Over here with my Superfood Matcha Latte celebrating National Nutrition Month! March is my favorite month not only because of my birthday (hello 28) and the start of spring, but it’s a month when nutrition is celebrated and in the spotlight in the health and wellness community. I am so proud to be a part of such a strong and empowering community! Don’t forget to hug a dietitian on National Registered Dietitian day Wednesday March 14th!
In honor of NNM, I challenge you to try a new food, set a new goal, add a new healthy habit, or shake up your status quo in a new way this month!
MATCHA LOVE
One way to create a new healthy habit is to add this Superfood Matcha Latte to your morning routine! Matcha is a concentrated green tea leaf powder with a strong antioxidant punch. Matcha green tea leaves are covered with shade 20-3o days before harvest, creating a boost in chlorophyll production and amino acid content. Once harvested, the stems are removed and the leaves are ground to create matcha powder.
Since the powder contains the entire leaf, there is a higher antioxidant (specifically catechins) and caffeine content compared to steeped green tea. The catechins are up to 137 times greater in matcha compared to regular green tea (1). Boosting your intake of antioxidants with foods such as matcha can help reduce free radical damage and may reduce the risk of disease. The caffeine content of matcha comes in at 35 mg per 1/2 teaspoon, however matcha also contains L-theanine. This amino acid alters the effect of caffeine, helping to prevent a crash later commonly seen with caffeine intake.
Some studies show it is also a protectant of the liver, however more research is needed on this topic.
I hope you enjoy this power packed latte filled with all of my favorite superfoods like turmeric, maca, cinnamon, and a dose of healthy fats from cacao butter!
- 1 tsp. organic matcha powder
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, hemp milk, or organic soy milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp. cacao butter
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. raw honey, or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp. maca powder (I like Terrasoul maca)
- Heat the almond milk in a medium saucepan, about 5 minutes until almost boiling. Avoid boiling the water as this can burn the matcha.
- Let cool about 5 minutes, then add the almond milk and the rest of the ingredients to a high speed blender.
- Blend until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!
- You can sub the cacao butter for coconut butter or coconut manna if you'd like!
