Anyone With Diabetes Must Try These Delicious Smoothies

 Smoothies can be an excellent source of nutrition and nourishment. Many people have been making the switch to meal-replacement smoothies, opting to enjoy a fruit-filled beverage for breakfast instead of doughnuts or pancakes. It can make a massive difference, not only in efforts to lose weight but also in boosting your immunity. While smoothies may be a healthier option most of the time, for someone with diabetes, a stricter diet is required. That isn't to say smoothies aren't great for diabetics, but they can be disruptive if you aren't careful about what you're putting in them. 

The first thing to do is learn to count carbohydrates because those are what need to be looked out for. Most doctors and nutritionists can teach patients to count carbs and understand their ideal portion size on request. This will enable you to make a larger smoothie with more non-carb ingredients, like those listed in the recipes below. These 5 delicious smoothies are packed full of fruits, veggies, and herbs carefully selected to fit in with the optimum lifestyle of a diabetic, with low carb and calorie counts.

1. Cucumber, mint and melon smoothie 

(Flickr)  

This smoothie is a heavenly mix of veggies and fruits, sweetened by melons and honey, and best served chilly. It is low in carbohydrates and high in vitamins and nutrients with a delightful crisp taste. 

Servings: 4  

Calories: 200 calories (per serving)

Carbohydrate content: 30 grams (per serving) 

Nutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, pholate, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin and vegetable protein 

Ingredients: 

• 1 coarsely chopped fresh cauliflower 
• 2 cups of chopped ripe honeydew melon
• 1 thinly diced fresh cucumber
• ½ cup of fresh mint leaves
• ¼ cup of water
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 cup of crushed ice

Preparation: Thoroughly blend the cauliflower, melon, and cucumber in a food processor. Then add in the mint leaves and ¼ cup of water. Pour in a cup of crushed ice and 2 spoons of honey and continue processing. Another tablespoon of honey can be added for taste and serve while cold. 

2. Sweet potato smoothie 

(Pxfuel)  

Sweet potatoes are beneficial to diabetics, but due to their carbohydrate content, must be had in controlled quantities. Almond milk and bananas further add protein, “good fat” and fiber to your meal-replacing smoothie. 

Servings: 1

Calories: 150-200 

Carbohydrate content: 20-40 grams

Nutrients: Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorous, good fat which improves cholesterol levels and fiber  

Ingredients:

• ½ single frozen banana 
• ½ cup of almond milk
• ½ cup of cooked and mashed fresh sweet potato (preferred) or sweet potato puree
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (preferred) or natural peanut butter
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon 
• Additional ice cubes (if required) 

Preparation: First blend the frozen banana and almond milk before adding the sweet potato puree and the almond butter/peanut butter. Toss in the cinnamon for an added kick and blend thoroughly. Depending on your preference, you can also mix in some additional ice cubes so you can enjoy your smoothie nice and cold. 

3. Avocado, cherry and almond milk smoothie

(Maxpixel)  

Though this smoothie is made up of savory and sweet ingredients, it still maintains a fruity aftertaste as cherries contain no salt. Fat content can be controlled by carefully measuring the portion sizes of added avocado, which also helps increase good fat, which is beneficial to cholesterol levels. 

Servings: 1

Calories: 100-150 calories

Carbohydrate content: 30-40 grams

Nutrients: Pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, good fat which improves cholesterol and fiber

Ingredients:   

• 1 cup pitted frozen cherries 
• ½ cup frozen unsweetened blueberries 
• ½ avocado 
• 1 cup almond milk

Preparation: This is an easy smoothie to make combining classic breakfast foods. First, blend frozen cherries and then add the blueberries. After they have been processed, add half an avocado along with a cup of almond milk and continue blending until your smoothie is rich and smooth and ready to drink. 

4. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

(Pikist)  

A deliciously sweet and aromatic smoothie that brings with it all the fun of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Autumn. This non-dairy smoothie is loaded with all the goodness of a pumpkin pie without any of the baking hassle or trans fats. 

Servings: 1

Calories: 170-200 

Carbohydrate content: 40 grams

Nutrients: Potassium, calcium, iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, phosphorous, fiber and protein 

Ingredients: 

• 1 can of pumpkin puree
• ½ banana
• ½ cup unsweetened soy milk (preferred option for diabetics) 
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ tablespoon of honey (or artificial sugar free sweetener) 
• Additional ice cubes 

Preparation: To bring this pumpkin pie smoothie to life, start by blending pumpkin puree with half a banana (ideally frozen, but not required) and soy milk. Add pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and honey to solidify the flavor and then a few cubes of ice to reach optimum chillness. Blend thoroughly and then serve.     

5. Peanut Butter and Berry smoothie

(Pikist)  

With a classic twist on the traditional PB & J comes this low carb, low calorie, supremely healthy, and easy to make smoothie. It makes use of tofu and peanut butter, which is rich in good fats and low in carbohydrates. With no added sugar, the sweet treat is the ideal easy meal replacement. 

Servings: 2

Calories: 150-200 (per serving)

Carbohydrate content: 30-40 (per serving) 

Nutrients: Copper, manganese, magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, protein, antioxidants, fiber 

Ingredients: 

• 6 ounces light silken tofu 
• ⅔ cup frozen blueberries
• 1¼ cup unsweetened almond milk 
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup chilled grape juice 
• ½ cup crushed ice

Preparation: Get your PB & B smoothie ready by first blending tofu and blueberries before slowly adding the unsweetened almond milk and vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can use vanilla-flavored almond milk. Add the peanut butter and grape juice to sweeten the smoothie and crushed ice to get the texture and chillness just right. You can always serve it topped with fresh blueberries for an extra fruity punch. 

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