It’s tough to beat the benefits of a smoothie. Make a mean, green smoothie and it’ll keep you super-charged all afternoon. Filled with farm-fresh ingredients and tailored to your taste buds, they’re especially beneficial for those who:
- Hate to eat vegetables
- Are attempting to lose weight
- Need a protein boost
- Rely on caffeine
- … and even for those who are working out hard
Maybe you’ve already jumped on the smoothie bandwagon and are drinking down a smoothie concoction of your design right now?
Or maybe the thought of bringing a glassful of green veggies fluid up to your lips leave you thinking something along the lines of “not in my lifetime.”
1. It beats drinking juice:
Juice can be healthy, however, it can also be as bad as drinking soda or eating sugar, especially if you see the words “from concentrate.” The thin consistency of most juices comes from the removal of pulp or fibre, and we all know that fibre is key to healthy bowel movements, helps to moderate the effects of blood sugar and also helps to absorb more nutrients in your gut.
Smoothies include whole fruit and vegetables which pairs naturally occurring sugars with the health benefits of fibre, creating balanced nutrition.
2. Hydration:
When you are feeling groggy, low in energy, or even have a headache coming on, you might be dehydrated. In these instances, too many people reach for a high-carbohydrate food, sugary snack or cup of caffeinated coffee without first drinking some water.
Adding fluid to your smoothie, whether it be almond or soy milk, or even a cold-pressed juice, is important to the consistency of your smoothie and helps to hydrate you throughout the day. You can even skip the flavoured beverage and add plain ol’ water, keeping calories down and water intake up!
3. Fills you up:
Fibre and protein are the secret ingredients to feeling satisfied. They are the craving crushers when it comes to dieting and weight loss. Try adding one of the following to your smoothies and feel the power:
4. They’re quick and easy:
In a Ziploc bag combine your ingredients (minus any liquids) and store it in the freezer until ready to use. This way, all you need to do is toss the contents of one baggie into your blender, add in some milk, fish oils and water, and you’re ready to go.
5. Easy to digest nutrition on the go:
We all can be busy at times but eating at your desk while driving or multi-tasking is damaging for digestion and nutrient absorption. The great thing about smoothies is that they are pre-digested, no chewing involved! The blender does what your teeth would, grinding the ingredients up into small pieces which are easier to digest and absorb.
They are also ready in minutes or can be made in advance. So even if you are distracted by your work, traffic jams, or kids, smoothies help to maximize time and nutrition even on your busiest days.
6. They’re full of nutrients, minerals, antioxidants, healthy oils, fibre and protein:
- Two to four servings of vegetables
- Two servings of fruit
- One serving of protein
- Two serving of healthy fats
- Two servings of healthy carbohydrates.
7. They’re affordable:
While organic produce is always a better choice, You eat more fruits and veg than not, so fill your shopping cart according to your budget. To keep costs low, frozen fruit is also a great choice as it is often less expensive and gives your smoothie a refreshing consistency.
8. They’re delicious (even green ones):
It’s all about baby steps:
- Start with mangoes, then move to blueberries
- Start with banana, then try avocados
- Start with chocolate whey protein, then vegan proteins
- Start with 1/4 greens powder, then increase bit by bit to a full scoop or more
- Start with spinach, then try kale
- Start with chia seeds, then try psyllium husks
- Start with juice, then switch to vegan milk or plain water
Any way you blend it, smoothies can give your already healthy lifestyle an added boost or can be a great place to start on the road to wellness. So blend one up today!
