By Layla, MISSION’s Health, Wellness and Nutrition Intern
At Nourish, there is a surplus of supplements that you could be adding your smoothies. One of the best parts of smoothie is the ability to sneak in all different types of nutrients into one snack/meal on the go. Nourish offers multiple additives that can supply you with a large array of benefits.
Chia Seeds and Ground Flax
Chia seeds and flax seeds are two of the most talked about superfoods out there. Their claim to fame usually relates to their fiber content and their omega-3 fatty acid content. Fiber is known for its ability to keep your digestion under control and keep things moving. Adding these to a smoothie is a great way to help you get your added fiber in, because most Americans do not reach the recommended goal of 25 grams a day. Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to be very important for heart health, as well as show positive effects on mental health and brain function. Ground flax is typically easier for our bodies to absorb nutrients from due to the fact they are already broken down.
Pea protein vs. Whey Protein
When choosing a protein powder supplement, there are different things to take into account. They both offer 20 grams of protein and have similar calorie profiles. The most obvious difference between these two is that one is plant-based (pea) and the other is not (whey). Pea protein is typically called a complete protein, which is important for plant-proteins. What this means is that is contains all of the essential amino acids, which helps aid in muscle growth, repair, and recovery. Pea protein is not difficult to digest, it just takes more time, which can keep you feeling full longer than whey. Whey is easy to digest, but is absorbed more quickly, which means you could reap the benefits faster. Both provide adequate protein per gram and benefits to the body. The main difference is one is plant-based and one is not.
All Moondeli products are vegan, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar free. At Nourish, we carry 4 different types.
Blue-Green Protein
The supplement behind the benefits for this product is spirulina. Also found in our Dropkick Murphy smoothie, spirulina is packed with nutrients and many benefits. Spirulina is a type of algae, which is what gives its distinct color. The “protein” comes from its large make up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that assist us in muscle tissue repair and recovery. Adding this supplement to your smoothie after a class can help decrease tomorrow’s soreness, while also providing a plethora of vitamins and minerals. The other ingredient is tocotrienols, which Moondeli describes as a “rice bran soluble”, which contains a healthy dose of Vitamin E and antioxidants. These two benefits can be directly tied to anti-aging properties and a reduction in toxins in the body.
Bliss Booster
What you find in this product is raw cacao, maca, cayenne, cinnamon, and pink salt. The reason it is called Bliss Booster is because cacao and maca are both known for their effects to help increase your mood. Both cacao and maca are available in the Nourish cafe. Raw cacao is the natural form of chocolate, which most of us know to be scientifically shown to have beneficial effects on mood. Maca is known to be beneficial for hormones, which are directly tied to your overall emotions, energy levels, and even your skin. Cayenne is known for being beneficial to our metabolisms and when our bodies are functioning efficiently, we tend to feel better. Pink salt has benefits that relate back to alkaline diets and provide many minerals with also pH balancing characteristics.
Calming Adaptogen
The main ingredient in this Moondeli product is Ashwagandha. Ashwasandha is an herb that is known for its stress-relief ability. This ingredient help supports physical and mental stamina and can benefit the immune system. The other ingredients include ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon, which gives a chai-like blend to the product. Overall, the benefits of this product are include relaxation and detoxification.
Golden Tumeric
This last product brings to the table all the benefits of turmeric, while also containing ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and pink salt. The most substantial benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory property. Inflammation in the body can affect all aspects of your health from digestive health, bone heath, heart health, your immune system, sleep, and much more. Black pepper is said to help the breakdown and utilization of turmeric in the body, while ginger and cardamom provide benefits with detoxing and digestion.
Next time you come by Nourish, find some ways to get more out of your smoothie!
Content of the blog is opinion and not to be considered scientific fact. All readers should consult a medical professional for questions concerning individual medical and dietary needs.
