If you were told to do just one thing each day to change your health for the better, wouldn’t it make sense to follow that advice? One thing to consider is starting your day with whole foods vs. processed foods.
As a chronic disease & diabetes educator, a mom of tween/young
teens with minimal time in the kitchen, I work with many people who have adapted new healthy habits which has changed their life and hope it can do the same for you.
I’m sure you’ve heard all the hype and smoothies and know that they are quick, easy and delicious way to get your recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Not only are they full of fiber, antioxidants, enzymes and chlorophyll, it helps you to lose weight, improve digestion, provide more energy, approve your appearance and strengthen your immune system.
To be clear, the type of smoothies I am talking about are homemade from scratch (with whole ingredients) in your kitchen with a blender versus pre-made smoothies you buy in the store. All of my smoothies are dairy-free because I have come to learn that a lot of dairy is not a good thing for the body and can often be a problem for those who suffer from inflammation or are trying to lose weight.
Here are some tips to get you started or even take it to the next level:
To minimize the sugar, I include 30% fruit (frozen berries, banana mango) and 70% leafy greens in my smoothie. Usually the green is kale, spinach, dandelion or swiss chard. For the liquid, I use almond or coconut milk or coconut water. The result is a nutrient dense, satiating, creamy drink for breakfast. For seeds and added fiber, I use raw nuts, flax, hemp or chia seeds which is excellent for digestion, and even helps stabilize blood sugar. Adding herbs and spices (vanilla extract, mint, basil, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cardamom) to your smoothies is a fun and calorie-free way to really improve flavor.
Lastly, to make your smoothie a complete meal, be sure to add a good fat source. Fat will also help you to absorb all the nutrients from greens. I love using ¼ of an avacado, teaspoon of flax oil, or tablespoon of nut butter to make the smoothie more filling. (For lots of incredible recipes, do a quick search on Google for “Green Smoothie Recipes Young and Raw” or “Detox Green Smoothies Young and Raw”)
If you want you want to improve your overall health, you need to do more than just add a green smoothie to your diet. That’s only the first step. You also need to take an honest look at the rest of your diet and make changes. What unhealthy foods can you replace with whole food alternatives?
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