Fruitless Vanilla Green Smoothie (keto/low carb.)

Let me be honest, for a number of reasons I'm not a big fan of smoothies, they just don't keep me full, most have so much fruit I can't drink them without spiking my blood sugar or the plain vegetable ones taste like I'm drinking a salad or pond water. Yuck!

This smoothie is different, it has no fruit! None, nada! The fat from the coconut milk and avocado plus the protein from the hemp seeds or protein powder does keep me full and satisfied until lunch. The best part is it tastes great! I can't even taste the spinach in it!!! It has a luscious vanilla-coconut flavor. I do like adding the optional ingredients but use what you have in the house.

I have moringa powder and broccoli sprouts as optional add-in ingredients. If you aren't familiar with these ingredients they are power houses of nutrition. Personally, I found taking moringa reduced the amount of hair loss on my comb in the morning. Moringa is a strongly flavored green powder but you can't taste it in this smoothie. Another win for this smoothie!

Moringa Powder Benefits: Moringa leaves are loaded with antioxidants, protein, calcium, beta-carotene, vitamin C and potassium. Moringa can be used to obtain important trace minerals, protein and phenolics. The plant contains a rare and unique combination of disease-inhibiting phytonutrients, including: zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol, proven anti-inflammatories with strong medicinal values. Numerous studies have shown that these compounds are protective of the heart, are natural circulatory stimulants, and possess antitumor, anti-epileptic, anti-ulcer, antispasmodic, antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects.

Broccoli sprouts look a lot like the more common alfalfa sprouts but these sprouts can lower signs of premature aging, slow the progression of chronic disease, boost heart health, optimize gastrointestinal function, boost the immune system, and even lower the risk of autism, among others.

Anti-cancer Potential: Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin present in broccoli sprouts, has been an area of interest in anticancer research in recent years. Studies suggest that this component exhibits chemopreventive potential against certain types of cancer such as skin, breast, and prostate, as well as melanoma, and stomach tumors. A 2018 animal study published in the Cancer Prevention Research observed that inclusion of prenatal diet of broccoli sprouts was more beneficial in inhibiting the development of breast cancer as compared to postnatal or adulthood diet.

Digestive Aid: If you struggle with digestive issues, broccoli sprouts can help protect the immune system of the gut and reduce the presence of dangerous bacteria, such as H. pylori, and optimize the bacterial balance, ensuring good nutrient uptake and digestive health while lowering the risk of constipation, ulcers, and colorectal cancer.

Now that you have an idea of how nutritious AND delicious this smoothie is, here is the recipe.

Vanilla Green Smoothie (keto/low carb.) 2/3 cup cold water 1/3 cup canned full fat coconut milk (I use this brand) 1/2 cup firmly packed baby spinach (15 gm) 1/4 ripe avocado, seeded, peeled and cut into chunks 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. Pyure sweetener or any granulated sweetener equivalent to 2 teaspoons sugar, or to taste 2 tbsp. hemp seeds (I use this brand) or 1 scoop protein powder, optional 1 cup ice cubes, or more for a thicker smoothie Optional Add-Ins 1 tsp. moringa powder (I use this brand) 2 tbsp. broccoli sprouts Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender in order listed, including any optional ingredients and add-ins; blend until very smooth.

If you don't have a high powered blender; blend all ingredients except ice cubes until smooth. Add ice cubes and blend until smooth. Servings: 1 Nutrition Facts Serving size: Entire recipe (16 ounces). Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients. Optional ingredients and ice cubes are not included in the recipe nutrition data. Amount Per Serving Calories 194.95 Calories From Fat (83%) 161.38 Total Fat 18.05g Saturated Fat 8.92g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 30.23mg Potassium 307.67mg Total Carbohydrates 5.88g Fiber 3.27g Sugar 1.79g Protein 1.94g