When it comes to our diet, smoothies aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when we think about eating healthy. But we’re not talking about chocolate or vanilla smoothies… we’re talking about an all natural, extremely healthy smoothie that is made from greens and other organic products.

Here are some of the reasons for increasing greens in your diet:

• Due to our consumption of refined, processed, pickled and sugar laden foods coupled with caffeine, alcohol and cigarette consumption AND the high levels of stress that many of us are subject to on a daily basis – most of us have an acidic pH which can contribute to a long list of health conditions and degenerative disease. Consuming green vegetables is a great way of alkalising your body and keeping your blood pH slightly alkaline at about 7.35 – 7.45.a blood pH below 7.0 is acidic.

• A refined/processed food diet can rob your body of health & vitality and can actually use up precious nutrients during the process of digestion. Greens on the other hand, are full of enzymes, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins K, C, E and many of the B vitamins. They also take minimal energy to digest and do not tax the body of other nutrients during digestion.

• Green smoothies contain powerful antioxidants and help support the immune system.

• They also contain a variety of phytonutrients that protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age related problems.

• Chlorophyll found in green vegetables is great for purifying the blood and deodorising the breath.

• Great For weight loss – Green Smoothies are an amazing way to lose weight naturally and healthier option. Try substituting a meal for a healthy well balanced smoothie.

• More Energy –Because a Green smoothie will deliver large amounts of vitamins, minerals and natural sweeteners that will give you that energy boost that you need… without the crash!

• Stop Cravings – Smoothies can possibly stop that craving for processed food. Because smoothies are rich in vitamins, minerals and natural sweeteners, your body will feel very satisfied after consuming a smoothie!

• Increased Fiber Absorption – Green Smoothies are naturally high in fiber because you are using the whole green product and it’s not just “juicing” out the water.

• Green smoothies are often referred to as “Nutrient dense” foods, as opposed to calorie dense, nutrient poor foods like processed ‘junk”

• Green Smoothies are great, and they are a lot easier than juicing. Even if you’re not following a Raw diet use green smoothies are a great addition to your daily dietary routine.

If you want to add smoothies to your diet purely for health reasons, it is strongly recommended that you make them yourself, and not buy smoothies at restaurants or coffee shops. Generally they make them for the sole purpose of taste. There are plenty of other ingredients in those smoothies that are not healthy, and in a lot of cases can become detrimental to your health. This is unless you are lucky enough to have an amazing organic café in your area… in that case… enjoy!!

Green Smoothies can taste great and another advantage is: you don’t need to add any additional sweeteners. By simply adding any fruit of your choice, you can make it taste naturally sweet. Adding fruit will also give it the creamy texture that you get if you added milk, but this is a much healthier option! Here’s a few suggestions of fruits you can use.:

• Pears
• Bananas (frozen for extra creaminess)
• Kiwi
• And of course any Berries

Some of the greens you can add are:

• Kale
• Baby spinach
• Cos lettuce
• And iceberg lettuce

It’s really up to your imagination, so have a blast and get creative with your Green Smoothies!!!