Ginger Cucumber Detox Smoothie

This ginger cucumber detox smoothie quickly removes built up toxins from the body and provides nutrients, minerals and electrolytes—easy to make in just 5 minutes with a handful of healthy ingredients. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• Flushes toxins from body
• Strengthens immune system
• High in nutrients

This ginger cucumber detox smoothie is a refreshing and tasty way to help your body flush excess toxins and achieve ideal hydration levels. It’s slightly spicy and mildly sweet. Enjoy it first thing in the morning before heavier foods for maximum health benefits, but it can be enjoyed any time.

Cucumber and ginger are powerful anti-inflammatory foods. Ginger contains compounds that counteract the inflammation process in the body, which is important in preventing chronic diseases. It also strengthens immune system function with its antimicrobial properties. Cucumbers are packed with antioxidants and potassium, which help to lower blood pressure.

To facilitate the removal of toxins flax seed is added to this smoothie. Flax is not only omega-3 rich but this superfood also has lots of insoluble fibre. This type of fibre stays in the digestive system for longer than soluble fibre. Built up toxins are absorbed by the insoluble fibre in flax seed and then later excreted. Flax also regulates blood sugar and lowers cholesterol!

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this ginger cucumber detox smoothie.

Ground flaxseed: Avoid using whole flax seeds even in the best blender as they are very tough and resistant to breaking down properly.

Cucumber: Washed and roughly chopped.

Ginger: A chunk of fresh ginger root, can be added with the skin if using a high speed blender.

Celery: Wash any dirt from the stalk and roughly chop before adding to blender.

Lemon juice: Fresh squeezed is best for this detox smoothie.

Frozen bananas: Creates the thick, creamy base of the smoothie and adds sweetness.

Coconut water: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together into a smooth mix. Adds a subtle tropical flavour.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothies are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Make it sweeter

For some subtle sweetness to this smoothie add 1-2 medjool dates. Dates are preferable over agave syrup or coconut sugar because they have a more natural, subtle sweetness that won’t clash with the other flavours.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Switch base ingredients

If you don’t like bananas then try something else as the base! Mango usually substitutes banana well. If you’re allergic to or simply dislike a suggested ingredient then try to find something with a similar texture that you enjoy the flavour of. There is no wrong way to make a smoothie, and you can always omit any ingredients you don’t have on hand.

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Pour into a glass and serve your ginger cucumber detox smoothie.

Prep & Blending

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie!

FAQ’s

How often can I drink this detox smoothie?

This smoothie should be safe for most people to consume daily. By enjoying this smoothie on a regular basis the ingredients have a chance to become most effective.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

If you wish for your smoothie to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

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