Anyone can appreciate a delicious smoothie. It’s healthy, yummy, and helps you meet your daily nutrition requirements. One of its greatest benefits is that you can have one on the go. Whether you’re on the way to work, leaving the gym, or in between meals, smoothies are a refreshing way to give your body a healthy boost.
Are you new to making smoothies? It can be challenging — but exciting!— to find out which combinations pair well with each other. Until you become a seasoned smoothie maker, here are some simple and quick recipes you can take on the go.
Popular Smoothie Recipes
1.Apple and Greens
Green smoothies are great for regulating bodily functions responsible for cleansing due to their high fiber content. They also leave you feeling full for longer without the high caloric intake.
Source: ShutterstockFor this recipe, you’ll need:
- •1 cup of coconut water
- •½ of a cucumber
- •2 romaine lettuce leaves
- •½ of a peeled banana
- •1 peeled and sliced apple
- •1 cup of spinach
Add all of the ingredients and blend. You can either add ice to fresh ingredients or use frozen fruit for a thicker, colder smoothie.
2.Strawberry Banana
This recipe is an oldie but goldie that contains calcium and helps boost your metabolism.
Source: ShutterstockYou’ll need:
- •A handful of frozen strawberries
- •1 sliced banana
- •Your favorite milk(just enough to cover your fruit)
- •1 cup of yogurt (optional)
Mix all of these ingredients in your blender, add a straw, and enjoy. Adding yogurt acts as a thickening agent and provides a protein boost. If you want to up your antioxidant intake, upgrade your strawberry banana smoothie by adding blueberries, raspberries, and a touch more milk. For a vegan-friendly version, use almonds cashew milk, frozen fruit, and a tablespoon of chia seeds for a dairy-free protein boost.
3.Pina Colada
This smoothie is a healthy, non-alcoholic version of the popular cocktail that can be enjoyed by every age group. The pineapple is great for boosting immunity and regulating digestion.
Source: ShutterstockFor this recipe, you’ll need:
- •1 cup of coconut milk
- •1 cup of frozen pineapple
- •1 peeled banana
- •¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Blend the ingredients and enjoy. You can top this drink with coconut flakes for added texture and natural sweetness.
4.Peanut Butter Banana
This protein-rich smoothie is a wonderful breakfast option that will give you a natural boost of energy without the mid-morning crash.
Source: ShutterstockTo make a peanut butter banana smoothie, you’ll need:
- •1 banana, sliced and frozen
- •a ½ cup of your favorite milk
- •1 teaspoon of peanut butter
- •A few ice cubes
Blend these ingredients and enjoy. You can mix a ½ teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder for a healthy alternative to this sweet treat if you like peanut butter cups.
5.Cherry Pomegranate
If you’re not big on green smoothies, try this detox smoothie with more fruit. This antioxidant-rich drink is excellent if you suffer from inflammation. It’s perfect if you enjoy a sweet and tart blend.
Source: ShutterstockFor this recipe, you’ll need:
- •1 frozen banana
- •½ cup of sour cherries
- •½ cup of pomegranate seeds
- •1 cup of your favorite milk
- •½ cup of ice
Blend these ingredients and enjoy. If this recipe is too thick to blend, adding small amounts of milk will allow your blender to create a smooth texture.
Smoothie Hacks
Making a smoothie is easy. But you can make the process even quicker, which is perfect for people on the go. For instance, you can pre-pack your recipes. It’s as simple as putting all of your ingredients in a bag. Do not add liquid or ice to your pre-packed bags. Label the bag with the smoothie name (strawberry banana, pina colada, etc.) and the date.
Do you need yogurt for your smoothie recipe? Would you like frozen juice to thicken your recipe? Take an ice tray, fill them with your chosen ingredient, freeze them, and add them to their own bag or into the pre-packed smoothie bag.
Source: ShutterstockApart from pre-packing your smoothie blends, you can prep smoothie bowls. These are an affordable and healthy alternative to buying lunch or snacks from a convenience store during your work break.
To make a smoothie bowl, blend a smoothie as the base and top it with fresh ingredients including, fruits, nuts, and seeds. You can also prep your smoothie bowl ahead of time. Cut your chosen fresh fruits, store them in the refrigerator, and add them to your smoothie the next day.
Enjoying a smoothie has never been so easy. As long as you prepare ahead of time, you can make breakfast within minutes. There are even portable, rechargeable blenders that allow you to make smoothies wherever you want. However, you decide to enjoy one, be sure to consistently make smoothies to meet your everyday health needs.
