I’m a huge fan of starting my day off with a smoothie, as is the rest of my family. It’s an excellent way to consume a boat load of nutrients in a drink that is simply delicious. Having said that, I am guilty of sticking to my reliable, same-ol’ same ol’ banana berry protein smoothie–not that there’s anything wrong with it, but it is a good idea to switch things up now and then, to make sure your body is getting a rotation of nutrients it needs.

There are no shortage of smoothie recipes floating around, but I’m sharing this one for it’s bloat-fighting properties. So many women near my age find their digestion issues are either becoming a more regular thing, or were already regular and are getting worse. The ingredients have been carefully chosen because of the nutrients and bloat-busting qualities they offer:

• Mango: contains the digestive enzyme amalyse which helps with carbohydrate digestion. It’s also rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C and phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immuno-supportive properties
• Pineapple: contains bromelain, another digestion enzyme that also provides anti-inflammatory protection to the body. Bromelain has even been shown to reduce tissue irritation and therefore is used in anti-aging programs–SCORE!
• Cucumber: with 96% water, cucumbers are a great addition to a bloat fighting smoothie. They also contain phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory, immuno-supportive and antioxidant benefits.
• Kale: is a superfood I add to all of my smoothies! It’s an excellent source of calcium and is full of anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and immuno-supportive phytonutrients.
• Mint: we’ve all reached for an after dinner mint, or had peppermint tea to help us get over the I’m-so-full feeling after a heavy meal. There’s a good reason for that: mint helps tone the digestive tract, relaxing the surrounding muscles and promoting the elimination of gas. Look out!
• Flax seeds: are an excellent nutrient-dense addition to any smoothie. They’re a  great source of fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids, both of which help reduce bloating. An added bonus of flax is that they’re a great source of fiber that will keep you feeling satisfied longer–less snacking!
• Coconut water: is super hydrating with natrual electrolytes and also contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, with few calories. (I love to add coconut water to smoothies because it masks the taste that I’m not crazy about, while adding so many nutrients.)

You can use fresh or frozen fruit, but I always use frozen for my smoothies–it saves the time and energy spent cutting it up and it’s available any time of year.

Without further adieu, here’s the recipe:

• 1 C frozen mango pieces
• 1 C frozen pineapple pieces
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 1 C kale
• ½ C mint leaves
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 1-1/2 C coconut water (plain water works, too)

Add ingredients to a blender and blend about 1 minute, until smooth. (Makes 2 servings)

If you give this recipe a try, let me know what you think–did it help you beat the bloat? Any other benefits you noticed?