Build a Better Smoothie
Smoothies are certainly delicious and they can also be highly nutritious! In order to pack in the vitamins and minerals AND use your smoothie as a true meal that keeps you full, you need a combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat. You can also squeeze in some things we will call "extras" to boost the nutrition even more. Let's break it down... CARBOHYDRATES Fruit (banana, peaches, mango, berries, kiwi, pineapple) Vegetables (cinnamon roasted sweet potato, riced cauliflower, baby spinach) PROTEIN Collagen Peptides Protein Powder Silken Tofu Greek Yogurt FAT Nut/Seed Butter Avocado Hemp Seeds Chia Seeds Flax Seeds EXTRAS Spices (cinnamon, ginger and turmeric are great in smoothies!) Superfoods (acai, maca, spirulina, goji) Greens Powder (I like the one by AmazingGrass) Cacao Powder METHOD: Choose 2-3 carbohydrates, 1 source of protein and 1 source of fat. Add extras as desired. Blend all the ingredients together with a non-dairy milk, juice or water. Use frozen items for a thicker and creamier smoothie or add ice if using fresh ingredients. SOME COMBINATION IDEAS: 1) Tropical Paradise: Add a handful each of mango, pineapple and spinach (carbohydrates) with a scoop of collagen (protein) and 1/4 of an avocado (fat) as well as a small knob of fresh ginger (extra). Blend with coconut milk and ice until desired consistency. 2) Love Potion: Add banana, raspberries, riced cauliflower (carbohydrates) with a 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt (protein) and 1 tbs almond butter (fat) plus 1 Tbs cacao powder (extra). Blend with almond milk and ice until desired consistency. 3) Pie A La Mode: Add banana and cinnamon roasted sweet potato (carbohydrates) with vanilla protein powder (protein), 2 Tbs roasted pecans (or 1 tbs pecan butter) (fat) plus a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (extra). Blend with ice and plain soymilk until smooth. ENJOY!!
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