Store bought smoothies are often packed with hidden sugars, making them off the menu for Paleo, Keto and Low Carb lifestyles. We've switched out sugary fruits for low sugar berries and added a boost of protein and healthy fats to make the ultimate Keto and Paleo friendly smoothie. Straws at the ready!
Aren't Smoothies Full of Sugar?
Smoothies are often thought of as synonymous with healthy eating, somewhere up there with kale and coconut water! However, because smoothies are often made with many different fruits they are all too often very high in sugar.
Of course, this is natural sugar (fructose) and comes along with the vitamins, minerals and fibre fruit contains - so overall it isn't as bad as added refined sugars.
But sugar is sugar to the body and the fructose found in fruit still causes a spike in blood sugars and affects insulin metabolism. So, most store-bought smoothies aren't Keto or Paleo friendly for this reason.
Are Berries Keto & Paleo Friendly?
The good news is that some fruits contain much less sugar than others. For those following a Paleo or Keto lifestyle, berries are often the fruit of choice as they are naturally much lower in sugar.
Berries can be enjoyed in moderation to provide the nutrients you want from fruit but with a much lower sugar content. They're super high in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants too.
When it comes to making smoothies we recommend using berries as your fruit of choice and avoiding fruit juice as a liquid. Instead, use non-dairy milk, coconut water, plain water, crushed ice, that's Keto and Paleo friendly.
What are Chia Seeds?
Like most seeds, chia seeds pack a lot of nutrition into a very small package. They're high in fibre, protein and healthy fats, as well as having a beneficial Omega-3 : Omega-6 ratio.
Chia seeds are often added to meals and smoothies for an extra nutrient boost and can also be used to make healthy puddings thanks to their unusual texture. You can find chia seeds in most bigger supermarkets these days.
Check out our Triple Berry Chia, MCT Oil and Collagen Pudding
What are Cacao Nibs and Where Can I Find Them?
Cacao nibs are a healthier relative of chocolate, made by crushing dried and fermented cacao beans and without the added milk or sugar you'd find in regular chocolate!
Raw organic cacao nibs are incredibly nutrient dense and naturally low in sugar. They are often added to foods for a nutrient boost and give a slightly bitter-sweet flavour like that you get from dark chocolate.
You can easily grab some cacao nibs online or from health food shops - we find a little goes a long way so one bag of cacao nibs should last a long time.
Why Would I Add MCT Oil to my Smoothie?
MCT oil is a medium-chain triglyceride oil. Our MCT oil is made using Organic Coconuts and is free from palm oil, blends of oils and sugars. Triple steam distilled for purity, it can be added to tea, coffee, smoothies, shakes or salads - MCT oil is a really versatile ingredient.
We add MCT oil to this recipe as a great way to obtain more of your healthy fats. To hear more as to why you should be using MCT as part of your daily routine - check out our blog post here.
Why Would I Add Collagen Peptides to my Smoothie?
Hunter & Gather Collagen Peptides are a protein powder that can be added to tea coffee, shakes, water or any liquids. We add collagen peptides to this recipe as a really easy way to increase your essential amino acids, like Lysine. This collagen is unflavoured and dissolves easily into any liquids, so blends really well into this smoothie.
To understand more about how collagen can support your skin, hair, nails, bones, joints and gut health - check out our blog post here.
Nutritional Info (Per Serving):
Calories: 350
Fat: 24g
Of which saturates: 17g
Carbohydrate: 18g
Of which sugar: 5g
Protein: 17g
WHAT YOU NEED (INGREDIENTS)
- 300g frozen cucumber
- 50g frozen mixed berries (or choose your favourite berry like raspberry)
- 1-2 tablespoons Hunter & Gather Collagen Peptides
- 1-2 tablespoons Hunter & Gather MCT Oil
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 200ml coconut or almond milk
- 1 tablespoon raw organic cacao nibs
- Handful of ice
You can add 1 tablespoon raw honey, inulin fibre or maple syrup to sweeten depending on your personal taste and dietary preferences.
WHAT YOU DO (METHOD)
- Add all of the ingredients (aside from the cacao nibs) to a high-speed blender
- Start low and slow, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed and finishing with a fast blend
- Once the smoothie is finished blending, add the cacao nibs and pulse for 5-10 seconds to just begin to break them up
- Pour into a large chilled glass, serve and enjoy!
All information provided on our website and within our articles is simply information, opinion, anecdotal thoughts and experiences to provide you with the tools to thrive.
It is not intended to treat or diagnose symptoms and is definitely not intended to be misconstrued for medical advice. We always advise you seek the advice of a trained professional when implementing any changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits.
We do however recommend seeking the services of a trained professional who questions the conventional wisdom to enable you to become the best version of yourself.
