green smoothies

[aqualung]

I have a big bag of spinach and fancy using it to make green smoothies. I am not sure what to put in apart from spinach (and peanut butter as I love peanut butter!). Does anyone have any good recipes?

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi,

@Brunneria has given some good recipes and a link in this post.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-have-you-eaten-today.36803/page-77#post-574674

 

[modesty007]

Coconut oil, because it's good for you.

 

[aqualung]

thank you! lots of ideas to try over the weekend

 

[izzzi]

A good question,with a good answer, any fruit or veg, just experiment with your meter for control.
I know Bananas are a bit doggy for us yet they do add sweetness which is far better than neat sugar.
What the hell, one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter.1/4 teaspoon cinnamon then one cup of almond or haze nut milk + your 1/2 bag of your spinach.
enjoy. Please don't sue me.

 

[aqualung]

A good question,with a good answer, any fruit or veg, just experiment with your meter for control.
I know Bananas are a bit doggy for us yet they do add sweetness which is far better than neat sugar.
What the hell, one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter.1/4 teaspoon cinnamon then one cup of almond or haze nut milk + your 1/2 bag of your spinach.
enjoy. Please don't sue me.

sounds lovely

 

[Brunneria]

Hi!

I was going to suggest popping a banana in with your peanut butter too - but @izzzy beat me to it.

The general rule with a green smoothie (non spiking for type 2s) is to use 60% veg, 40% fruit, by volume.
If you pick mild tasting veg like carrots, courgette, mild aubergine, it will work.
Avoid the stronger tasting ones.

A green smoothie isn't a green smoothie without something leafy green So use spinach, kale, lettuce, spring greens or similar as the basis.

If you keep to that, then you can probably use smallish portions of tropical fruits like pineapple, banana, mango or oranges. It's the only way I get to taste them nowadays! Apple works well (adds sweetness). And if you want to use berries, it will be lower carb than with those tropical fruit...

Ok, I will stop now.
Green smoothies are a passion of mine, and I can witter for hours, if I don't stop myself!

 

[noblehead]

Some natural yogurt would go nice with spinach in a smoothie

 

[aqualung]

thank you! hubby is going shopping this evening so will ask him to get me some almond milk and have a go tomorrow - can't wait!

 

[alliebee]

Also as a lover of juices a thumbnail size piece of ginger transforms a juice. I used to hate it too. Love it now

 

[aqualung]

I have just had my first green smoothie. I put in one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter. one cup of greek yoghurt (hubby said he couldn't find the almond milk!), 1/2 bag of spinach and some cucumber. This made two glasses - I have had one for breakfast and will have the other tomorrow. I just have to convince my body that this is enough for breakfast!

My fasting bg level was 5.7, will test at one and two hours and see what effect it has had.

 

[jack412]

you could also fry if off as an indian dish, yoghurt cheese and spices
http://indian.food.com/recipe/i-love-palak-paneer-spinach-and-cheese-curry-383454

 

[aqualung]

I have just had my first green smoothie. I put in one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter. one cup of greek yoghurt (hubby said he couldn't find the almond milk!), 1/2 bag of spinach and some cucumber. This made two glasses - I have had one for breakfast and will have the other tomorrow. I just have to convince my body that this is enough for breakfast!

My fasting bg level was 5.7, will test at one and two hours and see what effect it has had.

1 hour bg 4.4

 

[aqualung]

you could also fry if off as an indian dish, yoghurt cheese and spices
http://indian.food.com/recipe/i-love-palak-paneer-spinach-and-cheese-curry-383454

sounds nice! I don't like curry but hubby does so will pass it on to him.

 

[aqualung]

I have just had my first green smoothie. I put in one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter. one cup of greek yoghurt (hubby said he couldn't find the almond milk!), 1/2 bag of spinach and some cucumber. This made two glasses - I have had one for breakfast and will have the other tomorrow. I just have to convince my body that this is enough for breakfast!

My fasting bg level was 5.7, will test at one and two hours and see what effect it has had.

2 hour bg - 5.6

 

[noblehead]

I have just had my first green smoothie. I put in one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter. one cup of greek yoghurt (hubby said he couldn't find the almond milk!), 1/2 bag of spinach and some cucumber. This made two glasses - I have had one for breakfast and will have the other tomorrow. I just have to convince my body that this is enough for breakfast!

My fasting bg level was 5.7, will test at one and two hours and see what effect it has had.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................... that does sound nice

Pan fried spinach with some crushed garlic cloves added is delicious and nutritious too.

 

[Brunneria]

I have just had my first green smoothie. I put in one banana, 2 tablespoons peanut butter. one cup of greek yoghurt (hubby said he couldn't find the almond milk!), 1/2 bag of spinach and some cucumber. This made two glasses - I have had one for breakfast and will have the other tomorrow. I just have to convince my body that this is enough for breakfast!

My fasting bg level was 5.7, will test at one and two hours and see what effect it has had.

Hi,
How were your two mornings on green smoothie? How long did they last, and were the BG readings consistent?

I think those yog and peanut butter quantities might have left me peckish before lunch... But I may have a bigger appetite than you!

My standard green smoothie is
Half bag spinach
1 huge courgette
Maybe some cucumber
1/3 punnet frozen berries
1/3 punnett frozen pineapple
Water
About 8 macadamia nuts or half an avocado.
Pinch do spiralina, MSM and / or powdered wheatgrass

Yum.

Makes about 1.5 litres. I have it in 3 drinks; breakfast, elevenses and as a dessert at lunch, with some cheese or cold meat.

 

[dawnmc]

Mine is kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, 1/2 avocado, ginger, goji berries, walnuts, berries, MCT oil an water. Wizzed up in my Nutriblend.

 

[aqualung]

Hi,
How were your two mornings on green smoothie? How long did they last, and were the BG readings consistent?

I think those yog and peanut butter quantities might have left me peckish before lunch... But I may have a bigger appetite than you!

My standard green smoothie is
Half bag spinach
1 huge courgette
Maybe some cucumber
1/3 punnet frozen berries
1/3 punnett frozen pineapple
Water
About 8 macadamia nuts or half an avocado.
Pinch do spiralina, MSM and / or powdered wheatgrass

Yum.

Makes about 1.5 litres. I have it in 3 drinks; breakfast, elevenses and as a dessert at lunch, with some cheese or cold meat.

The smoothies were good but I think the quantities need upping a bit, especially after seeing what everyone else puts in their's! They were OK for a week end when I had a late breakfast and didn't have to go anywhere before lunch.

Yesterday I felt hungry before an hour but when I tested my bg it was 4.4. This isn't low but it had started off at 5.7 so could be why I was feeling a bit shaky. After 2 hours my bg was 5.6. I am not sure why my bg dropped at 1 hour then went up.

Will definately do again...

 

[Clivethedrive]

Try this green smoothies; (from Dr Colin Lowe) 1apple
1 banana, 1 carrot, 1 celery stick, 1 sweet potato, 1 lemon including skin, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 cup of fresh water. Makes 3 days supply. Check out his blog on forum here quite interesting results !