subject: Whipping Up Low Carb Smoothie [print this page] One of the healthiest drinks you can take is a low carb smoothie. It is not only great tasting but it is also packed with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and ezymes in an easily digested and assimilated form.
When you chew your food well, your body absorbs more nutrients. In similar fashion, when fruits and vegetables are blended, the plant fibers are broken down. For this reason smoothies are a convenient way to supply your body with the nutrients it needs.
The body needs to be detoxified occasionally to get rid of waste and toxins. The fiber in healthy low carb smoothies does exactly that and at the same time improves digestion. In addition, fiber expands in the stomach thereby making you feel satisfied for a long period of time.
There are three basic ingredients that go into every smoothie recipe: a liquid base, fruits and vegetables. If you want to make a wonderful Low Carb Smoothie, make sure to use the following ingredients:
Liquid Base
If you want the lowest calorie base for your smoothie, then use water because it has no calories whatsoever. You can also use milk, yogurt or a dairy-free milk substitute like rice milk, soy milk and almond milk. Such products can contain as little as 2 grams of carbs per eight ounce serving. Do not use fruit juices as a starter because they contain a lot of calories and have zero fiber content.
Leafy Green Vegetables
When it comes to ingredients, green leafy vegetables are best because they have very little carbohydrates. For instance, kale and spinach have only seven gram of carbs per cup. Because leafy greens are a bit tough to blend into a smooth consistency, you may have to use a blender that works a little harder such as BlendTec of Vitamix.
Fruits
Remember that in a low carb smoothie, the bulk of the carbs will come from the fruits you will use. To create a smoothie that has the lowest carb count possible, add only a minimal amount of fruits. Your best bets are melons, berries, papayas, and peaches since these fruits are very low in carbs.
Adding Sweetness to Your Low Carb Smoothie
To add sweetness to your low carb smoothie, use stevia. This is a 100% natural sweetener that comes in both liquid and powder forms and contains no carbs and no calories. It only takes a very small amount of stevia to sweeten your smoothie. If you are using it for the first time, take extra care that you don't add too much. As much as possible, avoid artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and Nutrasweet.
Chilling Your Low Carb Smoothies
Smoothies should always be served chilled and there are two ways to do this. One way is by adding ice cubes. This is also a good way of thinning down a smoothie that is too thick in consistency. The other way is by using frozen fruit. Unlike ice, frozen fruit does not dilute the taste and it gives your smoothie a creamier texture.
