Fresh fruit smoothies and detox recipes are really good for your body, and especially during summer, you can enjoy these chilled outdoors or indoors.
Refreshing fruit (Fruits and Smoothie Detox recipes)
Fresh fruit is a storehouse of essential nutrients. Packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, and enzymes, raw fruit should feature in any detox regime, as it helps bind and flush out toxins.
Citrus Fruits (Fruits and Smoothie Detox Recipes)
These refreshing fruits are loaded with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant protecting the body against harmful free radicals and inhibiting premature aging. Antioxidants also help to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease and increase iron absorption.
Lemon (Fruits and Smoothie Detox recipes)
Lemon is perhaps the best cleanser; its astringent and antiseptic properties stimulate the liver and gall bladder. A glass of hot water with freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal for beginning a detox day. The rich fiber and water content of tasty fruit make it the perfect internal cleanser.
Oranges and grapefruits (Fruits and Smoothie Detox recipes)
Freshly squeezed oranges and grapefruits stimulate digestion and tone the system. They are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are also an effective diuretic and laxative.
Grapes (Fruits and Smoothie Detox recipes)
Popular for one-day mono-diets, grapes are one of the most effective detoxifiers; in addition, they have been shown to relieve constipation and help kidney, liver, digestive, and skin disorders. The white or red varieties are best.
Apples and Pears
Crunchy apples contain malic and tartaric acid, which boosts the digestive system and cleanses the liver. In addition, their high pectin content binds heavy metals, such as lead. Apples also provide a steady stream of energy via fructose, a natural sugar. When eaten regularly, pears help foster a good complexion and glossy hair.
Mangoes
These fragrant soft fruits are reported to cleanse the blood. They also benefit the kidneys and digestive tract.
Healthy Dried Fruit
Dried fruit provides plenty of sustainable energy and is invaluable in a detox regime. Although higher in calories than fresh fruit, dried fruit is a great source of nutrients, unlike chocolate and sweets. Whenever buying dried fruit, look for unsulphured fruit, especially if you suffer from asthma. Choose from dried Hunza apricots, figs, dates, raisins, apples, pears, and peaches. Alternatively, you could opt for some more exotic fruits, such as pineapples, mangoes, and papayas. These add tasty variety to your diet.
Perfect Snacks
Perfect for snacks, dried fruit provides all the essential nutrients in a compact form. A blend of soft fruits and milk or yogurt, smoothies offer a tasty alternative to eating fruit. Their vitamin content makes them ideal detoxifiers. In addition, summer smoothies can be partially frozen for a cool treat.
Banana and Mango Smoothie
What You Need:
- 125g/4oz banana
- 125g/4%oz mango
- 120ml/4fl oz/%cup yogurt or milk
Peel and chop the banana and mango into large chunks. Place the fruit in a food processor or blender with the yogurt or milk. Process for 1-2 minutes, until smooth and creamy, and pour into a large glass. Add a sprig of mint for a tasty bite. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices play a vital role in detoxing- they stimulate the whole system and encourage the elimination of toxins. Drink juices fresh, as processing reduces nutritional values.
Mango with Marsala cream
You can use pomegranates, which are only available in the winter months, but they do add a wonderful splash of color. This is a great alternative dessert for Christmas if your guests don’t want a traditional pudding.
- Ripe mango x 1
- Papaya x 1
- Pomegranate halved
- 150ml double cream
- 1 tbsp Marsala/sweet sherry
- 1 tbsp icing sugar
- 4 cantuccini biscuits
- Peel and remove the stone from the mango and cut the flesh into thin slices. Peel the papaya, cut in half, scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh into slices.
- Arrange the fruit on the plate. Scoop out the seeds from the pomegranate and sprinkle them over the slices.
- Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Fold in the sweet wine and the icing sugar. If you want to prepare the dish ahead of time, chill for 1 hour at this stage.
- Add a few spoons of the cream to each plate and serve with the cantuccini biscuits.
Purple Pep
Purple Pep, an antioxidant powerhouse, and tangy and cleansing Citrus Shake. For a healthy dose of antioxidants, try this rich, colorful juice.
- 3 carrots
- 115g/4 oz beetroot (beet)
- 30g/1 oz baby spinach
- 2 celery sticks
Scrub and trim the carrots, then cut the beetroot into large chunks. Juice all the vegetables in a juice extractor, then pour into a glass and drink immediately.
Citrus Shake
This refreshing juice gently boosts the immune system.
- 1 pink grapefruit
- 1 blood orange
- 30ml/2 tbsp lemon juice
Peel the grapefruit and orange and cut into rough segments. Juice the fruit, then stir in the lemon juice.
Juicing Tips
Drunk in the morning, fruit juices are useful for scouring waste products from the digestive tract. Vegetable juices are best drunk in the afternoon, as they re-establish the body’s acid and alkaline balance, giving a rejuvenating effect. Do not drink fresh juices if you suffer from health problems such as candida, diabetes or bowel disorders.
