Julie Morris: Holidays Made Healthier With Smoothies
JulieMorris
Posted On October 21, 2011
Holidays made healthier with smoothies
As we ramp up for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the collective December holidays, it’s difficult not to invite our old friend Mr. Indulgence for a visit, even if it feels like he’s only occasionally stopping by to grab a slice of pie. While there are many helpful ways to make holiday recipes vastly healthier (which we’ll cover more in the upcoming weeks), it’s admittedly difficult to pick up a balanced plate in every situation … especially when around family or friends that may not share in the wave of health-oriented enthusiasm. And, if you’re like most North American citizens, you’re all too aware of the holidays’ not so sweet result of all the celebratory excess (delicious as it may be): weight gain.
To help alleviate the notorious fall/winter waistline expansion, many top nutritionists suggest putting the “crowding out” theory to work – a dietary tool based on the idea that the more good food we eat, the less inclined we are to overdo it with the bad stuff. Arming ourselves with this tool works for a couple reasons – first, by filling our stomach with nutritious high-fiber foods like vegetables and fruits, we leave less room for (literally “crowd out”) the cookie plate attacks and brownie binges. Second, by filling our body with quality nutrients, we can chemically trigger our system to feel satisfied which results in diminished cravings. The result is being able to easily pass on the plate piled with dietary disaster saying “No thanks, I’m good” … and really mean it this time.
One easy way to deliciously crowd out the bad foods is enjoying a daily high fiber, low calorie smoothie. Instead of worrying about every meal, aim to balance out the day as a whole, using the ease of a smoothie packed with functional ingredients to your advantage. Try making a habit of enjoying your blended creations before you head off to a tempting culinary affair. Armed with a satisfied stomach, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to stay on a healthy track – and how good you feel.
Low-Cal Blueberry-Chia Smoothie (aka your Feel-Good Holiday Plan)
The peaches and bananas are flavorful low sugar fruits, while the banana provides a creaminess (and sweetness) without needing to depend on a milk. The green tea lends a lovely background flavor, and studies have shown that green tea actually helps boost the metabolism. Cleansing lemon juice brings out the flavor in the fruits, while stevia adds sweetness without sugar. And the magical chia gel adds bulk and texture without adding a lot of calories. The result is a delicious blend that’s surprisingly filling, without being heavy or caloric.
Makes 2 large servings
Ingredients:
2 peaches, sliced (fresh or frozen)
1 banana
2½ cups frozen blueberries
1 cup prepared green tea (room temperature or cold)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup chia gel
stevia or xylitol, to taste
Directions:
Use a blender to puree the peaches, banana, blueberries, green tea and lemon juice until smooth. Add the chia gel and stevia (or xylitol) to taste. Blend gently for a couple seconds until just combined, while allowing the chia gel to remain as a nice textural agent. Serve cold.
About The Author: Julie Morris is a Los Angeles-based natural food chef and author of Superfood Cuisine: Cooking with Nature's Most Amazing Foods. An active advocate of whole, plant-based foods and superfoods for optimal health, her recipes and nutrition tips are dedicated to making a vibrantly healthy lifestyle both easy to achieve, and simply delicious to follow. www.JulieMorris.net
Originally Posted By:
Julie Morris on October 21st, 2011
Thank You For Joining Our Table™