Side 2: Why Powders Are Better than Plants
You might have thought that I was a food-only proponent when it comes to nutrition. Not in the least—I’m a big fan of the right kinds of supplements. I think we should start with real food, but we also have to acknowledge that the average person’s plant intake is woefully low: one or two servings per day of vegetables and two or three servings of fruit. It’s even less if we deduct juices. There are many reasons for that lack, but we need a practical solution. Powders can provide a partial answer, whether mixed into smoothies or plain water or consumed as capsules.
The primary reason vegetable and fruit powders are better is consistent content. If the label says 500 mg of blueberry concentrate or 300 mg of acerola cherry concentrate, that content should be there scoop to scoop or capsule to capsule. The produce we buy or even raise ourselves can vary widely in phytonutrient content.
Second, for the most part, the powders are convenient. If you always have a smoothie for breakfast, a scoop or two of the vegetable and fruit powder is a quick way to improve your diet.
The Issue with Powders
The phytonutrient content per scoop or capsule may change depending on when the vegetable or fruit was harvested—even in as little as a couple of hours. It doesn’t mean they won’t be there, only that the types and quantities of phytonutrients may vary slightly.
Another issue is finding a reliable, high-quality manufacturer. This may be a great time to listen to “The Characteristics of a Quality Manufacturer” in my audio on Supplementing Your Diet. If you don’t have a copy, the MP3 is only $4.95 and you be listening in a couple of minutes.
The Bottom Line
There’s room in a healthy diet to get your eight to ten servings of vegetables and fruits from food with an assist from vegetable and fruit powders if you need them. There are small issues with each approach, but using a complementary approach may help you achieve your nutritional goals while giving you the flexibility to meet your nutritional needs even with a demanding, unpredictable schedule. The lesson: Eat better. Some plants plus some powders can give you the best of both worlds, and that can help you get closer to the nutrients your body needs.
What are you prepared to do today?
