It has long been known that green vegetables are very healthy. They are a source of energy and important trace elements. But not everyone loves to eat them. Therefore, in recent years, a green smoothie has become a popular drink. It is advertised by raw foodists and supporters of a healthy diet, but ordinary people, after tasting such a cocktail, regularly make it for themselves. After all, it is not only tasty, but very useful.
Green smoothie: what is it
This dish is a cocktail of green leafy vegetables and fruits with the addition of liquid if necessary. But sometimes, on the contrary, the smoothie becomes thick, then they do not drink it, but eat it with a small spoon. The word smoothie translates to smooth. This means that the cocktail should be uniform, without pieces. To do this, use a good blender. Only in it you can cook smoothies correctly and quickly.
The benefits of the drink
Green smoothie has a lot of advantages. Why are people who care about their health so fond of this drink? With its use, such changes occur in the body:
- forces return and working capacity increases;
- immunity is strengthened;
- weight is reduced;
- the body is cleansed of toxins;
- mood and depression disappears;
- skin and hair condition improves;
- digestion is normalized;
- The main components of the drink have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The benefits of smoothies over other foods
Those who have tasted such a cocktail try to drink it regularly. Why is it better to cook a smoothie for breakfast?
- if you make such a cocktail with oatmeal, yogurt or cottage cheese, it can replace a full breakfast;
- such food gives energy, but is not stored in fat;
- cooking it is easy;
- a glass of such a cocktail contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber;
- unlike greens and vegetables in salads, it is better absorbed when chopped.
What may be part of the drink
If you simply beat vegetables and herbs that are at home in a blender, then the cocktail will not turn out to be very tasty. There are some secrets to making smoothies. Its main components are liquid, greens and fruits. Sometimes oatmeal, cottage cheese or vegetables are also added to the cocktail. Instead of water, you can use juice, herbal tea, mineral water. To make the drink taste good, you need to adhere to the following proportions: take two parts of the green for two parts of the liquid and three parts of the fruit. Optionally, you can add cinnamon, ginger, nuts, mint.
What fruits are most often used to make a green smoothie? The recipe may contain kiwi, banana, avocado, orange, pear, grapes and any berries. You can take greens that is available, and not only vegetables growing in the garden are used, but also medicinal herbs. A healthy drink is obtained from such greens: spinach, kale, parsley, celery, salad, tops of carrots and beets. Sugar is never added to a green smoothie. The sweetness of the drink can be given with the help of banana, dates, pears, maple syrup or honey.
How to make smoothies
It is necessary to follow the rules of preparation.
- First, wash all the greens and chop with a knife.
- Pour two parts of the base fluid into the blender and add as much greens. Grind everything well to get a homogeneous mass.
- Then chopped fruits (three parts) are added, and again everything is chopped.
To make the drink refreshing, you can grind frozen pieces of greens and fruits. But such a cocktail will turn out more dense. And in order to add satiety, you can use nuts, oatmeal or flaxseed.
Green smoothie: recipe and cooking options
Everyone can make a drink to their liking. At first it is better to use the simplest recipes. Then you can experiment. Those who have been drinking such a cocktail for a long time no longer think what to put in it. And what about people who first decided to try a green smoothie? A recipe with a photo is in our article.
For starters, it is not recommended to take hot or exotic herbs, and for sweetness it is best to add bananas. In order not to spoil the taste, you need to use a small measuring cup. You can recommend several recipes for the most delicious smoothie.
- Take 2 cups of spinach or salad, 2 cups of water, mix. Add 1 cup juice or pineapple and mango fruit and 1 banana.
- You can take 1.5 cups of spinach and half a glass of parsley in 2 parts of water. Mixed cocktail with banana. For taste, add a few slices of lemon and a slice of ginger.
- A hearty and healthy smoothie will come from broccoli, spinach, lime and apple. Instead of water for such a drink, you can take apple juice.
- Very often make a green smoothie with kiwi. For example, a refreshing cocktail with pineapple, kiwi, cucumber, parsley and mint.
- Smoothie will be tastier and healthier if you add orange or apple juice instead of water. For example, juice with several ice cubes, spinach, blueberries and a banana.
- Smoothies based on chamomile or ginger tea with the addition of spinach, apple, banana, nuts and honey improve the mood.
How to consume such cocktails
Best to drink a green smoothie for breakfast. You can even make a drink in advance from the evening, close it tightly and refrigerate. In the morning, you just have to shake it, and a wholesome, energetic breakfast is ready. It is good to use a cocktail in the afternoon as a snack. To use the smoothie was beneficial, you need to follow some rules:
- the taste of the drink should be pleasant, but sugar or salt should not be added;
- the first month you can use smoothies no more than a glass a day;
- you need to drink a cocktail in small sips, through a straw, or eat a small spoon;
- smoothies should be consumed separately from other products, best of all - half an hour or an hour before meals or as a separate meal;
- It is not recommended to use smoothies for gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis and chronic kidney diseases.
And do not abuse such a drink, in everything you need to know the measure. A large amount of raw vegetables, especially in a person unfamiliar with them, can cause indigestion and flatulence. And excessive consumption of spinach or sorrel can lead to the appearance of kidney stones.