Berry Banana Smoothie

This is one of my favorite recipes.  It's a little bit tart, but the bananas sweeten the recipe, so it's really delicious.  This smoothie makes a great breakfast in the morning, or a fabulous afternoon snack.  And I cannot say enough about the nutritional value of strawberries and bananas!  IBS sufferers probably aren't getting enough of these nutrients, so take advantage of this recipe.

Ingredients

Fresh Strawberries
Organic Bottled Cherry Juice
2 Bananas

Directions

Wash and juice approximately half of a 1 lb. (16 oz.) carton of fresh strawberries.  (Alternatively, you can use 2 cups of frozen strawberries.)  After juicing, mix with approximately 2-3 oz. of organic bottled cherry juice.  (Alternatively, you can juice your own fresh cherries, but it is more cost effective to purchase bottled cherry juice if you can get it for $6/bottle.)

The next step requires the use of the blender, not the juicer.  Combine strawberry/cherry juice with two ripe, peeled bananas in the blender and blend until smooth.  Consider refrigerating your smoothie for approximately a half an hour before drinking, in order to enjoy optimum taste.

Makes one serving/smoothie.

Nutritional Information

IBS sufferers often have trouble eating strawberries and other berries because of the seeds, which are hard on the digestive system.  But juicing is a great way to integrate berries into your diet and get the valuable nutrients that they have to offer.  Berries, in general, are blood purifiers.  They contain antioxidants, which protect your body from heart disease and cancer, and help prevent bladder infections, high blood pressure, fatigue, colds and bad breath.  Strawberries, in particular, are also packed with iron, Vitamin C, B vitamins, folate, calcium, potassium and magnesium.  They also help reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, since they contain fisetin, a compound that stimulates pathways that improve long-term memory; they lower bad cholesterol, and inhibit the growth of colon, prostate and oral cancers.

The iron in strawberries is incredibly important to your overall health.  Iron transports life-sustaining nutrients throughout the body, along with oxygen, while removing carbon dioxide.  Iron ensures a healthy immune system and helps keep you energized.  If you feel tired, sluggish and have little or no motivation to diet or exercise, you may be suffering from iron-deficiency anemia, and strawberries are one nutritional source that can help restore iron to your body.

The Vitamin C in strawberries increases your body’s absorption of iron, which gives you more energy and stamina.  It also helps reduce infections that can cause anything from colds to pneumonia, and strawberries also have anti-viral properties that help ease allergies and infections.  The Vitamin C in strawberries is also important for fat metabolism and can help you slim down.  Strawberries, packet with Vitamin C, are considered a super weight-loss food.

The B vitamins in strawberries contain many nutrients you need to maintain well-being and fight depression.  B complex vitamins are basically nature’s mood elevators, helping to metabolize neurotoxins that may be linked to anxiety problems and helping even helping with severe forms of depression.  Folate, the naturally occurring form of folic acid, is a B vitamin that is instrumental in keeping your blood healthy.  A deficiency in folate/folic acid causes a decrease in healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body.  The result is lethargy and headaches, which may cause irritability and anxiety as well.  Folate/Folic acid is essential for energy and stamina, so getting your B vitamins is very important – and strawberries can do a lot to help!

The calcium in strawberries strengthens bones, teeth and nails, and helps prevent osteoporosis.  It also regulates blood pressure and can help you shed unwanted pounds.  The potassium in strawberries helps to cleanse your liver and is also important for the proper functioning of your cells, nerves and muscle cells.  A potassium deficiency can cause weakness, fatigue, depression and anxiety.  Finally, the magnesium in strawberries is a mineral that can help to relieve anxiety; too little magnesium causes confusion and agitation, as well as result in nervousness that causes insomnia.  Make sure you are getting enough magnesium by adding strawberries to your juice!

Primary source of nutritional information: The Everything Juicing Book by Carole Jacobs, Patrice Johnson and Nicole Cormier.

For nutritional information about bananas, see my recipe and posting for Green Banana Smoothies.