If you’re someone who loves smoothies as a healthy and delicious way to start your day or enjoy as a refreshing post-workout snack, then you might want to try including beets in your smoothie routine. Not only are beets packed with essential nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, but they also add a beautiful ruby color to your smoothies that is visually appealing.
However, beets can be a little tricky to add to a smoothie, especially if you’ve never worked with them before. That’s why today, we’re going to show you how to properly prepare and cut beets for smoothies.
Why Include Beets in Your Smoothie?
Before we dive into the cutting process, let’s first talk about why adding beets to your smoothie routine is a good idea.
Beets are great for overall health. They are low in calories but high in fiber, which makes them a perfect choice for weight loss and digestion. They are also high in vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, and vitamin C, which are essential for energy production and immune system support.
Also, beets have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and even lower blood pressure. The natural red pigment found in beets is also beneficial for improving athletic performance, oxygen uptake, and endurance.
Cutting Beets for Smoothies Step by Step
Now that you know why beets are a great addition to your smoothie routine, let’s dive into how you can cut them for easy blending.
Step #1: Wash and Peel Your Beets
The first step in preparing your beets for smoothies is to give them a good wash. Scrub the beets under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, using a vegetable peeler, remove the outer layer of skin from the beet. You can also use a knife if you prefer, just be careful not to cut yourself.
Step #2: Cut Your Beets into Small Pieces
Now that your beets are cleaned and peeled, it’s time to cut them up. To make it easier to blend in your smoothie, it’s best to cut your beets into small, bite-sized pieces. You can chop them into small cubes or thin slices, depending on your preference.
Step #3: Roast or Boil the Beets (optional)
You can use raw beets in your smoothies, but if you want to make them easier to digest and blend, we recommend roasting or boiling them first. This will soften the beets and bring out their natural sweetness, making them the perfect addition to a smoothie.
To roast beets, preheat your oven to 375°F. Cut your beets into small pieces and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until the beets are tender.
To boil beets, cut them into small pieces and place them in a pot of boiling water. Boil the beets until they are tender, which should take around 20-25 minutes. Drain the water and let the beets cool before using them in your smoothie.
Step #4: Add to Your Smoothie
Now that your beets are cut into small pieces, it’s time to add them to your smoothie. You can mix and match different ingredients to create your own smoothie recipe. Here is an example beet smoothie recipe that you can try:
– 1 small cooked beetroot
– 1 frozen banana
– 1 cup of almond milk
– 1 tbsp honey
– A splash of lemon juice
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and enjoy your delicious and nutritious beet smoothie!
Conclusion
Adding beets to your smoothie routine is an easy and tasty way to boost your nutrient intake and add variety to your daily diet. By following these simple steps on how to cut a beet for a smoothie, you can enjoy all the health benefits that this superfood has to offer. So, go ahead and give it a try today!
Do you have any other tips or tricks for including beets in your smoothies? Let us know in the comments below!
External Link:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-beets#2.-May-Improve-Physical-Performance (Healthline)
FAQ
Is Beet Smoothie good for you?
Beet smoothies are a popular drink that is made from blending beets with other fruits and vegetables. Beets are a root vegetable that is packed with nutrients, which makes it a perfect ingredient for a healthy smoothie. One of the biggest benefits of beet smoothies is that they are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great addition to any healthy diet.
Beets are a great source of folate, which is essential for the growth and development of new cells in the body. In addition to folate, beets are also rich in potassium, magnesium, and iron. These minerals are important for maintaining healthy blood pressure, and they also play a role in keeping your bones and muscles strong.
Another benefit of beet smoothies is that they are high in antioxidants. Beets contain a compound called betalains, which give the vegetable its deep red color. Betalains act as powerful antioxidants, which can help protect your cells against damage caused by free radicals. This can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
In addition to beets, many beet smoothie recipes also include other fruits and vegetables. For example, blueberries are often added to beet smoothies for an extra antioxidant boost. Blueberries are also rich in vitamins C and K, which are important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and bones.
Beet smoothies are a great addition to a healthy diet. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants. Additionally, they can be a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy the many health benefits of beets and other fruits and vegetables.
Is it better to juice or blend beets?
Beets are healthy root vegetables that are great for consumption either through juicing or blending. Both methods are excellent ways to extract the essential nutrients from beets, but there are some significant differences between the two methods. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of each method.
Juicing is an extraction method that separates the juice from the fiber of the vegetable, producing a very nutrient-dense beverage in a smaller amount of liquid. The process of juicing removes indigestible fiber, which helps to make the nutrients more bioavailable to the body. This means that juicing allows you to consume a lot of nutrients in a concentrated form.
For example, one pound of beets in juice form may give you a variety of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, and C, iron, beta-carotene, and calcium. This is because the body can more easily digest and absorb these nutrients from juice than in its raw form. When juicing, it’s important to note that the portion size of juice should be smaller than a blended beverage. Otherwise, you can get many calories from sugar in that cup of juice.
On the other hand, blending beets involves mixing the entire vegetable with water, milk, or other liquids to produce a smoothie. Blended beverages still contain all of the fiber, making them much thicker than juices. Fiber slows digestion down and helps you feel full, resulting in longer-lasting energy over the day. Though blending doesn’t provide the same concentration of nutrients as the juicing process, it is an excellent way to sneak in some extra fiber into your diet.
The downside of blending is that the fiber contains sugar that can be difficult to digest for some people. This can result in bloating, gas, and other digestive issues for some people. However, this can be reduced by blending beets with low-sugar foods such as carrots, kale, or cucumber.
Both juicing and blending have their advantages and disadvantages. However, juicing is the process that provides a more nutrient-dense beverage for people who need a low-fiber diet. Blending, on the other hand, provides more fiber, making it an excellent way to improve your digestion and feel satisfied throughout the day. What’s more important is that you choose the method based on your goal and body’s need.
Can I blend beets with skin?
Yes, you can blend beets with the skin on, and it is actually recommended to do so as the skin is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants that offer numerous health benefits. However, it is essential to wash the beets thoroughly before blending to remove any dirt or debris that may be on the skin.
Beet skins are a good source of fiber, which can help improve digestive health, lower cholesterol levels, and regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, the skin contains betalains, which are powerful antioxidants that can help protect your body against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.
To blend beets with the skin on, first, wash the beets thoroughly with running water and a scrub brush to remove any dirt or debris. Next, cut the beets into small pieces and add them to your blender with any other ingredients of your choice, such as fruits or vegetables. You can also add water or a liquid of your choice to help the blending process.
Once everything is in the blender, blend the mixture until smooth. Depending on the strength of your blender, you may need to add more liquid to achieve the desired consistency. Once done, you can strain the mixture if desired to remove any chunks or solids.
Blending beets with the skin on is a great way to take advantage of all the nutrients and antioxidants they have to offer. Make sure to wash the beets thoroughly before blending and add other ingredients as desired to create a delicious and healthy beverage.
