Cruciferous greens in smoothies

(Reader Q) Hi Kristine, I am new to green smoothies and have just bought your book. I have been advised to have a daily smoothie with broccoli, kale, cabbage and cucumber for hormonal support (I am 51). I am concerned and confused after reading your chapter describing toxins and the need to rotate greens. Do you have any advice as to how regularly I can have these ingredients? I am already feeling better and would like to get into smoothies in a big way, but now a bit scared. Would love your advice

Great question! It would be more of an issue if you only used kale for instance, as the build-up of secondary metabolites may become problematic. Your Dr has listed 5 to take which is reasonable variety but what I would suggest is that you don't use the exact mix daily. Vary your combinations from just using one to some of them to all at once and add

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some others in there too. The crucifer family is broad and all have the hormonal influence you are after. Others include bok choy, turnip and radish leaves, rocket, watercress, and collards. 

The use of cruciferous greens in smoothies can have quite a strong taste so mixing with milder greens will help tone it down and help with variety. You will need sweet fruit blended with it to make it palatable and a dash of vanilla can help to. Bok choy, young radish tops and Chinese cabbage however are mild tasting and would be good to begin with if you haven't had green smoothies before. Start with a small amount and increase as tolerated over the coming weeks. I do suggest blending in a smoothie over juicing so you get the fibre benefits too. 

Be aware that raw crucifers should be avoided with underactive thyroid conditions as they interfere with uptake of iodine, essential for thyroid function. If they are well cooked, they are safe to consume.