Banana & Acai Berry Smoothie

As I told you before, although being a health care professional, with privileged and deep knowledge of which should be the best choices nutrition wise for every person, I didn’t use much of that information in my own life. Yet, I was still able to motivate others to make the best decisions regarding their health. However, it wasn’t until recently, that I decided to change my goal and therefore my journey.I started with baby steps, easy to accomplish and prevail. First establishing some ground rules, which I made available to you in the post: 8 Simple Rules for Healthy Eating. Then, adding better choices to my diet, such as reducing the amount of refined sugar, of other processed foods, and of fat intake, and finally trying to go lactose and gluten free. These steps by them selves were enough for me to start noticing in a few weeks time, for example, some improvement, in my daily energy and resilience, and even some figure-flattering natural changes, related to weight management, such as being able to fit my skinny jeans again.

In this context making smoothies helped me a lot, due to the fact that they’re a fantastic way to increase the amount of vegetables and fruits present in your diet, a great help, when I started this path to a healthier me. Also, allowing creativity in the combination of flavours. 

The banana & acai berry smoothie, is a basic recipe to start experimenting from. It has simple and healthy ingredients.

First, it has banana, which possesses an antioxidant action, loaded with important nutrients like minerals, vitamins and fiber, and a little bit of protein and almost no fat. Yes, bananas have carbs, but you don’t have to worry about that, since latest evidence based studies reveal it ranks low to medium in glicemic index. Indicating that it doesn’t increase your blood sugar levels too quickly, that your body starts to store energy, not having the timeline to burn it. Also bananas contain pectin and resistant starch, which regulate blood sugar levels after meals, and therefore reduce appetite.

Second, you have carrots in its ingredients list. This root vegetable is packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and has very little fat, carbs and protein. Studies shown that carrots help you lose weight, reduce cancer risk, improve eye health and decrease cholesterol levels. As well as bananas, carrots rank low speaking of glicemic index.

Third, the acai is a powerful antioxidant fruit, with immune system enhancing and energy boosting features. It origins in the immense Amazon forest, in Brazil. Fresh acai berries can be hard to find, but juice or frozen versions are likely available nowadays. Overall these berries promote general health, decreasing cholesterol levels, improving blood circulation and helping you to lose and manage weight.

Last but not least, almond milk is a excellent ingredient too. Its main characteristics are general health improvement and immune system boosting.

A great lactose free milk, which I use at home in a very wide range of cooking applications.

Just enjoy!

Bella.

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