Smoothies are safe and beneficial to one’s health. However, they must be consumed in moderation. Anything that is taken to excess can be detrimental.
There are a few mistakes that people make unknowingly when making smoothies. The points below will shed light on the common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Not rotating the greens
Always rotate your greens. As mentioned in an earlier chapter, this will prevent toxin build-up and also give you a well-rounded smoothie diet.
Mistake 2: Not checking for allergies
Be aware of your own allergies if you have any to vegetables and fruits. For example, some people are highly allergic to celery and can suffer from anaphylactic shock if they consume it. You might want to speak to your doctor about your green smoothie diet.
Mistake 3: Focusing on Fruits Instead of Veggies
When making green smoothies, it is best to focus on the vegetables, rather than the fruits. It goes without saying that fruits are tastier because they are sweeter. Because of this, people usually use more fruits than green vegetables.
The problem here is that fruits are high in sugar but are not filling. You will not feel as satiated drinking a smoothie that is mostly fruit juice..
For example, if you make a green smoothie with:
1/2 cup of broccoli
1 banana
¾ cup blueberries
½ cup orange juice
1 cup strawberries
1 cup water
By all appearances, you have a green smoothie. Yes, this is good for your health but it will not leave you feeling full because it is low in fiber but high in natural sugars.
That basically means, you will get hungry sooner and end up eating more food to feel satiated. At the end of the day, you would have consumed more calories and will gain weight.
It is best to focus more on vegetables. Ideally, a good smoothie would look like this:
½ cup broccoli
1 cup spinach
½ cup cabbage
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup water
Now you have a smoothie that is truly green, nutritious and the slow digesting fiber in the broccoli and spinach will leave you feeling full for longer.
Mistake 4: Not Keeping Things Natural
Only use water and pure fruit juice when making your green smoothies. Using milk, yoghurt or store bought fruit juice is a big no-no.
There are several ingredients that people use thinking that these are nutritious and benefitting them. These are the most common ingredients added to green smoothies which should be avoided.
- Protein powder
- Ice cream
- Sugar
- Cream soda
- Honey
- Whipped cream
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate syrups
There is one cardinal rule to making smoothies. No artificial ingredients. You should only use green vegetables and a few small servings of raw fruit or natural fruit juice to make the smoothie. The fruits just help to make the drink sweeter and more palatable. No deviation from this rule. Period.
Mistake 5: Not Using a Good Blender
While this is not a huge mistake, it is still better to use good blender rather than one ill-suited for making smoothies.
The blender should have a solid base that is wide for stability. Since you're making smoothies with your blender, it needs to have a high-speed and a 1000+ watt motor.
The pitcher that the blender uses needs to be large too. Sometimes you may want to make a smoothie for 2 or more people. At times like these, you will need a bigger blender rather than a small, personal one.
Do your research and see what is the best type of juicer for you and is within your budget.
Mistake 6: Not Using Proper Recipes
Do not try to concoct your own recipes. There are thousands of recipes available online or in books for you to copy. Using too many veggies in your blend will make it have a muddy appearance and the flavors may not be complementary.
Many beginners do not know that certain greens such as arugula and broccoli have a strong taste. You’ll need to know what ingredients can mask the taste of these vegetables. It’s best to stick to recipes written by the pros.
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