Benefits Of Adding Green Smoothies To Your Eating Plan
Posted on: 22 June 2015
Green smoothies are drinks created by blending green vegetables and fruit. Smoothies, unlike juices, include whole fruit and vegetables, so very little is wasted. For additional benefits, add a drop or two of essential oils, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, peppermint and spearmint to your smoothies. Essential oils can help reduce stress and add extra flavor to your smoothies. There are several reasons to include these nutritious drinks in your daily diet.
Good Source of Fiber
Fiber is an important component of your dietary health; however, many people don't consume as much as they should. Since the entire vegetable and fruit is used in smoothies, each drink is full of easy-to-consume fiber. Green smoothies include fiber-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, apples, carrots and more. Apples and other fruit provide natural sweetness, so you should not need additional sweeteners for taste.
Can Help You Maintain or Lose Weight
Vegetables and fruit are a good way to get the nutrients you need without consuming a lot of calories or fat. The high fiber content will also help you feel full longer, which can help you eat less. You can add protein to your green smoothie to make it a meal replacement, or you can have a non-protein smoothie before your meal to help you decrease the size of that meal.
Good Way to Add More Fruit and Vegetables to Your Diet
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), women should consume 2 to 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day and men should eat 2 1/2 to 3 cups a day. Small children between 2 and 8 years old should have 1 to 1 1/2 cups a day. Girls from 9 to 18 years old should eat 2 to 2 1/2 cups a day and boys in that age range should have 2 1/2 to 3 cups a day.
The USDA also recommends that women add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit to their diet each day. Men should have 2 cups a day. Children should eat 1 to 1 1/2 cups of fruit each day and boys and girls up to 18 should have between 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day.
For some, these numbers may be difficult to meet, however, blending these fruit and vegetables into smoothies can make it easier to meet these dietary recommendations. In one drink, you can receive the benefit of a variety of vegetables and fruits. If you're not a fan of vegetables and are concerned about how green smoothies will taste, don't worry. The fruit will neutralize the taste of the vegetables enough to satisfy most veggie haters.
You Can Make Them Your Way and Still Get the Benefits Consuming Fruit and Vegetables
Green smoothies contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, potassium and more. To maximize the health benefits, green smoothies should include fruit and leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens and others; it's up to you how to customize these ingredients to suit your tastes. For instance, you may enjoy blending several types of leafy greens with one or two pieces of whatever fruit is in season, or you may prefer to add one type of leafy green per smoothie and then include a variety of fruit.
You can also control the thickness of your smoothie by increasing or decreasing the amount of liquid added. For even more variety, the liquid used can be water, milk or juice. You can also add spicy essential oils such as cinnamon or ginger for more taste. For more ideas on how natural remedies and essential oils can benefit your health, contact a company like Living It Out.
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