I’ve been promising this recipe to my clients for quite a while, so now I’ve joined the blog party here it is finally! Have a go, and make any comments below on how you adapted it etc, I’d love to hear from you.
This is a really tasty smoothie with some wonderful anti-inflammatory ingredients such as pineapple, turmeric and flax seeds. I haven’t added anything to sweeten mine so you could add a date if you want it sweeter, but I think the banana and cinnamon do the trick. For your liquid, add some home made nut milk or some coconut water if you can find it locally (or feel like treating yourself to a rather expensive ingredient!)
Ingredients:
- 1 dessert spoon pumpkin seeds (soaked overnight if you remember, and then rinsed)
- 1 dessert spoon organic whey protein powder
- 1 dessert spoon linseeds (either pre-ground or soaked over night)
- 1 heaped dessert spoon of gluten free oats
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or a little more if you like the taste)
- 1 banana
- 1 thick slice pineapple, skinned and diced (I use about a 1 inch thick slice)
- 250ml nut milk or coconut water
Put all the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. Add a little more liquid if it is too thick.
So now here you are sipping on your smoothie while following some of the advice I have given you in your sessions First up, let’s think about blood sugar balance, which as you know I am very keen on banging on about. We have the whey protein as well as the pumpkin seeds and nut milk, here to provide you with some excellent proteins and essential fats to slow the release of the sugars from the fruit. Cinnamon is also not only a wonderful tasty spice to add to the mix, but is also here to help keep your blood sugar levels balanced after eating such a fruity smoothie.
As you can see, each ingredient in this smoothie is there for it’s health properties…if you’re in a geeky mood today read on for some reasons why:
- Whey protein has been found to slightly reduce circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which are sensitive markers of inflammation
- Pumpkin seeds are a rich natural source of antioxidants, provide immune supporting minerals such as zinc and selenium as well as omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).
- Linseeds contain a variety of anti-inflammatory properties, including omega 3 PUFA, though please avoid this ingredient if you are having an acute colitis flare up
- Pumpkin seeds and linseeds contain lignans (phytoestrogens) which are believed to protect against hormone-dependent cancers by interfering with the cancer-promoting effects of oestrogen on breast tissue and also helping to remove excess oestrogen from your body
- Pineapple contains bromelain, which has been well researched for its anti-inflammatory activities and has been used for the treatment of inflammatory disease for decades.
- Bananas contain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which keep the bacteria in our large intestine happy. Happy bacteria mean less inflammation in our gut, which is where us naturopaths usually like to start with healing.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is pretty much the most fashionable spice to be in 2015, with tons of amazing evidence appearing that shows its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and blood sugar balancing properties.
