Smoothies seem to be on the menu everywhere at the moment but if look at the small print you might wonder just how good they are for you. So why not go back to basics, invest in a blender (the NutriBullet is perfect) and make your own skin loving smoothies at home? Not only will you save money but potentially lose pounds, look great and have skin that will be the envy of your friends.
Whilst the traditional strawberry-banana combo is popular, by letting go and adding vegetables you will get a bigger, better beauty boost.
Green smoothies are a great way to benefit from the nutrient dense dark leafy greens we simply don’t get enough of. Kale and spinach are perfect because they are lower in sugar than fruits and packed with fiber. Adding these to a smoothie means you feel fuller for longer and are less likely to suffer a blood sugar drop and rush for the biscuit tin.
As well as tasting amazing, these drinks are packed with the vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your skin needs to prevent inflammation, irritation, acne and eczema. Smoothies packed with vitamins C and E, carotenoids, lutein and powerful phytochemicals can also help protect against the cell damage that can cause wrinkles and cancer.
We have some easy recipes that pack a punch and taste so great you will wonder why you haven’t tried them before:
Easy Greens
This is pretty much the easiest smoothie out there but one that is full of goodness.
Ingredients
2 cups of fresh spinach
2 cups of water
1 cup of mango peeled and sliced
1 cup of pineapple peeled and cut into small chunks
2 bananas
Instructions
Pack the spinach into the blender and whizz with the water until smooth. Add the mango, pineapple and bananas and blend again until creamy. Poor into a glass and feel the goodness taking over your skin.
Avocado and Banana Bonanza
This drink is a double skin winner because not only does it have a healthy serving of greens but also avocado, nature’s moisturiser.
Ingredients
1/2 an avocado peeled and sliced
1 banana peeled and sliced
1 apple chopped with the skin on
1 stick of celery finely chopped
1-2 cups of fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 – 1 cup of water
Instructions
For this recipe, put the avocado and banana into the blender, followed by the apple, then the water and finally add the spinach. Blend for around 30 – 40 seconds until smooth and creamy. Pour and enjoy.
Mango, Orange and Ginger Smoothie
As well as being packed with vitamins and skin boosting antioxidants, this smoothie has a kick thanks to the fresh ginger, which is brilliant for your digestive system.
Ingredients
1 mango sliced, peeled and pitted
2 oranges peeled and deseeded
3 cups romaine lettuce chopped
2 cups baby spinach
1/2 inch of fresh ginger root grated or sliced
1/2 – 1 cup of water
Instructions
Create this concoction by putting the liquid and soft fruit in your blender and blitzing for 30 seconds. Add the ginger and the greens next and blend everyone for another 20 seconds or until the smoothie is creamy. If you find it is too thick add a little more water.
Now sit back, relax and wait for your skin to benefit from all those extra goodies you are feeding it.