New Delhi: Vegetables are among the healthiest foods available as they are nutrient-dense and they have a high concentration of vitamins and minerals in comparison to their weight. Vegetables are also an excellent source of fibre. Fibre-rich diets provide numerous health benefits, including weight control, digestive control, lower cholesterol levels due to gut health, sugar management and reduced chance of developing some chronic diseases.
Smoothies are an excellent way for incorporating a variety of nutritious components, including some of your favourite vegetables. The vegetable smoothie diet, in fact, is a weight loss approach in which participants substitute one meal each day with a fruit or vegetable-based smoothie. The diet's purpose is to reduce calorie consumption while increasing nutrient intake, particularly fibre, which can aid in healthy digestion.
Here are some interesting vegetable smoothie recipes that you can try at home:
1. Strawberry Spinach Smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3/4 cup plain greek yoghurt
Preparation:
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. If you don't have a powerful blender, combine the spinach with the milk first to avoid spinach chunks in the smoothie.
2. Carrot Banana Smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen carrots
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 lemon - juiced
- 1-inch fresh ginger - peeled
- 2 tablespoons of hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1+1/2 cups water
Preparation:
In a blender, combine the ingredients. Blend until smooth. To facilitate blending, add more water as required.
3. Cucumber Smoothie With Pineapple And Banana:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 banana (ideally frozen and cut into bits)
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt, plain - To make vegan, substitute plant-based yoghurt.
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 5 sprigs of mint
Preparation:
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend in 1/2 cup water until smooth. Enjoy!
4. Beetroot Smoothie:
Instructions:
- A handful of baby spinach leaves
- 2 small beets (or one large)
- 10 blackberries
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp greek yoghurt
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (250ml) (or other milk)
- 4 - 5 ice cubes
Preparation:
- Peel and chop the beets in half.
- In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend until completely smooth.
- Drink immediately
5. Celery Smoothie With Apple And Banana:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped celery - preferably frozen
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 green apple - cored and cut into chunks
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Dash vanilla extract
Preparation:
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Add 3/4 to 1 cup water. Blend until smooth, then serve.