My digestion has been a bit out of whack over the past few months. Actually, I’m feeling a bit out of whack as a whole. Maybe I was naïve, but I really didn’t anticipate the postpartum phase to be so challenging, on many different levels. The pregnancy seems to get the most attention while the period after having a baby seems to be all about getting back to your old self as soon as possible. At least in the media. I guess I expected that for myself too, but it’s not my personal reality nor is it for many other new moms I’ve talked to. We’re almost 5 months in and I still don’t feel like I have it together. I mostly blame the overnight waking hours and sugar cravings (the cravings result from lack of sleep – it’s a vicious cycle), but it’s everything really. Life has changed in so many weird and wonderful ways. I wonder if I ever will feel like my old self, or if I’d ever want to; what I have right now is great. I say it all the time but motherhood is amazing. I pinch myself so many times a day…like, do I actually get to witness this sweet baby discover the world? It’s the kind of thing that fills my heart with so much joy it keeps me up at night because I know that it could all be taken away in a second.
The intensity seems to be lifting as the months go on. We are laughing so much every day! I’m convinced Adriana is a 90 year old woman trapped in a baby’s body. Seriously…she does this lip-sucking in thing that makes her look like she forgot her dentures. I die every time. She is my number one priority and because of this I think I have let my own self fall to the wayside. It’s the cliché saying about motherhood, but it’s been so true. For me, this seemed necessary to get through the first months as a new parent, but I’m getting to that place now where I think I can find a balance for both of us. The fog is lifting. This is where a plant-based diet can help in so many great ways! I think I’ve done a good job of staying healthy this past year, but there are a few things I would like to improve upon.
The advice I often give to others is to make small changes when starting out, so that’s what I’ve been doing recently. Just a bunch of little tweaks that all contribute to the whole. Baby steps. Rather than having caffeine in the morning (which doesn’t seem to agree with my anxiety-prone nature), I’ve switched to a tea made with fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and Rooibos tea. I drink it all day long. A few other things I’m doing (almost) everyday – green protein smoothie, exercise, probiotics (plus my other regular vitamin regime), and hitting the hay earlier. There’s nothing ground-breaking or gimmicky here, but they are things that just WORK time and time again. Sure there are days when none of these things happen, but for the most part it’s helping!
While this smoothie is different from my regular morning protein smoothie, it makes for a lovely afternoon snack. You could probably add some hemp hearts to this one if you wanted to boost the protein enough for a morning drink.
This smoothie combines the power of many digestion-friendly and immune-boosting foods:
// Pineapple // Digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits, immune support. One cup gives you 105% of your daily Vitamin C requirements. I use frozen pineapple chunks in smoothies to save time.
// Fresh ginger // Soothes the intestinal tract and helps with digestion. Awesome for all kinds of gastrointestinal relief, such as morning sickness. Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting.
// Fresh parsley // Rich in vitamins K, C, A, folate, and antioxidants. It’s a natural diuretic which can help release water retention. Opt for flat-leaf parsley as it’s less bitter than curly parsley. Cilantro would be a nice swap here too!
// Avocado // Major anti-inflammatory benefits + heart-healthy fats. High in fibre which aids with digestion.
// Banana // Rich in B6, manganese, Vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. Interesting to note – while bananas are high in sugar, they have a low glycemic index score which means that they won’t spike blood sugar levels. It’s soothing to the digestive track and thought to regulate the bowels and enhance friendly gut bacteria.
// Lemon // Rich in vitamin C. Aids digestion and helps flush out toxins.
[Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods]
I also add some coconut water and probiotic powder for an extra boost! Feel free to add a handful of spinach or kale too.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Happy Digestion Smoothie
Yield
2 1/4 cups (560 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This green smoothie is packed with digestion-enhancing and immune-boosting foods like pineapple, parsley, ginger, and avocado. Don't worry though; its sweet flavour makes it friendly for green smoothie newbies! If you are adverse to the spiciness of ginger, I recommend starting with half the amount and adding to taste from there. This smoothie also keeps well overnight. I will often make a double batch, save leftovers in a small mason jar in the fridge overnight, and enjoy it the next morning.
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) water
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) coconut water
- 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons avocado
- 1 teaspoon packed fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon probiotic powder, optional
- lemon or lime slice, for garnish
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on the highest speed until super smooth.
Tip:
- Feel free to add a handful of baby spinach to boost the nutrient power even more.
- Fresh mint also gives this smoothie a nice digestion boost (not to mention a delicious minty flavour).
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
PS – I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Publisher’s Weekly recently – hop on over and read the interview here!
Thank you for this recipe and article! My baby is 8 months now and I couldn’t have explained the post partum (auto correct spelt out post party’s….)stage any better. Pregnancy was a breeze in comparison! Can’t wait to try this :)
I am a nurse midwife and a mother to a 2 year old. I know exactly how you are feeling. It is rough in the beginning, but every day and month it becomes easier and easier. I did not feel back to my “normal” self until about 1 year postpartum. That is when I started to feel my body return to my old body and rhythm. I breastfed until 27 months, but I felt more alive after 12 months. Hang in there! It does physically take a year to rebalance our hormones and nutrients. xo
This is an incredible smoothie! Thanks for the recipe!
I swear, months 4 and 5 were the hardest for me! Sleep regression and focusing all my attention solely on the baby and forgetting to take care of myself landed me in the hospital on IV antibiotics for 5 days! I’m glad that you are taking time to take care of yourself and getting more sleep. Everybody told me it gets better from month 6 onwards and it’s TRUE! More fun times are to come! Thanks for all you do… your cookbook has saved my life :)
Oh my. That went down pretty well. Tastes pretty good aswell. Thanks for the recipe. Chao.:)
Seriously one of the best smoothies I’ve ever tried. I’ve recently figured out I’m lactose intolerant so I’m trying to be as kind to my tummy as possible and adding hemp seeds to this in the morning makes the perfect breakfast smoothie and keeps me satisfied all morning. I am so grateful for this newfound recipe because it’s DELICIOUS!!! Thanks Angela! Every recipe of yours I’ve tried has been a hit in our household!
Creamy, decadent, delicious, perfection. Rather than going to the store, I left out the avocado and used unsweetened vanilla almond milk in lieu of the called for liquids. I also added several packed cups of spinach, extra ginger, and some stevia. Absolutely divine. Hands down, one of the best smoothie recipes I have ever tried.
I have made this recipe at least 4 or 5 times since discovering it, and it’s just lovely. I love parsley in juices but never thought to add it to smoothies (me: duh!). I made this again tonight but had run out of pineapple so I subbed in frozen mango — equally delicious! Thanks for all the great recipes, Angela. I’m enjoying your book, too! :-)
This looks awesome. My brother is getting married in 4 weeks so I’m looking for light meals that will keep me full but not cause any bloating and this will be perfect. Do you think I could use mango instead of pineapple?
xox
Yum! I’ll be sure to try this out!
Molly
apolloandluna.com
I made this a couple weeks ago for myself and my mom. When she took her first sip, she exclaimed, in a very surprised voice, “It tastes good!” It was her first green smoothie and I think I might have her hooked. :) Thank you for your delicious and inspiring recipes!
I just came across this post and have to say, I’m so glad to see someone else admit this!! My daughter is now 18 months and I would say I felt “like myself” again (of course, a new version) around one year, maybe 14 months. My gal slept 7-7 at six months but there I was reeling from six months of sleep deprivation, horrible food cravings that resulted, and needing to lose weight for the first time in my life. I just thought by 6 months SURELY it would be on the upswing. I’m not sure why our society perpetuates these unrealistic expectations. Oh, and I can’t wait to try the smoothie! XOXO your little lady is precious
I’m definitely not pregnant but have some digestive issues from time to time. This is AWESOME. Thanks.
Awesome post thanks for sharing. Since I’ve started on a wholefoods plant based diet, I’ve falling in love with green smoothies. I’ve thought I’ve tried them all but I haven’t made this one yet. I am not having digestive problems, but now I know how to prevent them.) Thanks :)
This was a much needed article for me. Really loving your approach to simply yet creative smoothies and this one especially comes at the right time for me :)
Tried this recipe this morning and i gotta say it tastes as good as it looks!
thanks!!
I just made this smoothie, but without pineapple, and instead, half an apple! I also blended the lemon in with the smoothie haha but it’s very delicious! I did add the spinach, and I’m glad to have a little bit of my daily greens in this smoothie, it’s very good! Thank you!!!!
This looks so yummy! I think i’ll give it a try tomorrow morning!
I have a feeling I’ve just discovered my next hangover cure! Thanks for sharing this, will be making it very soon!
This recipe turned into an instant fav! I dream about it – it’s wonderful. The perfect amount of goodness to please the palate and the tummy! Thank you for sharing and for such an amazing blog!
Sounds great, I am going to the store to pick up some of the ingredients and making it today. :-) Thank you for sharing this recipe.