Smoothies are getting their rightful place in the hearts of people, especially those who are very conscious about their health and well-being. They have become popular that a lot of people are sharing their own healthy smoothie recipe ideas across the internet. Moreover, they are now a common sight in gyms, groceries and snack bars these days.
Smoothies are nutritious, but you can’t be sure of the nutritional value of the ones sold over the counter. Some of these are loaded with sugar, fat and calories which are actually detrimental to your health and fitness.
In order to be assured of their health benefits, you need to make the smoothie yourself. This will give you a guarantee that you are ingesting a healthy and creamy smoothie.
Here are three healthy smoothie recipes you should try:
1. Wheatgrass Smoothie
Wheatgrass is a superfood that is loaded with plenty of substances that guarantee nutrition. It has become a popular ingredient in drinks sold in smoothie shops and juice bars. Wheatgrass doesn’t taste good, but you might like it if you combine it with other ingredients. Here’s the recipe:
1/2 cup wheatgrass
4 strawberries
1 apple
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup iced cubes
1 peeled orange
This smoothie is rich in vitamins A, B12, C, E, and K, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Make this smoothie for a quick breakfast and you are good to go for the rest of the day.
2. Blueberry and Broccoli Smoothie
Ever wondered what green veggies and fruits taste like when mixed together?
Many people think that blueberries and broccoli can’t go together as a meal, but they can be blended together as a smoothie. You don’t have to worry about the taste; just put it in your blender and you’ll surely like it.
Here are the ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup steamed broccoli
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup cranberry (or cranberry-apple juice)
1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (regular)
Blueberries and broccoli are both loaded with nutrients and antioxidants which help to keep you healthy and fit. Their combination can do a lot of health benefits such as:
– It helps to boost the immune system
– It helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke
– It helps to prevent hypertension
– It helps to lower the risk of lung and colon cancer.
3. Spinach Smoothie
Not everyone is a fan of green smoothies. Some find that it tastes like grass. But once they have given it a try, they will surely want to learn to make this easy smoothie at home.
Spinach is another superfood that is loaded with plenty of nutrients and antioxidants. It is a tasty treat that helps to keep you healthy. This green smoothie also helps to protect you from major diseases like cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancers like skin, prostate, breast and ovarian cancer.
Here’s your green smoothie recipe:
2 cups of spinach
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 frozen bananas
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup soy milk
1/2 cup of kale
You can also try to add some chia seeds and coconut milk to bind the nutrients of other ingredients together.
Is it healthy to drink a smoothie every day?
Not everyone has the time to prepare a balanced and healthy meal. There will be times when life duties will get in the way and we want the fastest breakfast that we can make to fill our stomachs. But this does not mean that we will set aside the importance of our overall health.
Having a fruit and veggie-packed smoothie every day is a simple and easy way for you to fill in the gaps in your nutritional needs. Not only is it convenient to prepare, but you can also make healthy breakfast smoothies according to your taste. Moreover, this maximizes the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.
Now, what are the benefits of consistently drinking smoothies? A healthy breakfast smoothie recipe actually has a lot to offer. Some of these include the following:
Promotes weight loss
If you are aiming to lose a few pounds, try adding healthy smoothies to your meals. As we all know, one way to start a healthy diet is to eat fruit and vegetables. And that’s what smoothies are exactly made of.
Smoothies are low in calories but high in essential nutrients which allows us to keep healthy. So if you are on a strict diet but want something sweet to pair with your meals, go grab some smoothies!
Keeps you hydrated
Drinking water can sometimes get boring. Adding a twist to your beverages can also help improve your appetite.
So instead of drinking sugary or any type of soft drinks, making your own smoothie can help you away from dehydration. Among the smoothie that has a natural sweetness that you can try are coconuts, watermelon, mango and pineapple. The fruits are packed with essential vitamins and minerals needed by the body.
Better digestion
Sometimes we cannot hold ourselves from our cravings to the point that we overeat. This causes us to feel bloated making it difficult for us to properly digest our meals. Having a smoothie alongside your meals helps to promote better digestion.
A high-fiber smoothie may assist you in losing weight, fighting constipation, maintaining bowel health, and maintaining bowel health. The nutrient softens your stool, making it easier to pass through your colon.
Here are some fiber-rich fruits and veggies to add to your smoothie:
- Avocado
- Strawberry
- Apples
- Raspberries
- Banana
- Carrots
- Pears
Packed with antioxidants
Think smoothies are just for losing weight and keeping you healthy? Well, think again. There are one more things that you should know about smoothies and we are confident that you will surely love them.
Smoothies are also perfect for keeping your skin smooth, glowing and healthy. Its antioxidant properties provide support in fighting oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It also provides an additional layer of protection for our skin against UV rays keeping younger-looking skin.
Listed below are fruits and vegetables you can try for your next smoothie:
- Artichokes
- Tomatoes
- red beans
- blueberries
- blackberries
- pecans
- sweet cherries
- black plums
Strong immune system
The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the body against harmful diseases. To do this, it is necessary for us to strengthen our immunity by consuming foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
A healthy smoothie that is packed with vitamins C and A is perfect for doing this job. You can make this kind of smoothie with citrus fruits to give your immune system a boost.
Fills your guts
Feeling hungry even after having a meal? A blended smoothie may be what you need!
Drinking a smoothie is a great way to fill up your stomach and get the nutrients you need. Smoothies are packed with fruits and vegetables which are a great source of fiber. It is also a good way to get some protein into your diet to strengthen your muscles and keep hunger and cravings at bay.
Body Detoxification
Give your body a reset by flushing out the toxins with a smoothie. Detoxifying your body through smoothies is a great way to cleanse your system and enjoy some delicious fruits and vegetables at the same time.
Detoxifying the body brings various benefits such as:
- bringing balance to your hormones
- better sleep quality
- improve digestion
- stronger immune system
- boost energy
Promotes bone health
Drinking smoothies is a great way to promote bone health. According to Bone Health and Osteoporosis, there are over 10 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis and 44 million have low bone density.
With that in mind, it is important to find the right ingredients that will strengthen your bones. The calcium and other nutrients in the smoothie help to keep bones strong and healthy. Drinking smoothie also helps to prevent osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to weak and fragile bones.
Here is some high-calcium food that you can mix to level up your smoothie:
- sesame seeds
- raisins
- almond milk
- Greek yogurt
- okra
Curbs the development of cancer and other diseases
Healthy smoothies play a significant role in your diet. It contains fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients needed to fight diseases.
Drinking healthy smoothies have positive effects in preventing the development of carcinogens. Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer. Smoothies are also associated with reducing the risk of developing heart-related diseases. Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains can help promote better heart health.
Are smoothies good for kids?
Yes, it is healthy to have a smoothie for kids. It’s not just for adults that are trying to cut down some weight.
Blended smoothies are a quick and easy way to get fruits and vegetables into their diet, and can be customized to each child’s liking. This way, you do not have to worry about your kids getting enough nutrition that they need as they grow up. Smoothies can also be a good source of protein and calcium if they are made with yogurt or milk.
Furthermore, because breakfast smoothies are not processed, they are far preferable compared to other types of fruit juice. For example, a fresh fruit smoothie still contains the same nutrient content as its fruit counterpart.
Listed below are some perfect healthy breakfast fruit smoothie recipes for your kids:
- Banana smoothie
- peanut butter banana smoothie
- Watermelon smoothie
- Blueberry smoothie
Although smoothies are healthy, you should be careful of the amount of fruit you will be blending for your kids. Too many fruits also mean too much sugar which is also not good for your kids. Thus when making fruit smoothies you should ensure to add an adequate amount of fruits based on your kid’s needs.
When should you drink smoothies?
Smoothies are a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, but when is the best time to drink them?
The best time to drink a smoothie is first thing in the morning or right after a workout. This is because your body is more likely to absorb the nutrients from the smoothie when you drink it at these times.
But if you are not someone who works out a lot, it is best to drink smoothies during the morning. Starting your day with a glass of smoothie fuels your body keeping you energized throughout the day. Just remember to keep an eye on your calories because consuming too many smoothies can contribute to weight gain.
A smoothie a day keep diseases away
A good smoothie is more than just a breakfast on the go. Making smoothies also includes research to find the best breakfast treat to help keep you going.
Smoothies are easy to make and can be tailored to your individual taste. When choosing ingredients for your smoothie, look for fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and antioxidants. These nutrients will help to flush toxins from your body and boost your immune system.
Remember that the most delicious smoothie recipes are those that can keep you full and bring essential health benefits to you. Have a great healthy breakfast with a delicious smoothie. If you want to learn more about the best healthy smoothie recipes, check out our juicing blog posts.
