Green smoothies have almost become the height of fashion in the celebrity world – every health conscious star has been spotted carrying one. Before the green smoothie craze, many in the healthy living blogger world have been drinking this green liquid goodness for years. I for one love my green smoothies, but it was a struggle at first. Initially blending up spinach and kale into a drink didn’t really appeal, but now my confidence has grown and I think that I have got the perfect green smoothie down to a T.
So why are green smoothies considered to be so good for our health?
Smoothies have been on the tips of the tongues of many nutritionists for
years, advocating them as a healthy snack or breakfast. They are usually
made up of fruit with yoghurt or milk, or just a basic protein
smoothie. Green smoothies however take it one step further and are packed
with green earthy vegetables, meaning that they are bursting with a multitude
of vitamin and minerals for your body.
Some of the
health benefits include:
- Increased intake of fruit and vegetables
- A boost of antioxidants
- Improved energy levels
- High in fibre
- Easier digestion
- Fast absorption of nutrients
- Clear skin
- Improved well being
- Balances the bodies pH levels
- Detoxifies the body
- Contains a high level of chlorophyll
Since all of the contents
of the smoothie are blended, the cells of the plants are broken down which
makes it easier for the digestive system to process. Also, there is an
enhanced assimilation of vitamins and minerals. Blending up the vegetables
and fruit allows the body to absorb the nutrients a lot faster if you were to
chew them. The high levels of chlorophyll in the green smoothies help to
boost your immune response.
When
making your perfect green smoothie there are just a few things to think about,
mainly how are you going to make it super delicious. Here are some of my own tips and things to
consider that help me make my green smoothies magical:
Liquids to blend with
Most smoothies always consist of a base and this may be unsweetened almond milk (or a milk of your choice), coconut water, or just plain water will do. Adding a liquid will ensure that all of your ingredients are well combined and smooth in your…erm smoothie.
Choosing my greens
Dark earthy greens are best in green smoothies as they are packed full of nutrients and vitamins. I tend to stick to spinach and kale as they are easily blended, but cavolo nero, chard and beet greens would also work well.
Adding my favourite fruits
Fruits add a natural sweetness to green smoothies and there are really no limits. I love to add pineapple, banana, mango, peaches, apples and frozen berries to mine – the choice is yours!
Making your smoothie super
Adding powdered superfoods, nut butters or protein powders to your smoothie increases their nutritional value immensely. Ingredients such as maca powder, camu camu berry powder, spirulina or lucuma powder are full of added health benefits in their own right. The addition of protein powder makes the smoothie more satisfying and perfect for a healthy breakfast.
Sweeten it up
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth you can add sweeteners to your smoothie such as honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar and maple syrup.
So
there you have it, my guide to making the perfect green smoothie. Don’t be scared by the fact
they are green. There are so many different varieties and possibilities
that you can create. To start off with perhaps try a simple spinach,
banana, peanut butter and almond milk smoothie.
If you follow these simple tips you will be dusting off your blenders in
no time!
This post
was written by Jemma Andrew-Adiamah, author of the UK healthy living and
lifestyle blog Celery and Cupcakes. You can follow Jemma
via her Facebook and Twitter feeds.
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