It’s that time of year when the temperatures are rising rapidly and the need to be looking out best physically is necessary as everyone likes to get ‘Bikini’ ready.
Unfortunately, the whole peer pressure of looking good and feeling our best can sometimes be overwhelming and I find myself falling into quick-fix diets which ultimately are absolutely not beneficial long term as once you start eating again you gain the pounds and then some in return
Recently I gained a lot of weight and despite eating a healthy range of foods whilst looking at my overall diet and fitness I found there was a lot more I could be doing to help myself.
I was drinking far too much alcohol which as we know has a LOT of empty calories but easy to forget when knocking back bottles of bud on hot days and social gatherings.
I also was waking up with hangovers and found the morning after the night before I would be then indulging in greasy foods to take the ‘sluggish’ feeling away.
Although my dinners and lunches were predominantly high protein and low carbs the pounds were adding to my waistline so I decided to try and supplement my daily routine ( which usually didn’t include a breakfast) and start finally using my smoothie blender again
I have experimented with making smoothies in the past primarily Green smoothies which consisted of spinach or kale with some fruit ( not too much as some fruits are full of sugar too) and I did feel and look a lot better for doing so.
The benefits of green smoothies are many and varied — they’re easy to digest, keep you hydrated, increase your energy, get your skin glowing, and more. They can include spinach, lettuce, kale, and collard greens.
For the more advanced green smoothie drinker, you can also add parsley, dandelion greens, watercress — really, any leafy green veggie your palate can handle, and enjoy.
Bananas, apples, pears, avocado, and mango are great companions in these beverages.
And much more refreshing and healthy than a beer or a can of cola!
Here’s a brief introduction to the many advantages of drinking green smoothies on a daily basis.
1. Green smoothies offer pure nutrition. The amount of vitamins you’ll get depends on the fruits and vegetables you choose for the smoothie. However, most fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins A and C. Guava is also high in folate, while avocados provide high amounts of potassium and magnesium.
2. Green smoothies are much healthier than fruit or vegetable juices. When juices are extracted, you get vitamins and minerals but no fibre. However, smoothies are made using the whole fruit/vegetable, so you get all the fiber in your drink.
3. Green smoothies are a great way to eat your veggies easily. Although most people like fruit, many have trouble getting their daily requirement of veggies. When you make a green smoothie, the taste of the greens is hidden by the taste of the fruit, so you don’t even notice the veggies are there.
4. Green smoothies are easy and quick to make. The only equipment you need is a blender (and a pitcher if you make large amounts and need to store some in the fridge).
5. Homemade green smoothies are cheap. Buying smoothies at a juice bar can set you back a few quid. At home, combining fruits and vegetables won’t cost you much. Drinking a glass every day will provide you with all the vitamins you need, a much cheaper (and more natural) option than buying multivitamins.
6. Green smoothies can be a good way to get kids to “eat” their vegetables. You might need to start with a higher proportion of fruit vs. vegetables (for example, 70/30 instead of the standard 60/40) until they get used to the flavour.
7. Green smoothies will provide you with a lasting source of energy. Fruits are a good source of energy, but eaten alone will only provide short bursts of energy (they contain lots of sugars, which are quickly metabolized). Because of their high content of veggies, green smoothies have a balanced sugar content.
8. Green smoothies are low in calories but very filling. Because they contain high amounts of water and fibre, they’ll make you feel as if you just ate a full meal. If you’re trying to lose weight, green smoothies will help fight hunger and cravings while helping the pounds melt off easier.
9. Green smoothies are easy to digest. Because they’re already blended and liquefied, smoothies are quicker to digest. After all, your body no longer needs to work so hard to “break down” the food in order to extract the nutrients. People who suffer from indigestion after eating a heavy meal will also benefit, as smoothies are filling but light.
10. Green smoothies will keep you hydrated. Although one should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, experts believe most people don’t drink even half that amount. One of the reasons for that is that many people simply don’t like the taste of plain water. If that describes you, simply add more water to the mix as you prepare your smoothie. You’ll be drinking more liquids without even noticing it.
So get your blender out and get making those smoothies 🙂
TARA SARA