Targeted Smoothie Recipes for any Ailment

I just ran across this cool article sharing information and ideas for smoothies targeted at specific ailments.

They cover 6 tips on how to use super foods to add to your smoothies in order to alleviate common health problems such as Diabetes, Adrenal fatigue, Weight Loss, etc

I’ve included 6 tips below. Check out the article and let me know what you think.

Tweaking and adjusting your daily smoothie to suit you is what all the fun is about. There are so many amazing superfood additions that you can add to your smoothies to address various health concerns.

Tip 1. Smoothies for Diabetes

If your dealing with diabetes its important to keep the glycemic index low. This means no high sugar tropical fruits. Stick to apples, berries and citrus for your fruits and ample greens for the bulk of your smoothie.

Cinnamon is a naturally insulin regulating food, so adding a 1/2 tsp or so of cinnamon is useful.

The high fiber content will help regulate blood sugar levels, adding some protein powder from high quality whey protein or a scoop of almond butter is a good way to fend off sugar cravings.

See our 5 Strategies for Smoothies for Diabetics

Diabetes-Friendly Leafy Green Carrot Fruit Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Milk (skim milk, soymilk or goat’s milk)

• 1 tablespoon Flaxseeds, ground

• 1/2 cup Grapes (15-16 grapes), red or green

• 1/2 cup Spinach, fresh

• 1/2 cup green Cabbage, chopped

• 1 medium Carrot, chopped

• 1/2 cup Peach slices, unsweetened, frozen

• 1/2 cup Ice cubes

At only 265 calories, this is suitable for those on weight loss programs. It contains 45 grams of carbs and a wide array of disease-fighting antioxidants.

Tip 2. Adrenal fatigue and Green Smoothies

Rebuilding the strength in your adrenal glands takes time, but you can accelerate it by focusing on certain elements in your smoothie.

Raw cacao is energizing but also incredibly high in magnesium, adding a tablespoon to your morning smoothie will boost your energy and soothe stress.

Coconut oil is useful for fighting adrenal fatigue and provides a nourishing source of long term energy. Herbs like rhodiola and ashwaganda which you can find at the health food store in tincture form are calming and stabilizing.

Instead of using water in your smoothies I recommend making a strong brew of nettle tea the night before, enough to last a few days, and including this infusion as your liquid of choice. Nettles are very high in minerals and important b-vitamins, key to healing adrenal exhaustion.

Read Laura's story here: The Smoothie Recipe That Healed My Adrenal Fatigue

And her recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Kale

• 1 tablespoon Supergreens powder

• 1 cup frozen organic Blueberries

• 1 teaspoon Maca

• 1-2 tablespoons MCT Oil

• 1 Lemon OR Lime, skin removed

• 2-4 drops Stevia

• 1 cup Water

Tip 3. Lose Weight With Power Packed Smoothies

Stimulating the metabolism with warming smoothie additions like cayenne and ginger are great for boosting weight loss. Extra protein is useful if you're trying to lose weight, try adding some high quality whey (sourced from grass fed cows) – use a powder or whey from/in full fat yogurt, cottage cheese, etc or a scoop of almond butter.

Refreshing Weight Loss Green Smoothie with Lime, Mint and Mango (Link)

Recipe: Refreshing Weight Loss Green Smoothie with Lime, Mint and Mango

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups baby Spinach or roughly chopped spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)

• 1 1/2 cup Ice cubes

• 1 cup unsweetened Almond Milk

• 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh Mint leaves

• 1/4 cup Lime juice, from a fresh Lime or two, with the grated zest

• 1 large ripe juicy Mango, or 2 small, about 2 cups, roughly chopped

• 1 small Banana (optional)

Blend until smooth.  Taste and if you need extra sweetener add the banana.

Approx. 200 cals per serving.

Tip 4. Ingredients for Heart problems

Adding a source of omega-3 to your smoothies is vital if you have heart problems (32). You can achieve this through hemp seed oil, flax oil or fish oil, many fish oils are flavored and you can’t even tell they are fish.

Seek out a pure and high quality fish oil in liquid form such as arctic cod liver oil.

Adding some hawthorne tincture is also beneficial and raw cacao has been shown to have heart healthy compounds.

Heart-Healthy Raspberry Banana and Walnut Smoothie (Link)

Recipe: Heart-Healthy Raspberry Banana and Walnut Smoothie

Serves 2; ~334 cals per serving

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen organic Raspberries

• 1 Banana

• 1/2 cup Walnuts

• 1/2 Oats

• 1 cup Water

• ½ cup non-fat Yogurt

• Greens, either 2 handfuls Spinach or Kale, or 100g Broccoli

• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup (optional)

• 1 tsp Vanilla

Blend and replace a meal.

Tip 5. Improve Digestion

If you suffer form digestive problems it may be best to use greens with lower fiber content, ex. instead of kale use spinach. Additions like aloe vera juice, fresh mint, fresh ginger and inulin are very soothing to the digestive tract.

Aid Digestion with this Kiwi Green Smoothie (Link)

Recipe: Green Smoothie for Super Healthy Digestion

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 Kiwis (peeled)

• 1 Lime (juiced)

• 1 Lemon (juiced)

• 1 cup Coconut Water

• 4 oz Orange Juice

• Ice

• 1 sprig of Parsley

• small handful of baby Spinach (for better digestion, steam briefly beforehand)

• 1 tbsp Chia Seed

• 1/2 tsp ground Ginger

• pinch of Sea Salt

• optional 1 tsp Maple Syrup or honey

Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Tip 6. Reduce Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can manifest in a variety of ways, often joint pain is a good indicator. Try adding fresh or powdered turmeric root to your smoothies as its been shown to alleviate inflammation (32). Cayenne is also useful for this condition. Many inflammatory conditions are made worse by an overly acidic diet, just adding in a green smoothie may help lower inflammation all by itself.

Pineapple Ginger Cherry Smoothie Helps Fight Inflammation (Link)

Recipe: Pineapple Ginger Cherry Smoothie Helps Fight Inflammation

Serves 1; 307

Ingredients:

• ½ cup / 100 g frozen Pineapple

• ¾ cup / 115 g frozen Cherries

• 1 tbsp Hemp seed Hearts

• 1 cup / 240 ml Coconut Water

• 1 cup Kale (or Spinach)

• Small knob of fresh Ginger (or ¼ tsp dried ginger)

• Small knob of fresh Turmeric (or ¼ tsp dried turmeric)

• Pinch Black Pepper, nec for the turmeric to be effective in the body

• 1 pitted Medjool Date (optional for sweetness)

Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Original article from: rootandsprouts.com

Photo: DrinkMeHealthy

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