Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been taking the world by a storm. It has attracted acclaim for supposed health benefits ranging from reducing anxiety and inflammation, to improving sleep. As more people discover the substance, testimonials and impressive anecdotal experiences have won over many a sceptic. It looks great on paper, but there is one obstacle which deters some people from trying CBD.
When the oil is taken as a drop on the tongue, CBD has a distinctive – and perhaps unpleasant – flavour. Using the oil in baking, smoothies, or as a garnish, is a great alternative to the deterrent of a lingering taste. Whether you want to take your CBD with breakfast, lunch, or even dessert, we are sure you can come to enjoy a diet with CBD.
When cooking with CBD, you need to make sure you get your star ingredient spot on. To ensure you are reaping all of its rewards, quality is key. Otherwise, you may end up paying a premium price for a product lacking potency. We recommend Royal CBD, an organic oil which flies through the potency test. Royal CBD was voted the #1 CBD oil for anxiety symptom relief by HMHB, so if this is the ailment you wish to tackle it is most certainly a great bet. Once you have selected your oil, you need to make sure you find the right individual dosage for you, to avoid unpleasant side effects.
It is worth taking note of the common side effects to look out for, such as nausea, a dry mouth, and dizziness, and doing your research to ensure CBD will not negatively interact with any medication or existing health conditions you have. With this in mind, we have selected our favourite recipes for cooking with CBD whilst minimising the risk of dosage errors. This means avoiding recipes such as salads with CBD dressings, where you can never be quite sure how much oil is pooled inside that rocket leaf! As cooking with CBD is always liable to lack exact precision, if you have been prescribed medicinal CBD, you should take it as directed by your healthcare provider.
Smoothies for Breakfast
Can you think of a fresher start to the day than with a home made fruit smoothie? We love this as an easy way to get a precise dose of CBD. If you are a NutriBullet fanatic, feel free to use your own favourite smoothie recipes. If you haven’t yet delved into the wonderous world of blended breakfasts, give our two favourites a try!
Green Super Food Smoothie
For your super food smoothie, select your favourite green super foods – we love kale and spinach for ours. A banana adds thickness, and a small handful of cashews or almonds is great for a creamy tasting protein fix. Swirl your CBD oil into full fat coconut or almond milk, and then blend all together for a vibrantly green breakfast drink.
Frozen Berry Smoothie
If you prefer sweet tangy smoothies to the super-green, give this one a go. Use frozen fruits for a thick and chilled smoothie which you can whip up any time of year. Use equal parts frozen fruit and yoghurt, into which your CBD dose can be mixed. A splash of milk and sprinkle of oats will create the perfect texture, or add some flax seeds if you are feeling extra healthy. Whizz in a blender for breakfast perfection!
The best thing about smoothies is their flexibility. With your CBD dose you can toss in whatever blendable fruits, leafy greens or vegetables which you need to use up. It is the perfect eco-friendly way to minimise waste, and provides endless opportunities to experiment with taste.
A Garnish with Lunch
Whether you reuse that blender and whip up your own vegetable soup, or simply heat a lovely can of Heinz classics, CBD oil can make a great soup garnish. Simply drizzle the oil on directly, or to mask that flavour even further, whisk it into cream or coconut milk before dolloping on top.
A Drop in Dessert
Baking with CBD is a great way to get a sweet fix from your supplement, especially if you are really adverse to its taste. Cooking CBD on a direct high heat is not a good idea – not only does it reduce the effectiveness of the oil, but can also smell pretty bad and make it taste super bitter. Baking works a treat, however, so long as you keep it under 320 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of CBD. Recipes such as cookies work well, just add your CBD oil at the same time as you would stir in the vanilla extract. Once baked, store your cookies in a cool, dark, place to make sure your CBD’s active properties last.
