Start your day off right by making a healthy and delicious smoothie for breakfast! Smoothies can be easily made with any blender and a few common ingredients, and they can be made unique to your tastes with other additions. Almost every smoothie in some way incorporates fruit, liquid, and protein. Don't be afraid to experiment a little and find a good smoothie recipe that works for you!
Fruit
Fruits are the backbone of most smoothies, and should be among the first things you consider for your smoothie. Fruits provide a healthy sources of carbohydrates (carbs) giving you the energy you need to begin your day. Here are some good examples of fruits often used in smoothies:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Apples
Bananas
Kiwi
Liquid
Choice of the correct liquid is very important to give your smoothie the texture it needs. Different liquids can make the smoothie turn out thick, or "liquified" depending on your preference. When selecting liquid for smoothie, be mindful of how many calories the following liquids might have, especially the different types of milk. Try out these different liquids in your smoothies and find the combination that works for you.
Milk
Water
Coconut Milk
Almond Milk
Protein
Incorporating protein into smoothies can be a little tricky and sometimes forgotten by those unaware of its importance. Protein is needed for muscle growth and recovery, and is central to a healthy diet. When thinking of protein, most people typically think of meats such as chicken, burgers, or steak. However, some other very healthy proteins can be easily added to smoothies, which helps to make the smoothie filling and last you until lunch. Some good proteins to consider are listed below:
Greek yogurt
Almonds or almond butter
Protein powder
Peanuts or peanut butter
Other
Addition of some other healthy ingredients can give you a unique taste as well as a boost to your energy for breakfast! These foods can be found in almost any grocery store, and adding them to the smoothie provides excellent nutrients as well as makes the smoothie a bit more filling.
Kale
Ginger
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Oatmeal
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