Drinking smoothies is a popular way for easily including more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
They can serve as a snack or an on-the-go breakfast fix that anybody can easily make. Healthy smoothies help you stay hydrated while taking advantage of the nutrient-dense ingredients you used to create your drink.
One delicious, tropical and healthy smoothie recipe I would like to share today is the Coco-Green Smoothies. Below are the ingredients of this recipe and the health benefits you can reap from them.
An essential tool to create smoothies are blender. Take a look here, if you don’t own one yet.
Coconut Milk
Unlike your regular cow’s milk, coconut milk does not naturally come in liquid form. It is made from solid grated flesh, mixed with water. You can opt for a thick or thin consistency, depending which texture you prefer. This smoothie is commonly used in many Asian cuisines and is also popular in South America, Hawaii and Caribbean Islands.
What makes fresh coconut milk so healthy is its medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) it contains. These medium-chain fatty acids called lauric acid may benefit you for weight loss by boosting your metabolism.
For this recipe, we prefer to use a thinner coconut milk consistency. However, if you like it to be creamier, you can use thick coconut milk or mix thick and thin coconut milk until you achieve your desired consistency. Check this Detox Smoothie Bowl With Milk Thistle And Aloe Vera if you want to learn more.
Yogurt
Yogurt has many health benefits too. The most notable of all is its probiotic content. Probiotics are microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Normally, good microorganisms in your intestines help you stay healthy. Without the presence of good bacteria from probiotics, bad bacteria can wreak havoc and make damage to your immune system.
Banana
Because they are a convenient snack food,there is no doubt that bananas are a favorite staple in every home. They contain several essential nutrients and have health benefits that can improve your cardiovascular health and digestion. This fruit contains potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, copper, manganese, fiber and protein.
Apple
Apples are good sources of polyphenols. What makes this fruit so interesting is its epicatechin content – a flavonoid which may lower blood pressure. Flavonoids are proven to prevent heart disease, and reduce bad cholesterol. Because they also act as an antioxidant, they can neutralize free-radicals and fight oxidative damage in your cells.
Spinach
This vegetable is one of the healthiest foods you can get your hands on. Spinach is high in vitamins A, C, E, K, niacin, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium manganese and zinc.
Spinach is also packed with protein, fiber and flavonoids – an antioxidant which helps lower down cholesterol and neutralize free-radicals. Eating spinach also can lower blood pressure, improve memory, brain function and mental clarity.
To yield two glass servings of Coconut-green smoothie, prepare the following ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh coconut milk (you can use canned if fresh coconut milk is not an option)
- 2 tablespoons of shaved coconuts (you may also used toasted coconuts)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 ripe peeled banana
- 1 large apple (you can use green apples for tartness, or fuji apples to add more sweetness)
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup ice
Follow these directions below:
- In order, put apples, ice, bananas, spinach, yogurt, toasted coconuts or shaved coconuts, and coconut milk in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- For presentation, you can top the glasses with toasted coconuts and serve immediately.
Bio:
Millie Turner is a Biology major currently juggling school, work and writing. She is passionate about animals and living a healthy lifestyle. She practices yoga since she was fourteen and takes interest in the culinary arts to learn more on how to prepare good and nutritious foods that impacts a person’s health.