Marna Oettle

Smoothies are a fantastic way to add more veg / fruit to your diet. Adding a smoothie to a meal helps to add bulk (from fiber & water), thus promoting satiety.

Smoothies can be served as a light meal – IF they contain enough protein (e.g. from dairy or protein powder), carbs (e.g. from fruit or oats) and healthy fats (e.g. nuts, seeds, or avo). This smoothie, however, is super light and not intended to be a stand-alone meal. It and works well as an addition to your meal or as a very light snack.

I definitely prefer smoothies to juices. The juicing process discards the fiber, and results in a product that is more concentrated in sugar. Smoothies, on the other hand, are packed with fiber, which helps to slow down the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the gut (thus ‘buffering’ blood sugar spikes).

Using the whole veg / fruit means you are feeding your gut with plenty of fiber, which will help to grow your gut microbiome (the ‘good’ bacteria living in your gut). A diverse gut microbiome has numerous benefits, e.g. reducing your risk of chronic diseases, weight management, and even mental health. Eating a wide variety and generous quantity of plant based foods is the way to go if you want to pimp your gut.

Beetroot and carrots are both super nutrient dense too! Beetroot contains plenty of nutrients, including folate and iron. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. These veggies are also packed with anti-oxidants.

This drink is suitable for vegans or those avoiding dairy. It is free from added sugars and suitable for diabetes. Plus, this is low calorie drink provides roughly 60 kcal per glass (compared to about 150 kcal in a glass of juice). Enjoy!