The Holidays were great fun… now comes Spring.. Ugh! All the indulgence over the past 6 weeks has left it’s mark. I just don’t remember having to suck in my breath so much..
A great way to ease back into a disciplined eating regime is a healthy Smoothie that tastes great, is satisfying, and helps to back-off the carb-load our bodies have become used to.
It’s time to retrain our metabolism to depend on energy sources other than pop-in-your-mouth carbohydrate nibbles. Well, maybe not completely.
Try not to go “cold turkey”. and remove all the carbs at once. This always results in poor outcomes and the inevitable cravings – Ooh the cravings… Slide into a week of slowly reducing your carb intake.
Each time you make your smoothie use a little less honey or fewer berries. Bump up the saturated fats at the same time you reduce the carbs. Sounds odd, but it really works to get that body back into shape.
Many people think it’s not possible to enjoy Smoothies when trying to lower carbohydrate intake.
Fortunately this is not the case! Although carbohydrates are found in many foods, they often are found in low concentrations. A diet comprised of 50 carbohydrate grams a day is considered a low carbohydrate diet!
Try this smoothie recipe to enjoy great flavor and lasting satiety (feeling full).
Low-Carb Green Smoothie with Honey
Ingredients:
- 1/2 medium avocado– For creaminess and healthy fats.
- 1 cup spinach or kale– Nutrient-dense greens.
- 1/4 cucumber– Adds a refreshing taste.
- 1 tbsp lemon juice– For a bit of tartness.
- 1-2 tsp grated ginger– Adds a spicy flavor and aids digestion.
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk(or another low-carb milk alternative) – As the liquid base.
- 1 tsp honey(adjust to taste) – For natural sweetness.
- Ice cubes– Optional, for a cooler smoothie.
Instructions:
- Combine Greens and Cucumber:Add the spinach (or kale) and cucumber to a blender.
- Add Avocado and Flavors:Include the avocado, lemon juice, and grated ginger.
- Pour in Liquid:Add the unsweetened coconut milk. You can vary the quantity for your preferred smoothie consistency.
- Sweeten with Honey:Add honey, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- Blend:Blend all ingredients until smooth. If desired, add ice cubes for a chilled smoothie.
- Adjust and Serve:Taste and adjust the thickness or sweetness, if needed. Add more coconut milk or water if it’s too thick.
Nutritional Information:
- Total Carbs:Approximately 10-12 grams per serving, mainly due to the natural sugars in honey.
- Net Carbs:Likely around 8-10 grams per serving after subtracting the fiber.
This smoothie balances the natural sweetness of honey with the nutritional benefits of greens and avocado, making it a healthier choice while keeping the carbs relatively low. Enjoy your tasty and nutritious smoothie!
