Drinking a smoothie in the morning keeps you from indulging in ‘empty’ carbohydrates like doughnuts, or other breakfast alternatives.
THE 9 BEST SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS
1. APRICOTS
While many of us think “banana” when we think of potassium, the apricot actually contains more vital electrolyte.
2. BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries stuff a ton of nutrition into a tiny package, delivering impressive amounts of vitamins, fibre, and may protect against chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
3. CRANBERRY JUICE
Research shows that drinking cranberry juice cocktail daily can promote urinary tract health, providing protection against certain harmful bacteria.
4. BROCCOLI AND GREENS
Kale, cabbage, and bok choy contain disease-fighting and immunity-boosting phytonutrients as well as essential nutrients vitamins. Just don’t overcook these veggies before you blend them. Blend frozen veggies instead.
5. GRAPES
By adding red or purple grapes or grape juice to your smoothie, you’ll take in compounds that can slow the progression of hardening arteries and reduce blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and cholesterol.
6. YOGHURT
Greek yoghurt adds a calcium-packed protein boost to any smoothie. This popular snack item is thicker, creamier, and more nutrient-dense than traditional yoghurts. Greek yogurt contains probiotics that can boost GI and immune health.
7. KALE
Perhaps Popeye should have grabbed a can of kale instead of spinach. Kale is incredibly nutrient-dense, offering impressive amounts of potassium and vitamins.
8. OATS
High fibre diets are more satisfying, and have been linked to lower body weights. If you’re not up for cooking, simply add oat bran instead.
9. PROTEIN POWDER
To give your drink a muscle-building boost, add a mix of whey and casein protein. This blend offers readily available, quick-digesting whey protein along with slower-digesting casein for a sustained supply of amino acids.
For more ideas about what you could put into your home-made smoothies, read the full article in the June issue of VIDA
