If you buy one thing this summer, make it a blender. Since completing Dorset trainer Jango Alptekin’s six-week Body Transformation, I’ve had a food epiphany.
The easiest way to get your five a day and make a meal in a hurry is to get to grips with smoothies. And you don’t have to just mash up fruit, either. There are several savoury smoothies ideal for support a weight loss plan or boost your fruit and veg intake.
“Smoothies are ideal for a healthy meal on the run,” says Jango.
“Green smoothies have ingredients that balance hormones and support the body, too.”
Here are three smoothie recipes he recommends...
Super smoothie
Jango says: “A great way to start the day, this green smoothie may not look like your average breakfast smoothie but it will give you bags of energy. Play around with the quantities of almond milk to adjust to your taste and be sure to use a LARGE banana.”
Time in the kitchen: 5 minutes, servings: 1 Ingredients: Handful of watercress; head of broccoli; 1 banana; 1tsp almond butter; almond milk to taste
Instructions: Mix everything in a blender until smooth.
Savoury smoothie
Jango says: “You can have this smoothie for breakfast or lunch and it’s a great way to up your greens. Watercress, spinach and kale help with detoxing your body – getting rid any waste toxins that have been released from your fat cells. This is ideal to help remove fat from the lower half of your body.”
Time in the kitchen: 5 minutes, servings: 1 Ingredients: 1 tomato; 1 big handful of greens (watercress, spinach and kale); ½ avocado; 1 teaspoon hot sauce or more to taste; 1 apple; 1 orange; 1 lime; a few ice cubes Instructions: Mix everything in a blender until smooth.
Green monster smoothie
Time in the kitchen: 5 minutes Servings: 2 (or one large smoothie)
Ingredients: Coconut milk; 1 small handful spinach leaves, loosely packed and washed; 1 small handful kale, stems removed and loosely packed and washed; 1/2 cup fresh pineapple, cubed (or mango); 1 banana; 1/2 cup ice cubes 1/2 cup water. Optional add ins: 1 tablespoon coconut butter or almond butter; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon honey or 1 pitted medjool date
Instructions: Place all ingredients into a blender making sure you add enough coconut milk until it looks smooth to drink. Blend until smooth, taste and add extra coconut milk to taste and blend again.
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