201 Organic Smoothies and Juices for a Healthy Pregnancy: Nutrient-Rich Recipes for Your Pregnancy Diet (12 page)

Although pregnancy is an amazing experience of excitement and anticipation, stress and moodiness can sometimes make it seem unbearable. Calm your nerves while quieting cravings with this delicious combination of watercress, melons, citrus, and ginger.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

¹
⁄
₂
cantaloupe, rind and seeds removed

¹
⁄
₂
honeydew, rind and seeds removed

1 tangerine, peeled

¹
⁄
₂
" ginger, peeled

1 cup red raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, cantaloupe, honeydew, tangerine, and ginger in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

Good for fighting infections during pregnancy

The discomforts of pregnancy aren’t limited to nausea. Bacterial infections resulting from hormonal fluctuations can be worsened by diet and can lead to discomfort. Fortunately, the cabbage, broccoli, and celery found in this recipe are rich in vitamin C that helps combat infections and will keep you feeling great for all three trimesters!

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup cabbage

¹
⁄
₂
cup broccoli

¹
⁄
₂
cup cauliflower

1 stalk celery

2 cups caffeine-free raspberry tea

1. Combine cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and 1 cup of tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining 1 cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

Good for strengthening your immune system

Protect your body and your baby from illness by packing in the vitamin C found in the oranges, pineapple, lemon, and lime in this recipe. Not only does this amazing vitamin promote health and immunity, it can alleviate stress and improve mental stability and happiness.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

2 oranges, peeled

¹
⁄
₂
pineapple, peeled and cored

¹
⁄
₂
lemon, peeled

¹
⁄
₂
lime, peeled

1 cup red raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, oranges, pineapple, lemon, and lime in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

Forget all of the nay-sayers who call pregnancy moodiness “crazy.” Forty weeks is a long time, and the hormone fluctuations you’re experiencing don’t necessarily help you maintain a cool, calm, and collected composure all the time. Indulging in this delicious treat will lift your mood with its pack of vitamins C, A, and K; calcium; and the B-complex group. Preventing vitamin deficiencies is the most effective way to balance the possible symptoms from your hormone fluctuations during pregnancy.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

¹
⁄
₂
cantaloupe, rind and seeds removed

¹
⁄
₂
lemon, peeled

¹
⁄
₂
" ginger, peeled

1
¹
⁄
₂
cups caffeine-free raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, cantaloupe, lemon, ginger, and
   ³
   ⁄
   ₄
   cup of the tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining
   ³
   ⁄
   ₄
   cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

NUTRITION FOR STABILITY

Creating life requires a lot of energy, and because your growing baby is depending on you for vitamins and minerals, deficiencies can leave you fatigued. Provide your body with all of the necessary nutrients to prevent common symptoms associated with deficiencies. You can improve your pregnancy experience with a diet rich in leafy greens and vibrant fruits and veggies.

Pregnancy is an opportunity to give your body the pristine treatment it deserves. Treat yourself to this delicious smoothie throughout your nine months and savor the feeling of optimal health that you’ll get from the drinking down a glass full of vitamins C and A, and calcium. It’s good health at its most delicious!

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

2 red Gala apples, peeled and cored

1 cup cranberries

¹
⁄
₄
" ginger, peeled

2 cups caffeine-free raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, apples, cranberries, ginger, and 1 cup of tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining 1 cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

PAMPER YOURSELF

Whether this is your first pregnancy or the next in a long line of lovable little ones, your pregnancy is a time that requires special attention. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can leave you run down and overwhelmed, and being pregnant can add to exhaustion and lack of focus on yourself. Take the time to spend quiet and quality time on yourself without distraction or stress. Meditation, light exercise, and quality nutrition can be the keys to a pampered pregnancy and provide happiness for all!

Good for your baby’s bones and development

The benefits of iron are outstanding, and are even greater in pregnancy. Satisfy your nutritional needs and daily requirements—and help your baby-to-be grow and develop—with this smoothie recipe that combines iron-packed spinach with sweet red peppers, vitamin-packed broccoli, and spicy garlic that will keep energy flowing to all of your cells.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup spinach

¹
⁄
₂
red bell pepper, cored, ribs intact

¹
⁄
₂
cup broccoli spears

1 clove garlic

2 cups caffeine-free red raspberry tea

1. Combine spinach, red pepper, broccoli, garlic, and 1 cup of tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining 1 cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

This delicious smoothie recipe combines sweet fruits and luscious watercress with the zing of ginger to provide an abundance of important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, K, and B complex, for your pregnancy. It will also sweeten your day—and what’s better than that?

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup watercress

¹
⁄
₂
mango, peeled and deseeded

¹
⁄
₂
pineapple, peeled and cored

2 tangerines, peeled

¹
⁄
₄
" ginger, peeled

1 cup red raspberry tea

1. Combine watercress, mango, pineapple, tangerines, ginger, and
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   cup of tea in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   cup of tea as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.
   

MAKE CALORIES COUNT IN PREGNANCY

Although many women strive for complete nutrition while also appreciating the increase in caloric requirements suggested in pregnancy, some fear excess troublesome weight gain. In order to ensure that your nutrition and your weight gain are ideal for your pregnancy, make every calorie count! Empty-calorie foods like fried foods and sugary treats deliver empty nutrition for your body and your baby, and lead to excessive sodium, sugar, and fat intake, which will result in stubborn post-baby pounds.

Helps boost energy levels

The blend of berries, melon, and vanilla found in this smoothie downplays the subtle taste of spinach, creating a deliciously sweet and tart smoothie that provides vitamins A, C, and K; magnesium; iron; and phytonutrients—plant components that protect your body from damage—and gives your cells a boost! In addition, the kefir provides protein to help you sustain those increased energy levels.

YIELDS: 3–4 CUPS

1 cup spinach

2 cups cranberries

1 cup cantaloupe, rind and seeds removed

Pulp of
¹
⁄
₂
vanilla bean

1 cup kefir

1. Combine spinach, cranberries, cantaloupe, vanilla pulp, and
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   cup kefir in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined.
   
2. Add remaining
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   cup of kefir as needed while blending until desired consistency is achieved.