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Lately, smoothies have been finding their way into diet plans and health coach recommendations. The main reason for this is their ability to carry a large amount of nutrients in a pretty yummy package. While a traditional green smoothie is great, I am offering a few suggestions to boost the health value of those blended meal replacements even further. This is, by no means, an exclusive list. In fact, here are a couple more ideas to add specific boosts to your smoothie:
And for an extra bonus, you can sign up here to get our FREE Perfect DIY Formula for Delicious and Nutritious Green Smoothies!
Probiotics
Probiotics are a big thing nowadays, but with good reason. Studies show that consumption of probiotics can help to improve digestion, balance gut flora (they don’t stay, but they can out compete the bad guys), and help control yeast and bacterial overgrowth. I like to use natural sources, but opening up a capsule or two and pouring it into my smoothie is also great!
Best natural sources for smoothies: (always look for grass fed and full fat dairy products)-milk or water kefir, yogurt, kombucha, beet or fruit kvass, homemade hard cider, ginger bug soda,
Probiotic Supplements: Custom Probiotics, MegaSporeBiotics, Probiota HistaminX, Integrative ProFlora..
Precaution: Do not add these if you have SIBO, candida overgrowth or have noticed intolerance while taking probiotics. Use fermented foods instead if you can handle them!
Spirulina
While not the best for folks with autoimmune issues, spirulina, an algae, is a super boost of nutrients and a great source of protein. Its benefits include detoxing heavy metals, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar balancing, and digestive support (due to the vitamins and minerals!). Be sure to buy organic, as spirulina will contain the toxins from the water sources in which it grows.
Best to buy in powder form for smoothies, and hide it well. Find it here.
Okra
Best used frozen, okra can be added to help make smoothie texture smoother and add a fiber and nutrient boost. Other benefits include: helpful in balancing blood sugar, contains antioxidants that have anti-stress affects, lowers cholesterol, has possible anti-fatigue affects (one study showed that is COULD help allow for longer workouts and faster recoveries.)
Buy organic in season locally if possible.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are an understated veggie that has some terrific benefits. Both cooling and hydrating, cucumbers are often used in detox recipes. They contain plenty of potassium, B vitamins and fiber as well as antioxidant nutrients. They are used medicinally for pain reduction, as a diuretic, and in anti-acne lotions. Benefits include: boosting heart health, improving digestion, helping hydration, reducing effects of stress and anxiety, and having anti-inflammatory affects.
Buy organic in season, locally if possible. (Buying conventional cucumbers can come with some unneeded wax on the peel. Peeling the cucumber will reduce the fiber level you consume.)
Lemon
Lemons are well known to be loaded with vitamins, especially Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, and flavonoids, which contain cancer fighting properties. They are also used frequently as a digestive aid and for just about every detox program known to man! It is also used medicinally to prevent diabetes and treat fevers and colds. This humble little sour fruit can be a great addition to your smoothie with additional benefits such as improving digestion, reducing blood pressure, eliminating kidney stones, improving skin, hair and teeth, containing antiseptic properties, and possibly soothing respiratory disorders.
Fresh organic lemons are best, but some lemon juices that can be used are: Lakewood Biodynamic, Santa Cruz Organic
Ginger
Ginger. Yum! Aside from adding some delicious bite to your fruit and veggies, ginger root is an adaptogen, revered in history for multiple medicinal purposes throughout many cultures. It contains chromium, magnesium and zinc, (among others), which makes it great for blood circulation, cold and flu remedies, and cancer prevention. It is also great for motion and morning sickness and easing general stomach upset, is a wonderful immune booster and is even a powerful anti inflammatory pain reliever. Oh, and did I mention that it can also be helpful for detoxing the body?
Best practices: Fresh raw ginger will always taste the best. Cut slices and add up to 1 teaspoon per smoothie. (Remember that ginger can be a bit spicy so start small and increase as desired based on taste!)
Fresh Greens
Dark leafy greens are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, some of which haven’t even been discovered yet! Some of the benefits include digestive support, immune support, lowering cardiovascular risk, helping build strong bones, and can even reduce cancer risk!
Best smoothie additions: Organic spinach, kale, swiss chard, dark mixed greens, beet greens, or any other that you love!
Prebiotic Fiber powder
Our guts are full of both friendly and pathogenic bacteria (among other things). Consuming PREbiotics can not only help to build the friendly flora, but can also promote immune function, digestion, and helps lower inflammation.
Best Prebiotic Supplements: Dr’s Formula (Garden of Life), Prebiotin, Hyperbiotics, Biotegen
Precaution: If you haven’t done a lot of fiber, start with small amounts. Try 1/2 teaspoon to start and build up over a couple weeks, based on tolerance.
Matcha
Matcha, the highest quality green tea available, has been increasing in popularity lately, but has been around for thousands of years. It is typically found as a stone ground green powder that has been stored carefully away from light and oxygen in order to maintain it’s brilliant color and high antioxidant levels. Matcha tea is energizing, cancer fighting, anxiety reducing, memory and concentration enhancing, immune boosting, and metabolism sparking.
Find it here.
Moringa
Moringa trees have been called the magic tree because of the ridiculous amount of benefits. The leaves, often consumed in powder form and rich in antioxidants, contain protein, fiber, B6, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium and more! Benefits include boosting energy, promoting glowing skin, increasing immune function, reducing stress, and improving digestion.
Find it here.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is well known for being used medicinally for burns and other skin disorders. However, it can be consumed as a supplement. Aloe contains antioxidants, B12 and folate, minerals and 20 amino acids, including 7 of the essential 8. While the science is not conclusive, some benefits have been shown. They include reducing inflammation and balancing blood sugar. It also has the potential to be a laxative so can be helpful for constipation.
Find it here.
Some other ideas include: Acai, maca, turmeric, cacao, flax seeds, steamed beets
Using these and many other delicious recipes, I partnered with Amy from RealFoodWholeHealth to put together a fabulous Energy Reboot for you!
For information on our Energy Reboot which uses some of these great smoothie additions, click here!
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