Do you love smoothies? We do too! Smoothies are an excellent way to quickly fill your diet with protein, vegetables and fruits. They taste delicious and help you ensure that you're getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to live a healthy and happy life. If you don’t know how to start blending, this blog post is for you.
Smoothies are also a great meal replacement when you're in a rush for time. Let's face it; some mornings we don't have time to head to the kitchen and cook an elaborate breakfast. This being so, smoothies provide the ideal option for a healthy meal on-the-go. Made in just minutes, they can help keep you energized and full until your next meal, one that you may be able to sit down for!
That being said, the amount of health benefits you receive from your daily smoothie heavily depends on what you put in it. So before you toss the ingredients in the blender and that blade starts spinning, take a few minutes to read this beginner’s guide to blending up the ideal smoothie.
When to Make Your Smoothie
Smoothies can be made quickly, which makes them the perfect meal to whip up before you head out the door. While smoothies taste best when made with fresh fruits and vegetables, this doesn't mean that you have to prep all the ingredients right when you wake up. Instead, to make your mornings run more smoothly, we recommend prepping your breakfast smoothie the night before. Doing so will leave you with more time in the morning to focus on other essential things like chatting with your family or brushing your teeth.
When prepping your smoothie beforehand, you must choose what ingredients you'd like your smoothie to be made out of. Fruits, veggies and protein powder are all nutritious and wholesome smoothie additions. Start by choosing your smoothie recipes and portioning out the ingredients into a freezer-safe bag. In the morning, remove the bag from the freezer and add any liquids and supplements you'd like. Blend it all, and you're ready to go.
When it comes to enjoying your smoothie, we recommend that you sip on it as soon as possible. This way, it will taste fresh and delicious. Let your smoothie sit for too long, and the ingredients may begin to separate, or it could start to melt.
Building the Perfect Smoothie
While the perfect smoothie recipe may vary depending on each individual's taste buds, there are a few ingredients that should always be worked into this tasty treat. Keep scrolling to discover which healthy foods you should be adding to your blended creations.
Fruit
Fruit is one of the main components of a great tasting smoothie. When choosing the fruit to add, try to opt for a healthy one that's not overflowing with sugar. While fruit is excellent for you, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. An overload of fruit in your morning smoothie could cause an unwanted sugar spike. To avoid this, limit the amount of fruit you add to about one quarter of your full smoothie. Fruit should be your foundation, but it shouldn't make up your entire drink. Some of our favorite fruits to use when making smoothies include:
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Banana
- Peaches
- Cucumber
Vegetables
After deciding which fruit to use, the next step is to fill up your smoothie with vegetables. Vegetables provide loads of nutrients without the extra sugar. Whether you choose to keep it simple by adding in a few greens or opt for more bold vegetables like steamed zucchini, the choice is yours! We recommend adding vegetables that you know will taste well combined with the fruit for a great tasting smoothie. Some of our favorite blended vegetables include:
- Spinach
- Beets
- Kale
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
Fats
If you think all fats are bad, think again. Incorporating healthy fats into your daily meals is essential to overall health, and what better way to get your daily source of healthy fats than with delicious smoothie recipes. Adding fats to your smoothie will help keep you fuller for longer. It will also boost the texture of your blended drink and make it a bit smoother and creamier. Healthy fats that taste delicious when added to any smoothie include:
- Avocado
- Almond Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Ghee
Liquid
One of the most crucial parts of smoothie making is adding the right amount of liquid. Too much liquid and your smoothie will be watery, too little and it could be too thick to sip. At first, achieving the right consistency requires a bit of testing. Because each ingredient added to a smoothie changes its texture, the amount of liquid you add will likely be different each time. We recommend choosing a healthy liquid base like coconut water, almond milk or tea and slowly adding it to your drink. If your smoothie does not automatically blend into a smooth textured beverage, then it may mean you need a bit more liquid. Conversely, if you add too much to your smoothie at the start, you'll end up with more of a juice-like drink. Not sure which liquid to add to your smoothie? Try out these blending favorites:
- Water
- Tea
- Almond Milk
- Cashew Milk
- Rice Milk
Supplements and Superfoods
Once you've created the ideal foundation for your smoothie, it's time to talk about what else you can add into the mix to make it even better for you. Adding superfoods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds is a great way to boost the fiber content and omega-3s.
Additionally, depending on what your day (and diet) looks like, you might want an extra boost of protein. If that's the case, start by blending it into your smoothie. Our Bob's Red Mill Protein Powders are an excellent way to up your protein, fiber and probiotics intake. Plus, they'll add a delicious taste to your smoothie that even kids will enjoy.
Toppings
When it comes to blending up a delicious meal, don't forget to add the toppings. Toppings can take your smoothie to the next level by adding an out-of-this-world taste and texture. When choosing toppings opt for those that will add nutritional value to your smoothie as well as flavor. Coconut flakes, wholesome granola, nuts and berries are all delicious foods to top your smoothie with.
Beginner Smoothie Recipes
Now that you know how to create the perfect smoothie recipe, it's time to get started! Continue reading to discover a few of our favorite healthy blended recipes, ideal for beginners.
Almond Mocha Smoothie
Make your mornings sweeter and start your day off with the Almond Mocha Smoothie. Made with our Almond Protein Powder, this smoothie is full of creamy goodness. A handful of nutrients, cocoa and coffee give this smoothie a kick that is sure to boost your energy levels. The ideal blended drink to take with you on the go, drink this smoothie when you require a morning pick-me-up it's sure to do the trick.
Creamy Chilled Beet Smoothie
Who said smoothies had to be sweet? If you're craving a more savory breakfast option, whip up this Creamy Chilled Beet Smoothie. A delicious combo of beets and avocado, it's a superfood smoothie that is bound to give you superpower energy. For the best tasting blend, use chilled or frozen ingredients to make this smoothie.
Apple Mint Smoothie
This blended breakfast combines all of your favorite flavors into one. Sweet apples, spicy chai and cool mint are mixed for a refreshing smoothie that is sure to help you remain calm, cool and collected. Make this Apple Mint Smoothie in the morning, or enjoy it as a quick afternoon lunch. Full of good-for-you ingredients, you'll be left feeling great and ready to take on the day.
We believe that the best smoothies are those you create yourself! Use this guide to help you create a deliciously blended glass full of protein, healthy fats and fiber. Not only will your smoothie recipes taste great, they'll also ensure that you're meeting your daily requirement of fruits and vegetables without even trying. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy smoothie making!
Have a smoothie ingredient or recipe that you'd like us to try out? We love hearing from you. Let us know your favorite blended tips and tricks in the comments below.
