Refreshing Coconut Cucumber Limeade

Adding refreshing, healthy juice or smoothie drinks to your day doesn’t have to be an all or nothing type of thing. I like to enjoy them at different times of the day. Sometimes I have one at breakfast but I usually have one as a midmorning or afternoon snack to get me through the day. Not too long ago I shared with you my Coconut Cucumber Lime Shake it has protein and the ingredients are more simplified.

The ingredients vary depending on my mood but I usually include the following: whey protein, veggies and fruits. The best healthy combo is to add more veggies than fruit. If I’m making it with my family in mind, I leave out the protein. Sometimes if my ingredients are veggies like cucumber, kale, celery I’ll use a fruit that is more intensely sweet like a banana or pineapple.

Also, if you’re trying to eat less sugar keep in mind, though fruit is healthy and it’s naturally sweet it does contain sugar which can spike your blood sugar. So you wouldn’t enjoy twice a day a pineapple, banana and beet smoothie since these fruits are known to be high in sugar.

Here’s some research I’ve gotten off the web but please do your own research as I’m not an expert in this area.

Pineapple is known for its inflammation-reducing enzyme bromelain
Cucumber – cleanses the kidneys
Celery – helps relieve inflamed areas and with weight loss and high in fiber
Kale – A great source of omega 3’s your body needs.
Avocado- high in fiber, the good fat keeps you full longer, protein, rich in vitamin K & B
Berries – antioxidants, prevent cell damage of eyes
Pear- high in fiber
Coconut butter /oil – helps boost metabolism, promotes healthy skin and hair
Apples – high in fiber
Ginger – improves digestion
Mint – cleansing agent, cools the palette and stimulates the senses
Lemon/ Lime – Vitamin C, cuts sweet as well as bitter flavors
beets – help lower blood pressure, high in vitamin C and fiber, stamina booster

Drink your juice after you make it and don’t let it sit in the fridge or counter. You want those active enzymes in your body and if you wait too long the enzymes begin to oxidize.