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How did it take me so long to think about making a carob smoothie? As a half Cypriot, carob is one of my favourite ingredients and I really wonder with myself how I did not think of adding it in a smoothie instead of cacao any sooner, since carob can replace cacao in most recipes. Carob looks like a bean and it has been used as a natural sweetener since the ancient times. It is also known for its healing properties as it is used to prevent and treat dysentery and to relieve indigestion and diarrhoea. The carob may be consumed raw as it is, but most freuently it is found in it powder form, the so called carob flour. As its flavour is sweet and resembles that of chocolate and cacao, it can be put into various recipes as a caacao substitute as it is lower in calories, and it doesn’t contain fat and caffeine.
Regarding the nutritional value of carob, it’s rich in carbohydrates (glucose and sucrose), so it can give immediate energy but also in protein – 100gr contain 5-8gr of protein. It almost contains no fat (0.2-0.6%) and is very rich in fibre. It is very digestible and does not contain gluten, so it’s also suitable for people suffering from celiac disease. In addition, it contains vitamin A, B complex vitamins and trace elements such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper.
The fibre carob contains helps prevent constipation and promotes smooth bowel function. It can also act as an anti-diarrhetic medicine and greatly reduce the symptoms of acute diarrhoea, even in infants. In addition, studies have shown that the consumption of food products enriched in insoluble carob fibre, have beneficial effects in terms of lipid profile and in the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia. This means that it helps to reduce “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and improve heart function. In addition, it has been shown that it helps reduce triglycerides in women as well. We should add that carob also contain polyphenols and antioxidants that help prevent cancer and hyperlipidaemia (source www.mednutrtition.gr)
- Ingredients (for a glass)
- 1 large banana, ideally frozen overnight
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1 spoon of carob
- 1 spoon of almond butter
- 1 glass of almond milk
- 1 spoon of grounded flaxseed (optional)
- Some carob for the end
Preparation
- Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend
- Serve in a tall glass and pour a little carob for extra sweetness