I LOVE green smoothies. They are super nourishing, great for healing the body's cells and will keep your immune cells in tip-top shape, ready to fight the bad bacteria and nourish the good ones.
This smoothie is great for digestion, it is cleansing and detoxifying. See recipe below.
Do you wonder about how much raw food you should eat? What are the benefits and drawbacks?
Are you worried about oxalates? Read on! See the notes below...
This is my favourite green smoothie, which I often make with orange if I can't source organic gold kiwi fruit. See below for ingredients.
Go green! Here's the nutrition info for this smoothie-
Leafy greens are well-known cancer fighters. They are full of powerful antioxidants, carotenoids, aids in good bone health and maintaining blood sugar levels.
Mint is a good digestion soother, making it a great pairing with high protein meals.
Aloe has a history dating back thousands of years, for healing and health benefits.
Ginger, kiwi, avocado, pineapple & honey contain enzymes which help your body to break down proteins and other nutrients, ready to be absorbed into the body:
Ginger: Possesses enzymes, including protease or Zingibain, plus phytonutrients, which have potential to protect cells from damage.
Lemon: A well-known "detoxifier". Lemon helps prevent cell oxidation (damage)
Avocado: Possesses the enzyme lipase, which helps break down fats. They are rich in the healthy fat oleic acid, fat soluble vitamins E & K, minerals: potassium & magnesium, essential B group vitamins and fibre.
Kiwi fruit contains the enzyme actinidin, which helps our bodies to break down protein. Also, a high source of Vitamin C, an essential vitamin (and antioxidant) which we need daily, for cell repair and collagen production.
Pineapple contains enzyme bromelain, which breaks down proteins.
Raw honey contains amylase which breaks down starch in carbohydrate foods. It is also packed with many other fabulous health benefits.
NOTE: Scientists believe there are still phytonutrients which are yet to be discovered and the full potential of phytochemical rich foods is still being explored.
TIP: Make a batch, consume a small glass and store the rest in a glass jar
for later in the day or the next day.
The nutrient value will drop a little by the next day,
but it will still be fabulous!
How often should I have a green smoothie?
The answer is- enjoy a part of a balanced diet. A small glass a few times a week is plenty.
It is possible to have too much of a particular nutrient.
How many green smoothies to consume, depends on what else you are eating.
Consume a balance of RAW and COOKED foods and vary foods throughout the week. EG: Raw spinach one day, cooked spinach the next and no spinach the next - that's a rough guide. If you've had spinach 3 days in a row, switch to something else.
Spinach and other green veg contain various phytonutrients, such as oxalates. These can be highly beneficial, however, consumed in excess, may cause a mineral imbalance, due to uptake of too much calcium.
Extreme diets where green smoothies are consumed in excessive amounts, are not appropriate.
The body needs a balance of ALL macro and micronutrients.
When a variety of nutrients are consumed, the SYNERGY (the magic) in the body occurs. Micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) work together to ensure everything in the body can function properly.
Enjoy a small glass (this one is 150ml), before, after, or between meals, a few times a week.
Many people find huge smoothies too much. I just have a small glass and keep the rest in a jar. Consume with 24 hours to preserve the nutrient value and flavour.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups filtered water
1 small avocado
2 teaspoons grated ginger
squeeze lemon
1 generous handful of spinach or kale
2 gold kiwi fruit
a few pieces of pineapple
several mint leaves
1 small tsp raw honey (optional)
small piece of fresh Aloe (see Instagram post video-29th October 21 and recent blog)
Optional: Add a few teaspoons of natural yoghurt for extra probiotics.
NOTE: This is low protein smoothie, designed to nourish and cleanse.
For days when you need more protein, simply soak some chia seeds
and blend them into your mix.
Voila!
Stay healthy everyone. Laura x
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