Four health boosting smoothies to start the New Year right, as recommended by The Cotswold Grocer

After all of that turkey, stuffing, chocolates and merriment over the festive season, many of us are looking for a health boost once the New Year kicks in.

Fruit and veg smoothies have become the go to drink of choice for many of us looking for some to consume that’s quick and healthy.

Whether you need a grab-and-go breakfast, or crave something to help get you through that run or gym session, a smoothie can certainly provide that welcome boost.

With that in mind, Jack Knight, of The Cotswold Grocer, has pulled together this blog post detailing health-boosting smoothies you can make easily at home with a blender.

All of the fruit and veg mentioned can be bought at The Cotswold Grocer at Five Valleys shopping centre in Stroud.

Strawberry and avocado

This low in calorie, but high in calcium smoothie would make a perfect breakfast-on-the-go drink to keep you going throughout the whole morning.

Ingredients

• ½ avocado, stoned, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 tbsp of low-fat natural yogurt
• 200ml semi-skimmed milk
• 150g strawberry halved
• Lemon or lime juice, to taste
• Honey, to taste

Vitamin booster

Many of us now take a multivitamin tablet in a morning to help give us that extra get up and go. This smoothie does all of that – but is also a delicious drink in its own right.

This one strikes the perfect balance between fruit and veg, combining carrot, celery, mango and orange. The veg provides the fibre boost, while the fruit gives you that sweet taste.

Ingredients

• 1 orange, peeled and roughly chopped
• 50g of mango, roughly chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 sticks of celery, roughly chopped
• 200ml water

Dragon fruit

Bright pink and creamy, this striking-looking smoothie is jam-packed with nourishing ingredients to give you that much needed, first thing in the morning.

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced, frozen dragon fruit
• 1 frozen banana, broken into pieces
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk, or milk of choice
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• ½ cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• juice of one lemon

Kale smoothie

This vegan, green smoothie should give you a dose of the all-important Vitamin C, which can help boost your immunity and helps to reduce iron deficiency.

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls kale
• ½ avocado
• large handful pineapple chunks
• medium-sized chunk ginger
• 1 tbsp cashew nuts
• ½ lime, juice only
• 1 banana, optional

For more information, visit The Cotswold Grocer.

Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, and Sunday, 11am to 3pm.