Is It Healthy To Have A Smoothie Every Day For Breakfast
That depends on what’s in it. “As long as your smoothie contains some protein and isnt loaded with sugar, it can be a convenient and healthy breakfast option that allows you to pack in a variety of nutrient-dense foods,” says Stefani Sassos, deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab. So keep the advice above about sugar in mind, and if you’re dying to try out a smoothie recipe that doesn’t have protein, you can still add one of the protein boosts above, or even a spoonful of a good-quality protein powder.
You don’t have to have a smoothie daily, of course. But as long as you’re keeping an eye on your total sugar content for the day, and being reasonable on the serving size of your smoothies, there’s no reason not to have one each day. Remember that even if you’re not adding sugar to your smoothie, the sugar fruit and dairy both add to your daily sugar intake, as do add-ins like maple syrup.
How To Make Smoothies With Milk
To make smoothies with milk, you will need a blender, milk, and your choice of fruits and vegetables. Start by adding the milk to the blender, then add the fruits and vegetables. Blend until the desired consistency is reached. Enjoy your smoothie!
Start with a solid liquid base and then choose your fruit. Because bananas have a lovely creamy texture, they are a great base for any smoothie. Fresh fruits, such as berries, mango, peaches, plums, nectarines, and grated apples or pears, go well with them. Add some protein to your smoothies to provide an essential protein boost whether you are making them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you want to make a green smoothie, use grated apple, kiwi, banana, spinach, and coconut water. You can grate beets, carrots, kale, tomatoes, and avocados if you want to eat them well.
Why Use Frozen Fruits In Smoothies
Its so convenient!
Most supermarkets sell frozen smoothie packs these days.
Theres no need to wash or cut the fruits. Everything is done for you already. Its a huge timesaver!
You wont even have to defrost the fruits before making smoothies. Just open the bag, add some to your blender and youre good.
Just because its convenient doesnt mean its less healthy!
Fruits are picked and frozen at peak ripeness. Studies show again and again that frozen fruits retain at least as many vitamins, minerals, as fresh fruits. Some fruits can even retain more vitamins when theyre frozen than when theyre bought fresh.
Using more frozen fruits also means less spoilage.
Frozen fruits are good for months, instead of just days. You can easily enjoy your favorite fruits at any time of the year.
Using frozen fruits actually makes your smoothies taste better.
Some people like to use ice cubes in their smoothies, I like using frozen fruits. A chilled smoothie simply tastes better, theres no question about it. Save the ice, and add some frozen fruits instead.
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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:
What If I Dont Have The Right Ingredients To Make One Of These Smoothies
There is NO right or wrong way to make a smoothie! These recipes are just starter ideas for you to work off of But dont feel like you need to stick with them to make a delicious smoothie. I never measure for smoothies and often throw in what I have on hand. My main tip, however, is if youre using fresh fruit, be sure to throw in a little ice to add that frozen element.
Also Check: How To Make A Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
The Best Fruit Smoothie Recipe
Smoothies have become a favorite in our home! In fact, the kids called them yummy drinks!
I dont blame them, because its hard not to love fruits blended together to make a delicious drink!
Were always looking for new healthy smoothie recipes, and today I wanted to share with you one we recently came up with that has become a favorite. It has some of my fav fruits including strawberries, bananas, kiwi, blueberries and more!
Sometimes a smoothie is just the right thing for our appetite and its always so fun coming up with new yummy recipes for them. Theyre great as an after-school snack for kids, a special treat or even for breakfast.
Todays recipe has to be the familys new favorite, and we cannot wait to share it with you!
Granola Bar Or Another Crunchy Bar
We love this combination because it brings together two very different texturesthe creamy smoothie and the crunchy granola barfor a breakfast experience like no other.
You can make it work in any meal by choosing either sweet or savory options for your granola bar.
For example, if your smoothie is on the sweeter side, choose a savory option for your granola bar, such as nuts and seeds mixed with dried fruit.
If your smoothie is more savory , go for a sweeter option, such as honey and oats mixed with dried fruits and nuts.
If youre looking for something a little more substantial than a smoothie on its own, oats are the perfect solution.
They have a distinct texture and taste that are sure to add some variety to your routine.
And if youre looking for ways to make your morning meal more interesting , adding fruit on top may be exactly what you need!
There are many different types of oats availablebarley, steel-cut, rolled-oats so when it comes time for preparation, its important to know which type works best with your smoothie.
Steel-cut oats tend to hold up in liquid better than rolled ones do , but barley can also be delicious when cooked with milk instead of water .
For even more flavor, try adding some maple syrup or honey! If youre looking for something sweeter than usual, consider adding some maple syrup or honey before cooking your oatmeal.
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How To Make It
Unlike baking recipes, for instance, smoothie recipes do not have to use exact measurements. You can adjust according to taste. The only difference in choosing between fresh or frozen fruit is how thick you want it to be. Frozen will make for a more milkshake-thick smoothie, whereas fresh will get thickened up slightly by the ice, but have a more liquidy texture. Or you can combine frozen and fresh fruit.
You can use any kind of soft fruit you want, such as berries, bananas, peeled peaches or nectarines, melons, even grapes, and puree, and know you can always add a bit more fruit or ice to thicken it or a bit more milk to thin it out.
Choosing Fresh Or Frozen Fruits And Vegetables
When it comes to what goes in your smoothie, only you can decide. There are no wrong answers here!
Pros of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables: Its a great way to use up fruit that is no longer visually appealing, but still tastes good. Think browning bananas, soft strawberries, blackberries so ripe they are falling apart. All still have good flavor, but arent what youd pick first out of the fruit basket on the counter.
Cons of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables: You have to make your smoothies on your fruits schedule, not your own. If those fresh fruits no longer taste good, they wont make your smoothie taste good. If the fruit is underripe, it will be harder to blend and may not make for the smoothest smoothie.
Pros of Frozen Fruit& Vegetables: Frozen fruit makes a thicker texture that stays colder longer without watering down the flavor. Most frozen fruit is picked at peak ripeness. You can have summer blackberries in January or tree ripe peaches in March. Also, unless you are shopping an in-season market stand, frozen fruit is usually cheaper than fresh.
Cons of Frozen Fruit& Vegetables: If you arent using a high power blender, frozen solid fruit may be more than it can handle. While my Vitamix does just fine with it, my stick blender would leave frozen fruit in chunks. Let the frozen fruit thaw on the counter for 10 minutes or so before making your smoothie.
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Calories And Nutritional Info
One serving of this mixed berry smoothie contains 160 calories, 42 grams carbs, 3 grams fat, and 3 grams protein.
While this mixed berry banana smoothie is not necessarily low in sugar or carbohydrates, its still relatively healthy. There are tons of nutritional benefits! This smoothie is a good source of calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, probiotics, and antioxidants.
It is possible to lower the calories, carbohydrates, and sugar. Simply opt for a lower-calorie milk such as almond milk. Also, you can leave out the sweetener or replace it with Stevia extract or another non-nutritive sweetener.
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What Goes In Smoothies
by Shauna Havey | Oct 30, 2022 | Smoothies
A smoothie is a drink made from pureed raw fruits or vegetables, typically using a blender. They can be made with any combination of fruits or vegetables, and are a good way to get vitamins, minerals, and fiber in your diet. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get a nutrient-rich snack or meal. They can be made with any combination of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and are a good way to get vitamins, minerals, and fiber in your diet. When making a smoothie, it is important to use fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, and to avoid adding too much sugar. Smoothies can be a healthy and delicious way to get the nutrients your body needs.
Smoothies are typically made from puréed fruits, vegetables, juices, yogurt, nuts, seeds, and/or dairy or nondairy milk. The flavor is determined by the type of potato, and the amount of vegetables and fruit in it. Some varieties contain a high amount of sugar, while others contain a low amount of sugar. In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to know about smoothies, from their benefits to their drawbacks. A smoothie is an excellent way to boost your fiber intake. Men should consume 38 grams of fiber per day, while women should consume 25 grams. If you consume too much added sugar, you may be at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease.
Also Check: Smoothie King Healthy Rewards App
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.
Use Your Milk Of Choice
I have used and loved all kinds of milk for smoothies, including normal cows’ milk, raw cows’ milk, and lots of plant- and nut-based milk like rice, almond, coconut, and cashew. When buying nut milk, make sure the carton is marked unsweetened. You don’t really need the added sugar when you are using fruit in your smoothie. I love cashew milk – it’s super creamy and delicious. I most often use almond milk in the carton or a coconut-almond blend in the carton. Use what you can find in your area.
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What Are The Steps For Making Homemade Smoothies
Homemade smoothies are one of the easiest things to make in the kitchen. In fact, there are only 5 simple steps.
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.
Do Smoothies Need Yogurt
No!You don’t have to use yogurt to make a smoothie. While it has a great texture and adds protein and smoothness and flavor, a smoothie with ice or frozen fruit can be just as tasty and refreshing. Any other dairy product, including kefir or cream cheese or cottage cheese will work in lieu of yogurt…. see details
Recommended Reading: How To Make A Fruit Smoothie Without Yogurt
Make Sure You Have A Good Blender To Make This Frozen Fruit Smoothie
You want to make sure you have a good blender. I have been thru some cheap ones and they barely last a week. Dont waste your time like I did with these cheaper models, and just get something nice from the get go. It will save you time and money!
I have a Vitamix now and it was worth the money. We have had it for many years and its still working to make smoothies and more! Its paid for itself time and time again with all the money I have saved making smoothies and milkshakes at home.
Purchasing a Vitamix is pricey, but it is worth it. You wont have to keep replacing it like with the cheaper blenders. Amazon has several of them on sale right now for a great price.
If you just cant make it work in the budget, I recommend a Waring professional blender. I think it is the next best thing and it will get the job done. Now, it is not as good as the Vitamix but its a close second for a more reasonable price. Amazon has several Waring blenders on sale right now.
Can I Use This Smoothie For A Cocktail
This is one of my favorite questions because the answer is YES! The simplicity and sweetness of this smoothie make it a perfect base for a summer cocktail. Add shot of rum or tequila and serve it blended with ice or on the rocks. You can also turn it into a fancy tropical mimosa by blending it half and half with prosecco or cava. Its great addition to the bar at a bridal shower.
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How To Make Smoothies More Interesting
You don’t have to stick to the basic smoothie recipe for all of your smoothies. There are lots of ways to jazz up smoothies. Consider adding nuts, honey, flaxseeds, coconut, oatmeal, dried fruits, chocolate chips, cookies, and spices to make your smoothies more interesting. For example, if you want to make a smoothie taste like a certain dessert, such as pumpkin smoothies, you might add graham crackers and cinnamon.
What Is A Smoothie Compared To A Shake
Some smoothie recipes contain ice cream or large amounts of added sugar in the form of honey, chocolate syrup, or other additives. The addition of ice cream and particularly large amounts of processed sugar would more likely qualify the resulting beverage as being a shake, rather than a smoothie, as smoothies traditionally don’t have added dairy or sugars, and consist only of “natural” non-processed ingredients.
Also Check: What To Order At Smoothie King
More Smoothie Blender Recommendations
I did want to share some other great blenders that I have personally owned and recommend depending on your price point.
Low cost:Ninja BL480D Blender$99 this is a great single serve blender for those that want to conserve space. Plus you cant beat the price point.
Medium cost:Ninja Kitchen System $229 Ive owned the Ninja Kitchen System for about 5 years and I love that its interchangeable between a blender, food processor, and single-serve smoothie blender. For $229, you really do get it all!
High cost:Vitamix 5200$429 at the highest price point, the Vitamix is THE BEST kitchen appliance Ive ever owned. It will literally crush, pulverize, mix, or puree anything and everything because its so powerful! I highly recommend, 10/10!