Don’t Make Your Smoothie a Sugar Bomb
A few years ago when my health was spiraling down because of uni and my then on-the-go lifestyle, I decided to slowly start nourishing my body. I invested in a blender that was specifically designed for fruit and vegetable smoothies. That brand of this blender was expensive back then because it was kind of the first of its own type. But nowadays, competitors have sprung up so prices have become more competitive.
I learned about simple recipes that come with the blender and each recipe has a set of organs or a body system that it benefits. I eventually felt better and my health maladies were treated.
Not everyone can put up with the taste of fruits and veggies blended together so some people have the tendency to add and subtract stuff to and from the blender. Doing so may compromise the full benefits you can get from the smoothie regimen. You need to consider what you put in your smoothies to get the nutrition that your body needs. I specifically make green smoothies to reduce sugar. Here are my tips on how you can get the most out of your smoothies.
50/50
Ideally, at least 50% of the content of your smoothie is made up of green leafy vegetables (I do 60%). Green leafy vegetables are some of the most nutritious food on the planet. These are packed with vitamins and minerals. For good-tasting green smoothies, try spinach and green collards. If you want a more powerful green, kale is your buddy but you have to tolerate the taste at the beginning. Don't load up your smoothie with a lot of fruits as these have more sugar content than veggies do.
Apple is the Best Fruit Filler
Apple trees are the most widely cultivated fruit trees in the world so their fruits are always available in the market and they're some of the cheapest fruits out there. And plus, you can get a lot of health benefits from apples thus the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". So if you're just starting with the diet or regimen, apples are a good start to make up for the fruit portion of your smoothies. It's an alternative fruit filler too. Just a heads up, don't include apple seeds as they contain cyanide.
Adding Boosters
You can always add natural boosters like nuts and seeds. For instance, raw (especially soaked) almonds contain Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B6, and Magnesium and chia seeds contain almost the same nutritional content with a bonus Omega-3. Other boosters can be anything from spirulina powder to protein powders.
Creamy or Runny
If you prefer a creamier smoothie, an avocado or a banana is a good choice. You can never go wrong with these two. Banana is rich in Potassium and avocado has supremely healthy fat. Besides, both are good tasting but be mindful of the sugar content of bananas. If you want your smoothie to be juicier, try veggies that are at least 70% water such as cucumber and celery. These are other nutrition-packed food.
Milk and Yogurt
I wouldn't really recommend dairy milk. The types of milk I find good-tasting are almond, cashew, and coconut milk. It's best to do homemade milk which can also be done in the same blender. This is if you want to stay away from additives in some manufactured vegan milk. Greek yogurt is also an awesome creamy addition and makes the smoothie taste even better. Besides, Greek yogurt is probiotic. Don't put flavoured or regular yogurts as these may contain artificial sweeteners, additives, and preservatives.
Smoothies (especially green smoothies) don't have to be bad-tasting. Find ingredients that are both nutritious and taste-bud-satisfying. Make them your daily staples if you don't think you get your daily five fruits and veggies.
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