First things first, if you struggle with digestion I recommend avoiding smoothies altogether. Yep, I know, you heard it here first. The trouble with smoothies is that 9 times out of 10 they’re cold and high in natural sugars. When our digestion is sluggish, cold and high sugar foods are best avoided and warm, spicy easy to digest foods are preferred (cue bone broths and soups – in my clinic anyway!).

But if your digestion is firing, cue smoothies on occasion; just ensure they’re low in sugar and nutrient rich!! To do this successfully, I’ve included a list of 5 vegetables to include in smoothies below.

ZUCCHINI

Adding frozen zucchini is a wonderful addition to any smoothie. They have a neutral taste and add a creamy texture. Zucchini’s are high in vitamin A, magnesium, folate, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. All you have to do is chop zucchini into chunks and freeze.

BEETROOT

Something I’ve always been worried about adding to smoothies however, since I’ve started peeling and steaming them, before freezing them, I’m convinced they’re a must in any berry combination. Start adding them in small quantities and adjust to taste. Beets contain antioxidants, plant based iron and magnesium as well as a great source of fibre.

AVOCADO

OK, I know it’s a fruit but still, it’s probably the easiest addition to any smoothie and one I recommend constantly because of it’s fat content and it’s ability to offset the effects of natural sugars on our blood sugars, commonly found in smoothies. Avocados are also rich in potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

CUCUMBER

Another regular in our household and which we use to boost both the fibre and water content of our smoothies in a bid to reduce the need for coconut water or other fillers. Because you’re eating the skin, always opt for the organic where possible 🙂

CAULIFLOWER

Whilst this sounds a little strange, like Zucchini, Cauliflower has a neutral taste in smoothies and some say, subs perfectly for bananas in smoothies.  Cauliflower is rich vitamin C, vitamin K and folate. Just a side note, if you have any symptoms of thyroid disorders, avoid eating raw cauliflower – even in smoothies.