While it is imperative that people with metabolic disorders such as diabetes should keep an eye on the amount of sugar they get from each meal, it doesn’t in any way mean they should not have any fruit or smoothies. In fact, nutritionists recommend regular intake of smoothies for diabetics who are in the quest to reduce the intensity of this chronic disease,

Health Benefits of Smoothies for Diabetics

1. Weight Loss

Excess weight is associated with aggravating diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. While there are a number of ways that you can use shed off the extra weight such as dieting and exercising, constant intake of green smoothies can equally help patients manage their condition. It can also be a strategy to enhance your fruit and vegetable intake.

2. Energy to Exercise

Drinking smoothies is an excellent way of increasing energy levels in the body. With enhanced energy levels, diabetics are able to exercise more often thereby reducing the intensity of the disease. A good number of patients have reportedly had the ability to run half a marathon after they increase their green smoothie daily intake.

3. Healthier Diet Overall

Green smoothies bring to the fore an incredible avenue to improve the diet and lifestyle habit in diabetics. Patients who drink green smoothies on a regular basis end up eating much less processed foods. Bearing in mind that green smoothies revolve around plant-based recipes, it goes without saying that they offer higher nutritional value and low-calorie content, two important combinations for diabetics.

4. Offer Pure Nutrition

The amount of vitamins and minerals in smoothies depend on the ingredients you use to make it. However, most fruits and vegetables (the primary ingredients for most smoothies) are chock full of vitamins A and C. Other ingredients such as Guava and avocados have high content folate , potassium and magnesium all of which are beneficial to the body.

5. Easy and Quick to Make

Making green smoothies is a breeze particularly when you consider that all you need is a blender. If you want to make a large amount you may also need a pitcher and a fridge in addition to the blender.

6. Relatively Cheap

In comparison to buying smoothies from a juicer bar, making your smoothie at home is relatively cheap. As a matter of fact making smoothies at home will only cost you a few cents. In other words, homemade smoothies for diabetics present a cheaper way to supply the body with all the required vitamins and minerals at a cheaper price.

7. Easy to Digest

Due to their blended and liquefied nature, green smoothies are easily digestible. The rate of nutrients extraction is much faster in smoothies, a fact that may come in handy for patients suffering from indigestion after a heavy meal.

8. Increased Fiber Intake

Unlike fruit juices, green smoothies are made from whole fruits and vegetables thus contain higher fiber and nutritional value. Besides improving the digestive health, fiber helps regulate the movement of bowels, thus helps reduce constipation as well.

9. Reduces Cravings

Diabetics who want to reduce cravings for junk food can turn to green smoothies as a natural remedy. Smoothies help keep you feeling fuller for longer thus reduce the urge to eat unhealthy foods and salts, as well as fats.

10. Antioxidants

Green smoothies are loaded with high antioxidants and phytonutrients content. Drinking a glass of green smoothie can enhance your body’s immune system thus keeping diseases at bay. The antioxidants aid the body in flushing harmful toxins from the body as well.

11. Easy Digestibility and Nutrient Assimilation

Through blending fruits and vegetables, you are in essence breaking down the plant cells and improving digestibility while you are at it. Smoothies for diabetics are made in such a way that they can be assimilated into your body much faster. Consider carrying smoothies when traveling instead for salads due to their high delivery rate into your body.

Smoothies for Diabetics Recipes :

1. Banana Smoothies

Just like the name suggests, these are made by blending bananas alongside other fruits. Some of banana smoothies include :

Mango Banana Smoothie – This is made by blending 1 banana, 1/3 cup of plain yogurt, and 1/2 cup of frozen mango pieces and cup of orange juice. Blend until the mixer is nearly smooth. Serve while still fresh.
Apple Banana Smoothie – Combine 1 frozen banana with 1 Gala apple, ¼ cup of milk and cup of orange juice. Blend until smooth, pour into glass and serve.

2. Green Smoothies

Some green smoothies include :

Go Getter Green Smoothie – This is made by mixing vanilla soy milk, 1 cubed peeled kiwi fruit, 1 cup of bagged spinach and a sliced banana. Blend until the mixer is smooth. Serve immediately.
Groovy Green Smoothie – Place 1 peeled banana, chopped apple, 1 cup of grapes and 11/2 cup of fresh spinach leaves in a blender. Blend until smooth, pour into glasses and serve.

3. Orange Smoothies

These include :

Orange Snowman – Combine cup of milk, cup of water, 14 cubes of ice, cup of sugar, teaspoon of vanilla extract with a 6 ounce can of frozen orange in a blender. Blend until smooth before serving.
Orange Banana Smoothie – Mix 1 cup of cold milk, a pinch of salt, ¼ cup of sugar, 4 cubes of ice and 2 oranges in a blender. Serve when the mixer is evenly smooth.
Carrot-Apple – Mix 1 cup of carrot and apple juice with a serving 1 1/2 cups of both juices in a blender. Pour in glasses and serve.
Cantaloupe – This is made by blending 2 cups of chopped cantaloupe with cup of lime juice and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Add cups of water and 1 cup of ice before blending the ingredients.
Strawberry Shortcake – Place 1 cup of strawberries, cup of vanilla, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 peeled banana and 1 cup of ice in a blender. Blend until smooth then serve.
Blueberry Power Smoothie – Blend 1 chopped pear, 1 cup of blueberries, 1 glass of plain sugar, ice and sugar to taste. Serve when the mixture is smooth.
Mango Smoothies – All mango smoothies are made by blending mangoes alongside other fruits such as pineapples, apples, bananas and oranges. You may add vanilla and sugar to taste.

Diabetes may be a chronic condition, but the above-highlighted smoothies for diabetics can go a long way in reducing its intensity. The beauty of it is that all the ingredients are readily available and affordable as well.