Greens powder is a dietary supplement made from powdered fruits and vegetables. Lately it is becoming more popular but is greens powder good for you and can it be added to a bariatric diet? The short answer is yes but with medical clearance and, it should not be used as a replacement for a healthy, bariatric diet.

Check with your doctor first

Before adding any supplement into your diet, we always recommend checking with your doctor first. This way you can rule out any interactions with other medications or medical conditions you may have. And, if you’ve recently had weight loss surgery whether it's gastric sleeve or bypass, we advise waiting until you are at least one month post surgery to add greens powder. This way you can focus on your protein intake to help maintain lean body mass. 

Potential benefits of Greens Powders

The benefits of greens powders may vary depending on the specific products and ingredients. The dried fruits and vegetables can be beneficial to add extra vitamins, minerals and probiotics that may be lacking in your diet. These benefits can help support a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation. 

When considering specific brands, we always encourage our bariatric patients to check the nutrition facts label and ingredient list for added sugars. Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood Juiced Greens Powder contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, K, folate, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese, 25 calories, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein per serving. The nutritional label doesn’t list any added sugars or alternative sweeteners which makes it a good choice for a bariatric diet. 

Limitations of Greens Powders

It’s important to note that greens powders should not be used as a replacement for a healthy diet. This is because they do not replace the whole food version of fruits and veggies. Most greens powders are processed by juicing the fruits and veggies, dehydrating them and then grinding them into a fine powder that mixes with liquids. Because juicing any fruit or vegetable lowers the fiber content, greens powders are often much lower in fiber than if you were to consume the fruit or veggie in its whole and natural form. Unless your greens powder has added fiber, we recommend adding it to a protein smoothie along with some frozen fruit to make up for the fiber loss.   

If you’re considering greens powder to add more fruits and veggies into your diet, we recommend adding a scoop to your daily protein shake. Or you can drink them alongside a protein and fiber-filled meal. Keep in mind that after having weight loss surgery, green powders can be gas-inducing. If this occurs, discontinue use and contact your doctor. 

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For more questions or to make an appointment, call us at 908-481-1270.