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!
Freshly Brewed Coffee Or Cold Brew Also Works For A Caffeine Boost
If you want an added dose of caffeine to start your day, you can also add the coffee of your choice to your smoothie. Cold brew makes a perfect add-in, as well as brewed hot coffee that has been stored in the fridge. For a good right-now option, add a teaspoon of regular instant coffee.
Add Citrus Peels And Skins To Your High
If you already add citrus fruits like lemon and lime or other fruits like apples to your smoothie, you might have never thought of adding the peel, rind, or skin in, too. But if you’re working with a high-powered blender or food processor, you might want to think twice before tossing them in the trash.
Dietitian Michelle Loy of Go Wellness told TheList that the peels add “a burst of flavor to the smoothie,” adding, “they’re chock-full of fiber and vitamin C. Plus, the peel packs in potent phytochemicals like flavonoids, carotenoids, and limonene.”
Just be sure to thoroughly wash them beforehand, and if your blender can’t support them, add a bit of the zest instead.
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What Do I Use To Sweeten A Smoothie
All of these smoothies here use frozen fruit as a base, which adds a nice baseline of sweetness that you can build on if your tastebuds would like. My recommendation is to blend up your smoothie without any added sweetener, then taste. Add in honey or maple syrup to taste. Many times, I dont need to add anything! Another great natural option for sweetening: pitted Medjool dates. Throw in one or two of those bad boys and let the blender do its thing. Youd be amazed at how sweet your smoothie will be!
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.
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When Using Only Fresh Fruit
If frozen fruit is not available, thats okay! Fresh fruit still adds body to the smoothie as the ingredients become pureed. However, you wont get that cool chill. Add in ice cubes, start with ½ cup to 1 cup of ice , add more until the desired consistency is reached.
Just be aware that the more ice used, the more the flavor will dilute as the ice melts.
How To Make The Best Banana Smoothie
My basic smoothie recipe calls for four simple ingredients:
Banana I use one banana to make one large or two smaller smoothies. For the best tasting smoothie, use a ripe banana. For the creamiest banana smoothie, use frozen banana slices. Ive shared how I freeze bananas for smoothies below.
Half an orange When I have oranges in the house, I love adding them to my morning smoothie. It adds extra vitamin C and tropical flavor. If you dont have oranges on hand, dont worry, you can substitute other fruits like mango, pineapple, and berries.
Plain or Greek yogurt I dont always add yogurt to my smoothies, but when I do have it in the fridge, adding a spoonful ensures a protein-packed and creamy smoothie. For a smoothie without yogurt, add a little extra fruit or include veggies like spinach or kale.
Water or milk To help the ingredients blend, I like adding a splash of liquid to the blender. For a smoothie without milk, use water. It still tastes amazing. For more creaminess add milk .
To make the smoothie, I add everything into a blender and then blend until smooth. For an icy cold smoothie, throw in a handful of ice or use frozen fruits.
We have more easy smoothie recipes! Try our 5-minute strawberry smoothie or this easy blueberry smoothie.
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How To Build A Better Smoothie According To A Nutritionist
If youre turning to smoothies as part of your strategy to lose weight or take your healthy eating up a notch, your menu may need a little attention. Done right, smoothies can make nutritious sense, packing satisfying ingredients along with fiber, vitamins, minerals and other health-protecting substances. But even some of the most healthful smoothie ingredients can add up to a lot of calories and therefore, interfere with your weight loss goals or worse, lead to unintentional weight gain. Read on to find out if youre making some common smoothie mistakes, discover how to build the best smoothie and find nutritionist-approved recipes to get your smoothie-making up to speed.
What Blender Is Best For Smoothies
There are many blenders you can use for making smoothies, but I personally own the Vitamix 780 and think it is simply the best. I get smooth, consistent results every single time which is exactly what I want for all my smoothies! You can buy your own Vitamix 780 HERE.
Alright, are you ready to get going? This smoothie will blend together in just a few minutes and I love that I almost always have these ingredients on hand to make it.
This Raspberry Smoothie is a personal favorite, and I love that I can keep the ingredients on hand at all times!
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What If I Dont Like Bananas
Bananas are the backbone of my simple smoothie recipes to me, they add so much creaminess and natural sweetness for an affordable price. But, if theyre not your thing, you can add some Greek yogurt with a sweetener and ice, OR do half an avocado with a sweetener and ice. Those two combos will replace a banana nicely in a smoothie and still give you a rich, creamy texture.
Make any of these 8 Simple Smoothie Recipes today for you or your family and enjoy the balance of vegetables and fruits in these creamy, refreshing drinks!
Now you are a smoothie making expert and I hope that you have found some great smoothie inspiration to get you comfortable with making smoothies at home.
This is just a starting point though, feel free to play around with these base recipes and come up with your own favorite smoothie recipes to meet your needs and preferences!
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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.
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How To Make A Smoothie Without Bananas:
Bananas are the backbone of my simple smoothie recipes. They add so much creaminess, and natural sweetness while being inexpensive. That being said, I know not everyone likes/eats bananas. If you arent into bananas, you can add some Greek yogurt + sweetener + ice OR a half of an avocado + sweetener + ice. Those two combos will replace a banana nicely in a smoothie and still give you a nice rich and smooth texture.
Faqs About Green Smoothies
To be as helpful as possible, I want to take a minute and answer a few frequently asked questions about making this green smoothie recipe for beginners!
Is a green smoothie good for you?
Yes, a thousand times yes! This green smoothie recipe has loads of protein, a good dose of fiber and is packed full of nutrients! It’s a great healthy and filling breakfast or snack!
Can you taste spinach in smoothies?
No! If you make this green smoothie recipe as it is written you will not be able to taste the spinach at all!
Is spinach or kale better for smoothies?
Spinach and kale are both great choices for green smoothies, however I prefer spinach, Kale has a stronger taste than spinach, and can be detected by my veggie police children!
How do I sweeten my green smoothie?
You do not need any sweetener to make this simple green smoothie recipe! The fruit imparts all the sweetness necessary for even the youngest members of my family to enjoy!
If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations. Follow along with me on , , , and . Tag me in your photos #joyfoodsunshine @joyfoodsunshine Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below.
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Here Are 12 Healthy Ingredients To Add To A Smoothie:
1. Instead of using juice, upgrade with raw milk, raw cream, cultured kefir, or cultured yogurt. These foods will add extra probiotics, vitamin A, vitamin D, CLA and iodine to your smoothie.
2. Add an organic egg yolk for extra vitamin A, D, choline, B6 and B12. You actually cant taste it and it makes the smoothie extra creamy. I put them in my kids smoothies all the time!
3. A scoop or two of collagen peptides is a great way to add extra protein and this nutrient is also a powerhouse for the skin, hair and nails.
4. Add some leafy greens. Its best to consume cooked greens so cook the greens, drain them and then freeze them in an ice cube tray. You can do this with kale, spinach, mustard greens, and dandelion greens. Or, if youd like a shortcut, check out Dr. Cowens greens powder. They are cooked beforehand to reduce the goitrogens and then dehydrated and crushed into a fine powder.
5. Adding a handful of other frozen veggies such as butternut squash, steamed cauliflower, or even frozen peas along with your frozen fruit is a great way to add nutrients.
6. A spoonful of coconut oil is a great way to add some healthy saturated fat to make the smoothie more filling. Make sure and blend the smoothie really well, so you dont have any clumps!
10. A sprinkle of bee pollen in the smoothie or on top is a nice way to add some additional B-complex and folate.
What are your favorite healthy ingredients to add to a smoothie?
Swap Yogurt For Kefir For Added Digestive Benefits
If you already add yogurt to your smoothies, try swapping for kefir, a yogurt-like substance that comes in vegan and dairy options alike. Kefir is made from similar bacteria as yogurt while being a bit thinner and milkier, so it’s perfect for a smoothie.
Kefir has a tangy, sour flavor but little sweetness, and it’s a natural probiotic, which means it helps minimize “bad” bacteria that can build up in your gut, making it an excellent choice for your digestive health and overall immune system.
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What Is Healthier Kale Or Spinach
The Bottom Line. Kale and spinach are highly nutritious and and associated with several benefits. While kale offers more than twice the amount of vitamin C as spinach, spinach provides more folate and vitamins A and K. Both are linked to improved heart health, increased weight loss, and protection against disease.
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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Try Cottage Cheese In Lieu Of Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has long been a favorite base among smoothie lovers because of its rich, creamy texture and high protein content. But if you’re looking for something new that is equally tangy, opt for a scoop of cottage cheese.
“Sure, you can reach for the protein powder, but that’s often expensive and can give your drink a gritty taste,” Melinda Johnson, MS, RDN wrote in US News. “Cottage cheese contains 15 grams of protein in half a cup, and it adds a creamy texture that you can’t get from plain yogurt, milk, or soy milk.”
Should You Boil Spinach For Your Smoothie
You may do so.
However, it is not necessary since processing the leaves into a smoothie already produces an edible and ready-to-drink beverage.
Besides, studies have found out that boiling spinach will leach the important nutrients through water. Instead, steam the spinach until theyre slightly tender enough for the blender to process them efficiently.
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Are Breakfast Smoothies Good For Weight Loss
- Filling breakfast smoothies that are high in protein and low in calories can be good for weight loss. Choosing hearty breakfast smoothies will help make sure you arent starving by mid-morning.
- See the Healthy Breakfast Smoothies for Weight Loss category below for recipe ideas.
Note: The above is a general guideline. For more information or specific recommendations for your own diet, please contact a nutritionist or your doctor.
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.
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How To Blend The Perfect Smoothie
Depending on the strength of your blender , the order you put your ingredients in the blender could influence the overall texture. Heres how we like to layer ingredients into the blender:
Start the blender off slowly, then gradually increase the speed. Blend for 30 to 60 seconds until the smoothie is as smooth as possible.