THE ALL NEW GUERNSEY OPENING MARCH 2018 We’re currently undertaking an exciting refurbishment project, so we will be closed from the end of January until the beginning of March, but we very much look forward to welcoming you and your family back to the new look Christies from March 2018. Whilst everything will look different our famous Christies warm welcome, excellent service and delicious food will remain the same. www.christies.gg IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
IS A GREEN SMOOTHIE A GOOD IDEA? BY NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST CLAIRE MAHY You will probably agree that eating more greens is beneficial for your health, however you may be confused over the advantages of blending them to create a smoothie and where to begin with this process. If this sounds familiar then read on to find out how to create a green smoothie and why this would be an excellent healthy habit to introduce in 2018. Firstly, here are some general guidelines on their basic composition. To clarify, I'm referring to a smoothie and not a juice so you are consuming the whole produce, which includes the dietary fibre. GREEN SMOOTHIE 1 Stick to one piece of fruit to keep the overall sugar content down, good options are pear, apple, banana, berries or pineapple (include the pineapple core since this is an excellent source of the enzyme bromelain, which can help reduce inflammation in the body). 2 The bulk of your greens will come from your vegetables such as spinach, kale, celery, broccoli, cucumber, lettuce, avocado etc. Frozen vegetables work just as well and help make the smoothie more refreshing. 3 You can use lemon or lime juice, fresh herbs or spices such as parsley, mint, basil, ginger or turmeric for more flavour and additional health benefits. 4 Add in some nuts, seeds or a non-dairy milk for protein and healthy fats. This will also slow the release of sugar into your bloodstream, meaning you feel fuller for longer. 5 Rotate your greens on a regular basis for exposure to a larger array of nutrients. NOW ON TO THE ADVANTAGES: 1 2 Dark 3 4 Once 5 Typically, greens are an excellent source of non-dairy calcium and magnesium. These two minerals work synergistically in the body, therefore consuming them together is advantageous. greens contain high levels of non-haem iron and vitamin C, again these nutrients work together with vitamin C enhancing the absorption of this type of iron. During the winter months it's particularly important to have optimal levels of vitamin C to support your immune system in fighting off the common cold. By blending your greens, you break down the difficult to digest plant cell walls, meaning your body can more easily absorb these nutrients. This is particularly beneficial if your digestive system is compromised. you get into a new routine, which might include changing your shopping habits, smoothies are simple, quick and clean to make and are easily transported. They are also an excellent way to use up fresh produce before it spoils. This one may come down to preference, but once you strike the right balance green smoothies are delicious and a fun way to experiment and be creative in the kitchen. Finally make sure you drink your smoothie through a reusable straw to protect your teeth from the high levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which can damage tooth enamel over time, especially if you are a fan of fresh lemon or lime. Whilst I'm an advocate of eating a rainbow coloured diet, I always ensure the green part receives the attention it deserves, happy blitzing! For more information contact Claire at hello@cmnutrition.co.uk 75