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Recipes starting with G

Green Smoothies
  • Time: Under 10 minutes
  • Complexity: easy

Green Smoothies

From our Food as Medicine Collection. Green smoothies, when made right, can bolster your nutrition and really help you heal from surgery. Often things like itching, open spots and slow recovery are greatly improved by adding greens to your diet. We've proved it over and over since 2000, and we have several combinations that work great.

But because people use food as medicine without thinking much about it, it's important to know that you need to be mindful of your herb and supplement use prior to and right after surgery. These are often best used a couple weeks after surgery. 

Some herbs, like fresh parsley used in large amounts, and other over the counter herbal supplements can decrease your clotting ability, increasing your risk of bleeding. Some people with Vit K restrictions due to certain conditions and prescriptions or even diabetes are told to watch their herb and green intake. If you're in this category, be certain to talk to the doctor that oversees these issues for you directly about how and when, or even if you can include things like added herbs and greens in your diet. 

For everyone, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recommend discontinuing all dietary supplements and herbs at least two weeks prior to surgery. Additionally, you should ask your doctor or surgeon when you can add something like a parsley, supplements or green smoothies back into your diet. 

So, now you're far enough post op to jump into a green smoothie. Great! What you need to know what's not in them is just as important as what is. 

The things that are not in our green smoothies, and for a reason, are protein powders, bananas, grapes, melon, yogurt, nuts or milk of any type. When combined, these can bog your digestion and spike your blood sugar - none of which will aid your healing, and in fact, can worsen your recovery and probably leave you bloated and feeling awful. Which is the exact opposite effect you're going for with a green smoothie for recovery.