For people with digestive disorders or inflammatory bowel diseases, digestion-friendly smoothies can be incredibly helpful.  It is estimated that between 60 to 70 million people in the U.S. are affected by all digestive diseases.  Often, people are given pharmaceuticals to aid in alleviating these issues.  Though what we eat, can either help or hinder our efforts to regain a healthy gut.  That’s where digestion-friendly smoothies can come in.  They can allow you to get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs in a form that does not over-tax your digestive system.

Here are some digestive friendly tips:

1) Protein powders are often made from whey protein which can disrupt digestion and irritate the stomach and intestines.  Look for gluten-free varieties.  You can also get protein from other sources such as peanut butter or PB powder, kefir or yogurt.

2) Use apple cider instead of apple juice.  Fresh organic varieties are the best and cider does not have the added sugar that apple juice does.

3) Kefir is often more easily digested than yogurt (new to me since researching this) and contains enzymes and strains of good bacteria that are not usually found in yogurt.

4) Easy on the fresh fruits and vegetables.  Some of these can trigger stomach irritation.  Cooked fruit is far easier to digest.  Friendly fruits include bananas, pears, melons, and berries.  Pears and apples are rich in pectin which can be soothing to the digestive system.

Here is my current favorite smoothie recipe:

• 7 ice cubes

• 1 cup almond milk 

• 1 banana

• hand full of spinach

• 1.5 scoops of organic gluten free protein powder (chocolate flavor)

• 1 tsp peanut butter

There are so many more smoothie recipes out there.  All that matters is that you like it and your stomach stays happy! Here’s to more healthy tummy days!