Try these green smoothies to help kickstart your weight loss!
The health benefits of a smoothie containing fresh fruits and vegetables are extensive, but often times juices and smoothies only contain fruit and can be very high in calories. Leafy green vegetables are helpful for weight management because they are low in calories and contain essential nutrients like dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin c, potassium and magnesium along with phytochemicals like lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene that also help protect cells from free radical damage. Studies have shown the numerous health benefits of a diet righ in leafy green vegetables. One study showed that even one daily serving of green leafy vegetables may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 11 percent. (1)
Start your day with this great Skinny Ms. Smoothie, or some of the juices below. There’s nothing better for your body than nutrients from fresh, whole foods. Try one of these great recipes today, they’re great for a breakfast, a short juice fast or just for the taste.
If you are completing the Three Day Cleanse & Detox click here for the recipes.
Mean Green Juice 1 – Ingredients: 6-8 leaves kale, 2 green apples, 1 cucumber, peeled, 2-3 stalks celery, 1/2 lemon (no peel), 2 inches fresh ginger, 1 cup water
Mean Green Juice 2 – Ingredients: 1/2 pear, 1/2 green apple, 1 handful spinach, 1 handful parsley, 2 celery stalks, 1/2 cucumber, 1 small piece ginger, 1 slice of papaya
Mean Green Juice 3 – Ingredients: 2 stalks celery, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 apple, 1/2 lemon, 1 small piece ginger, 1/2 green chard leaf (*optional, 1 additional kale leaf can be used instead), 1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped, 5 kale leaves, 1 handful spinach
Mean Green Juice 4 – Ingredients: 1 handful of spinach, 3 stalks of celery, 1 small handful of parsley, 1 small bunch of dandelion greens, 1 small bunch of watercress leaves, 3 leaves of green kale, 2 bartlett pears, seeded ¼ lemon, peeled ½ cucumber, peeled
Check out more great drink recipes on the Skinny Ms. Pinterest Page! We’ve also got great Skinny Ms. Smoothies, that easily adjust with a handful of your favorite greens. Share your favorite green smoothie recipe, by leaving us a comment below.
References:
- http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/benefits-of-green-leafy-vegetables.php
Can I add an avocado in any of these drinks
Yes, Linda, you can add avocado to any of these drink! The avocado may make the juice a little more thick. You can thin out the drink by adding additional pear, apple, or lemon!
Lemons give me cold sores. Is there something I can substitute? I currently have a cold and I’m hoping this will help kick it.
You can just leave out the lemon, Ralphie.
Can you strain the juice before drinking it? I don’t like the texture at all!
Yes, of course! However, straining the juice will remove some of the fiber content. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to smooth out the texture of the juice. Hope this helps!
On the Mean Green Juice 1, it says 1/2 lemon (no peel). Does that mean don’t peel it? or peel it (so there is no peel on it)? Thanks in advance!
Peel it first, Kellie. 🙂
I live in the U.K. so we have English cucumbers. I never peel them, but do we have to peel them for the drink?
Sharon, Feel free to leave the peeling on. 🙂
Hello just made the Green juice number 1, a little thick added ice and it’s good. I also added a chunk of pineapple and half a cup of cactus ( peeled and diced). First day to detox my system so far so good. Made the soup last night, haven’t taste it yet, but I’m sure it’s good. I’m always meal prepping and trying new foods. I’m hoping that after the holidays I can clean my system inside out. Thank you for sharing!
Laura, Great tips! Thank you so much.