by Asha Richards
Women’s Health Expert
The alarm goes off at 6.30am, instead of jumping out of bed you press snooze for the next 30 minutes. Morning fatigue takes over and you skip the morning work out you promised yourself you’d do. When you finally get out of bed, jump in the shower and get ready for work, your tummy grumbles but you’ve ran out of time so you grab a muesli bar before you run out the door to get to work.
11am comes and you sip on your second coffee of the day whilst scoffing down a huge muffin because you are ravenous. Come lunchtime your energy slumps and you’re in a mood. Sound familiar?
From children we’re taught that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but often that looks like white bread toast or sugar packed cereals, and as adults we’re too time poor and don’t make it a priority.
This needs to change. Eating a wholesome breakfast is important for so many reasons:
- It improves your energy levels
- Supports healthy metabolism
- Stabilises your blood sugar levels
- Improves your memory and concentration
- Can help prevent you from over eating later in the day
- Can provide your body with vitamins, minerals and fibre you might not otherwise get enough of
So for those of us who are time poor we’ve put together some breakfast smoothie recipes that contain healthy carbs, fats and protein, which are easy to make in the morning for you to take with you when you leave the house for the day.
Endo Warrior Smoothie
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition driven by oestrogen. Working to reduce inflammation and support healthy oestrogen metabolism (which is a two-step process involving the liver and gut) is crucial in managing endometriosis symptoms, namely period pain, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, bloating, and stool inconsistencies.
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen organic blueberries
- ½ cup frozen organic raspberries
- ½ tsp of ginger
- ½ tsp of turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp of coconut oil
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 cup of coconut water
Method
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if the mixture is too thick.
PCOS Friendly Smoothie
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic condition that can often present as a combination of symptoms: acne, unwanted hair growth (mostly on chin and around nipples), difficulty shifting weight, irregular or absent menstrual cycles, and difficulty conceiving. While there are four main drivers of PCOS, what is important is that we first stabilise blood sugar levels to support metabolic function.
Ingredients
- ½ frozen organic banana
- ½ cup frozen organic blueberries
- 1 cup of organic baby spinach leaves
- 1 tbsp of almond butter
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp of pepitas
- 1 tbsp maca powder
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 cup coconut milk
Method
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more coconut milk if the mixture is too thick.
Bye Bye Hot Flushes
Hot flushes occur with a drop in oestrogen–as commonly seen during perimenopause and right before menstruation begins. Working to support healthy hormone production alongside adrenal function can reduce the intensity and frequency of hot flushes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen organic mixed berries
- ½ organic avocado
- 1 cup of organic baby spinach leaves
- 1-2 tbsp maca powder
- 2 tbsp flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp organic greek or coconut yoghurt
- 2 tsp Imbibe Miracle Collagen
- 1 cup coconut water
Method
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if the mixture is too thick.
Fertility Smoothie
To optimise fertility we must optimise nutrient status, antioxidant levels, mitochondrial function, stabilise blood sugar levels, and ensure the hypothalamus is nourished. Starting your morning with nutrient-dense smoothie is a great way to start improving fertility.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen organic banana
- 1/2 organic avocado
- 1 cup of organic baby spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp chia seeds - 1 tbsp flax seeds
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp Imbibe Miracle Collagen
- 1 cup water
Method
Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if the mixture is too thick.
by Asha Richards
Women’s Health Expert