More like dessert than a banana smoothie, this decadent maintenance shake will transport your taste buds to the tropics. The star of our nutrient-packed smoothie is the most popular fruit in the U.S. and one of the most controversial – the banana. We’re peeling back the truth on bananas to reveal why we avoid them on the 21-Day Cleanse yet encourage them outside of a cleanse when maintaining our results.
Like many fruits, bananas are high in sugar. While the sugar is natural and paired with fiber, potassium, and other important nutrients – it’s still sugar. Bananas also happen to be high in carbohydrates. In fact, 93 percent of the calories in bananas come from carbs in the form of starch, sugar, and fiber. We avoid tons of sugar and starch on the cleanse because they are both metabolized by the body quickly. Foods that metabolize quickly, like bananas, can send our blood sugar levels into a tailspin. A blood sugar imbalance can cause mood swings, cravings, and the dreaded 2pm “crash.” Additionally, bananas can be a food sensitivity, or even an allergy, for many people.
If you recently finished a 21-Day Cleanse or are in between cleanses, you can reintroduce bananas to your diet in a maintenance shake. They’re rich in fiber, antioxidants, and several nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. A diet rich in potassium can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for heart disease. Despite its importance, many of us don’t get enough potassium in our diets, so adding a banana to our daily shakes is a great way to sneak it in. Bananas also make an ideal pre- or post-workout snack, providing fuel for challenging endurance runs and helping reduce Activity-related muscle cramps. So as long as you reintroduce them properly and find you aren’t bothered … go for it!
This smoothie evokes the decadent flavors of your favorite dessert without the refined sugar and dairy products. It’s blended with a few scoops of Vanilla Daily Shake for a boost of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber to energize your morning and set the tone for a clean day. Enjoy this smoothie as a maintenance shake off the cleanse and savor every sip.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 large bananas, peeled and sliced (plus more for garnish)
½ cup unsweetened vanilla coconut yogurt
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
4 scoops Clean Vanilla Daily Shake
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. cinnamon (plus more for garnish)
2 tsp. chopped almonds, for garnish
Instructions:
Arrange the banana pieces in on a large baking sheet and pop it in the freezer for about an hour.
Measure out the coconut yogurt, almond milk, Vanilla Daily Shake, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add all of the ingredients, along with the frozen banana pieces, to a blender.
Blend until creamy and smooth, about a minute.
Pour the banana smoothie into two glasses and garnish with sliced banana, chopped almonds, and a dusting of cinnamon.
Recipe and photography by Kate Kasbee
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