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Smoothies and shakes are beloved by health gurus – and with good reason! Whether you’re whipping one up for breakfast or post-workout, they’re a cinch to make and easy to pack full of fresh and healthy ingredients.
Of course, some smoothies are better for you than others. If you’re looking to drop a few pounds, try skipping the sugary ingredients and instead add a veggie that will help kickstart weight loss: ginger! This small but mighty root is a superfood with numerous health benefits. Thanks to a chemical compound called gingerols, it can even stabilize blood sugar levels, keeping you from wanting to overeat.
According to Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, drinking ginger tea or adding ginger to your daily smoothie can increase your metabolism.
In fact, studies have proven ginger's impact on speeding up the body's calorie-burning capabilities, along with added benefits like improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
And, bonus(!) - ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. Not only will it help kick metabolism into gear, but also reduce joint pain that may have made it hard for you to exercise.
Now, we know what you're thinking: how good can ginger possibly taste in my morning smoothie? The answer is, delicious!
Veggie-based smoothies are usually better for you than the fruity ones, but you can still add sugar (the healthy way) with fresh squeezed orange juice. Try blending together turmeric, ginger, carrot juice and orange juice for a refreshing drink that’s packed with health benefits!
And because both turmeric and ginger are anti-inflammatory, this smoothie will help if you’ve been suffering from stomach pains.
Another option is to go green.
For a burst of flavor that’s super refreshing, detoxifying and nourishing, combine kale, lemon, ginger, peaches and mango. You’ll end up with a smoothie that’s perfectly tart but not too sweet, and loaded with greens, but without ever tasting overpowering!
Of course, you can also experiment with ginger and other ingredients to create your own original healthy masterpiece.
What are some of your go-to smoothie recipes? Sound off in the comments below!
