Green smoothies simplified, how to get the best out of them
As I’ve written previously (on more than one occasion!) I still believe one of the easiest and simplest ways of giving your body a huge injection of healing nutrients is by having a daily green smoothie.
We’re all aware the average person’s nutritional choices are often not serving them, resulting in not only an increase in diabetes, obesity and other obesity-related illnesses but chronic stress, inflammation, cravings and blood sugar spikes and crashes; meaning people depend on sugary snacks to keep them going throughout the day.
If you, or anyone you know has or is experiencing any of the above, there’s plenty you can do to get your body into a healthier state thus enabling it to heal.
The idea of drinking ‘green stuff’ might sound complicated (or even gross to some!) but considering how little time everyone believes they have to “eat right” or prep food, this simple trick has resulted in tremendous success for every personal training client and Boot camp attendee who has tried, stuck with and made it a daily ritual.
Benefits include:
- Reduced stress from not having to think about breakfast (and sometimes lunch if they’re still full!)
- Improved mental clarity
- Eliminating brain fog
- Eliminating blood sugar crashes
- Becoming more ‘regular’ in the bathroom
- Increased satiety (fullness)
- More energy
- Improved immunity, less colds/other viruses
- Feeling happier, healthier and more positive
If these sound good, here’s my simple guide to making a green smoothie in five minutes. Decent blenders (the only equipment you’ll need) are on sale pretty much everywhere; the increased range meaning they’re now cheaper than ever.
You can also make them in the evening, ready to take with you to work or on the school run the next morning.
All you need to remember is the 80/20 rule: 80% veg and 20% fruit. My top choices are:
- Leafy greens: romaine lettuce, spinach, kale
- Solid greens: 1-2 celery sticks, ¼ cucumber
- Fruits: apple, pear, pineapple chunks, 1/3 mango, nectarine, peach
- Citrus: juice of ½ a lemon or lime
- Fresh herbs: parsley, coriander
Blend the leafy greens, with 2-300ml water. Add your solid greens, followed by your fruit choice. Squeeze in the citrus, add the herbs and blend. The consistency will be slightly chunky (as it’s a smoothie!) so each sip needs to be chewed.
This will mean you sip it slowly, which keeps you full rather than chugging it!
Experiment with different combinations until you find your favourite. And most importantly, be consistent if you fancy experiencing all those benefits!