When it comes to getting your daily nutrients, you may be wondering if green powder or a multivitamin is better.
That’s a great question.
Because on the surface, the two supplements boast similar benefits.
And you don’t want to waste your money buying two supplements when one will suffice.
That’s why we made this ultimate green powder vs. multivitamin guide.
You’re about to learn which is likely better for you based on your needs, diet, budget, and more.
This is by no means medical advice, though, so be sure to consult your doctor before making a final decision.
Greens Powder vs. Multivitaim: Overview
What Is Green Powder?
Green powder is a dietary supplement made by blending green superfoods into a powder form. They typically contain a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients like spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and more. Specific ingredients vary from brand to brand.
Greens powders are designed to provide a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that most Americans have difficulty getting from their diet alone. The CDC found that only 1 out of every 10 Americans meets the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables (1.5 – 2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables).
And the greens supplement can be a helpful way to make sure you’re meeting your dietary requirements.
I personally take them because it’s often difficult to get my veggies in every day with a young family.
What Is a Multivitamin?
A multivitamin is a daily supplement that contains a blend of essential vitamins and minerals. The specific nutrients included in a multivitamin vary depending on the brand, but most formulas include vitamins A, C, D, and E as well as B vitamins like folate and B12. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc are also common.
They’re designed to fill in any gaps in your diet and ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need for optimal health (rather than just greens).
Multivitamins vs. Greens Powder: Key Differences
1. Ingredients
The most obvious difference between green powder and multivitamins is the ingredients. Green powders contain mostly green superfoods that provide a range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even probiotics in some cases.
Multivitamins, on the other hand, contain a mix of vitamins, minerals, and sometimes other nutrients like herbs or amino acids. They aren’t made from greens—they’re made from synthetic vitamins or whole food ingredients (more on formulation and its importance in the next section)
Why does this matter?
Because the ingredients impact the benefits you’ll receive from taking the supplement.
That’s why it’s crucial to consult your doctor and find out what you’re deficient in so you can choose the best green powder or multivitamin for you.
Both supplements can provide you with a wide range of benefits.
And the truth is, the difference in ingredients only really matters as it relates to what you need from a supplement.
One option isn’t inherently better than another. The “answer” simply depends on what you need and what can provide that for you.
So be sure to understand what specifics you need from a supplement that you have trouble getting with your diet.
2. Formulation
Greens powders are typically made with whole food ingredients (green superfoods) while multivitamins are made with synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Whole food ingredients are generally considered more bioavailable, meaning they’re easier for your body to absorb and use. Synthetic vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, are often cheaper to produce and may not be as easily absorbed by the body.
This is an important consideration when choosing a green powder or multivitamin because you want to make sure your body is actually able to use the nutrients in the supplement.
That said, there are high-quality multivitamins on the market that use whole food ingredients or more bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals. So formulation is something to keep in mind, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
Again, it’s important to consult your doctor to figure out whether formulation should be a major consideration for you.
3. Ease
Another important, but often overlooked factor in deciding between a multivitamin and greens powder is the ease of taking them.
Greens powders generally don’t taste great and need to be mixed with something like water or a smoothie (which makes it a little harder to take).
Multivitamins, on the other hand, usually come as a pill or a gummy that can be consumed quickly and painlessly.
This shouldn’t be a huge factor for you because you’re taking a supplement for the benefits rather than the taste, but if ease or taste will help you establish a habit of taking your supplement, then it’s worth considering.
4. Price
Greens powders and multivitamins also differ in price. Greens powders tend to be more expensive than multivitamins because they contain more ingredients (and often higher quality ingredients). They’re packed with all kinds of grasses, veggies, and fruits. Some brands have upwards of 30 ingredients.
Greens powders run anywhere between $30-$100 for a 30-day supply.
Multivitamins, on the other hand, are typically less expensive because they contain fewer and sometimes synthetic (lab-made) ingredients. Many multivitamins only cost around $10-$20 for a 30-day supply.
That said, there are premium multivitamins on the market that can cost as much as green powders. So price is something to consider, but it’s not necessarily indicative of quality.
The Verdict: Green Powder vs. Multivitamin
So, which is better? Greens powder or multivitamin?
The answer likely depends on your specific needs and goals.
If you’re looking for a supplement that contains green superfoods and all the benefits that come from them (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, digestive aid), greens powder is likely a better choice.
But if you’re looking for a more affordable supplement with a broader range of vitamins and nutrients, a multivitamin is likely a better choice.
If you have specific nutrient deficiencies, it’s also worth considering a supplement that targets those deficiencies (like vitamin D or omega-3s) rather than a green powder or multivitamin.
At the end of the day, the best supplement is the one that meets your needs and goals. So experiment with different supplements until you find one that works for you.
And be sure to ask your doctor before adding a supplement to your routine.
Should You Take Both?
Of course, you could also consider taking both greens powder and a multivitamin. This could give you the benefits of green superfoods as well as a broad range of vitamins and minerals from a multivitamin.
But you need to be careful not to overdose on specific vitamins and minerals. This becomes a risk when you take too many supplements. This isn’t fairly common, but it’s worth approaching with caution. Your doctor should be able to help you navigate this decision.
It’s also worth noting that taking both a greens powder and multivitamin may not be necessary if you’re already eating a nutrient-rich diet. If you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, you likely don’t need a green powder or multivitamin (or any supplement for that matter).
Neither supplement is a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise, so if you already get those, you may not need either.
Which Will You Go With?
Green powder and multivitamins both have their own set of benefits. If you’re looking for a convenient way to get your daily dose of veggies, green powder is a great option. But if you want a supplement that will help fill nutrient gaps in your diet, a multivitamin is the way to go.
Just make sure whatever supplement you go with fits with your budget and dietary needs.
And if you decide to go with greens powder we got you covered.
We’ve done the research to find the best powdered greens in 2023. You can see our in-depth report here.