In addition to delicate, sweet persimmon and rich, nutty butternut squash, this autumn smoothie contains a mix of spices and maple syrup sure to conjure cozy memories. And the ingredients list is loaded with foods to improve eyesight, so you’ll be sharp-eyed as you head off to make new ones. Try this utterly delicious Autumnal Persimmon and Squash Smoothie, brimming over with seasonal goodness.
Servings: 1
Ready In: 5 minutes
Ingredients
1 persimmon, cut
1/2 butternut squash, frozen
3/4 cup pumpkin spice almond milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
Instructions
Cut up 1 persimmon and place in your blender or food processor.
Add 1/2 cup of frozen butternut squash.
Pour in 3/4 cup of pumpkin spice almond milk—that’s right, this creamy treat is a completely vegan smoothie!
Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
Finish with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds.
Blend until fully combined.
Health Benefits
Persimmon: though small, this brilliantly orange fruit offers up a wealth of nutrients, including 55% of your daily recommended vitamin A intake. We need vitamin A to convert the light that hits our eyes into electrical signals that our brains translate into images. Night blindness is one of the first signs of a lack of vitamin A.
Butternut squash: another great way to boost your vitamin A intake—one cup contains 350% of your daily intake! Plus, you’ll get a generous dollop of zeaxanthin and lutein, two antioxidants known to protect your eyesight.
Almond milk: is a wonderful source of vitamin E, which can help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Maple syrup: eating too much sugar can increase your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, the top cause of vision loss in the United States. Not only does maple syrup have a lower glycemic index than sugar, but it also contains trace amounts of vision-protective antioxidants.
Cinnamon: some research indicates that this spice can assist with the treatment of eye conditions such as conjunctivitis and dry eye.
Hemp seeds: are rich in numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and vitamin B2, both of which keep your eyes healthy.