blackforest breakfast smoothie with omega 3

Make way for chocolate and cherries in the morning, blended with linseeds for that Omega 3 boost.

My fabulous sister gave me ‘The Superfood Bible’ for Christmas, and I have absolutely loved reading it.  One of the most unsung heros is the little linseed, also known as the flax seed.  Undoubtedly chia seeds have grown in popularity recently, but linseeds have a very similar nutritional profile, at a lower cost. They are also a great source of dietary fibre – most of the Western population struggles to achieve the recommended 15-24g per day.

Linseeds are one of the best sources of Omega 3 oils, with just 15g (2 tablespoons) of ground seeds yielding as much Omega 3 as an adult portion of salmon.   Omega 3 is known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties, and the lignans in the linseeds give them an excellent anti-ageing profile.  Ensure you grind them before eating to access the nutrients inside. It is also important to keep ground linseeds in the fridge once opened, otherwise the oils quickly turn rancid and degrade.

So here is a really easy recipe to start off your day. With cherries providing a boost of anti-oxidants and quercetin to help prevent cancer; bananas containing prebiotics, potassium and vitamin B6; and our little anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory linseeds – good nutrition has never tasting this amazing!  And don’t worry, you won’t taste the avocado, it adds essential fatty acids and protein, and a lovely smoothness.  This is a nod to my favourite on the 1980’s dessert trolley, the blackforest gateaux, but oh so much better for you!