It's easy being green: go for green foods and get the nutrients you need in one glass or supplement.(SUPPLEMENTS: 10 WAYS)

Green foods (or as some would attest, "superfoods") are what nutrition experts term a group of phytochemical-rich products derived from the algae chlorella and spirulina, and the young cereal grasses wheat, barley and alfalfa. Cousins to dark green leafy vegetables, these nutrient-dense eatables can be the perfect sidekick to a whole-foods diet, keeping you in tip-top shape.

Here are 10 ways you can benefit from green foods--every day.

1. Fruit and veggie serving: Nearly every major health organization recommends eating at least five servings of produce each day to get the nutrients necessary for robust health. Green foods are packed with these, such beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and selenium.

2. Antioxidant boost: Green foods are notoriously high in antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamins C and E, which fend off the free radicals that promote chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease.

3. Energizing meal/snack: Need a grab-and-go breakfast? Mix 1 teaspoon of green foods powder into a smoothie consisting of milk, frozen berries and low-fat yogurt for a no-fuss nutritious morning repast. Pour it into a thermos, and it'll stay chilled for an afternoon pick-me-up.

4. Chlorophyll source: Spirulina and chlorella's blue-green color denotes the presence of both chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue) pigments. Nearly identical to oxygen-carrying hemoglobin found in red blood cells, chlorophyll is viewed by numerous health practitioners as a way to increase circulation, bolster immunity and help eliminate waste products. Chlorella reigns when it comes to chlorophyll content.

5. GLA and B12 bonus: Spirulina, besides being a good source of iron and a great source of beta-carotene, is one of the rare food sources of gamma-linolenic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid now being studied for its anticancer properties. And herbivores should not overlook all that vitamin B12, normally found only in foods of animal origin.