Earlier this year I spent some time with a few friends who were very into drinking green smoothies. I used to make green smoothies several years ago when I was a vegan, but quit drinking them when I transitioned into eating a traditional-whole foods diet.
I was 2 months pregnant and thought it might be a good idea to start drinking the green smoothies again. I didn’t enjoy them much, but I thought for sure I was eating a ton of nutrients that would benefit my baby and I. Or so I thought…
After a few weeks of drinking the smoothies I realized they weren’t as nutrient dense as I thought they were. And to boot, the green veggies I was using in my smoothies (spinach & kale), are not veggies one should eat raw very often. Spinach contains high amounts of oxalates. If eaten often, you may find yourself with kidney stones!
Virtually everybody who eats a large spinach salad every day is going to succumb to kidney stones. I’ve tested them over and over again and the people who have the highest oxalate values invariably tell me that a cornerstone of their daily diet is a large spinach salad. If they add nuts to their salad and textured soy protein, both of which are very high in oxalates, you’ve got a cocktail made to produce kidney stones. Spinach is so high I would not recommend eating it even cooked, as a main course. [Source]
Kale is a cruciferous vegetable, and like other cruciferous veggies (cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens), it should always be cooked or fermented before consuming. [Source]
So I gave up the green smoothies and continued to follow the diet recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers by the Weston A. Price foundation. The two foods I have the most difficult time consuming on the diet are fish roe and liver. Both are extremely nutrient dense, but they taste awful (to me anyway). Last year I started making my own dessicated liver capsules, which is the easiest way for me to consume liver. I now just eat the dessicated liver off the spoon and wash it down with a glass of water. I’ve also found a way to consume the roe easily! I started making a smoothie with raw milk, egg yolks, fruit and raw frozen salmon roe!
Fish eggs from a wild salmon my husband caught off the Oregon coast this year
Fish roe or fish eggs have been a sacred food across the globe since ancient times. In his writings, Dr. Price detailed the great lengths the natives of the Andes went to carry dried fish roe from sea level back to their villages high in the mountains—sometimes hundreds of miles—to supply those of childbearing age with the nutrients needed to make the healthiest of babies. These nutrient- dense eggs are rich in vitamins A, D, and K2 (Activator X) along with zinc, iodine, and the brainbuilding fatty acid DHA, making them a powerful superfood for babies and adults alike. According to a recent WAPF-funded analysis by UBE Laboratories, fish eggs contain 17,000 IU vitamin D per tablespoon! [Source]
My Pregnancy Superfood Smoothie: Raw Milk, Egg Yolks, Salmon Roe & Banana
Not only does this smoothie taste better than the green smoothie I had been making a few months ago, but it’s also quite a bit more nutrient dense!
Green Smoothie: 1 Cup Spinahc, 1 Cup Kale, 1 Banana & Water1 Cup Raw Milk, 2 Egg Yolks, 1 TBS Salmon Roe, 1 Banana, 1 Tsp Dessicated Liver, 1 Tbs Gelatin, 1 Tsp Acerola Powder
Where do you get your fish roe? When you’re husband doesn’t catch any I mean (such a cool pic, I had no idea that’s how roe looks “wild!”) Also, did you use a website to make that handy nutrient chart? I love that kind of stuff!
I am four months pregnant and really like the idea of this smoothie. Quick question, do you do anything to prepare the salmon roe? Is it raw? I thought it might be but wanted to check. I have access to salmon roe at a fisherman’s market nearby but didn’t know if I can just take it frozen and add it or if I need to do some prep.
Wow! Thank you for this infornation. Dave and I have been drinking the traditional green smoothies every other morning for almost a year but after your information I’m definately switching! What makes your smoothie green if there isnt any spinach or kale? also what is acerola powder?
Thank you!
You could use romaine or other green veggies if you wanted to. I would just eat a salad and make a fruit smoothie instead of the green smoothie :). Acerola powder is a superfood recommended in Nourishing Traditions. Its a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
I’ve pulled together all the products and resources that I love and use most in my home. Everything from coconut products, to baking ingredients, natural beauty products, and favorite e-books.
Why wouldn’t you just blanch then freeze your spinach and then add it to your smoothie?
Wait, how does it taste?
I was looking for an easier way to eat salmon roe for me and my little ones…thank you this was delicious!
Where do you get your fish roe? When you’re husband doesn’t catch any I mean (such a cool pic, I had no idea that’s how roe looks “wild!”) Also, did you use a website to make that handy nutrient chart? I love that kind of stuff!
I order it online through vital choice. I made the chart on fitday.com and took a screenshoot. 🙂
Hey!! I live in Hawaii and raw milk is nearly impossible to find. Would this work with coconut milk?
Yes! Coconut milk works too. 🙂
Hey Coconut Mama,
I am four months pregnant and really like the idea of this smoothie. Quick question, do you do anything to prepare the salmon roe? Is it raw? I thought it might be but wanted to check. I have access to salmon roe at a fisherman’s market nearby but didn’t know if I can just take it frozen and add it or if I need to do some prep.
Thanks!
Jackie
Hi Jackie! I use frozen raw roe. No prep necessary 🙂
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. This was very interesting! Hope to see you next week!
Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/12/fat-tuesday-december-6-2011/
And there’s no fishy taste in the smoothie from the roe? I would love to add roe to my diet. I’ve tried before but can’t stand the taste.
If I add more than a tablespoon, then I can start to taste the roe. I’ve done that a few times and it was easily fixed by adding more frozen fruit 🙂
What happened to the coconut milk smoothie recipe?
Wow! Thank you for this infornation. Dave and I have been drinking the traditional green smoothies every other morning for almost a year but after your information I’m definately switching! What makes your smoothie green if there isnt any spinach or kale? also what is acerola powder?
Thank you!
You could use romaine or other green veggies if you wanted to. I would just eat a salad and make a fruit smoothie instead of the green smoothie :). Acerola powder is a superfood recommended in Nourishing Traditions. Its a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
oh my goodness this sounds so yummy! and good for you too. thanks for the info 😀