We’ve all been there. Your morning alarm has gone off 5 times, and all you have managed to do is summon up the energy to hit that snooze button.
Start your day right with a smoothie
Your healthy breakfast has gone out of the window.
But that pre-made smoothie mix you’ve prepared and stuck in the freezer is ready to blend and take with you on the go!
Hurray for smoothies.
Is it okay to have a smoothie for breakfast?
That depends on what you choose to put inside the smoothie. A good smoothie recipe should be low in sugar and high in protein, fiber, and other ingredients that keep you feeling fuller for longer.
So if your smoothie is packed full of fruit, you may find that you are consuming too many sugars. Try to mix it up with some leafy green vegetables, like kale or spinach.
Ultimately, if you are one of those people who are repulsed by fresh fruit and veg (we don’t judge!), then this is the perfect way to get your necessary intake of nutrients and vitamins. And if you are also always in a rush in the mornings (like us too!), then you’ll find smoothies are the perfect breakfast for you!
- Just be careful not to snack on loads of unhealthy junk food throughout the day, because most smoothies won’t keep you full for long. Make sure to eat a larger lunch full of healthy whole foods and carbs.
What ingredients should I be putting in my smoothies?
a. Vegetables
Think green!!!
Blending raw leafy greens is much better for you than blending solely fruit or the more starchy vegetables. For instance, carrot juice is surprisingly high in sugar – 1 cup of carrot juice contains approximately 9 grams of sugar – wow!
Leafy greens are full of iron, which makes them the perfect base for your smoothies.
b. Fruits
We recommend blending your leafy greens in with some fruit to disguise that savory ‘healthy’ taste.
Although – pre-warning – you probably won’t be able to disguise that lovely green color…
c. Plant Milk
For the liquid, we love using plant milk like almond or oat milk. They help to make your smoothie super creamy and ensure you get that extra boost of vitamins and nutrients with their fortified ingredients.
You can also use coconut milk if you like tropical flavors, but do be wary of the extra calories this will add!
d. Nut Butters
Nut butter isn’t just tasty; they are also full of healthy fats and vitamins. Just make sure not to overdo it, unless you are feeling a little glum. In which case, go on, lick that spoon.
They help to bulk out your smoothie and add to the flavor. We recommend matching your favorite nut butter with banana and cacao, and tada! You have a healthy choc milkshake.
e. Protein Powders
Are you a bit of a fitness fanatic? Then we are sure you’ll love adding protein into your food wherever possible!
Smoothies and protein powders go hand in hand. They blend nicely together and give you that extra protein hit, perfect for pre- and post-workouts.
Bonus: if you have nice flavored protein powder, you can hide extra greens inside that smoothie!
f. Grains
Want your smoothie to keep you sustained until lunch? We recommend blitzing in some grains (like oats or quinoa flakes). Not only will it add extra fiber, but you will also have a more filling smoothie blend, which helps with those pesky late morning hunger pangs.
Are there any other benefits of drinking a smoothie?
With the right blend of ingredients, your smoothie could provide you with the necessary energy to get yourself up and out first thing in the morning.
If you are particularly slow in the mornings, try blending in your favorite coffee into your morning smoothie to help give you that extra boost.
As long as you are careful, you can also introduce smoothies into your diet to help aid weight loss. But make sure not to starve yourself. Solid foods are always preferable!
Our Favourite Smoothie Recipe
-Tropical Cake Batter Smoothie:
Yields approx. One smoothie – Great for a meal replacement or post-workout snack!
Ingredients
- 8 oz almond milk
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup chopped frozen mango
- ½ cup chopped frozen pineapple
- 1 chopped frozen zucchini
Method
- Rinse the frozen fruit with warm water to help with blending.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
- Add water or more almond milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Overall, smoothies are perfect for workouts, for those who are constantly on the go, and for people looking for a tasty way to consume their daily fruit and veg requirements.
