Now trending: Why you should know about spirulina
Even though I like to think I’ve tried all of the latest food fads out there, there are some I steer clear of. For instance, bulletproof coffee. Juice cleanses. Apple cider vinegar shots. The Paleo diet. However, when it comes to green things from lakes and the sea … well, reel ’em in, because I’m on it.
Today, we’re going to talk about edible greens from the sea called spirulina, one of the oldest and most nutritional foods around, which is starting to get a lot more attention.
What is spirulina?
Here’s why you should know about this food …
- It’s considered the world’s first superfood
- It’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth
- It’s high in protein
- It’s a blue-green algae, which grows in warm water or in labs
- It’s been used as astronaut food for its nutritional value
- It’s a plant, found in fresh or salt water
What are the benefits of spirulina?
- It’s been known to boost energy
- It’s said to improve the immune system
- It can help to detox the body
- It can balance inflammation
- It’s a great protein source for anyone, even vegans and vegetarians
- It’s a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids
- It’s been found to combat anemia, cancer and heart disease
- It contains valuable chlorophyl and other phytonutrients
- It has 10 times the beta-carotene as carrots
- It’s full of vitamins and minerals
With a profile like that, it’s easy to see why spirulina has gone from a crazy health-food product to something more mainstream, we’re sure to see more of. So how can you consume it? Either in a pill, or in powder or flake form, which can be added to smoothies, baked goods or just about any food. If you’re into trying new things and adding a nutritional kick to your day, keep your eyes and ears open for this green superfood, which you can find at most major grocery stores and drug stores or online.
What’s the downside of spirulina?
When you factor in the cost of high-quality pure spirulina, it’s not cheap. Oh and you likely don’t want to eat it on its own. Rumor has it that it tastes like pond scum. However, you can easily pop it into recipes or take it in pill form. But you want to make sure you’re buying spirulina from a reputable brand.
Introducing Naked Juice’s new Sea Greens
I’ve been consuming spirulina in my diet in small amounts nearly every day for the last few months via some veggie powder, which I put into my morning overnight oats. But thanks to my friends at Naked Juice, I’ve got a new on-the-go option infused with the healthy superfood through their latest creation “Sea Greens” — so much goodness in one tasty bottle.
The new Sea Greens juice smoothie contains apples, part of a banana, part of an orange, strawberries, part of a coconut, celery stalk and passion fruit, with boosts of the superfood spirulina and dulse (another edible seaweed). The taste of Sea Greens is fresh and quite sweet, just like a delicious green juice with no trace of the sea. And it sure feels good to know it’s full of so many awesome ingredients. Well done, Naked Juice.
Leave a comment and win free juice
And now for a sneaky giveaway! I’ve got a few coupons to give away to one lucky reader to purchase Sea Greens or other Naked Juice products. Leave a comment on this post to enter. This content is open to anyone, anywhere and will close on Sunday night 1/31. Have a fabulous day! Drink up!
Have you tried spirulina? Learn about this super green from the sea @NakedJuice ... Click To Tweet*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Naked Juice. As a brand ambassador, I was compensated and received product. However, all thoughts an opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that work with me and A Lady Goes West!
Questions of the day
What’s your favorite thing to eat or drink from the sea?
What’s one food or drink that you couldn’t live without?
I love Naked Juice! I’m a little uncertain about algae but I’m willing to give anything a try for my health!
I know it sounds weird, Megan. But you CANNOT taste the algae … 🙂
I’ve known about spirulina for a while. So much goodness! I’d LOVE to try Naked’s Sea Greens!
Yes you should, lady!! 🙂 I know you LOVE a good green.
I haven’t heard of spirulina but so many great health benefits and love Naked juices.
Yes! Thanks, Patricia. 🙂 Have a great day!
I love seaweed snacks. oooo they are so good! And seaweed salads (as long as they aren’t too oily). Spirulina always cracks me up because it turns EVERYTHING green.
I know, I know! And yes, I enjoy seaweed salads as well, Susie. MORE GREENS! Have a great day, lady!
I have heard of this stuff so many times and although I have tried it I think the price steered me away, but knowing Naked Juice is not horrible price wise I might just need to stock up and try it out!
For sure, Hilary! Naked Juice is definitely more reasonable price-wise.
Love it, Ive had it in smoothies before, i could barely taste it
Good!! Must have been a healthy and delicious smoothie, Victoria! 🙂
I love Naked Juices! I think one food I couldn’t live without would be Almond Butter…I’m an addict haha
I’m with you, Michelle! I LOVE almond butter. I had peanut butter yesterday and it made me remember that I love almond butter that much more … 🙂
I haven’t tried this variety yet, but I’m a big fan of other Naked juices. Hope you’re having a good first week at the new job!
Thanks so much, Allison! It’s going well so far down in LA. Updates to come soon! Have a happy Wednesday! 🙂
Love how Naked Juice is revamping their products to create healthier, more natural beverages! Those almond milk smoothies are also delish!
Those are good! And yes, they keep coming up with better products, and they were already good! 🙂 Have a great day, Emily!
Naked Juices are awesome! My family loves them.
Hi Jennifer! We do too, Dave gets just as excited as me when my Naked Juice shipments arrive. 🙂
Looks like a good breakfast to me! I need oats and peanut butter in my life just about every day :). Good luck at the new job!!
Thanks, Jessie! Full update on the job sitch coming soon! Happy Wednesday, friend!
I’ve tried the pill form spirulina and it was horrible! I’d be interested to see if they are able to mask the horrible flavour in the juices because the nutrition benefits are great.
You cannot taste it AT ALL! Trust me!! 🙂 Glad spirulina gets your professional endorsement, Jen!
I have been wanting to try spirulina for a while so this seems like a great, and tasty, way to do it!
Sure is Erin, and it masks the bad flavor of it in a tasty way! 🙂 Have a great day!
Never heard of spirulina! I thought you were going to talk about a new type of spiralizer in this post haha! Thanks for the info and I’m going to have to try these juices!
Hhahahah! So funny, Gretchen. Nope, this is a MUCH cooler post. 🙂 You need to get some spirulina in your life!
Love the Naked Juices. They are part of my weekly shopping list at Publix. Usually go with Green Machine and Acai Machine. I will definitely be keeping at eye out for SeaGreens. Can’t wait to try it. Hope all is going well with the new job/schedule. You are going to be great. Enjoy that sweet baby of yours 🙂 Take Care
Thanks so much, Dena! Yes! Green Machine is one of my personal faves as well, but Sea Greens could compete for that spot. Have an awesome day, lady!
Interesting! I’ve heard all about this “wonder ingredient,” but didn’t really know what all the talk was about. I’ll have to check it out, either in Naked Juice form or to mix in some of the recipes on my site.
I love mixing in healthy in healthy ingredients so that they taste unhealthy. Little did fiancé know, those brownies last night included kale. Hey-ooooo, haha!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kale brownies for your man? WINNER, Jessica! NICE!
Never heard of spirulina, but I do love those Naked Juices. To answer your question, my favorite thing to eat from the sea are lobsters and mussels!!!
Hi Patrice! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂 And YES, I like lobster too. Have a great day!
Very interesting! I love the other varieties of Naked Juices, may have to give this a try!
You should, Ashley! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
Spirulina is amazing! In my program they call it a “booster food” because it boosts your health and should be taken regularly. You can take pills if you don’t want to “taste” it, although I doubt you can in the juice. Very cool that naked juice has a product. I’d definitely give it a try.
For sure! And you can’t taste it in the juice. Glad it’s approved, Anna!
I wish I was better at eating greens. It’s a color/texture thing. It really needs to be hidden for me to like it. Ha! I’m such a wimp with new foods. I love naked juice though so maybe I’ll give this one a shot.
This stuff is sweet, Gen. It’s not hardcore green hehehe
I would love to try these.
Yay!!
47 grams of sugar in that tiny thing.. wow
All the sugar comes from the fruit!
I love drinking Naked juices! They taste so good and are very refreshing 🙂
Blessings,
Edye
They sure are, Edye! Thanks for saying hi!
I’ve never tried several juices and smoothies with the ingredient, but never by itself (which maybe a good thing lol). I usually have overnight oats or a smoothie for breakfast and adding veggie powder is a great idea! Which kind do you use??
And I will definitely have to give this juice a try.
Hi Amanda! Sneak the veggies in whenever you can. I use Healthy Skoop veggie powder.
Love Spirulina. I went through a phase where I would add it to my green juice every morning at work. I mean, why not get the extra goodness? As for beverages, I typically only do water, tea and coffee with the occasional green juice/kombucha (and of course, wine!) but I lovvvvve Trader Joes 79 cent Sparkling Mineral Water. My favorite flavor is Raspberry Lime. Delicious and no sodium!
I buy that sparkling water whenever I’m at Tj’s!
I have not tried it.
Hope you do some time, LaTanya!
I love Naked juices, and would love to try this!!
Yay! Thanks Jess.
I love seaweed.
It looks gross but can be a good base for food.
Would love to win!
Yay! Thanks!
I’ve never tried spirulinA befor
Hope you get to!
I love naked juices, haven’t had the sea greens one yet though
Brand new! Keep your eyes open for it!
I love naked juices I just wish they weren’t so expensive 🙁
They are less expensive than some juices out there though!
I’m not a big fan of seafood in general, but I do like salmon and I’ve tried spirulina pills before. I could easily live without seafood but I hope nobody tries to take my fruits away from me!
Fruit lover! I like bananas the best.
I have always heard really great things about spirulina but honestly never dived into try it yet. I definitely plan on it because it really does have amazing benefits! Also, love that the Naked Juices are improving their ingredients! Yay!
They sure are — love the Naked juices. Thanks, Starla!
I love reading your blogs! And Naked Juice! And reading this one about this Naked Juice made me love them even more! I had never heard of spirulina until now, but I would love to start consuming it…& trying the Sea Greens juice would be a great way to start! Thanks for putting this out there!! 🙂
Hi Fallon! Yes, I hope you get to try some Sea Greens. 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
I love Naked Juices, but I’ve never seen the sea greens! I’d love to try!
It’s brand new, so hopefully you’ll find it in the stores soon! 🙂
Naked always has the best flavors and quality juices and smoothies. Awesome giveaway!
They are the best! Thanks, Jenny! 🙂
I haven’t tried spirulina, but I’m open to trying it! Love Naked juices!
Yay! Thanks, Melissa! 🙂
This would be yummy after a long run
Sure would, Liz! Thanks! 🙂
Naked Juice is the best! I buy it by the case at Costco.
Awesome, Shay! I’m glad you’re a fan! 🙂
Oh man I could eat seaweed all day long! Seasnax stixs are my current favorite but I’ll take nori in all forms. And I could never give up coconut water! I love it so much!
Also I drink apple cider vinegar everyday before my meals and it has done wonders for my digestion as well as keeping blood sugar levels stable post meal. But I am definitely with you on the bulletproof coffee……..yuck! ?
I like Seasnax too! And I haven’t been drinking coconut water lately, believe it or not. I should change that! Hope all is well, lady! 🙂
Ah such an awesome giveaway!! (fingers crossed :))
I don’t think I could EVER live without my bananas, or green tea, but bananas are certainly at the top!
Have a great day!
BANANAS and green tea for me too. FOR sure. I can’t have a morning without a banana with my breakfast. Have a great day, Dana. 🙂
Your breakfast looks so tasty!! I’ve heard about spirulina but had no idea it had so much good stuff in it 🙂 I’m not into the whole fad diet thing either, I figure sticking with healthy all natural foods is the best way to go!! Hope you have a wonderful day ❤
YES! That’s the best way to do it. More easier to stick to whole foods and not worrying about being on trend. 🙂
I love Naked juices! I am not sure that I have tried them all…but I am pretty close! I would love to know how you became a brand ambassador for them 🙂
Hi Lindsey! I’ve been an ambassador with Naked Juice for a year, and it’s a great gig. 🙂 They found me and reached out.
I’ve never tried these green juices with spirulina – they sound fabulous!
They sure are, Renata! 🙂 Have a great day!
I’ve never tried spirulina but masked in a juice sounds like the perfect way 🙂
Yes, it definitely is the best way to enjoy! Have a great day, Sarah! 🙂
Spirulina contains almost every nutrient needed for all of our bodily functions – so that stuff is pretty amazing! I have powder that I add to smoothies daily, but sometimes I stir it into chia puddings if the pudding is going to be chocolate [that way it kind of hides the color!] 😉
Hi Kat! I know, it’s so darn healthy! Good plan to put it in chia pudding, which I’ve never made. 🙂 Have a good day!
I’ve never tried spirulina, but I love seaweed!
Yay!!
I have been wanting to try spirulina, it has so many awesome health benefits!
It sure does! You should try it, Sarah! 🙂
I always wondered about spirulina… I’ve seen it in things but never really looked into it! My favorite thing to eat from the sea is SCALLOPS! I love them.
They are quite good! I’d say salmon wins for me. Hope your week is going well, Hayley! 🙂
I’d love to give the green juices a try!
Thanks, Caroline! 🙂
These would be a great hydrator after my workouts!
Sure would, Ray. A tasty one at that! 🙂
I have had it added to my smoothies before! Pricey! Thanks for sharing this more affordable option!
XO Chloe
A Latte Lipstick
You’re so welcome, Chloe!! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
I enjoy taking these for an energizing drink for my yoga workouts at the gym and so full of healthy nutrition too!
They definitely are! 🙂
I would love to try that naked juice!
Yay! Thanks!
I like giveaways:) this drink sounds good:) and good for us!
Sure is! Have a great day, Amy! 🙂
You too, congrats on your new job :)!
Well since I can’t dive into the ocean and harvest my own spirulina..gimme all the Naked juice 🙂 I didn’t know 90% of these facts about it; thanks Ashley!
Learning something new every day, right? 🙂 Thanks, Cayanne!
I’ve always wanted to try these juices! Hope I win!
Thanks for entering, Nicole! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I went to a tea tincture shop in Arizona that was all about natural remedies, and they had an entire shelf dedicated to what to put into your smoothies, spirulina being one of them. So I asked about it, and the owner listed off allll of its benefits. I’ve never tried it, but there’s a health shop right by my house so I’m thinking of hopping on that train soon!
Awesome, Christina! I like the sound of that tea shop. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, filled with yummy food!
I can’t think about what it IS while I am drinking it, but have had other juices with Spirulina before and the flavor is easily covered up!
Hi Diana! Yes! I don’t even really know what spirulina tastes like, because I’ve never had it alone. 🙂
I haven’t tried that! I love Naked Juice!
Me too! Thanks for saying hi, Kristen! 🙂
Yes! I love Spirulina and Chlorella. I put the powders in my smoothies and use raw honey to eliminate the seaweed/fishy taste. That’s my secret weapon. Glad to see someone else who appreciates Spirulina. Thank you!
Hi Regina! Thanks for saying hi!! 🙂 AND YES, so glad you are into these powerful superfoods. Have a great night!
I have not tried this drink, it looks delicious! I love seaweed haha it’s so good for your hair and it tastes delicious dried with a little salt. And for my drink…I can’t live without my daily greens drink and kombucha!! Love it with chia seeds. But I would definitely love to try the spirulina 🙂
Thank you for this info! I actually just started taking spirulina in tablet form. I’d love to try the new Naked Juice!