Green Smoothie Health Benefits?

[Frugal Raw]

Hi All - There was a thread on here not too long ago that mentioned something specific that is gained by green smoothies, and for the life of me I cannot remember or find it.

So, I would like to hear from everyone about what health benefits are received, specifically on a green smoothie fast.

Thanks!

[Veganforlife]

ACK! Where to begin? Well, they get rid of cravings. They provide instant energy. They fill you up. You get a lot of food in a small package. Think about it. Try chewing a bit of lettuce (salad) until you feel you've "blenderized" it. Spit it out in your hand. I'd bet a body part their are still chunks there. Green smoothies breaks down the cell walls of the food so your body CAN absorb and assimilate the food quickly. Your body starts assimilating them the minute they hit your tongue, thus using this to heal and strengthen your body.

I suggest reading Victoria Boutenko's "Green for Life" book. Thoroughly, thoroughly explains their wonder...

[Raspberry4]

Veganforlife - that's it you convinced me! I am drinking a big green smoothie right now and feeling pretty good about it after reading your post. I would like to do 'a challenge' for a few days or so to see if they can help with some aweful cravings and low energy I have been having lately. Anyway...you are an inspiration, and motivation, to me. Thanks :)

[Arky]

Related thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=39346

Also, please read Vitoria Boutenko's book 'Green For Life'. It'll answer many questions about the nutrient content and benefits of greens.


J.

[Veganforlife]

Veganforlife - that's it you convinced me! I am drinking a big green smoothie right now and feeling pretty good about it after reading your post. I would like to do 'a challenge' for a few days or so to see if they can help with some aweful cravings and low energy I have been having lately. Anyway...you are an inspiration, and motivation, to me. Thanks :)

You should give it more then a few days...as with anything. It's not instant for the cravings. Although it IS instant for assimilation into the body. Also drink plenty of water. 1/2 your weight in ounces daily - at least...

[jacsam]

I really found that I wasn't craving sweets....I just didn't think about them, not even raw food treats....with the exception of fruits. Then there's all that nutrition from the greens you wouldn't normally get because chewing just doesn't cut it like a vitamix. Also they are very filling, probably because of all the fiber and they are sooo easy to take with you. If I'm going to be out for the day, it's so easy to put one in a glass that has a lid and there you go. It's just a great way to get in greens, which always make me feel better.

[islesgirl]

I have been wondering if we still benefit from the fiber from the greens and the fruit after they have been pulverized in the vitamix? Any thoughts on this?:confused: (I thought that it was the "roughage" that was supposed to move stuff through us?)

[RawHeaven]

I have been wondering if we still benefit from the fiber from the greens and the fruit after they have been pulverized in the vitamix? Any thoughts on this?:confused: (I thought that it was the "roughage" that was supposed to move stuff through us?)

I believe it has more to do with the actual fiber staying intact without turning it to mush. For example a cooked carrot is not the same as a raw carrot. It doesn't matter if you chew the raw carrot or put it in the vitamix. Nothing has changed with the "fiber content". However if you've eaten a cooked carrot, not only are you not getting all of the nutrients, there is zero to no fiber left.

I think you're visualizing food remaining in it's prechewed form as it moves through your digestive system maybe? Remember your body breaks everything down (acid in stomach, small intestine action etc) so that nutrients can be absorbed into your bloodstream and waste deposited and moved through your colon. It is the waste byproduct contents that determine how fast this transit time will take once it gets to your colon. If there's no fiber, than it's not continuing & stimulating peristalsis and it will sit and become impacted in your colon or at least the process may be slowed down.

[RawHeaven]

Since drinking 1-2 green smoothies daily....


I've experienced a great healing with my taste buds, everything is bursting with flavor.

Other senses are off the charts also: sense of smell, touch, hearing, vision.

Increased brain power.

Increased energy.

Smoother skin.

Balanced moods; consistently feeling glorious.

Light and easy monthly cycle.

I've learned to enjoy and appreciate a lot of greens either I didn't even know existed before or never tried. Like kale! :p

Shrinking abdomen and midsection. :D

Greater mobility in formerly broken knee and leg.

[Raspberry4]

Thanks veganforlife - I do need to up my water (I slack off on this one alot).

[islesgirl]

Thanks for the reassurance, RawHeaven. I did know that the food goes through a similar process with digestion but somehow I couldn't see how it was still fiber but of course you are right. And I had forgotten that it does indeed all get completely broken down anyway. Point taken about the "cooked" food too. This is a rushed thank you - sorry, but I am super busy today.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I have been wondering if we still benefit from the fiber from the greens and the fruit after they have been pulverized in the vitamix? Any thoughts on this?:confused: (I thought that it was the "roughage" that was supposed to move stuff through us?)


Thanks for the reassurance, RawHeaven. I did know that the food goes through a similar process with digestion but somehow I couldn't see how it was still fiber but of course you are right. And I had forgotten that it does indeed all get completely broken down anyway. Point taken about the "cooked" food too. This is a rushed thank you - sorry, but I am super busy today.

just to add to this:

i drink a LOT of green smoothies. my bowels are super amazing. (my hubby hates it when i start talking about them LOL). when i go to the bathroom, almost every time i pee, i have a bm. i don't even notice till it's coming out. no cramping, so uncomfyness at all. my poo looks like a tube of green. very very fiberous. like i've taken a bunch of greens, chopped them up super fine in a food processor and then shaped it through a sausage maker. LOL

i warned ya... TOO MUCH INFO.

that's how it is every time. AND i can't believe how much i pass daily. i pass a HUGE amount of feces. probably if i kept it all and measured (which i'm not LOL) it would be the equivalent of a couple of vita-mix containers full.

i know, i know... too much info. too late :P i'm done!

so... the answer to the question... yup the fibre works.

[RawHeaven]

Recycling Goddess, I love talking about BM's now. Tube of green indeed. hahaha! A sign of good health.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Recycling Goddess, I love talking about BM's now. Tube of green indeed. hahaha! A sign of good health.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

[islesgirl]

But this is so true and I love you both for saying it. Why was I so hesitant to say that I have had the exact same experience with green smoothies?! I couldn't believe how much came out of me yesterday and I felt so healthy. - There I said it.:D

[zig_zag]

they mess me up so bad

[rawstrength]

I go through phases. Sometimes, for a few weeks at a time, I could just live off green smoothies (and I practically do!). Then, I suddenly stop wanting them. If I force myself to down a green smoothie when I'm not craving one, then I feel really sick and terrible after.

[cara4art]

I've been doing these for almost two months now - and IMO they are a keeper!
Benefits I've noticed so far:
- very energizing, no need for morning coffee, or any coffee, for that matter
- very filling, as the combo slows the release of fruit sugars, so one isn't hungry an hour later as with a regular fruit-only smoothie(as much as I love them)
- great mood-booster as well - who needs anti-depressants on green smoothies?-LOL!
- doing greens this way in the am. makes me want MORE greens later.
- slight reduction(but not magic yet)in cravings. My chocolate craving remains, so far. Haven't found anything that reduces that craving at all yet.
- a teensy bit of fat lost around the waist, like almost an inch(have got another inch or two I'd like to get rid of though).
- at first my elimination was somewhat better, but seems not to have improved lately. Would love to have the magic elimination that others report here - am sure it would get rid of a lot of accumulations of stuff, even though I'm not very overweight at all. And I would feel "lighter" and even more energetic). Maybe my body is USING all that fiber instead, instead of eliminating it? I'm hesitant to try cleanses, colonics, etc. though. With one cleanse product, even with high hopes and drinking PLENTY of water, all I got was cramps and bloating, sufficient to make me stop. I felt way better when I stopped. The product had psylium, which can be very harsh for some people.I'm 60 and post-meno, so that might have something to do with it.

[kiwilorne]

People who like discussing poop!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

I find BMs and their changes interesting but I am always to frightened to mention them....

[Frugal Raw]

Thank you all for your responses so far....(yes even the poopy ones) :D

[Seren]

I have been wondering if we still benefit from the fiber from the greens and the fruit after they have been pulverized in the vitamix? Any thoughts on this?:confused: (I thought that it was the "roughage" that was supposed to move stuff through us?)

Fibre molecules are actually really small so cutting them up in the vitamix or chewing them won't make a difference - the structure hasn't changed and the molecules are still intact - they've just been separated from eachother, so they will still provide exactly the same benefits if they are blended than if you eat them whole :) xxx

[blaqberry]

hahaha... recycling goddess, you won't get any complaints out of me ;) I think it's good to be aware of what's coming out as much as what's going in. In my house, "poo" talk is a normal occurrence.