Having a difficult time eating more vegetables? Try drinking them. Blending vegetables and fruits into a smoothie is simple and inexpensive and provides numerous health benefits. Ingredients might include a few green leafy vegetables paired up with one or two fruits.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of consuming ‘green’ smoothies.
Green smoothies are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Depending on the fruits/vegetables you use in your smoothie, you could be getting a great dose of Vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. In addition, the phytonutrients are immeasurable and include carotenoids, flavonoids, and resveratrol just to name a few.
Consuming green smoothies is a great way to increase your daily vegetable intake. Think about it, how many quality vegetables do you really consume in a day? We could all use more. Kale and collards are two superfoods that are seldom eaten as side vegetables, but can easily be blended into a smoothie as green ingredients.
Green smoothies deliver a natural source of energy. Ever feel like taking a nap in the afternoon? Rather than going for a coffee or soda, try a green smoothie. The natural sugars from the fruit and vegetables will give you a boost, but the high fiber content and vitamins and minerals will help to prolong the energizing effects. Remember, your body runs much better on real foods than food substitutes.
Green smoothies have numerous health benefits. Greens are the staple of many holistic programs designed to return someone to optimal health after a disease or injury. Greens can decrease inflammation, aid in blood purification, and even improve digestion. Many diseases are caused by prolonged inflammation and improper detox, so consuming green smoothies is a great way to be proactive in the fight against aging and disease.
Try the following green smoothie as a healthy snack or occasional breakfast. Once you master this one, try adding more greens such as kale, collards, chard, watercress, or other leafy greens for an added benefit.
Combine in a blender:
1-2 handfuls of fresh spinach
½ frozen banana
1/4 cup frozen berries
½ avacado
A few ice cubes
Add water until desired consistency is met
Optional: 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder
The berries in this shake may actually turn it from green to purple, but the benefits are still the same. Blend well and enjoy!
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