Smoothie Blends
Amanda Pittas: Clinical Nutritionist
Balancing lifestyle with nutrition, for a happier, healthier life!
Finally the warmer weather has arrived! We all know what that means, it’s smoothie season and so it’s time to dust off your blender and start blitzing easy, nutritious and on the go smoothies! Everybody likes smoothies, what’s not to like about them! They are convenient, super quick and pack a whole lot of nutrients into one glass!
Smoothies are easily digested so anyone can have them, young or old. Their best advantage is that they boost your vitamin and antioxidant intake. So, go on get blitzing and feel the health benefits both physically and mentally.
How Do You Blend?
Firstly you need a blender or if your investing in your health you can use an ultra smoothie making machine like a NutriBullet etc. Now be a little mindful a blender is different to a juicer. Juicers are great too but you will miss out on all the fibre content which is vitally important in your health. Fibre not only makes you feel fuller for longer but helps balance your blood sugar and aids in digestion.
Most recipes will require about 1 cup of liquid, be it water, milk or plant base liquid like almond milk for example. The amount can be adjusted to reach your desired consistency. If you want to increase your nutrient intake don’t just stick to ice and fruit, but bulk it up with veggies. Yes that’s right veggies, like cauliflower, carrot, beetroot, cucumber, celery and even herbs like mint can add flavour and nutrient value. Just remember when blending make sure you blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and without clumps.
Ready to start making your own smoothies? Then download Nutritional Balance’s FREE Smoothie Blends Recipe Book.
What To Put In Your Smoothie
You can include any food that you like to eat and blend it, within reason. Some food combinations like strawberries and banana work better than other combinations. Green smoothies are popular because they often include ingredients with powerful antioxidants and nutrients that help support illness and cleans the body. I often make a quick smoothie when my body needs some tasty support including cucumber, kiwi fruit , apple, baby spinach, sprig of mint with a little lemon all blended together with a cup of hydrating coconut water. You can use frozen ingredients or stand-alone fruit and veg. If it’s a hot summer’s day then there is nothing better then drinking a chilled smoothie using either ice or pre-frozen fruit and veg.
Kids And Smoothies
The greatest aspect of smoothies is that you can hide healthy ingredients in a smoothie that your kids would normally not eat. My favourite is what my kids call “Chocolate Milk Shake”. I add a banana with a cup of almond milk and a little cacao. They don’t even taste the banana but it gives the sugary sweetness to offset the cacao’s chocolatey bitterness. Even though it is really only a 3 ingredient smoothie it’s got a good hit of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, antioxidants and protein to nourish their little bodies.
Supporting optimal health is the key to achieving a balanced lifestyle and continued wellbeing. Need a little more guidance on what to eat for your health? Contact Nutritional Balance and see how we can help you!
Smoothie Notes
It’s important to rotate your smoothie ingredients and not drink the same smoothie almost every day. This avoids boredom setting in which will only make you want to stop your new health kick. It also helps to avoid a build-up of alkaloids from the same plants. You will also get more variation of nutrients in your diet.
Remember though, although smoothies are filling and delicious, they shouldn’t replace a balanced diet. Be aware some are high in calories and may include high amounts of sugar, so if you have blood sugar issues then you might like to check with your General Practitioner before changing your diet.
Need some nutritional support but don’t know where to start? Then download Nutritional Balance’s FREE Anti-Inflammatory Recipe Book or Balancing Your Gut Recipe Book . If you’re really serious about your health you can purchase our Beat Pain & Inflammation Meal Plan or Gut Healing Meal Plans.
The information provided in this blog is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. None of Nutritional Balance’s services shall be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. We cannot and do not provide medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before altering your diet. The information provided in this blog should not be used in place of a consultation with your physician or other health care provider. We do not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please consult your physician or other health care provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the information provided in this plan.