Green Smoothies: Vibrant, lush, healthy and radiant, filled with more vegetables than most people eat in a day, it’s an almost noble breakfast. Unfortunately, it usually tastes whitish from protein powders or filamentous from spinach. Can I say I’m not a fan?
However, smoothies are also an easy and quick way to get a healthy breakfast and snacks full of vitamins, fiber and protein. HuffPost talked to nutritionists and recipe developers to find out how to take advantage of both. This is a delicious and timeless smoothie to start your day right.
Balance is everything
Consider making a balanced smoothie as well as a balanced diet. Carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, protein from protein powder and nut butter, and healthy fats for a feeling of fullness.
“All-fruit smoothies can spike blood sugar levels and quickly lead to a hanger-filled crash,” explained cookbook author and Healthier Together podcast host Liz Moody. “Every smoothie I make contains healthy fats such as leafy vegetables (for fiber), avocados, nuts, seeds and yogurt, dietary fiber, and foods rich in protein. , Protein raises blood levels and makes you full for hours. “
Hiding frozen vegetables (cauliflower, zucchini, spinach) in a smoothie is not a great trick for noisy eaters.
“My favorite rule for green smoothies is two parts of green (spinach, kale, celery, cucumber) and one part of fruit (asai, apple, mango, pear, pineapple),” said a holistic nutritionist. Teresapiro told Huff Post. “For example, adding half a frozen banana, half an avocado, a tablespoon of coconut oil, or a scoop of nut butter adds creaminess, completes the flavor, and balances the chalky texture.”
Most Americans haven’t seen them Daily fiber recommendationsAdding some blended vegetables is a useful and easy addition that will help you reach that goal.
How to make delicious
“I imitate dessert flavors like apple pie and chocolate-covered strawberries with ingredients like cocoa and cinnamon to create craving-worthy flavors,” Moody said.
Add spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, herbs such as basil and mint, sweets such as date and maple syrup, and flavorings such as cacao and coffee. Stay away from the traditional ones to find a satisfying flavor combo. One study We have found that we absorb more nutrients from the foods we enjoy than the foods we feed ourselves.
Choose a smoothie flavor based on your favorite dessert, such as chocolate cherry pie. You can already get a great smoothie combo by using the flavors you already love, such as chocolate and cherry.
“Focus on flavors and you make smoothies Love Drink instead Have got It’s the best way to turn a green smoothie into a true sustainable habit, “Moody said.
And if you’re looking for an easy way to hide all those frozen vegetables, Piro has a winning solution. “Berry and nut butter are your friends. Acai, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries go well with nut butter and work together to hide the taste and color of green vegetables,” Piro said. rice field.
Add protein source
Protein is the best way to stay full (also known as full), so making sure your smoothie has a high quality sauce is essential to prevent energy crashes in the morning. Judges are particular about texture and sometimes taste, but most of the time they use protein powder because it’s easy and easy to get.
Moody has a solution. “I tend to opt for the ones with the least amount of ingredients. Collagen is also a great option for a much milder protein taste. Especially if you don’t like the texture of protein powder, collagen is a smoothie and perfect. It’s texture-free. ”Always read the protein or collagen powder label to make sure it has been tested by a third party.
All food sources such as yogurt, tofu, cottage cheese and nut butter are also great ways to increase protein. “Hemp seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds are an easy way to add nutrients and fiber to your smoothie,” says Piro.
Four keys to a successful smoothie
If you accidentally break the blender while trying to make a smoothie, hand it over (oh, was it just me?). Our experts share their top 5 tips to prevent smoothie disasters and save you some money along the way:
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If the blender motor is weak: “First mix the vegetables and water until they are very well mixed, then add the rest of the ingredients and mix again,” Moody said.
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Smoothie meal preparation: “If you want to save time in the morning, wash and separate the vegetables the night before. Store them in the Ziploc bag in the fridge or in the Pyrex storage container. In the morning, pick up the vegetables and frozen fruits, add the liquid and blend. I will go, “said Piro.
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Save money and use water: “I recommend blending with water instead of nut milk. Using my formula gives me a creamy smoothie. I spend a lot of money on something that isn’t really nutritious and nutritious. You don’t have to waste it, it really changes the taste, “Moody said.
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Add plant-based fat. “Avocado, nut butter, or coconut oil increases calories (good fat = good calories), keeps energizing longer, and aids in the absorption process of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).” Said.
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