I was chronically constipated until I was 30, and I didn’t even know it.

It wasn’t until I changed my diet and made a slew of health and lifestyle changes that I realized how unnatural it was to spend long periods of time in the bathroom, or to go a day or more without having a bowel movement.

Because I grew up on a fast food & microwave dinner diet, I simply didn’t know anything different.

When I made those shifts in my diet and lifestyle all those year ago, one of the first things I started incorporating into my diet was green smoothies.

They were quick, easy, and portable. They tasted good, helped me feel good, and there were so many unexpected benefits to drinking them. They are still part of my life today.

Here are 7 awesome benefits of green smoothies – some of which you may know, and others you may not – and why I still drink green smoothies after all these years:

1. More veggies in your diet! (esp. for picky eaters) – Most people aren’t getting enough veggies, especially green veggies, into their daily diets. This is where the green smoothie works its wonders. Because in a smoothie, you can balance out the often bitter or off-putting taste of leafy greens and other veggies with the sweetness of fruit or the combination of spices and herbs to make them taste delicious.
2. Easily absorbed nutrition – Green smoothies are… smooth! And because they’re blended, it’s a bit like all of the goodness you’ve put into your smoothie has been pre-chewed for you. This makes digesting and assimilating all of the incredible nutrition in your smoothie far easier, especially if you have digestive issues that make breaking down and assimilating nutrition challenging for you.
3. More fiber in your diet – From what I shared above, I grew up with very little fresh food or fiber in my diet. And my digestion showed it! Fiber adds bulk to your diet, helps push things along your digestive tract and encourages regular, healthy bowel movements. Fiber is also very important for the natural detoxification processes of your body. It helps to sweep and carry toxins out with every bowel movement you have.
4. Nutrition you can only get from plants – Plants are what add color and fiber to your diet. The color is especially important, because it’s evidence of special nutrients (call phytonutrients) that only come from plants (think antioxidants, carotenoids, flavonoids, Resveratrol, and more). This is what makes the difference between a body that struggles to function, and a body that performs at a high level. Plant nutrition is that powerful!
5. Glowing skin – There are many positive side effects that come from upping the amount of leafy greens and plants that you get into your body on a daily basis. But one of the most unexpected is beautiful, clear, dewy, glowing skin. Along with alleviating digestive woes of all kinds, green smoothies helped heal my acne-prone skin and those pesky upper arm bumps so many people have. Hand on heart, your skin will thank you!
6. Reduced brain fog – Many of us don’t realize how much the health of our gut affects how well our brain functions. From mood swings to memory issues to brain fog, when you take care of your gut, your brain will reflect that care back to you. Green smoothies are a simple, delicious and effective way to nourish yourself, support a healthy gut, and get your brain to function better.
7. Vibrant energy – It’s amazing how much your diet affects your energy levels. Figuring out what to eat and how much is a lifelong place of exploration for all of us. But one thing is certain – your body is built on what you eat. When you fuel your body with colorful plants and clean foods, you can expect your body to reflect those dietary choices. If you’re feeding yourself oodles of processed food, you can expect corresponding results in your body, too. If you want more energy, start with a green smoothie a couple of times a week, or when you really need a pick-me-up. Notice how you feel. Repeat as often as you want to feel amazing!

There are many more benefits of Green Smoothies, for sure. But these 7 benefits above  powerfully illustrate just how amazing something as simple as a smoothie can be for your overall health and wellbeing.

I’ve been drinking green smoothies for more than 20 years. When I had a dog, I fed them to her, too! Now I feed them to my son, and he loves them almost as much as I do.

There are many places where you can get free green smoothie recipes online, or in recipe books. I’ve created a guide to share my favorite recipes with you, and it’s totally free.

Grab your copy here and try them for yourself. Drop me a note and let me know how they make you feel!