EATING WELL IN KANSAS CITY - September 2017 - Kansas City

Fight Fatigue and Balance Your Blood Sugar With a Daily Smoothie

By Angela Watson Robertson

 

Smoothies can be a great source of protein, superfoods, fats, and fiber, but not all smoothie recipes are the same. Going to your local smoothie shop may not be healthy—you have to look at what’s inside. This is why I recommend making your smoothies at home. You can control the ingredients, and you know that you’re getting a high-quality, low-glycemic (low sugar) drink filled with organic, whole fruits, vegetables, and greens.

 

An important component of health is to maintain blood sugar balance. Yet, in our modern world, it can be difficult to eat as much and as often as our body needs so we don’t crash. That’s where smoothies come in. By blending lots of protein, fiber, and other nutrients, you support your body to feel full and balanced for several hours.

 

If you feel fatigued, exhausted, or low energy often, then you may have an issue with maintaining your blood sugar. If you’ve been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, keeping your blood sugar in a healthy place is even more important. Something as simple as eating small meals every few hours that are high in protein, combined with a daily smoothie packed with healthy protein, superfoods, fats, and fiber, can help you bring your body back into balance.

 

And if that’s not enough, smoothies are easily digested as the blender has done the work for your body. If you have any hiccups with your digestion, this is a huge perk. I thrive on having one meal per day in smoothie form. Not only does it aid my digestion, but the smoothies are like a treat and save me time from making a meal (like you, I’ve got a full life!). Give it a try, and over time, you’ll see a huge difference in your health.

 

Daily Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• A handful of frozen spinach

• A handful of frozen strawberries, mango, cherries, and wild blueberries

• 1 frozen banana

• Plant-based protein powder (dairy, gluten, and soy free) of your choice

• Unsweetened almond, coconut, or cashew milk, as desired

• Purified water, as desired

In addition, I like to add superfoods, but these are totally optional:

•  A splash (about a tablespoon) of aloe vera gel to heal your gut lining

•  A tablespoon of barley grass extract powder or green powder of your choice (spirulina is a great option!)

 

Method:

• Add all of the above to your blender. Blend and enjoy!

 

Health Coach Tips

If you’d like to add some extra chocolate flavor to the smoothie then add some raw cacao powder to give your smoothie. Add more nut milk or purified water to create the thickness and texture you prefer. I recommend using all organic ingredients.