April 25, 2019
Smoothies are one of my go to foods! So many options! A great way to use up leftover produce and virtually impossible to screw up. They also travel well!
First thing–Make sure you have a good blender and a big cup! Maybe a smoothie straw or a spoon! Look around your kitchen and see what you have and get blending!
1. Liquid–About a cup. Water, Almond or Coconut Milk, or Coconut water are all great choices. When buying nondairy milk, make sure you get the unsweetened. I stick with almond milk most of the time. Coconut milk has a slightly higher fat content, but can be a nice way to jazz things up!
2. Thickener–This is going to give your smoothie a nice creamy consistency…and important if your smoothie is meal! Banana, avocado, yogurt, oatmeal, chia seeds. Mix and match!
3. Fruit–I love berries and keep a lot of frozen fruit around….but don’t overdo it! If you are watching your sugar intake, a little fruit goes a long way. Experiment with your favorite combinations!
4. Veggies–GREENS!!! Any greens will do. I stick to spinach and kale, and just throw a handful in.
5. Sweet tooth–Maybe throw in a date. They are a great source of iron, magnesium and zinc. I actually have replaced my occasional pre-run gu with a date and almond butter!
6. Protein powder–This is optional, but you can up your protein intake if that is what you are looking for. I have been a vegetarian for years and find that a protein power works well for me when I don’t always have time to cook at night.
Experiment and have fun! Don’t overthink it…it’s hard to really mess up a smoothie. You can always thrown in some sort of “super-food” to keep it interesting or eat in like a soup topped with nuts, seeds, granola etc.
Leave a Reply