers the release of endorphins, which can boost mental energy and enhance mood. And bonus – it has a very rich, chocolatey flavor that makes any smoothie extra tasty!
- Matcha – Matcha powder is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It’s packed with beneficial antioxidant flavonoids, and has a very earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness.
- Camu camu – Camu Camu is a cherry-like berry from the Amazon. It’s very rich in antioxidants – in fat, it contains more vitamin C than any other known food! It also has provides amino acids, phytochemicals and minerals. The flavor is on the tart side.
- Turmeric – Turmeric powder provides manganese, iron, fiber, vitamin B6 and other important nutrients. It’s a peppery-tasting root.
- Flax – Flaxseed is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health. It has a subtle nutty flavor.
- Hemp – Hemp powder a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, omega-3s and 6s and amino acids, not to mention calcium, magnesium and iron. It can aid in weight loss, increasing energy levels, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, improving digestion (through it’s high fiber content), aiding in detoxification, and regulating blood sugar levels. It has a very nutty flavor.
- Spirulina – Spirulina is a freshwater, blue-green algae that’s high in B vitamins, and minerals like iodine, beta-carotene, iron, calcium, and manganese. It’s also 60% protein and a complete protein, containing all essential amino acids. Because it’s also very detoxifying and alkalizing to the body, has anti-inflammatory benefits, and is also packed with antioxidants. It can have a slightly fishy, seaweed-like flavor, but don’t worry – it disappears when mixed in smoothies if you use the recommended amount!
- Beetroot – Beetroot powder is rich in iron and folate (naturally occurring folic acid), as well as nitrates, magnesium, and betaine (an amino acid that has been shown to have potential benefits for fighting heart disease and helping promote muscle gain and fat loss). It also aids in liver function, detoxification and cellular functioning within the body (1). Beet root has a slightly sweet taste that’s almost imperceptible, even when added to water.
My personal favorite way to enjoy superfood powders is to toss ’em into a smoothie – they practically disappear in the creamy mixture. Meanwhile, their taste (which isn’t always the most pleasant when eaten on their own) gets disguised by the other ingredients while you enjoy all their healthy benefits!
The best part about using these powders in a smoothie is that you can add in 2 or 3 (or maybe more if you’re daring enough!) to create the ultimate ‘super smoothie’ that’s chock full of nutrients, plant-based, raw protein, and more! There is an endless amount of recipes you can make, pairing the powders with fresh or frozen fruits or veggies. Try mixing different ingredients until you find one that satisfies your taste buds!
In the meantime, here’s a quick and easy recipe that takes just three simple ingredients – a banana, berries, and milk. Add in the superfood powders and enjoy! You can also add some optional extras, like coconut oil or flax oil for healthy fats and protein, sweetener, and toppings.
Spirulina & Beet Powder Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 cup of frozen berries
- 1-2 cups of coconut milk (or any other milk of your choice; add less for a thicker smoothie/more for a thinner smoothie)
- 1 tsp of beet root powder (I used this one from Nature’s Way)
- 1 tsp spirulina powder (I used this one)
- (Optional) 1-2 tbsp hemp powder
- (Optional) 1 tbsp of coconut oil (make sure to use the unrefined, extra virgin kind as it’s the most nutrient-rich), hemp seed oil, or flax seed oil
- (Optional) sweetener of your choice
For serving (optional):
- granola, store-bought or homemade (I used this one from Go Raw)
- coconut flakes
- dried or fresh fruits (I’ll typically add fresh blueberries or dried pomegranate arils for some extra texture and sweetness)
Instructions:
- In a blender, add frozen banana, milk, and berries, along with your superfood powders and any extras. Blend until creamy and smooth.
- If too thick, thin with water or more milk. If too thin, thicken with ice. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding sweetener or more banana or berries for sweetness.
- Add toppings if you’d like, and then serve immediately.
Feel free to swap out the ingredients from my recipe, like the fruits and little extras, and experiment until you find the right combination! Smoothies are nearly foolproof snacks to make – if you find that it’s too bitter when you go to taste it the first time, or if certain ingredients start to overpower the others, just add more milk/fruit/sweetener to your mixture until it balances out!
If you don’t already have some superfood powders, oils, or toppings at home, you can find them over at iHerb, one of my favorites places to shop for natural and organic ingredients. They offer over 35,000 products from a range of high-quality brands, including 400+ from Nature’s Way. What I like about Nature’s Way in particular is that everything from their health supplements to their superfood powders and oils are TRU-ID certified (meaning they test to make sure the herbs listed on their labels exactly match the ones inside of their products) and a majority are non-GMO project verified.
At iHerb, you’ll find some of the best prices too (I’ve found them to be a lot cheaper than my local health food stores!). They also ship to over 160 countries and their customer service team provides support in 10 languages. And to top if off, shipping is quick and eco-friendly!
Visit iHerb here to get a discount off your order!
And if you’re a new customer, you’ll also get an additional $5 off an order of $40 or more!
(Discounts and coupons will be automatically applied to your shopping cart!)
