Grabbing al fresco salads and healthy grilled BBQ veg are perfect for lunches and dinners, but how about starting your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie, too? Eating with the seasons not only supports overall health but also delivers a radiant complexion, thanks to the rich nutrients found in summer produce. You’ll find an abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables that are beneficial for skin and overall health in my book Eat Beautiful, and if you want to get started now, here’s how you can create a delicious summer smoothie that nourishes your skin from the inside out.
The Ingredients & Their Benefits
Avocado: Loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids, avocado helps keep skin moist, supple, and protected from UV damage. Its antioxidants also shield against cell damage and reduce inflammation, making it a true skin superfood.
Banana: Rich in potassium, vitamins C, B6, and A, bananas support skin elasticity, hydration, and repair. Their high fibre content helps flush toxins, which can improve your complexion.
Cucumber: With 95% water content, cucumber is a hydration hero. It’s packed with antioxidants and silica, a mineral that supports collagen production, helping to keep skin firm and youthful.
Spinach: The Vitamin C in spinach helps support the production of collagen, and the protein is used to produce new skin tissues.
Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, fibre, and folate, which aid in cell regeneration and help prevent collagen breakdown, keeping your skin looking fresh and plump.
Elements of a Well-Balanced Smoothie
A great smoothie isn’t just about taste, it’s about balance. For a nourishing, skin-friendly blend, there are some key elements of a healthy smoothie that you should consider including. Combine at least three different seasonal fruits for a spectrum of vitamins and antioxidants, add a healthy fat like avocado or a spoonful of nut butter to add creaminess and help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins. For the liquid base, use plant milk or coconut water for hydration and a flavour boost (unsweetened almond milk is great). Fruits like bananas, figs, and strawberries not only add sweetness but also boost fibre, aiding digestion and detoxification. Finally, you may want to think about adding a scoop of protein powder to help aid skin repair and fuel your day.
Powders and Supplements to Boost Your Smoothie
To enhance the health benefits of your summer smoothie, consider adding collagen powder, spirulina, maca powder, chia and flax seeds or a vitamin C powder to further boost your intake. Feeling ready to super-charge your day? Here’s my skin-friendly summer smoothie recipe to try this season.
Easy Summer Smoothie Recipe
INGREDIENTS
½ avocado
1 banana
½ cucumber (with skin)
5 strawberries (hulled)
200ml coconut water or almond milk
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp nut butter
1 scoop collagen powder or plant protein
Method:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, garnish with a strawberry, and enjoy the taste of summer and the glow that comes with it.
READ NEXT: Seasonal Summer Fruits | Summer Recipe: Fig Salad
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