Summers are almost here and what better way to beat the heat than a glass of chilled, power-packed smoothie. Smoothies are often only considered beneficial when it comes to nutrition for the body and a means to cool down during the hot summer months in India. Today, nutritionists look at it in different ways. We all know that consuming fruits and vegetables may help protect against age-related eye problems. So we thought why not blend all of these essential vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids into one delicious smoothie to give your eyes the nutrition they need. This is a fun way of getting your kids to consume healthy fruits and vegetables but with a twist.
When we consume fruits and vegetables, the beta-carotene present in them is converted in the body to vitamin A. And vitamin A is essential when it comes to eye health. Fruits and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene are as follows – carrots, spinach, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, mangoes, apricots, and pumpkins. It also includes all orange and yellow fruits and vegetables as well as dark, leafy greens.
Smoothies are such a great way to enjoy fruits and veggies that you wouldn’t otherwise. Presenting five healthy smoothies that will not only support your eye health but are yummy too!
Red Grape And Apple Smoothie
Attention all grape lovers! Here’s something you need to know about your favorite fruit. Red grapes not only pack a nutritional punch, but they’re also good for your eyesight. They provide substantial protection of retinal function. On the other hand, promoting eye vision is one of the many advantages of apples. Hence they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. So, imagine the benefits you’ll gain when we blend these two superfoods together along with some baby spinach.
Ingredients
- 150 ml filtered water
- 1 cup red grapes
- 1 medium apple
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you may add water as desired. Blend it all one last time and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Creamy Raspberry And Mango Smoothie
Mango season is here and we all love this juicy fruit, don’t we? So we thought why not use this fruit to the best and transform it into a smoothie along with some raspberries for that hint of tanginess. Raspberries are a rich source of antioxidants that protect the eyes from oxidative stress. This means it is quite effective in preventing vision loss from cataracts or age-related macular degeneration.
Ingredients
- 150 ml filtered water
- Pulp of one mango
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 small carrot, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you may add water as desired. Blend it all one last time and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
The Green Smoothie
Introducing ‘The Green Smoothie’ a healthy, delicious smoothie that is amazing for you. It is packed with nutrients that are great for your eyes, especially if you have cataracts and macular degeneration.
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 cup water
- 2 peeled kiwis
- Juice of one lime
- 2 cups chopped kale
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you may add water as desired. Blend it all one last time and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Green Strawberry Smoothie
The green strawberry smoothie is a power-packed drink for your eyes. Spinach contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene that helps to potentially prevent and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. On the other hand, fresh strawberries are good for your eyes. They contain plenty of vitamin C – an antioxidant that may lower your risks of cataracts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup kale
- 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
- 2 frozen bananas
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you may add water or almond milk as desired. Blend it all one last time and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Apricot Eye Booster Smoothie
Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, therefore they’re the best when it comes to maintaining good vision and overall eye health. Strawberries on the other hand are rich in antioxidants that prevent cataracts. When you combine these two fruits with the rest of the ingredients – it creates this rich smoothie that’s good for your eyes and your tastebuds.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe apricot (should be more orange than yellow in color)
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon raw honey or unrefined coconut sugar
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you may add almond milk as desired. Blend it all one last time and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Healthy Chocolate And Avocado Dessert Smoothie
A healthy treat for you and your kids. This smoothie will not only be your child’s favorite but will also help to naturally improve eyesight. It tastes like a milkshake, which makes it even better. Avocados are high in antioxidants along with zeaxanthin and lutein. And when these three nutrients come together, they become extremely powerful and can lower your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Recent studies suggest consuming dark chocolate helps improve your eyesight. And when you combine these two ingredients together, it’s like a match made in heaven.
Ingredients
- Half a ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter
- 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- 3 to 4 Medjool dates
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- A few ice cubes
- 1 ½ cups of unsweetened almond milk
Method: Scoop the flesh out of the avocado and add it to the blender along with the rest of the ingredients. DO NOT add the ice cubes at this point. Halfway through the blending, add the ice. Doing so prevents the ice from melting by the time you get through blending. Furthermore, it helps to blend the dates smoothly. Serve chilled and enjoy!
