Carrot-Cantaloupe Smoothie

September 9, 2014 | Recipes for Success

A surprising sweet healthy smoothie

From the latest of my articles on MindBodyGreen:

Later summer and early fall is the time of year where we start longing for something both sweet and warming. Right now carrots and cantaloupe are in season and they make a great smoothie because they have such a soothing effect on us, -and they are rich in nutrients and health benefits.

I so often hear my clients say that they avoid carrots because they are high in sugar, but that is a misconception. Because of the high fiber content carrots have a low glycemic load, but it means you have to either eat the whole carrot or use it in a smoothie to keep the fiber content. A juice removes the fiber and that increases the glycemic load. Carrots are actually loaded in health benefits, not in sugar, so they are not what you need to avoid; ice-cream and cookies are.

Carrots and cantaloupe are both super high in beta-carotene. Carrots offer such health benefits as good for the skin and eyes, but they are also helpful for anti-aging and preventing cancer. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregatory benefits, which means they help prevent red blood cells from clumping together, and that means good for cardiovascular health.

Cantaloupe can help lower risk of metabolic syndrome because it has shown to help improve insulin and blood-sugar metabolism. It is high in vitamin C and A, and has a wide range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrient, which puts it into the category of a surprising super-food.

The ginger adds a little kick and anti-inflammatory properties. The cinnamon helps balance the blood-sugar.

The whole combination makes this a healthy anti-inflammatory yummy sweet, soothing smoothie.

Who would have thought right? Two foods you believed you had to avoid because they have been called out as high in sugar and here you are; sweetness in a healthy smoothie.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup chunks of carrot
  • 2 cups cubed cantaloupe
  • 1 cup coconut water (or water)
  • 1/2 tbs. chopped ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Makes 16 oz. so it can serve one or two depending on how big a smoothie you would like.

METHOD:

Mix everything together in a blender, pour and enjoy.

Remember to chew your smoothie for better digestion. Yes chew it.

I know it seems strange but making that chewing motion helps increase your saliva, which is need for better digestion.

This also means you will feel more satisfied and satiated from it. Smoothies are not drinks; they are liquid snacks and meals.

 

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