Do I really need to drink green smoothies? Don’t most green smoothies taste disgusting?! Why are they so good for you?
Over the years, I’ve found the best way to start your day is with a green smoothie. Why? Because it is packed with nutrient-dense green vegetables (and sometimes a little fruit), full of fibre and leaves you pretty full until lunchtime. I now prepare mine with just filtered water instead of unsweetened nut milks, keeping the calories down but just as good. Don’t get me wrong, there are some days when I just don’t feel like drinking one (especially at the weekend) and so I have granola, some gluten-free toast or some eggs and avocado for breakfast.
Starting your day with a plant based smoothie stabilises your sugar levels, reduces inflammation in the body and all those plants mean a healthy dose of phytoestrogens and phytonutrients. All this fibre can improve your gut microbiota and may have a considerable impact of reducing symptoms of depression in women.
So here is my Embrace Over 40 Green Smoothie “recipe” – there is no set list of ingredients really, just add in what you have at home but always try to have more vegetables than fruit:
Handful of Kale; Handful of Spinach; stick of celery, chopped; handful of Parsley; small banana; 1/4 avocado; a few frozen berries; 1 scoop of protein powder (usually vanilla flavoured); 1 TBSP flaxseeds; 1TBSP chia seeds; 1TBSP pumpkin & sunflower seeds; 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric; 1TBSP Maca powder; 1TBSP MCT oil plus about 16 ounces of filtered water. Blend and Enjoy! x