After my friend Kate gave me her list of immune fighting dietary supplements, I recalled watching the Oprah show on which Dr. Oz promoted his “Green Drink". So, without haste, I sent the recipe to Kate and wished her luck drinking this daily concoction ! Here is how it looks:
Ingredients:
2 cups spinach
1 medium cucumber
1 celery stick
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley (about ½ cup)
2 apples
Juice of 1 lemon
4 oz. of spring water or a handful of ice cubes
Note: This recipe serves 1 to 2 people.
So what do you do with all these greens ? Throw them in a blender, puree it for a couple of minutes and then serve it in wine glass and knock it back !
What's the health benefit ? Nutritionally speaking, its loaded ! If you drink the entire amount you are going to get approximately 12 g of dietary fiber (**recommendation for dietary fiber posted below). Plus, its rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Antioxidants protect our cells from free radical damage and they help repair the damage when it occurs – keeping us healthy. These vitamins will help regulate the immune system and help prevent or fight infection. Another health benefit of this smoothie is that it is nutrient dense i.e. lots of nutrients compared to the number of calories. It contains approximately 215 calories. If you are on weight watchers and counting points, this smoothie will cost you 3 points. Keep in mind that you may only want to drink ½ of the portion and you are therefore consuming less calories/points.
My personal opinion: If it doesn't make you throw up, then you are over the first hurdle ! Interestingly, ginger is used in Asian medicine to treat stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Hmm, perhaps this is why a slice of ginger root it is added to this smoothie.
I'm a firm believer to give things a try at least once before you come to any conclusion. So I plan to try this for 14 days. I may modify it a little - a shot of vodka perhaps (just kidding !). I will keep you posted on how the experience goes and should you decide to join the bandwagon, share your comments on how you think it tastes!
Bottom line: You will boost your immune system with this low calorie, fiber rich smoothie if you can tolerate the taste !!
**Daily Recommended Fiber Intake
Women
25 grams per day, for women younger than 50
21 grams per day, for women older than 50
Men
38 grams per day, for men younger than 50
30 grams per day, for men older than 50
I couldn't do it...after 5 days I couldn't face another green drink.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this drink, but cannot take it everyday, I guess I need change. Some weeks I'll drink it everyday, other weeks just once. Everything in moderation.
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered your blog and look forward to reading more :)
I substitute one scoop of vanilla protein powder for one of the apples in this drink. With the protein powder I use, this will give you 14 grams of protein. It is 1.5 pts for Wt. Watchers. It also helps sweeten the drink. I make this my breakfast or after workout drink.
ReplyDeletei just love this drink. it tastes fresh and healthy. a treat!
ReplyDeleteI taste good and it's really healthy ;o) Are we suppose to drink all of it?
ReplyDeleteIn love this drink I put in the freezer and scoop it wiht a spoon.
ReplyDeleteWould a regular blender work okay for this? I don't have anything fancy and I don't want to spend a lot of money without trying it first.
ReplyDeleteAdd a little banna it helps with tbe flavor
ReplyDeleteI add a banana and a kiwi. It sweetens the drink enough that even my small children like it and I figured the extra nutrients wouldn't hurt!
ReplyDeleteAre green drinks good for a pregnant lady or it can cause trouble? Some people told me that a pregnant lady should not take Green drink.
ReplyDelete