It’s 2017 and many of us have made resolutions for the New Year. Many will decide on lifestyle changes, including healthy diets, weight loss, exercise programmes and the cessation of smoking and alcohol, among many others.
Over recent years, our society has adopted a number of healthy habits and many of us have gone on a smoothie craze. Some have the perception that once I drink smoothies I will lose weight and I’ll be healthier. I’ve seen the look of disbelief on many faces when they’re told you’re overweight, your blood sugar or cholesterol is abnormal. Then I hear the expression, “but I don’t understand, I’m drinking smoothies everyday.”
When we subsequently go through their diet, including the ingredients of these ‘healthy smoothies,’ we discover the large amount of calories being packed into their systems first thing in the morning or after a nice, long workout.
Smoothies are good, and once they contain a good supply of carbohydrates (vegetables and fruits), protein and fats, a smoothie can actually serve as a full meal. However, some of us have a smoothie first thing in the morning followed by breakfast.
Some will argue that their smoothie contains natural sugars in the form of fruits and honey. Of course, natural is good but too much natural sugars will definitely elevate your blood sugar. Also, too much full-cream milk in your smoothie will elevate your cholesterol.
So, where does this leave you and your resolution for a healthy diet?
Here are a few tips to consider when preparing your smoothie:
- Pay attention to the For instance, half of a banana, one orange, half of a grapefruit or a small mango will each contribute 40 calories to your smoothie. Therefore, two bananas in one smoothie will contribute 160 calories of the total amount of calories. Sure, fruit is healthy but too much fruit in one shake will send your blood sugar into the red. The high calorie intake will also defeat your workout efforts. You may spend 20 minutes running on a treadmill or do a three-mile walk and burn about 300 calories but you subsequently drink a smoothie containing more than 300 calories.
- Try to avoid icy additives like ice cream and frozen.
- Add more green vegetables like spinach and These have less sugar but more antioxidants, fibre and other vital nutrients.
- Use unsweetened, non-dairy milk like unsweetened almond A better choice, of course, would be water, which has no sugar.
- Boost your smoothie with flax seeds, chia seeds,raw nuts, cinnamon and lemon juice.
Congratulations on your choice to make healthy living a priority! Try to make changes for life and not just a particular period.
