Smoothies! Yum! There are tons of renditions of smoothies using an endless variety of ingredients. Smoothies started trending way back when I started working at Booster Juice. They are a delicious meal in a cup; perfect for people on the go. Smoothies pack the energy needed for workouts or for a long day on the job.
These mixed drinks are also great for you during your pregnancy. I turned to smoothies when drinking water became too boring. I also found that I could beat that weird pregnancy aftertaste when I drank smoothies. Anyways, I can go on and on about why you should drink smoothies while pregnant… Matter of fact, I will. Interested? Keep on reading.
1. Smoothies are Good For You
Now, just to clarify; the health benefits of the smoothies depend on the ingredients you choose to add. I mentioned that years ago, I used to work at Booster Juice. If you don’t know, Booster Juice is a famous smoothie bar which started in Canada. Back when I worked there, they had healthy drinks and unhealthy drinks. Unhealthy? You ask. Yes, I mean drinks that had only the basic ingredients of frozen yogurt, orange sorbet (which is basically sherbert), fruit juice and ice. People would order those drinks thinking that they were getting some health kick. They weren’t. What they were getting was a cup full of dairy and sugar-based calories.
Rule of thumb; choose nutritional ingredients. Skip the fruit juices from concentrate and add water, coconut milk or coconut water to your smoothie instead. Pick out fresh and frozen fruits (organic, if you can). Add in some plain yogurt or coconut cream. Sprinkle in some chia seeds (packed with protein and Omega-3 fatty acids), or flax seeds (filled to the brim with fiber, Omega-3s) or hemp seeds (containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids). And make sure to add in some leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, swiss chard) for chlorophyll, fiber and nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin A.
Try not to add extra sugar such as honey, maple syrup or cane sugar because your body will get use to the additional sweetness. It is more beneficial for you that your body enjoy the natural sugars in the fruits that you add to your smoothie. This will help you turn to healthy ingredients (such as fruit) to satisfy sweet cravings instead of running to your nearest donut shop.
2. Smoothies are Tasty
Like I said before, I found that smoothies helped me beat that aftertaste that seemed to stick on my tongue during pregnancy. The coolness of the drinks left my body feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.
I enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) the wide variety of flavours that can be created with smoothies. When it comes to these drinks, you are the chef. You are the mastermind and you get to meet your cravings in a healthy way. Want something sweet? Try mango, frozen banana, coconut cream, chia seeds, spinach and water. Want something refreshing? Mix cucumbers, apple, frozen banana, water and fresh mint. How about something zingy? Oranges, frozen banana, ginger, hemp seeds, kale and water. For more inspiration, check out my Instagram.
The blender is your oyster. Take risks. Try different mixes. Find your favourite, and enjoy!
3. Smoothies are Full of Variety
Talk about variety! The possibilities are endless! And not only are the main ingredients fun to mix, but you can also choose delicious and picture-perfect toppings. Some of the toppings I like is dark chocolate, lemon slices, unsweetened shredded coconut, pineapple wedges, mango pieces, and frozen chocolate blueberries.
Of course you don’t have to make smoothies, you can buy them as well (if you really want to). Be aware of the ingredients and any added sugar when you are purchasing a smoothie. As I mentioned before, you want to train your body to crave healthy alternatives during your pregnancy and beyond.
I love bubble tea. A lot of bubble tea places in Ontario, Canada have smoothies made with fresh fruit. For me to be smart with what I was feeding myself and my baby I had to find out what ingredients were being added into my drink. Sometimes “fresh fruit” only meant one banana, and them heaping spoonfuls of fruit flavours, sugar or powdered milk.
The point is, be smart. Eat healthy and your body (and baby) will thank you.
4. Smoothies are Energizing
Another reason to stay away from lots of added sweeteners is because that kind of drink will give your body a sugar-rush and then a hard crash. Being pregnant is tiring enough on its own. Giving your body a false sugar-high isn’t going to help you in the long run.
When you eat natural sugars, your body burns it slower giving you sustainable energy to take you throughout your day without the crash.
5. Smoothies are Satisfying
As mentioned before, choosing fruits instead of added sweeteners in your smoothies means that your body will burn the natural sugar slower, making you feel full for longer. That is important as you go through the hustle and bustle of your day. Do you have other children who need you every moment of every day? Add smoothies into your daily meal planning. They are quick to make and easy to carry with you throughout the day.
Having healthy smoothies will also help stabilize your metabolism. Your body will be getting solid nutrition which is key to your overall physical and mental health. If you want thick and creamy smoothies, freeze all of your ingredients and add coconut cream, plain yogurt or oat milk. If you are looking for a more slush-like consistency, add more water and ice.
Smoothies for a Delicious Start
Smoothies are not only a delicious way to start your day, but they are also a great way to start being health-conscious in your pregnancy. Be intentional about what you put into your body. This is motherhood. This is why our children call us Mommy. We give of ourselves from the very beginning to help form our children in the womb. We do whatever it takes to make sure our kiddos have a healthy start.
You can do it, girl! I believe in you.
