Best Way To Make A Smoothie At Home

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Use Other Fruits To Sweeten A Recipe

Mango Smoothie – Make this way for the BEST MANGO FLAVOR DRINK at home!

If your green smoothie is tasting that bit too plant-based then try sweetening it with more fruit instead. Of course, sugar is still sugar but the fibre in fruit means your body digests it more slowly. As a result, you dont get the sugar rush or GI spike which can cause hunger pangs afterward.

Try incorporating new fruits into your recipes and avoid getting stuck in a rut. Adding a nectarine, strawberries, or pear can add varying levels of sweetness at different times of the year.

Lean Mean Green Machine

If youre looking for a post-workout recovery drink, this smoothie is it. Protein powder helps replenish the energy you burned, sweet banana and kiwi provide potassium and vitamin C, while coconut water helps you rehydrate.

In a blender, add 1 medium banana , 1 kiwi , 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup spinach, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 1/2 cup coconut water. Pulse until creamy and smooth.

Nutrition : 304 calories, 5 g fat, 22 g protein, 47 g carb

Choosing The Right Ingredients

Our standard fruit smoothie recipe starts with a banana or apple and yogurt,but anything you can imagine can work. We’ve made delicious treats with peanutbutter, pineapple, carrots, spinach and kale, and more. We’ve even added celeryto the spinach peargrape smoothie. If you’re going for complete nutrition, adding protein powder tosmoothies puts power in your day without changing the flavor.

You don’t have to break the bank by paying out the nose for little bags ofwashed, chopped, and frozen fruit at the store. Freezingyour own fresh fruit takes less time than you think, and you can make yourown mixture of ingredientsready to dump a little baggie in yourblender!

The amount of ice affects how smooth or chunky your smoothie is .The more ice, generally the chunkier the end result given the same amount ofblending time. Too much ice or too much frozen fruit and you’ll end up with asorbetdelicious, but harder to drink through a straw.

For a very healthy, low-calorie smoothie load up with flavorful fruits and cut down on high calorie ingredients. Punchup your drink with spices, herbs, and other low-calorie flavors. Remember thata smoothie packed full of leafy greens will keep you full too without blowingyour calorie budget.

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Add A Little Nut Butter

If youre wondering how to make your smoothie sweeter, then adding nut butter is a great option. Almond or peanut butter are our absolute favourites but there are lots of different flavour combos now available.

As with protein powder, youll need to check the ingredients list to ensure youre not adding additional sugar too. There are lots of pure butters that dont contain anything except nuts which make tasty smoothie sweeteners. But youll need to check as many of the standard supermarket brands are positively unhealthy so best avoided.

What Do I Need For Your Mixed Berry Smoothie Recipe

The Best Blenders for Making Smoothies

In all likelihood, you already have everything you need in your kitchen! Youll need:

  • Frozen bananas. The banana will up the fruity flavor, while also adding sweetness and creaminess.
  • Frozen berries. You can use whatever frozen berries that make you happystrawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a mix! If you head to the frozen fruit section at your local grocery store, youll probably spy a few bags of mixed berries. These are my favorite for this smoothie!
  • Milk. Any kind of milk will workcows milk, soy milk, coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk. Whatever you have!
  • Plain Greek yogurt. Not only does yogurt make the smoothie even creamier, but it also gives it a boost of protein, so you arent hungry again 30 minutes after finishing your drink.
  • Honey or maple syrup. You may or may not need this one, depending on how ripe your banana is.

Also Check: Belly Fat Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes

How Do I Make Smoothies If I Dont Like Bananas

Lucky for you, we have an entire post of recipes to make a smoothie without banana. Try those recipes, or tweak any of the recipes below by:

  • Subbing in 1/2 cup additional plain Greek yogurt , plus 1 tablespoon additional sweetener and a handful of ice cubes in place of the frozen banana in these recipes.
  • Other options: canned pineapple, sweetened yogurt, canned pears. Adding half a ripe avocado can really help make up for the creaminess that bananas usually add, too.

What Kind Of Liquid Should I Use In Smoothies

This is perhaps the most flexible and cost-saving area. Ive used all these ingredients in smoothies with great success. Each has its own unique flavor, so find one that works for you.

  • Vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurt and water
  • Greek yogurt and water
  • Coconut milk
  • Cashew milk
  • If you have a high powered blender, try using just a tablespoon of raw nuts and water. It will make a sort of nut milk while you blend. I use this method because its extremely frugal.

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Creamy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Part of the struggle with trying to lose weight and create healthier habits is the struggle of having to give up some of your favorite foods, like chocolate. Say no more. This chocolate mint smoothie is the perfect blend of protein and chocolate to satisfy your cravings for good! Why avoid what you love when you can indulge the healthy way?

Keeping The Ingredients Minimal But Flavourful

How to make a Banana Smoothie THAT ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD | With my Ninja Blender

My biggest piece of advice is to keep it simple!

Pick 1-3 fruits to add, maybe a leafy green such as spinach and then your liquid and protein source. That’s it!

Don’t make it harder on yourself by going out and spending all this money on fish oil, fresh turmeric, etc and then have a smoothie where you don’t enjoy the taste very much or you’ve spent $100 on ingredients and have turned it into a complicated process. Sometimes the healthiest foods are the simplest foods.

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How To Make Epic Smoothies At Home

Set up your kitchen for making the best healthy smoothiesfrom choosing the right blender to stocking your kitchen with healthy ingredients for homemade smoothies.

Smoothies are refreshing and delicious. And most of the time, they’re also super-healthy. The best way to guarantee you’re drinking a healthy smoothie and not a milkshake in disguise is to make them at home. Not only do you get to control the ingredients, but also the cost is lower . Whether your goal is to eat breakfast more often, get some fruit and vegetable servings in the morning or eat healthier in general, this guide to making smoothies at home will help get you there.

Can I Have Honey In Smoothies

Some people think that honey in smoothies is a healthy alternative to granulated sugar. After all, its a natural product, right? But the evidence on this is pretty mixed so its hard to say one way or another.

Although honey occurs naturally in nature, this doesnt automatically make it a healthy addition to your smoothie. Its pure, unrefined sugar and still causes an immediate spike in your blood sugar.

It doesnt contain fibre like fruit does, so will hit your system pretty fast. Honey also isnt an option for vegans and we know many of our readers follow a plant-based diet.

You can also sweeten a smoothie with maple syrup or agave nectar but we dont recommend adding either. This is because theyre all forms of added sugar and dont provide your body with much nutritional value. It really doesnt need syrups what it needs is the vitamins, minerals, and fibre found in fresh fruit and veg.

Some people put stevia in smoothies to add some extra sweetness. Were not big fans and have found that it can sometimes taste bitter. So, wed suggest that youre better off going with one of our 7 alternative ideas.

Also Check: Pineapple And Banana Smoothie For Weight Loss

How To Make A Smoothie With/without Milk Or Yogurt

If youre lactose intolerantor avoiding dairy for other reasonsyou can make a delicious smoothie without dairy milk or yogurt.

Coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut water, and even regular water can be used in just about any smoothie. There are even plant-based yogurts you can add in for richness. Look for hemp or pea-based protein powders, such as Sun Warrior or Manitoba, suggests Adler.

You can also give Adlers recipe for a honeydew-mint green smoothie a tryits super tasty and made without milk or yogurt.

What Are The Steps For Making Homemade Smoothies

How To Make A Smoothie To Replace A Meal in 2020

Homemade smoothies are one of the easiest things to make in the kitchen. In fact, there are only 5 simple steps.

  • Select and gather your ingredients.
  • Wash the fruits and vegetables. Peeling, removing pits, seeds, and bad spots as needed.
  • Place all ingredients into the pitcher of your blender, measuring or weighing as necessary.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Taste, adjusting as needed until its perfect.
  • Out of all of those steps, the last one is the most important. When using fresh fruits and vegetables their flavor may not always be uniform. Todays strawberry smoothie may be sweeter than yesterdays. The best time to fix it is before its in your glass and youve cleaned up the mess.

    Read Also: Spinach And Banana Smoothie To Lose Weight

    How Do You Make A Smoothie From Scratch

    In short, making a smoothie is as simple as tossing ingredients into the blender and letting it do the work. The harder part is deciding what, and how much, goes into the pitcher.

    A homemade smoothie can be as simple or complex as you choose to make it.

    You can make an easy 2-ingredient strawberry smoothie by blending together frozen strawberries and a bit of milk. Or you could get really complicated and make a 12 ingredient mega smoothie with enough calories to last the day.

    Best Protein Shake And Smoothie Recipes

    Get lean and strong with the ultimate list of protein shakes and protein smoothie recipes. These protein shake recipes take your protein powder to the next level with the addition of healthy, delicious ingredients to help you reach your fitness goals!

    High-Protein Foods | Low-Calorie Foods | Low-Carb Foods | Healthy Snacks | Protein Shake Recipes | Protein Pancake Recipes

    Dive into these homemade protein shake recipes that taste like dessert but fuel your muscles and your recovery. With flavors covering everything from luxurious chocolate to tangy orange cream to tropical coconut, these protein drinks help you feel good, work hard, and hit your fitness goals.

    Learn how to make a protein shake the most decadent part of your day! With nutritious boosters that add antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, these healthy shakes are great for breakfast, snacks, and pre- or post-workout.

    Recommended Reading: How Do You Make A Strawberry Smoothie

    Evaluate Your Powder Usage

    If protein powder or a pre-made smoothie mix with stabilizers is what youre adding to your morning blend for the express purpose of contributing extra flavor, its time to submit your usual routine to some experimentation.

    Try 100% cocoa powder, or a dash of vanilla extract or paste. A pinch of salt adding to anything sweet recipes includes takes its natural flavor to a different place. And all of these will blend more smoothly.

    Remember that a little bit of any of these options will go a long way, and it will serve to completely remove the filler ingredients from your smoothies that are thickened and made gritty through artificial, or just unnecessary, means.

    If your smoothie or shake is still not sweet enough, add a natural sweetener. This can be anything from honey or agave syrup to maple syrup or sweet coconut milk.

    The Ultimate Smoothie Bowl Recipes

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    If you havent hopped on the smoothie bowl bandwagon nows the time. These bowls of goodness turn your average smoothie into a refreshing, vibrant, and colorful meal with room for topping creativity! Choose a base from your favorite smoothie blends, then top it off with nuts, seeds, superfoods, and extra fruit.

    • Acai Bowl: This quintessential smoothie bowl is packed with antioxidants and tastes amazing with an array of berries and crunchy toppings.
    • Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl: Come cherry season, this bowl is a must. Its a blend of cherries, banana, coconut water, and topped with cacao nibs and coconut flakes for an indulgent treat.
    • Mango Smoothie Bowl: Tropical flavors and sunny vibes are front and center in this recipe. Top it with extra fruit and a sprinkle of granola for added crunch.
    • Clean Green Smoothie Bowl: For a veggie-packed meal with a bunch of sneaky greens, look no further than this recipethe ultimate green smoothie bowl.
    • Pitaya Smoothie Bowl: Want to feel like youre on vacation in Bali? Pitaya makes for a vibrant smoothie bowl, especially when topped with additional fruits.

    If you make any of these delicious smoothie recipes, let me know how it turned out! Id love to hear what you think in the comments below.

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    Is A Whole Food Diet Boring

    Absolutely not! The beauty of this way of eating is that there are barely any recipes that are off-limits. If you can make it yourself using natural ingredients, then it counts. So, dig out your recipe books and get familiar with your spice cupboard.

    Heres my advice if youre just starting: stock up on coconut milk and canned tomatoes. Youll use them all the time in sauces.

    Whats The Best Blender For Making Smoothies

    Blenders have gotten so advanced in the past few years, that its hard to pick one that wont blend up a great smoothie! If youre blender shopping, here are the three blenders we recommend for daily smoothie-making:

    • MOST AFFORDABLE: Cuisinart Immersion/Stick BlenderDont let its small size fool you, this tiny handheld blender is packed full of power, and will easily make a smoothie for you every day! Its perfect if youre limited on counter space.
    • MEDIUM: Ninja Professional BlenderFor under $100, you get an incredibly powerful blender that makes a dreamy, creamy smoothie. This was the blender we used in the Wholefully test kitchen for years, and its a great starter-level, but still high-powered, blender.
    • SPLURGE: Vitamix Professional BlenderA Vitamix is the top of the line when it comes to blenders, and its what we use every day in the Wholefully test kitchen. It comes with a hefty price tag , so if youre just blending a smoothie every now and again, there is no need to make the splurge. But if you do a lot of cooking or make a lot of smoothies or blended drinks, you might want to start saving your pennies for a Vitamix. Its a lifetime appliance that is a dream to use!

    Recommended Reading: Best Smoothie Blender Consumer Reports

    Smoothie Lids & Straws

    Weve received a lot of questions about the lids with straws that screw onto our Mason jars .

    For years, we used whatever we had cups, mugs, etc. A cup is a cup, my friend. When we started drinking smoothies more regularly, we bought a few reusable straws to make them more kid-friendly .

    Then we found sturdy screw-on lids with straws for glass canning jars. These are amazing, convenient , and you can use any size wide-mouth jar a pint or quart jar. They also come in a small mouth size.

    You dont need these lids to make good smoothies, but they do give you extra hipster points.

    What You Can Do Now:

    Whats your favorite kind of smoothie?

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    What Kind Of Blender Do I Need

    The Best Way to Make Big Batches of Smoothies Ahead of ...

    This is one smoothie that you want to get really smooth. Nobody wants to sip on chunks of spinach or kale! So for a stellar green smoothie with a creamy texture, we recommend working with a high-powered blender. We recommend one of these:

    • BUDGET: Ninja Professional BlenderIt rings in at less than $100, and is a powerful blender that can make smooth and creamy green smoothies. We used this one for years and loved it!
    • SPLURGE: Vitamix Professional BlenderThis is the top-of-the-line choice, and the one we use in the Wholefully test kitchen. If you plan to make lots of smoothies and other blended recipes, you may want to consider a Vitamix if it is in your budget.

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    How To Make A Smoothie Less Bitter:

    • Pineapple and oranges both add lots of fruity sweetness. Banana, in addition to being sweet, seems to neutralize bitter flavors. Strawberries are also good choices for green smoothies. Also try adding a bit of vanilla bean or vanilla extract, agave, cacao, or unsweetened cocoa powder. Flavored protein powders will also mask the taste of bitter greens. After adding these ingredients, work your machine back up to its highest speed, and process for 10-20 seconds.
    • Tip: Baby greens are generally milder than mature greens. Tastes do change and adapt to new eating habits. Try working up to bitter greens by combining small amounts of them with the spinach in your smoothie. Then gradually adjust the ratio as your taste buds adapt. Chalky taste: Add more fruit and/or other ingredients in the recipe. Work your machine back up to its highest speed, and process for 10-20 seconds. Adding more protein powder can give you too much of a good thing use amounts recommended on the label.

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