How to Get Started With Healthy Smoothies

It has taken me a little while to form the habit of making a healthy smoothie but now I make one every day and use it as my breakfast for high energy and nutrition. You can of course have more should you desire and this will depend on your weight, health and age. For those of you who suffer from food problems or food intolerance symptoms, we have provided a great recipe for you too, so read on. If you are one of those action takers then take a look at green smoothie revolution here.

These are especially good for children and more so for children who suffer from food intolerance symptoms, as you are always looking for ways to expand the menu. If you suffer from leaky gut syndrome then I suggest you look at incorporating fermented products such as pure apple cider vinegar, water kefir or sauerkraut as this is sure to assist your recovery and reduce your food intolerance symptoms. Just be aware that amine intolerance may mean you need to be careful having fermented foods initially and I do not recommend foods fermented using vinegar.

My advice is to keep it simple and use whatever fruit and vegetable ingredients you have on hand. You can also add parsley, celery, cucumber, lettuce or other greens and I it is important that you alternate your greens when you make your smoothie.

Be creative, vary the ingredients and just try a few. For children, add more fruit and less greens until they adjust. Remember that even if it is a mostly fruit smoothie to begin with, it is still a healthy smoothie and you need to start somewhere.

You and your children will benefit from watching this video because it will encourage them to get involved. The more involved children are, the greater chance of them drinking it. This also goes with other food preparation.

It is good to have other healthy ingredients on hand as these are some of the things that make up my healthy drinks but again, no hard and fast rule. If you want to eat healthy food then this is a great way to  start without too much initial change to your meal routine.  You can even begin by just having a green smoothie before your meal.  What I found is that if you incorporate a healthy smoothie into your diet, you will eventually find that all you want is the smoothie to replace the meal rather than needing both. My favorite drink recipe is a green berry smoothie and it has many health benefits so read on after the recipes section.

Smoothie Recipes

Green smoothie

1 teaspoon Organic golden flaxseed oil or UDO’s oil

1 teaspoon Acai berry powder

1 tablespoon organic raw honey or agave syrup (add more for a sweeter flavour)

1 cup coconut water

6 cubes ice from purified water

1 large Handful of baby spinach leaves, silver-beet or collard greens

1 handful of blueberries or strawberries  (or mixed or other berries)

2 slices watermelon (natural body cleanser)

1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar, water kefir or coconut water

Put it all in a blender, blend and drink immediately. Yum!

Banana Green smoothie

1 teaspoon Organic golden flaxseed oil or UDO’s Oil

1 tablespoon Raw honey or dark agave syrup (add more for a sweeter flavor)

1 large banana

1 cup rice milk or almond milk or quinoa milk

1 large Handful of baby spinach leaves or silver-beet

1 teaspoon Lecithin granules

1 teaspoon unrefined, virgin, cold pressed coconut oil

Pinch unrefined sea salt

You can also add some ice

Put it all in a blender, blend and drink immediately. Yum!

Healthy smoothie for the food intolerant

1 cup Almond milk (or rice milk with no additives)

2 tablespoons pure 100% maple syrup (NOT maple flavored syrup)

1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar

1/2 a mango flesh, peel and stone removed  (if can have fruit that is moderate in salicylates)

1 pear, peeled & cored

1 teaspoon Lecithin granules (unbleached and from Soy)

10 raw cashews (optional)

1 cup ice

Put it all in a blender, blend and drink immediately. Yum!

Facts about your healthy smoothie ingredients and places to buy them

You can find some of the healthy smoothie ingredients used here, in the following places listed below.

Where possible buy fresh and keep in mind that if you cannot find it at your local grocer then it should be at a health food store.

• • Flaxseed Oil and UDO’s Oil is stored in the refrigerated section of a grocer. Both have a slight nutty taste and is also great to use in your salad dressings.
  • These are not oils you cook with. 100% unrefined, organic flaxseed oil naturally contains small quantities of lecithin, waxes, vitamin E, caretenoids and saturated fats.
  • It is best known for containing Omega 9, Omega 6, Omega 3, stearic and palmitic and has huge health benefits.
  • Acai Freeze Dried Powder can be found at health food or organic stores.
  • Almond milk tends to come in a UHT pack and found on the shelf at your grocer or you can make y0ur own. A great alternative for those who suffer from lactose intolerance or if you suffer from food intolerance symptoms.

    If you are using soy milk, you should always check the pack as often sugars and additives are added to this product. Soy milk can be found in the refrigerated section or on the shelf in a UHT pack as can rice milk.

  • 100% pure maple syrup. Pure maple syrup is great for those that suffer from food intolerance symptoms because it has low naturally occurring chemicals. It’s a great sweetener with its own health benefits and a great alternative to processed sugar which, even though is recommended for use for those who do suffer from food intolerance, is not good for your general health.
  • Agave is a natural sweetener and a great one to add instead of processed sugar. Not always easy to find, you can purchase some here: Agave.
  • Unrefined, virgin, cold pressed coconut oil is the only coconut oil that is beneficial for you.
  • Raw honey means that it has not been heat treated. You need to read the jar carefully to find this out. Found more so at a health food shop than a grocer. For other healthy ingredients you can get some Great Prices by clicking here
  • Raw cashews should be fairly easy to come by. Even better if you can source them locally.
  • Raw apple cider vinegar is one of the most amazing healing products. It is especially good for those suffering from food intolerance symptoms where leaky gut is a problem. I highly recommend Raw apple cider vinegar to anyone looking to improve their health.
  • Lecithin granules are readily available at most supermarkets. Look for unbleached and as natural as possible.
  • Unrefined sea salt, should be used in moderation as salt occurs naturally in some foods.

 The other ingredients listed for your healthy smoothie recipes should be easy to obtain. If not, send me an email and I’ll assist where needed.

Another important point is that children like things jazzed up and it helps to get them to try new things.

So, put the smoothie in a nice milk shake cup, slot a piece of fruit on the lip of the cup, add a straw and serve it up at the same time that you drink yours.

I know someone that calls her green smoothie a Shrek drink so feel free to give it a name. Here are some suggestions. Popeye Power, Angelina Ballerina Blend, Ben 10 power puss, Miffy Magic, The Magician’s frog Potion.

I am sure you can think of some more funny ones for your healthy smoothies.

Keep it fun and inviting and you will have a greater chance of your children trying these fantastic, nutritious health smoothies. Bottoms up!

Your News On Food brought to you by

Eileen Baudinette

Food and Health Commentator.

© 2009 – 2022  thenewsonfood.com

———————–

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.