Can I put my Athletic Greens in a smoothie?

Athletic Greens is a popular greens powder supplement that contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and adaptogens to support overall health and wellness. Many people enjoy taking Athletic Greens mixed with water as a quick and easy daily health boost. However, others may wonder if Athletic Greens can be added to smoothies and other foods and drinks as well. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely put Athletic Greens in a smoothie!

Benefits of Adding Athletic Greens to Smoothies

There are several potential benefits to mixing your daily serving of Athletic Greens into a smoothie rather than water:

  • Enhances nutritional profile – Adding Athletic Greens to a smoothie amplifies the nutrient-density. You get the powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals from Athletic Greens plus the fiber, protein, and other nutrients from the fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, yogurt, milk or other healthful smoothie ingredients.
  • Improves taste and texture – Some people find the earthy taste of greens powders off-putting on their own. Blending Athletic Greens into a smoothie can mask any unpleasant flavors and provides a more enjoyable texture.
  • Easy way to boost veggie/fruit intake – For those who struggle to eat enough produce, putting Athletic Greens in a smoothie can be an easy way to increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
  • More filling and satisfying – The fiber, protein and other nutrients in a smoothie tend to be more satiating than just drinking a greens supplement with water. This may help with appetite control and weight management.
  • Convenient meal replacement option – Adding Athletic Greens transforms an ordinary smoothie into a nutritious, balanced meal-in-a-glass when you include protein, healthy fats, carbs and a comprehensive vitamin/mineral source like Athletic Greens.

Overall, mixing Athletic Greens into a smoothie is a great way to amplify the nutritional benefits while also creating a tasty, satisfying drink you look forward to each day.

Best Smoothie Ingredients to Use with Athletic Greens

You have lots of flexibility when making a smoothie with Athletic Greens. Here are some of the top ingredients to include:

Leafy Greens

Choose nutrient-dense leafy greens like spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, romaine lettuce, etc. They add fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant power.

Fruits

Fruits like bananas, berries, mango, pineapple, avocado, apple, etc. blend well in smoothies and provide key nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and fiber.

Vegetables

For additional veggies, use carrots, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, etc. They boost the smoothie’s vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content even more.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are great for smoothies. Try almonds, walnuts, cashews, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, etc. They add healthy fats, protein and fiber.

Extracts and Sweeteners

To enhance flavor, use almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup, pitted dates, etc. Stevia or monk fruit extract can add sweetness without added sugar.

Milks and Yogurts

For creaminess, use milk like almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, dairy milk, and Greek or regular yogurt. They contribute protein, probiotics and calcium.

Bonus Mix-Ins

Some other ingredients to consider are nut butters, protein powder, ginger, turmeric, maca, matcha powder, mint, cacao nibs, chlorella and moringa powder.

Smoothie Recipes with Athletic Greens

Now let’s look at some delicious smoothie recipes that pair perfectly with Athletic Greens:

Green Machine Smoothie

  • 1 cup coconut water or milk
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1 scoop Athletic Greens
  • 1/4 cup ice

Berry Avocado Smoothie

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 scoop Athletic Greens
  • 1 tbsp almond butter

Green Pineapple Smoothie

  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 scoop Athletic Greens
  • 1/4 cup ice

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries
  • 1 scoop Athletic Greens
  • 1/4 cup ice

Apple Pie Smoothie

  • 1 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 apple, cored and chopped
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp oats
  • 1 scoop Athletic Greens
  • 1/4 cup ice

Feel free to get creative and substitute your favorite fruits, veggies, and other mix-ins to craft a smoothie you love!

Tips for Making Smoothies with Athletic Greens

Here are some helpful tips for making smoothies with Athletic Greens:

  • Use frozen fruit and ice to make the smoothie thick, creamy and chilled.
  • Cut ingredients into small pieces for easier blending.
  • Add liquid ingredients like milk or yogurt first, then greens powders, fruits and veggies.
  • Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
  • Store in an airtight container and consume within 24 hours.
  • Make a big batch and portion it out into individual servings to grab-and-go.
  • Mix up your ingredient combinations – fruits, veggies, proteins, etc. for variety.
  • Use ripe bananas and avocados for natural sweetness and creaminess.

Following these tips will help you make a great-tasting, nutritious smoothie every time.

Potential Downsides of Putting Athletic Greens in Smoothies

While there are clearly many benefits to blending Athletic Greens into smoothies, there are a couple potential downsides to consider:

  • Textural changes – Adding powders may slightly alter the texture of a smoothie, making it grainier or thicker. Some people dislike the mouthfeel of greens powder in particular.
  • Flavor changes – The unique “grassy” taste of greens powders will come through in a smoothie. This may overpower more delicate flavors. Best to stick with strong-flavored ingredients.
  • Nutrient absorption issues – A few nutrients like vitamin C and polyphenols may have reduced bioavailability in a blended smoothie compared to juices. However, blending likely has minimal impact on total nutrient absorption.
  • Higher calorie and sugar content – Smoothies can be much higher in natural sugars and calories than a greens supplement mixed in water. Portion control is important, especially for weight loss goals.

These potential issues are easily avoided by carefully selecting complementary ingredients and being mindful of smoothie portion sizes. Overall, the benefits appear to far outweigh any drawbacks for most people.

Athletic Greens Alternatives

Athletic Greens is arguably the most popular greens powder supplement. However, there are a number of comparable products you may want to consider as well:

  • Amazing Grass Green Superfood – This is one of the best known greens powders. It has a nutrient-dense blend of grasses, veggies, probiotics and adaptogens.
  • Ora Organic Greens Powder – An organic, GMO-free super greens supplement focused on detoxification and gut health.
  • MacroLife Macro Greens – Features a wide array of greens like wheatgrass, kale, spirulina, broccoli, plus fruit extracts.
  • Nested Naturals Super Greens – Contains over 40 superfoods including greens, fruits, veggies, herbs and adaptogens.
  • Naturo Sciences Green Food – An organic blend of grasses, fruits, veggies and botanicals for whole body nutrition.

Any of these high-quality greens powders can work well in smoothies just like Athletic Greens. Choose one that aligns with your specific health needs and goals.

Supplementing with Probiotics

In addition to a greens powder like Athletic Greens, you may want to supplement with a dedicated probiotic product for maximum gut health benefits. Here are some top probiotic options to consider:

  • Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic – Provides 12 strains and over 50 billion live cultures per serving for complete support.
  • Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics – Offers 16 diverse strains and 85 billion CFU for both gut and vaginal health.
  • Hyperbiotics PRO-15 – Time-release tablets deliver 15 strains and 5 billion live cultures for reliable daily use.
  • Align Probiotic – Contains a patented strain Bifidobacterium 35624 to help colonize the GI tract.
  • Culturelle Daily Probiotic – Provides 10 billion live cultures of the researched Lactobacillus GG strain per capsule.

Take your probiotic supplement separately from Athletic Greens to maximize the benefits. Add 2-10 billion cultures per serving, depending on your specific needs.

Should You Take Athletic Greens Before or After a Workout?

You can take Athletic Greens anytime that fits your schedule and preferences. However, there are benefits to taking it both before and after exercise:

Pre-Workout

  • Fuels your body and muscles
  • Hydrates to replace fluids lost while exercising
  • Provides electrolytes like magnesium and potassium
  • Boosts energy, endurance and mental focus

Post-Workout

  • Rehydrates and replenishes nutrients
  • Helps muscles recover and rebuild
  • Reduces inflammation and muscle soreness
  • Supports muscle and strength gains

So take your Athletic Greens about 30-60 minutes pre-workout or immediately after for maximum results. You can even do half a serving pre and half post if you prefer.

Should You Take Athletic Greens Before or After a Meal?

As with workouts, Athletic Greens can be taken both before and after meals:

Pre-Meal

  • Boosts nutrient absorption from your food
  • Enhances digestion and gut function
  • Helps regulate appetite and prevent overeating

Post-Meal

  • Aids digestion and absorption
  • Provides added nutrients missing from the meal
  • Helps stabilize blood sugar

Some research suggests certain nutrients may be better absorbed on an empty stomach. But you can experiment to find what feels best for your body. Take Athletic Greens 10-30 minutes before eating or immediately after.

Athletic Greens Certifications and Testing

Athletic Greens is manufactured following strict quality control standards:

  • Made in a GMP certified facility
  • Third-party purity tested for quality and safety
  • Free of pesticides, chemicals, solvents, and toxic metals
  • Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy/soy-free, and vegan
  • Contains no added sugars, artificial ingredients, preservatives, etc.

Additionally, Athletic Greens:

  • Is certified clean by the NSF for Sport program
  • Complies with FDA regulations for dietary supplements
  • Uses clinically studied ingredients and dosages

You can feel confident Athletic Greens provides high-quality ingredients to support your daily nutrition and wellness.

Athletic Greens versus Multivitamins

How does Athletic Greens compare to a daily multivitamin supplement? Here are some key differences:

  • Athletic Greens contains a wider array of micronutrients from whole food sources.
  • It includes probiotics, enzymes, adaptogens and antioxidants not found in basic multivitamins.
  • The nutrient forms are highly bioavailable compared to synthetic vitamins.
  • It offers more complete nutritional support beyond just vitamins and minerals.
  • Athletic Greens has a milder taste and blends easier into foods/drinks.
  • Multivitamins tend to be much more affordable and accessible.

In summary, Athletic Greens provides more comprehensive daily nutrition from high quality natural ingredients. But a basic multivitamin is still beneficial for filling common nutritional gaps at a lower cost.

How to Maximize the Benefits of Athletic Greens

Here are some tips for getting the most out of Athletic Greens:

  • Take it daily and consistently – The ingredients build up in your system over time.
  • Have it in the morning on an empty stomach – This optimizes nutrient absorption.
  • Drink plenty of water – Proper hydration maximizes results.
  • Exercise regularly – Activity enhances the utilization of nutrients.
  • Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet – Provides synergistic benefits with the supplement.
  • Manage stress – Lower cortisol allows vitamins and minerals to work better.
  • Take it with probiotics – Enhances digestion and gut health benefits.
  • Pair it with healthy smoothies or meals – Boosts the overall nutritional quality.

Following these simple guidelines will help you get the maximum health benefits from Athletic Greens.

Conclusion

Athletic Greens is a nutritious greens powder that can easily be incorporated into smoothies. Adding it to smoothies enhances the nutrient profile, improves the taste, increases fruit and vegetable intake, aids digestion and absorption, and turns an ordinary smoothie into a complete, balanced meal. Feel free to blend Athletic Greens into any combination of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, milk, yogurt and other healthful ingredients based on your preferences. Be mindful of potential downsides like textural changes and higher calories. But overall, mixing Athletic Greens into smoothies is a great way to amplify the nutritional benefits of both the supplement and the smoothie.

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