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!
There’s A Reason Smoothies Are Loved By Health Freaks Around The World They’re Easy
- NDTV Food
- Smoothies are the perfect and quickest breakfast health drinks.
- You can add almost anything to a smoothie.
- Adding cinnamon to your smoothie can help burn fat faster.
There’s a reason smoothies are loved by health freaks around the world. They’re easy-to-make and are a quick breakfast fix for people who are usually pressed for time in the morning. They’re the perfect recharge drinks for your post-workout meals and smoothie recipes are very amenable to all kinds of fresh and healthy ingredients, from berries to fresh fruits, vegetables, protein and oat powders, as well as healthy nuts and seeds. Smoothies are preferred drinks for people looking to lose weight because of the easily modified nature of the drink.
Apart from adding nutritious superfoods to your breakfast smoothie, you can also add the following fat-burning foods to attain quicker weight loss:
1. Green Tea PowderGreen tea is well known for its weight loss promoting powers. Adding green tea powder to your smoothie can trigger release of fat from your cells, thanks to the catechins present in it. Green tea doesn’t have any overpowering flavor so you needn’t worry about it spoiling the taste either.
Green tea is well known for its weight loss promoting powers2. Blueberries And StrawberriesBlueberries have proven their mettle as powerful fat burners in multiple studies.3. Spinach
Chia seeds help in increasing the satiety factor of your drink, preventing hunger pangs and your need to snack often.
A Few More Smoothie Tips
When to drink your smoothie. Drink your smoothie as soon as possible after making it. The longer it sits, the likelier that it will start to separate. Plus, it will taste better the fresher it is.
Many people consider smoothies to be a breakfast food, but smoothies are great at any time of the day. We love lunchtime smoothiesas a meal replacement, not as a meal supplementand we also appreciate how much energy they give us before exercising. We think of smoothies as year-round treats, despite their often being thought of as summer beverages. Especially if you use frozen fruits, you wont need to choose your ingredients based on seasonal harvests.
How to drink your smoothie. This one sounds simple, right? Drink your smoothie bydrinking it. But there are some creative ways to consume smoothies that go beyond sipping. Smoothie bowls turn smoothies into more of a soup/cereal-style food. Another option is to freeze your smoothie and save it for later. Use a cup or muffin tin to create a smoothie cup. Or use a popsicle mold and stick to make popsicle smoothies!
Next time you make a smoothie, make it a plastic-free smoothie.
Millions of tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Experts estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Please, dont use plastic straws when drinking smoothies.
If youre not sure which refillable bottle is best for your needs, check out our guide: How to Choose the Best Water Bottle
We must all do our part!
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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.
Milk And Honey Smoothie
Make use of the celery in your produce drawer with this blended juice, which combines it with almond milk, cucumber, and grapes for a sip-worthy snack.
In a blender, combine 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1 medium Kirby cucumber , 1 cup seedless green grapes, 2 medium stalks celery , and 1 Tbsp honey. Blend until the mixture is smooth, serves 2.
Nutrition: 124 cal, 2 g pro, 26 g carb, 2 g fiber, 21 g sugars , 2 g fat
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Best Vegetables For Smoothies
Published: by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN //
This post highlights the best vegetables for smoothies and recipes that use them! Youll learn about the best greens for smoothies and the best veggies to blend. Use my tips to get your daily vegetables in a smoothie that actually tastes good.
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.
When my readers ask about easy ways to increase their veggie intake, I almost always mention smoothies! Drinking vegetables is more palatable than eating veggies for some people. Plus, you can put a LOT of produce in a single smoothie.
Even better, whipping up a smoothie requires minimal prep time. But making a vegetable smoothie that actually tastes good does require some thought. Thats why I put together this post on the best vegetables for smoothies. Spoiler alert: leafy greens arent the only veggies you can blend.
The Best Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
Everyone loves a good smoothie, and theyre so easy to make, too. A banana, some fruit, something creamy be it milk or yogurt or a non-dairy milk and youre good to go, right?
Well, not so fast. A basic smoothie is a healthy snack, but the right add-ins can make any smoothie recipe a nutritional powerhouse. Heres what to put in smoothies to add flavour and nutrition, too.
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Best Green Smoothie Add
I started putting add-ins into my green smoothie recipes when my third baby was born. A few scoops of nutritional boosters gave me increased energy throughout the day and made the green smoothies taste even better! So here are some of my suggestions!
- Protein Powder – this is my favorite plant-based, whey-free protein powder in vanilla and chocolate.
- Collagen Powder – a neutral tasting protein boost! Also good for gut health!
- Maca -for increased fertility and hormone balance.
- Amazing Grass Green Superfood– great way to add even more greens!
Storing And Freezing Instructions
- To store: Freshly made smoothies should be enjoyed immediately, however, they will keep well for up to eight hours refrigerated. Be sure to whisk the smoothie in case of any separation.
- To freeze: Smoothies can be frozen in blocks and stored in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, remove the smoothie block from the freezer and re-blend it until smooth. To thin it out, you can add some water, milk, or juice.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Healthiest Smoothies
What To Put On Oatmeal To Keep It Healthy
A smoothie is a refreshing treat, but so many of them have ice cream or frozen yogurt in them. To be totally honest, thats what makes them taste so good, but you dont need these no-nos to make a yummy smoothie. You can make a smoothie that is low in sugar and calories that also tastes great by choosing healthy ingredients over ice cream and frozen yogurt.
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What About Superfoods And Greens Powders
As an alternative to these individual superfoods, there are some really great superfoods and greens powders on the market that make it convenient to include a range of superfoods in your smoothies. There are also some great protein and greens combo powders that make it easy to both get more protein and take advantage of superfoods.
Using greens powders is a convenient way to ensure youre getting a wide range of powerful antioxidants and other health benefits without having to think much about it. Here are a few good options:
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More Fun With Smoothies
Want to learn how to use all those delicious smoothie add-ins to create your own delicious, perfectly balanced recipes?
Download my FREE 1-page Perfect Green Smoothies printable infographic, which outlines the formula for creating an amazing smoothie every time.
You can get it right now by clicking the banner below!
Homemade Frozen Smoothie Packs
Smoothie packs are pre-packaged including everything that would found in a typical smoothie. All you do is blend it all together when you want to enjoy a smoothie.
Skip the expensive store-bought kinds and make your own. Simply add your favorite frozen fruit, vegetables, ice blocks and/or frozen milk blocks and keep in the freezer until ready to drink!
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Orange Strawberry Squash Smoothie
This two-serving sipper is a delicious way to help you reach your daily fruit and veggie requirements. Like many smoothies, you could blend it into a drink or a smoothie bowl. If you want to make more of a meal out of it, add protein-rich enhancers, like protein powder or Greek yogurt.
This smoothie bowl packs 27 g of protein to power you through a long morning. Plus, wild blueberries are packed with antioxidants and fiber.
If a non-dairy smoothie is more your style, this one, with plant-based protein powder, makes a delicious and filling meal.
Cottage cheese provides the protein in this layered drink. Its made parfait-style so the smoothie and cottage cheese are kept separateperfect for days when you want to dig in with a spoon.
Are Smoothies Healthy
The answer to this and other key questions of modern philosophy is: Well, it depends. They can be healthy and they can be unhealthy, based on the ingredients you use. The key to healthy smoothies is to stick as much as possible to plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
In a world in which few people manage to hit the recommended quota of 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day , a daily smoothie can help you achieve that level of consumption by 8:00 am.
And unlike juicing, which removes the all-important fiber from fruits and vegetables, blending them preserves the fiber, which can help you feel fuller longer by slowing down digestion. That slowing effect also gives your body more time to absorb the nutrients available in the smoothie.
Fruit and vegetable smoothies also preserve the awesome array of phytochemicals in the plants the antioxidants and polyphenols that give different fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors and much of their healing powers. Even after blending and storage, smoothies may retain much of their antioxidant activity.
Smoothies made from commercial mixes are often not that healthy, and are processed foods typically high in sugar and low in fiber. For example, one smoothie mix marketed to restaurants as vegan, non-GMO, and made with natural ingredients is mostly water and sugar , with additional natural flavors.
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All Hail The Smoothie
Smoothies have become a popular anytime drink. You can enjoy them as a healthy breakfast, as a snack, or as a post-workout replenisher. Smoothies can be colorful and visually attractive, thanks to the fruits and veggies you can include.
Theyre quick and easy to make, thanks to increasingly powerful motors. And if you stick to fruits and vegetables and skip the sporting goods they can taste great.
In keeping with the original blenders purpose, smoothies can be a pleasant way to consume nutritional supplements, from green powders to ground-up plant protein.
Smoothies are so popular theyve spawned an industry of commercial smoothie shops, and increasing numbers of restaurants offer smoothies on their menus as well. But many commercially available smoothies are basically sugary drinks full of syrups and artificial additives with a bit of fruit. And some of the super healthy homemade smoothies Here, try this amazing blend of frozen kale, raw beets, and wheatgrass juice! dont taste great.
Somewhere in between is the smoothie sweet spot a blended delight thats both delicious and healthy. In this article youll get tips for striking the balance. Whether youre a smoothie newbie or if youve been a blender jockey for years, youll get some tips to help you take your smoothie game to the next level. At the end, well share seven colorful, nutrient-dense smoothie recipes to try out for yourself.
Are Smoothies Healthy We Asked Nutritionists
Stocksy
In This Article
Whether youre looking for a balanced breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a late-night treat, smoothies might cross your mind. And hey, we dont blame youdepending on what you put in them, they can be both super-filling and incredibly tasty. But just because they curb your appetite and sweet tooth doesnt necessarily mean theyre good for you.
To learn what makes a smoothie actually worth adding to your routine, keep reading for what three nutrition experts have to say on the subject.
Meet the Expert
- Kelly LeVeque is a holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, and celebrity health coach.
- Jennifer Maeng is a registered dietitian and founder of Chelsea Nutrition.
- Anna Mitsios is a naturopath, nutritionist, and founder of Edible Beauty Australia.
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How To Blend The Best Smoothie
Though calorie needs vary depending on age, weight, hormones, activity levels, and more, as a rule of thumb, most of us do well with snacks that contain fewer than 200 calories a 300- to 450-calorie breakfast would cover most adults needs. Heres how to get the most nutrition without driving the calories sky high.
One Essential Ingredient All Smoothies Need Is Dark Leafy Greens
One of the easiest ingredients to add to your favorite frozen smoothie recipe is dark leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale. “A smoothie that is all fruit is an unbalanced mini-meal,” registered dietitian Anna Taylor told the Cleveland Clinic. “Grab a big handful of greens, rinse, and add to your smoothie to ensure you’re not missing out on key nutrients,” she said.
According to Verywell Fit, dark leafy greens are not just low in calories, they’re also loaded with “a bonanza of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients” including vitamins A and C, folate, calcium, and potassium. Those nutrients aren’t just good for your body, they’re also good for your brain. A study published in Neurology revealed that people who eat at least one serving of leafy greens daily have a slower decline in brain function as they age compared to individuals who don’t consume such veggies .
Need an easy green smoothie idea? Try pairing kale with almond milk, banana, Greek yogurt, pineapple, and peanut butter, suggested Well Plated. Canadian Living takes a simpler route with their greens-packed smoothie, which combines Swiss chard, mango, banana, coconut milk, and honey. Yum!
Also Check: Healthy Smoothie Drinks For Weight Loss
What Are Some Great Smoothie Recipes
Alright, now that youre fully versed on how to make a great smoothie, let me share with you some of our absolute favorite combos! Click on any image to jump over to that specific smoothie recipe.
Classic Simple Smoothies
These smoothies are a great place to start. No weird ingredients that you have to special order, just fresh, real food that you can find at any typical supermarket.
Wild Blueberry Lemon No Banana Smoothie
How Can I Make My Smoothie Healthier
The smoothie recipes below are plain, but if you want to expand your smoothie horizons, go for it! Toss in chia seeds or protein powder or hemp seeds or flax or whatever else makes your heart happy. If you have a standard set of mix-ins you like, you can even freeze them into booster packsgreat for really quick and easy smoothies!
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Fresh Or In Powder Form Green Tea Is An Ideal Smoothie Addition
Green tea may be one of the most powerful foods you can add to your diet. It can lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to researchers at Harvard. Plus, it can potentially aid in weight loss, according to a study in the International Journal of Obesity. A study of 100,000 Chinese men and women even revealed that those who drink green tea regularly live longer than people who don’t .
Best of all, you don’t even have to drink your green tea steaming from a cup in order to enjoy its benefits. Chilled green tea and matcha are ideal ingredients to add to a variety of different smoothies.
Eating Well recommends blending chilled green tea with frozen white grapes, baby spinach, avocado, and honey for a delicious and healthy smoothie. Matcha lovers will want to try certified culinary scientist Jessica Gavin‘s smoothie recipe, which pairs matcha with yogurt, almonds, banana, and spinach. Delicious!