A smoothie diet is probably the best dieting option I have ever tried. I have made so many different attempts, and while some were successful, it was only for a short period. Relapse is always hard.
However, when it comes down to it, health is heavily – and mostly – dependent on diet. And so, here comes the part where we must act responsibly to achieve decent health. That being said, what’s the best way to fulfill this responsibility? How do you keep a straight path in a world of food “empowered” with chemical additives, heavily processed food, confusing labels, and complex dietary calculations?
The BMI Myth
Yes, you read that correctly. From a more realistic point of view, the BMI (Body Mass Index) can be quite a misleading phenomenon, especially regarding the relationship between it and cardiovascular health. Not so much because it’s not accurate, but mostly because it’s often misunderstood and thus misused. The term was coined about half a century ago and is based on the so-called social physics, an idea developed by a Belgian scientist some 150 years ago. Initially, the main purpose of this idea was to provide a personal, relative numerical representation of obesity.
Plenty of terms in this definition prevent BMI from being used in a way that it’s popular these days. Many people take it for granted and as the sole information to determine their optimal weight and health status as a whole. This practice – in the long run – can have disappointing effects at best or detrimental health effects at worst. BMI was meant to serve as a pointer to a personal, relatively healthy weight-to-height ratio. The point is that your BMI might be off, but not the nutrition. It’s important what we eat, and not how much.
Through Hardships To The Stars
Well, not necessarily. Of course, this phrase was not referring to diet, not in the least, but I’ve heard many people use it to express the difficulty of a weight-loss diet. But at the same time, those people never approached dieting as a [fun] self-research project but rather as homework and sacrifice. But it doesn’t have to be because we fully control this factor.
The smart thing is to invest in ourselves and do our best to step down this road carefully. To choose the right way to achieve optimal health. And not just any smoothie, but a recipe that can be taken daily for a prolonged period of time. I have tried many recipes, experimented a lot, and finally came to a combination that’s up to the challenge!
The recipe that’s able to fit everyone’s daily routine. I would recommend taking it as a breakfast or lunch substitute; however, taking it in the evening can work just as well.
The Ultimate Smoothie Diet Recipe
After long research and degustation efforts, I compiled this flexible recipe, and the results speak for themselves. And since it’s an everyday smoothie recipe, all ingredients are backed with convenient replacements. No matter how good a meal is, it will lose its sensation over time. Additionally, it’s not the best way to diet healthwise. So, keeping the ingredients in rotation over time is the best way to retain optimal nutrient and flavor diversity.
The base for the everyday smoothie diet is Greek yogurt, almond, or regular milk. Milk (or yogurt) always makes for an excellent base ingredient. I enjoy any sort of milk out there, but I suggest using almond milk, regular milk, or yogurt for this particular purpose. The main reason for this is that I find these three to bear most of the essential health nutrients. The same reason applies to the chia and flaxseeds. Rich in protein and loads of other highly valuable nutrients, these seeds are, for a good reason, probably the most valuable diet ingredients. Sometimes, feel free to use a mix of both in a recipe.
Using lemon or pineapple will give you a solid vitamin C punch and the right touch of exotic acidity. Also, the whole pack of nutrients boosts the immune system, enriches the antioxidant environment, and promotes overall health. With the immune system and infection-fighting in check, let’s take care of the digestive (GI) tract next.
Cruciferous Vegetables
And what better way to protect your digestive system than hardcore cruciferous vegetables? Or, more precisely, fresh kale and cabbage. Regarding health values, these champions are almost literally over the limits. What I pick out of the bunch are the anti-colon cancer properties and the digestion-supporting ones. However, I must not forget about the vitamin K and omega-fatty acids contents, which are known fighters against developing Alzheimer’s disease and brain health supporters.
And lastly, maybe the most flavor-determining ingredient, which can be used as a decoration, is the sweetener, especially in everyday smoothie diet recipes. We can never go wrong with honey and maple syrup. Add depending on taste, although my everyday rule of thumb is one tablespoon. Besides the sweet flavor, these last ingredients bring energetic value, but also a wide variety of vitamins, infection-fighting, and common disease-discouraging benefits.
One common way to use them as decoration is to decorate the inner walls of the serving cup or try to find a more interesting way if you’re feeling creative.
The Recipe:
- 1/3 cup goji berries/acai berries
- 1 tbsp chia seeds/flax seeds
- Half a lemon / 1/3 cup of pineapple
- 1/3 cup of kale / fresh cabbage
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt/almond or regular milk
- 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup
I hope you’ll enjoy my ultimate everyday smoothie diet recipe. Try to make it fun by combining the ingredients creatively or depending on flavor or desire. Let us know about your results or suggestions in the comment box below.
Note: Always consult your doctor before starting any detox or restrictive diet.