Don't forget your greens!

I know very few people who are eating enough vegetables.  Now, I strive to have fresh or steamed vegetables with every meal, and even I don’t think I eat enough vegetables.  So often in our quest to get the right amounts of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats), we forget about the veggies because they don’t really count for much in terms of caloric intake or macros. 

What exactly are the benefits of eating vegetables if they don’t have much significance in terms of calories or macronutrients?  Of course, we all KNOW they’re good for us, but how?  In short, vegetables are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other micronutrients that help prevent inflammation and disease.  The micronutrients and the fiber in vegetables also are beneficial for intestinal health, which has a direct impact on your immune system. 

Vegetables also have an alkalizing effect on the body.  This is especially relevant for people who exercise intensely or follow high protein diets (sound like anyone YOU know?), as both tend to produce an acidic environment within your body. 

I realize that for some of you, the thought of eating more vegetable is truly horrifying!  The good news is that there is a simple way of supplementing your meager efforts to eat more vegetables, and that is in the form of a greens powder. 

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

I believe in giving credit where credit is due, so I have to thank my good friend Nick Langer, Director of Franchising and Product Development at Rexius Nutrition, for turning me on to this.  A little over a year ago, I started using a greens supplement every day in the manner I’m about to describe. 

Up to that point, despite many years of eating very healthily, living a bodybuilding lifestyle, and competing, I had always struggled with both a sensitive digestive system and recurring sinus issues.  I often fought heartburn, indigestion, and rather prolific mucus production.  Considering the links between gut health and immune function, this is not surprising.  Eating was frequently a struggle, and drinking more water honestly made my discomfort worse. 

In truth, taking a greens supplement is the only truly habitual thing that I’m doing differently now, and I feel so much better.  I rarely struggle to eat my meals, and I have no digestive discomfort.  I truly believe this has made a big difference for me.

Now, here’s how I take my greens supplement.  First thing in the morning, about 30 minutes before my first meal, I mix the following and drink it:

16oz. water

1 scoop greens powder (I currently use Grazed by AD Wellness)

the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon (about 2 Tbsp.)

2 Tbsp.  Apple Cider Vinegar

As I’ve discussed this with other people in the bodybuilding world, I’ve learned that there are several variations on this.  Some will add vitamin C powder, others will add a magnesium supplement, but the same foundation of greens, lemon juice, and ACV is always there.  While both lemon juice and ACV are acidic, they compliment the greens powder in terms of the alkalizing effect on the body.

Taste-wise, it’s not as bad as it sounds, but honestly, it’s still not great.  Some greens supplements are flavored, which DOES help.  For those who truly can’t tolerate the taste, I recommend adding a scoop or 2 of your favorite flavor of A-Cuts by Allmax, a product which is already familiar to many of our customers. 

Now that doesn’t sound so terrifying, does it? 

PRODUCTS WE CARRY:

Grazed, by AD Wellness

Abundant Greens, by NutraOne