A nutritious and simple smoothie perfect for breakfast or a snack, packed with spinach and oats, suitable for cancer patients, and free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, or canned foods.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional for flavor)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional for a colder smoothie)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly.
- If using rolled oats, you can soak them in a little bit of water or milk for 5-10 minutes to soften them up.
- Rinse the blueberries if using fresh ones.
2. Blend:
- In a blender, add the spinach, rolled oats, blueberries, almond milk, and chia seeds.
- If you are adding ground cinnamon, include it as well.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk to reach your desired consistency.
3. Serve:
- Pour the smoothie into a glass. If you prefer it cold, you can add ice cubes to the blender and blend again or serve the smoothie over ice.
- Enjoy immediately to benefit from the maximum nutrient content.
Tips:
- Freshness: Use fresh spinach and blueberries to ensure the smoothie is naturally sweet and packed with nutrients.
- Texture: If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the oats first until they are fine before adding the other ingredients.
- Variations: Feel free to add other fresh fruits like an apple or a pear for variety and extra vitamins.
This Spinach Oat Smoothie is not only nutritious and simple but also tailored to support the dietary needs of cancer patients, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods.
Benefits
- Fresh spinach leaves: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and K, supports immune function and may help reduce inflammation for cancer patients.
- Rolled oats: High in fiber, regulates blood sugar levels, supports digestive health, and may reduce the risk of heart disease in cancer patients.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries: Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, may improve cognitive function and support heart health for cancer patients.
- Unsweetened almond milk: Dairy-free source of vitamin E and calcium, supports bone health and provides antioxidants for cancer patients.
- Chia seeds: Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, promotes satiety, supports heart health, and aids in digestion for cancer patients.
- Ground cinnamon: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, reduces inflammation, and provides antioxidant properties for cancer patients.
- Ice cubes: Adds a refreshing element to the smoothie without contributing significant calories or nutrients for cancer patients.
Nutrition Value:
1. Fresh Spinach Leaves (1 cup):
- Calories: 7
- Carbohydrates: 1.1g
- Protein: 0.9g
- Fat: 0.1g
- Sodium: 24mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: High in vitamins A, C, K, and folate. Provides antioxidants and supports immune function.
- Minerals: Rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Nutritional Benefit: Low in calories but packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Spinach is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
2. Rolled Oats (1/2 cup):
- Calories: 150
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 2.5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Contains vitamin B complex, particularly B1 (thiamine) and B5 (pantothenic acid).
- Minerals: Rich in manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
- Nutritional Benefit: A good source of fiber, oats support digestive health, regulate blood sugar levels, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Fresh or Frozen Blueberries (1 cup):
- Calories: 84
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: High in vitamins C and K, and provide small amounts of vitamins A and E.
- Minerals: Rich in manganese and contain small amounts of other minerals like copper and potassium.
- Nutritional Benefit: Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which may help improve cognitive function, support heart health, and reduce inflammation.
4. Unsweetened Almond Milk (1 cup):
- Calories: 30-60 (depending on brand)
- Carbohydrates: 1-2g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 2.5-5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Fortified with vitamins D and E, and may contain small amounts of vitamins A and B12.
- Minerals: Contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Nutritional Benefit: Low in calories and carbohydrates, almond milk is a dairy-free alternative rich in vitamin E and calcium, supporting bone health and providing antioxidants.
5. Chia Seeds (1 teaspoon):
- Calories: 40
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 3g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Contains small amounts of vitamins A, B, and E.
- Minerals: Rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese.
- Nutritional Benefit: Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. They promote satiety, support heart health, and aid in digestion.
6. Ground Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon):
- Calories: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Contains small amounts of vitamins A and K.
- Minerals: Rich in manganese and small amounts of calcium and iron.
- Nutritional Benefit: Cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant properties.
7. Ice Cubes (1/2 cup):
- No significant nutritional value.
- Nutritional Benefit: Ice cubes add a refreshing and cooling element to the smoothie, enhancing the taste and texture without contributing calories or nutrients.
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