Good for you, good for your immune system – a big green immunity smoothie

02 Jul Good for you, good for your immune system – a big green immunity smoothie

This post can be updated sometime DURING daylight hours (perhaps). For now, I am compelled to write up my big green immunity smoothie for my friend who is due to fly overseas on Friday and suffering from a cold (or flu) that she just can’t KICK.

I can’t GUARANTEE that this will knock things on their head because in my experience these green smoothies build their STRENGTH over several months. However, I have had some success with clients I have made it for in the past. And IT IS TASTY!

If you do drink this smoothie every day during autumn and winter, you will probably find that your respiratory illnesses during winter are milder and shorter in duration (or at least that is my experience).

Big Green Immunity Smoothie

This delicious green smoothie is filled with beautiful whole foods and nutrients that will support and stimulate your immune system. All fresh ingredients is best, but use frozen or dried ingredients if that is all you can get on the day.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 3 glasses

Equipment

• 1 blender

Ingredients

  

• 4 handfuls leafy greens (spinach, rocket, cos, or watercress will work)
• 2 glasses water filtered if possible
• 1 cup pineapple (I generally use frozen pineapple)
• 1 banana in chunks
• 2 sticks celery chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric (fresh if possible, but ground and dried would be fine) (use 1 tbsp if fresh)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1/4 cup coriander (optional)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper optional but will help you to absorb the nutrients in the turmeric more readily

Instructions

 

• Add the green leaves to a blender with the water and blend on a low speed (if your blender has speed settings) for up to a minute
• Add the pineapple and celery and blend on a higher speed (if you have it) for up to a minute more, or until the smoothie is a lovely light green and fully incorporated
• Add the banana, turmeric, ginger, coriander (if using) and pepper (if using) and blend again for 30 seconds or so, until the ingredients are blended through.
• Serve in a tall glass and store any leftovers in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Some variations on this smoothie can be to add some green apple with the pineapple and celery. I haven't added it to THIS recipe though, because I wanted to use just as much fruit that would give a palatable sweetness, and immunity properties while ameliorating the impact of the fruit sugar as much as possible. This is because although blended juice has a little more fibre than juiced fruit and vegetables, it is still a big hit of sugar to your system. 

Another variation could be to add some chopped fresh chilli to your smoothie instead of the pepper. A pinch of cayenne pepper might also be very nice. All of these ingredients will stimulate your immune system, however, please omit them if you are sensitive to spice or heat in your food.

Keyword fruit, immunity boosters, leafy greens, smoothie

I would NOT RECOMMEND this smoothie for people who are suffering from diabetes. However, if you do have diabetes and are still interested in a green smoothie that could work for you, and is lower in sugar, please reach out and I will get a recipe to you.

Despite the downsides of drinking something that will elevate your blood sugar and create a sugar spike, I still (generally) recommend drinking a green smoothie each day, especially at the beginning of your health journey, as it can have powerful effects on your immune system (which are more powerful over time) and also (over time) can reduce cravings for unhealthy fatty, carbohydrate-rich and sugary foods.

Due to the inevitable sugar spike, I would recommend drinking this smoothie after a protein and/or fibre rich meal, such as breakfast or lunch. (It can be consumed at any time of day though!)

Enjoy!!