Problem with GS

[dnicolemont]

Hello... I am new and trying to transition into raw... I have experimented with a few green smoothies and while I enjoy the taste of them I just do not like the texture. I already have a hard time drinking things as it is besides water. Mostly everything I drink more than a few sips at a time (besides water) makes me nauseous (have been this way forever). The GS I have been making have been thick. And even when I water them down it's like they very slowly ooze down my throat and I cannot STAND that! I am very particular about my drinks and I love VERY cold water in lots and lots of ice. And I can never get the smoothie cold enough for my tastes without putting in ice and then everything just gookes up on the ice.

I came here for hopefully for some advice. I have been using bananas, strawberries, pineapple and spinach or romaine. Perhaps there are other combinations that aren't so thick? I really want to enjoy my experience with green smoothies since they are so healthy and most everyone LOVES them! I am just excited I actually love the taste!! I am transitioning from a VERY, very horrible SAD diet with minimal fruits and veggies.

[rawstrength]

Hi there,
You are on the right track and you are doing great.
If you don't like the texture of green smoothies, why not try making green juices instead? They have the taste of green smoothies with the exact same texture as water. My fave green juice ever is rommaine lettuce and apples. You can save the pulp from juicing and use it in other recipes in order to get the fiber from the whole food.
Juices would probably do you a lot of good, as you are coming from a minimal fruit and veggie diet. Juices make fruits and veggies quicker/easier to digest. It is a way of training your body to get nutrients from fruits and veggies. After a while on juice you may be able to digest smoothies easier without any nausea.

Recommended viewing:
Making juice with a vitamix: http://www.juicefeasting.com/JuiceFeastingIntro/GettingJuicyMakingBeautifulJuices/tabid/195/Default.aspx This works with any blender
David Wolfe on Vegetable Juice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUhGeTDzCsU

[Green Diva]

Just a thought... instead of blending in the ice why dont you just add them after you blend? That should make your smoothie nice and cold.

[raweater]

Just a thought... instead of blending in the ice why dont you just add them after you blend? That should make your smoothie nice and cold.

From the way I read it it soudned liek the OP was adding in whole ice cubes after blending. I think putting them before blending and blending them in would be better.

I have a similar problem with smoothies, green or not, if they are too thick or not freezing cold they make me nauseous. I make them with frozen fruits so I don't need to add ice, but I don't like it when they are thick.

I had been making strawberry milkshakes which are very liquid but like 90% fat which is not a too healthy or balanced meal.

I try to add more water to my smoothies to make them easier to drink but I have to drink more of them to get as much food since they're more diluted.

By the way, rawstrenght, why are you using romaine? It's mostly water with very little nutrition, I wouldn't really call that a green smoothie. I normally use baby spinach to make green smoothie.

[rawstrength]

By the way, rawstrenght, why are you using romaine? It's mostly water with very little nutrition, I wouldn't really call that a green smoothie. I normally use baby spinach to make green smoothie.

First off, rommaine is nutritious :) Check out http://www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=61 .

Baby spinach is good, too, and I often use baby spinach. But it's good to vary it up.

[Bobbie]

how about juicing greens and then putting both the juice and the pulp in the blender with frozen fruit? (and no water)

[Shell]

Hey dnicolemont!
I, like raweater, add water to my green smoothies to liquefy them (and because my blender is craptacular, and won't blend unless coaxed with extra liquid!), and find that they're more palatable that way.
Also, have you thought of making sort of a "green pudding" instead of a green smoothie? Would the thickness bother you as much if you were to put it in a bowl and use a spoon as opposed to trying to drink it? Just a thought!

[solarliving]

I've been doing green smoothies religiously for over 2 years now. The only time I can really get them down is when I use some frozen fruit. Mainly bananas. It really makes a difference in the texture.

THis is my usualy recipe lately

2 oranges
handful of strawberries
handful of kale
2-4 frozen bananas
sometime juice from 1/2 lemon to make it really tangy.

1/2-1 cup of water and blend.

[GlimR]

I use frozen fruit......if you put in enough of it you can eat it with a spoon like a sorbet.....frozen blueberries and strawberries, papaya, banana in an oj base with whatever greens you choose. No drinking involved.