Ahhh supplements, the most confusing yet thriving business alive!
Learning what supplements to take and why can be like going back to grade school- there are so many opinions, options, and information that many of us get overwhelmed before we’ve even started!
And if you are a vitamin enthusiast? You may sometimes feel just the same as those grandmas consuming pills M-F with their little plastic prescription holder. Which sucks, because we really shouldn’t be popping multiple magic pills to make ourselves feel tip-top shape, vitamins or not. And don’t even get me started on those “one-a-day” tablets- I’ve read time and again how many people simply urinate them out and you receive very little benefit, if any.
While this all sounds pretty grim lol, rest assured there are many valuable supplements that you can add into your food, making the process feel easier, helping your system absorb/digest it better, and most importantly: making it more like eating and less like pill-popping.
Personally, I take supplements in my morning smoothie or fresh juice (like, with a juicer yo), and I mix and match depending on how I’m feeling and the smoothie/juice flavor.
About the only “vitamin” that I recommend taking (for a vegan diet) is your vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin). Even then, it’s not something that you have to take daily- once a week should suffice. And btw, this vitamin is only necessary because our modern water is stripped of its natural vitamins and minerals, including B12, unlike the water of our ancestors which contained plenty of nutrients (and perhaps some not-so-good things too, but you can’t win them all, right?).
Over the years, after reading a variety of info on vegan nutrition and wellness, I’ve found that you REALLY will be getting enough on a plant-based lifestyle, given that you are eating a variety of veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Anyone that eats a diet based primarily around processed eats, vegan or not, are missing key components to a balanced diet.
And this is the super sexy part where supplements come in: you can add these beauties into your food, making your diet more well-rounded and down to earth. This can be in the form of store-bought powders (from ecologically responsible companies) OR herbs that you grow right from your own backyard. Just remember that using powders in your food should be treated as supplements and NOT replacements. At the end of the day, real, whole, nutritious food is always going to be your number one ally.
All that to say though, adding some extra powders into your super amazing smoothies and juices will give them those extra superpowers and can really up your mood and mental health.
Below, I have listed my favorite vegan supplements, some of which are new flames and others which have been long-term romances for me. And of course, if you have any questions about any of these, please feel free to ask!
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8 Supplements to Add to Your Vegan Smoothies
*Note: Included in the description of each product is an affiliate link to purchase through Amazon- I personally have used every single one of these supplements and highly recommend each one as part of a healthy vegan lifestyle! Of course, please do your own research and remember to ask your health-care provider if you are pregnant or nursing. Any purchase made through these links will grant me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support and helping keep Bohemian up and running!
1. Amazing Grass
This stuff truly is AMAZING! Using alkaline greens (such as wheat grass), AG is not only a powder packed with nutrients, but also helps with digestion and pumps up your immune system. I’ve found that it works very well in any smoothie, from green to berry to chocolate. I enjoy using the original flavor, but they also have a variety of others, including chocolate, berry, and even tangerine. It’s also certified organic and non-GMO, a win-win for your morning smooth fest! Get it on Amazon here.
2. Cacao
It’s the mother of all that is holy in the health-food world!!! As a DIE-HARD raw chocolate fan, I’ve used cacao in COUNTLESS recipes (and even remedies!) over the years. As the highest source of magnesium, cacao packs a healthy punch and delivers you a boost of energy, neutralizes toxins, builds strong bones, as well as balances blood sugar. It’s my absolute favorite thing to add to smoothies, and it’s a guilt-free way to indulge in chocolate. Get it on Amazon here.
3. E3Live
This little gem is something that I’ve only started taking recently, but I fell in love…fast! E3Live is a fresh-water blue-green algae that contains more than 65 vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids (in trace amounts). Taking a little scopp of this in the mornings gives me a little pep in my step, as it helps increase energy and endurance, strengthens the immune system, and helps manage stress. The flavor is pretty bland to me, which makes it the perfect candidate for any smoothie or juice! I’ve even stirred it into water and drank it without a problem. Get it on Amazon here.
4. Flaxseed
Not only is flaxseed a FABULOUS egg-replacer in vegan recipes, but it is also an important addition to any morning smoothie (or even oatmeal!). Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, you can skip the fish oil and just grab a dose of flax! This beauty also contains plenty of fiber and lignans, which are antioxidants that can help balance hormone levels in the body. I always make sure to have this on hand at all times because you never know when you’ll need it! Get it on Amazon here.
5. Goji
As a superfood, goji berries have always been a personal favorite of mine! However, with goji powder I can take the benefits of munching on them in a trail mix and translate that to a smoothie! Containing an abundance of vitamins and minerals (over 20), antioxidants, and a strong source of protein (with over 18 amino acids), goji powder is always welcome in a fruity morning drink. It adds that extra berry POW! and your body will thank you for it in the long run. Get it on Amazon here.
6. Hemp
Okay let’s get one thing straight- I LOVE HEMP!!! It has such an earthy taste, but I love the way it blends with some almond milk and raw cacao…delish! Hemp is one of the richest plant sources of protein, omega-fatty acids, and fiber, so this is the perfect addition to any morning shake! I’ve also stirred hemp powder into cookies, breads, and homemade granola bars, and always been pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Get it on Amazon here.
7. Maca
Oh maca, how I love thee! This stuff really pumps me up in the morning, so it is truly a SUPER food! Known as “Peruvian Ginseng”, maca is wonderful tool to boost your energy, improve sexual function and fertility, and has been known to boost the health and moods in women. No one in my family has ever had a problem taking maca (and we have been frequent users for years), although I’ve had some friends who have reported that too much maca is like drinking too much coffee, SO it is recommended that you start small (about 1 teaspoon per adult). Get it on Amazon here.
8. Matcha
Matcha is somewhat of a new craze, but after trying it, I could totally see why! Matcha is so nutrient-packed, that one cup of the green stuff is like drinking 10 CUPS of regular green tea! Needless to say, matcha is a natural energy booster and can really get you up and moving, making it a great aid in weight loss. Just PLEASE remember not to overdo it with this one folks. One cup a day is really all that you need- too much matcha can actually do the opposite of what you want it to do! But don’t let that scare you- it’s a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, plus oh-so-easy to stir into your green smoothies. Get it on Amazon here.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read this and invest in your health! I hope this post has provided you with some good ideas for new smoothies in your future:)
This post was shared on Healthy Vegan Fridays and I Am Pinnable.
kimmythevegan
Oh I love this post. Sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to figure out if I’m getting everything I need. When I was in nutrition school, I didn’t take a single vitamin supplement pill – I got everything from food as I completely devoted myself to ensuring I got what I needed. I felt *amazing*. Buuuut nowadays, I’m too busy to focus all of my energy on that. I do take a multi (which has B12) and a calcium (which I need for my lack of thyroid), but I’m not sure I want to take the multi forever. This list is really great. I actually have all of these except the matcha (sadly, just not a fan) and the E3Live, which I hadn’t heard of – it sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it out!
Thanks for sharing at Healthy Vegan Fridays – I’m pinning & sharing. I hope you’re having a wonderful week =)
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Kimmy!! Glad to hear you have most of these already! I agree too, when I’m in that place where I’m eating a good variety of vegan foods, I feel SO GOOOOD. It’s nice to have the multi as a fallback, but for me it just can’t do what I feel whole foods can. Thanks again for stopping by, have a great week as well!
Kimberly
Great information and recommendations. I also love amazing grass products and the EFA powder sounds interesting, may order a bottle. I like that it states it might strengthen immune system.
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Kimberly! I’ve really been enjoying my E3Live powder, and it’s easy to stir into just about anything (the kids never know when I do lol).
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
This is such a great post Randi – well thought out. I love how you focus on healthy, whole foods. I think I have used just about all the supplements you talk about except the E3Live – which I’ve been dying to get for like a year but have not yet gotten around to ordering.
Randi Tisdall
Thanks so much Mary Ellen! The E3Live is SO GREAT, I’m sure when you get it you will love it!! And yes, definitely focusing on healthy whole foods is the way to go!