Berry Good Workout Smoothie
Get the energy you need to power through your workout in minutes with this easy-to-make smoothie recipe. For an extra dose of calcium, try adding a teaspoon of Organic Kale Powder.
What youll need: 1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries, 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 2 Tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 cup ice cubes. Blend until smooth.
Nutrition: 162 cal, 2 g pro, 41.5 g carb, 6 g fiber, 32 g sugars, 1 g fat
Are Smoothies Effective For Weight Loss
Yes, you can lose weight drinking smoothies but it needs to be part of an overall diet plan. Read more about meal prep and weight loss here.
If you are drinking smoothies in an effort to lose weight, make sure to keep these points in mind:
- Not all smoothies are healthy. Drinking smoothies alone will not help you lose weight. Healthy smoothie recipes can contribute to your weight-loss plans, but only if youre choosing low-fat, low-calorie, low-sugar ingredients.
- Use portion control. Smoothies can contain more vegetables or fruit than you would eat raw and that means you are taking in more calories, carbohydrates and sugar than you think. Keep your smoothie at around 10 oz . If you make too much, freeze the extra portion for later.
- Smoothies can leave you feeling hungry. Make sure your smoothie contains the right balance of ingredients. Adding protein and healthy fats will help make you feel full longer. But be careful as these additions can also make the calorie count go up. If you feel the need to add healthy fats or protein, then consider adding a quarter of an avocado , half a cup of Greek yogurt or a tablespoon of peanut butter .
What Blender Should I Use For A Smoothie
I truly believe a good blender is worth it. I got a Blendtec a few years ago, and Ill never go back to a normal blender again. A good blender will whip you up a thick and delicious smoothie with no chunks in about 45 seconds.
And, if youre adding leafy greens, a good blender will make sure theyre blended up nicely and have a great texture! Mine gives me a count for how many times Ive used it, and its well past the 800 mark. So, its definitely worth the investment, in my opinion, especially if you have a family full of smoothie lovers!
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How To Make A Healthy Smoothie With Whole Foods
As we can see, smoothies can be healthy and they can definitely help us incorporate a large variety of nutrients into our daily eating patterns, due to the ingredients used to create them. When we use whole foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, seeds and nuts to prepare them, were injecting our diets with all the nutritional goodness they provide, in an easy, delicious way. They can also be conveniently portable, to boot, especially with the rise of personal blenders!
The most common, healthiest ingredients, and main nutrients that make up healthy smoothies are the following:
- Fruit: Provide nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, potassium, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber
- Vegetables: Contain vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber
- Dairy products or plant based alternatives: Are an excellent source of calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and potassium
- Nuts and seeds: Rich in protein, fiber, B complex vitamins, vitamin E, folate, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytonutrients
How To Meal Prep Smoothies
When it comes to meal prepping smoothies, there are two main methods:
Don’t Miss: Smoothie Recipe With Frozen Fruit And Almond Milk
How To Add Protein To Your Smoothies
Many people add protein to their smoothies, however many people feel that their smoothies are unhealthy or junk because they have added protein to their smoothies. These people usually choose to drink clean smoothies because they believe that the protein will make them feel too bulky and bloated. If you want to know the benefits of protein in your smoothies, then keep reading. If you are interested in making a protein-packed smoothie, youre probably looking to add protein to your breakfast smoothies. Protein is an essential part of your daily diet. You need protein to build and repair muscles. It can also help you to feel more satisfied. According to a study, people who ate between 15-30 grams of protein per meal had less hunger throughout the day. A popular way of adding protein to smoothies is to use a protein powder, which is mixed into the smoothie. Another option is to add a protein shake to your smoothie. A protein shake is a beverage made of blended protein powder. These protein shakes are often mixed with milk or water. A third way of adding protein to your smoothies is to add a protein bar to your smoothie. Protein bars are usually made of carbohydrates and protein, so they are a great option. Adding protein to your smoothies can help you to feel more satisfied. Studies have shown that people who consume at least 20 grams of protein per meal have less hunger throughout the
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.
Read Also: Best Healthy Green Smoothie For Weight Loss
How To Make Detox Smoothies
This section shows how to make a detox smoothie recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize how to make them. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
VARIATION: Freeze into popsicles!
Instead of serving in a glass, pour the smoothie for detox into a popsicle mold and freeze for a healthy treat.
Meal Prep Tools For This Recipe
- These are the mason jars I used in this recipe.
- You can get larger 32oz mason jars too.
- The Vitamix personal series is great for making just one or two smoothies at a time.
- So is the Magic Bullet or Nutri Bullet the only hang up here is that I find I have to replace these models once every couple years or so because the motor eventually burns out.
- The Vitamix Ascent series is my fave though it’s self-cleaning so you aren’t left with a ton of mess and it’s perfect for if you’re prepping 3-4 smoothies at a time. It can tear through anything to make the smoothest smoothie, even ice!
Recommended Reading: Smoothie King Near My Location
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!
How To Make A Smoothie + 27 Simple Smoothie Recipes To Try
Im a believer that smoothies are the perfect meal or snack no matter what the weather. It is never too cold to have an awesome smoothie! Since smoothies are such a tasty way to pack in a meal on the go, I put on a big sweater and happily drink them even when the temps are frigid.
We originally published our first guide on smoothie making way back in 2015, and since then, millions of folks have visited this post and used our recipes to make the best ever smoothies! I consider these smoothies simple classics because they have great flavor, all the ingredients are easy to source , and they pack a nutritional punch that can nourish you nicely. These are the kinds of smoothies that I think everyone should know how to make, and chances are, youll find a favorite combo among these recipes. There really is no wrong way to make a smoothie, but I think these recipes are a great jumping-off point if the blender intimidates you.
Recommended Reading: Smoothie Recipes For Chemo Patients
Best Blender For Smoothies
First things first, lets talk about the blender situation. I know there are hundreds of blenders on the market and it can be very daunting to find the right one for you. One thing I have learned with the handful of blenders that Ive owned is that quality matters. Usually, quality and price coincide and its totally true.
Ive found that the more expensive and higher quality blender I have, the more success I have with what I am makingespecially smoothies. The most recent and BEST blender I have ever had is a Vitamix.
We have the Vitamix 5200and it runs you about $430 on Amazon. I do not have a single bad thing to say about this beast. Its super powerful, easy to clean, and it makes making smoothies along with other things a breeze. I can tell you right now that this is the best blender I have ever owned and theres no turning back.
Green Tea Blueberry And Banana Smoothie
To prepare this smoothie featuring antioxidant-rich green tea, simply heat 3 Tbsp. of water in a bowl in the microwave until its steaming hot. Then, add 1 green tea bag and allow it to brew for 3 minutes. Remove the tea bag and stir in 2 tsp. honey until it dissolves. Combine 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries, 1/2 medium banana, and 3/4 cup calcium-fortified light vanilla soy milk into a blender. Add the tea and process all ingredients until smooth.
Nutrition: 269 cal,3.5 g pro,63 g carb, 8 g fiber, 38.5 g sugars, 2.5 g fat
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Best Blenders For Smoothies
OK, youve got all of your smoothie ingredients prepped and ready to go, now how are you going to blend them up?
The key here is powerful.
You want to use a blender capable of completely mixing up all of the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.
Here is a list of the best blenders for making fruit smoothies:
- Nutribullet A wonderful personal-sized blender option. Make sure you use the larger cup in order to fit all of the ingredients without going over the max fill line.
- Ninja Blender is also another great option!
How To Make Your Smoothies Sweeter
We all have varying levels of taste when it comes to sweetness. For me personally, as I’ve incorporated less sugar into my diet over time, I’ve gotten used to things tasting less sweet.
Bananas are great natural sweeteners and they are often more than enough when you’re making a smoothie. If you dont like bananas, applesauce is a great substitute or you can sweeten up your smoothie with dates, honey, real maple syrup , stevia or molasses.
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Blueberry And Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie
The Spruce
All-natural, vegan, low-calorie, and raw, this superfood smoothie is nutritious and delicious. Antioxidant-rich blueberries and iron-rich spinach will start your day off right. This drink doesn’t contain any sweeteners, but you can add a touch of honey or use fruit juice as the liquid if you like. Using a very ripe banana will naturally sweeten things up, too.
How To Make Smoothies
Smoothies are a wonderful breakfast, but they can be loaded with sugar. To make the most of your morning, heres a smoothie recipe that doesnt have any added sugar. Start by mixing together ingredients that you have on hand in a blender. You can keep this smoothie as a meal, by topping it with granola or berries.
Read Also: Strawberry Banana Vanilla Protein Smoothie
They’re Great For Breakfast Or An Afternoon Pick
The Spruce
Smoothies are a convenient and colorful way to start your day, but some recipes can be filled with added sugar and fat. For a healthy meal or snack, stick to the basics: fruit and veggies.
Every successful smoothie contains two main ingredients: fruit and/or vegetables and a liquid, such as fruit juice, vegetable juice, or milk. Other possible ingredients include yogurt, nut butter, seeds, spices, herbs, and more. Many smoothies also include a few ice cubes to keep the mixture nice and cold. Often, recipes can be tweaked to meet different dietary requirements or tastesfeel free to swap out dairy products for non-dairy ones or change up the spices and juices.
All of these smoothies recipes are loaded with good-for-you vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. They’re made with only natural ingredients and range in flavors from mango to chocolate to veggie. You’re sure to find a breakfast smoothie for every day of the week.
Theyre Great For Breakfast Or An Afternoon Pick
The Spruce
Smoothies are a convenient and colorful way to start your day, but some recipes can be filled with added sugar and fat. For a healthy meal or snack, stick to the basics: fruit and veggies.
Every successful smoothie contains two main ingredients: fruit and/or vegetables and a liquid, such as fruit juice, vegetable juice, or milk. Other possible ingredients include yogurt, nut butter, seeds, spices, herbs, and more. Many smoothies also include a few ice cubes to keep the mixture nice and cold. Often, recipes can be tweaked to meet different dietary requirements or tastesfeel free to swap out dairy products for non-dairy ones or change up the spices and juices.
All of these smoothies recipes are loaded with good-for-you vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Theyre made with only natural ingredients and range in flavors from mango to chocolate to veggie. Youre sure to find a breakfast smoothie for every day of the week.
Dont Miss: Healthy Smoothie Ingredients For Weight Loss
Read Also: How To Make A Smoothie Bowl Without Milk
Tropical Papaya Perfection Smoothie
This coconut-infused breakfast smoothie tastes just as decadent as a milkshake. One sip will immediately transport you to a tropical island.
Cut 1 papaya into chunks and blend it with 1 cup of fat-free, plain yogurt, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup crushed ice, 1 tsp. coconut extract, and 1 tsp. ground flaxseed. Process the mixture for about 30 seconds, or until its smooth and frosty.
Nutrition: 299 cal, 13 g pro, 64 g carb, 7 g fiber, 44 g sugars, 1.5 g fat
Why Are Smoothies So Filling
Unlike juices, smoothies dont strip the fiber from vegetables and fruits so theyre more filling. Smoothies can make a healthy breakfast, but theyve evolved into having a health halo even if you put a lot of fruit juice and syrups into them, Taub-Dix says.
Recommended Reading: Essential Living Foods Organic Superfood Smoothie Mix
Faq Prepping + Storing
How to Prep Smoothies?I love having the ingredients prepped ahead of time and ready to go from the freezer to blender. You can either prep one smoothie or purchase enough ingredients to prep several smoothies.
Though smoothies are best eaten right away, you can STORE leftovers for later:
For other favorite smoothies, try: