I don’t know about you – but even as a Functional Medicine MD, I still have hard time getting my kids to gobble down loads of veggies every day.
Sometimes its related to the texture and taste of the vegetable at hand, and sometimes it’s just my kids’ way of standing their ground! Of course, as a mom, I try to pack in fresh vegetables into my family’s diet any way I can.
And one veggie that always wins is the cucumber.
Cucumbers have become a staple in our family – because everyone looooves them.
And it turns out that they are amazing for your health.
Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as watermelon, pumpkin, and squash (the Cucurbitaceae family). Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means that they can help keep you hydrated.
Besides their incredible hydrating power, cucumbers are chock-full of vitamin K, B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese.
Cucumbers also contain unique polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases like cancer, and heart disease. They also are great for supporting your digestion.
Cucumber Detox Smoothie
This is a delicious smoothie that can also double as a calorie friendly snack. Cucumber is high in water content which helps to hydrate. Coconut milk contains anti-inflammatory fats that sooth and fill you up at the same time.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup kale
- 1/2 large cucumber, peeled
- 1 ripe pear or apple, quartered, cored
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- ½ cold cup green tea (I like this one with a little mint and lemon verbena)
- 1/3 cup hemp, pistachios, or pumpkin seeds
- 8 ice cubes
Directions:
Place the kale, cucumber, pear or apple, coconut milk, green tea, seeds, ½ cup of water, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth and divide into two glasses. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Stats Per Serving (2 1/2 cups): 310 calories, 8 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates, 3 g sugars, 24 g fat (12 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 28 mg sodium.
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