My Go-To Morning Smoothie
Today I am sharing my go-to morning smoothie, my favorite smoothie ingredients to have on hand, and all of my smoothie tips!
If you've been following along over on Instagram, I am sure you've heard me talk all about smoothies. I love them for so many reasons! I'd be hard-pressed to find another food or drink where you can cram in as much nutrition as in a smoothie.
Now that the weather is getting warm again, I am in full-on smoothie mode. I make my go-to morning smoothie several times a week, and I make my kids a smoothie several times a week as well. (See my mom hack below!)
There is definitely no shortage of smoothie recipes online. They are an amazing way to squeeze lots of nutrition into a meal or snack.
However, I do feel it takes a little trial and error to find your own personal favorite combination and texture. Luckily I've done lots of trial and error, and I'll be sharing all of my tips and tricks.
It's important to note that you want your smoothie to pack in nutrient dense foods that include fiber, protein, and healthy fats to keep you full and satiated. That combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats also helps to keep your blood sugar stable and your cravings at bay.
Read on for smoothie benefits, my go-to morning smoothie recipe, and everything you need to stock your own smoothie shelf.
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Are smoothies good for you?
I'm so glad you asked! Here are some benefits of smoothies.
Smoothies are a nutritional powerhouse.
As mentioned, smoothies are a great vehicle for combining lots of healthy, nutrient-dense foods into one meal or snack.
Smoothies are customizable.
Smoothies are fully customizable, based on your health goals, dietary needs, and personal preferences.
Smoothies are quick and easy to make.
Smoothies are quick and easy to make, and the ingredients can easily be kept on hand so you can throw one together whenever you want.
Smoothies are versatile.
Breakfast is not the only time for smoothies. Blend one up for lunch, with your dinner, or even as a snack.
How can I make smoothies at home?
TIP #1: It's all about the consistency. I love my smoothie thick and cold, so I use frozen greens and berries. You can also add greens and berries right from your fridge if you like your smoothies with a bit of a thinner consistency.
TIP #2: The proportions matter. You want be sure to include fiber (greens, fruit), protein (protein powder) and healthy fats (nut butter), along with seeds like chia or flax that provide a combination of these. A smoothie full of just fruit (though yummy) will not keep you full, and will not pack in all of the macronutrients that make smoothies a nutritional powerhouse. This type of smoothie can also spike your blood sugar, and we want our smoothies to do the opposite - keep our blood sugar stable.
TIP #3: Don't be afraid to play around with your favorite fruits, nut butters, and liquids. The options are endless!
TIP #4: Not enough time in the morning? Try making smoothie freezer bags. Put all frozen items in a Ziploc or silicone bag and pop into the freezer. In the morning, empty the bag into your blender and add protein powder, seeds, nut butter, and liquid of choice.
TIP #5: Have fruit or greens that are overripe, or that you might not eat before they go bad? Stick them in the freezer for smoothies! I do this with spinach, berries, and especially bananas.
TIP #6: If you don't like protein powder, you can add some protein by using milk or Greek yogurt instead. My kids love a scoop of yogurt in their smoothies.
TIP #7: Keep your freezer stocked with your favorite greens and fruit, and keep your pantry stocked with protein powder, nut butters, and seeds such as flax and chia. You will always have the essentials on hand.
What tools do I need to make smoothies?
Here are a few of my smoothie must-haves. Stock your freezer and pantry and you'll be ready to whip up smoothies whenever the urge strikes.
High-speed blender.
My all-time favorite is the NutriBullet - I can't live without this high-powered blender. I like that it makes a single (or sometimes double) serving and it's easier to clean than a full-sized blender.
Protein powder.
It's important to choose a protein powder with minimal ingredients. I am a big fan of Just Ingredients. Their protein powders contain 5 different sources of protein for optimal absorption, and they only use real food for flavor, no artificial flavors. There are so many different flavors to choose from, but the chocolate is my favorite. (You can use code 'NOTES' for 10% off!)
Silicone bags.
Stasher bags are great if you want to pre-pack frozen smoothie ingredients in advance. I also found this set, a more cost-effective option, that has really good reviews!
Cold cups.
If you want to bring your smoothie on-the-go I like to have a cup that will keep it cold. I like this Stanley 20 oz cup with a straw.
Cups for kids.
If you are making smoothies for your little ones, these are my favorite cups. They are stainless steel, unbreakable, keep smoothies cold, and they are fairly leakproof. They also make a set in glass with a silicone cover.
My Go-To Smoothie Recipe
I use the term 'recipe' loosely here, because I don't usually measure any of my ingredients. I tend to just throw them in and hope for the best. However, with many smoothies under my belt, I have a basic formula. It can of course be adapted in many ways with different greens, fruits, protein powder, nut butters, liquids, and seeds.
1 small handful spinach
1/4 cup frozen riced cauliflower
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (Use code 'NOTES' for 10% off!)
1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
1 - 1 1/2 cups milk of choice (I love So Delicious Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut milk!)
Add to blender, blend, and enjoy!
My smoothie mom hack:
When we have an empty fridge, and I'm relying on frozen pizza or takeout for dinner, I love to serve up a smoothie on the side. My kids love them, and I feel better knowing that they are getting some fiber, protein and healthy fats with dinner.
Happy smoothie making!
That is my go-to morning smoothie, along with all of my best tips, tricks and tools. Once you find a smoothie combination that you really enjoy, I think you'll find that it is a great way for busy moms to squeeze in a nutritious meal or snack any time of day.
Do you have a favorite smoothie combo? Let me know below!
For more healthy breakfast ideas, check out these easy and healthy protein-packed breakfast ideas and these five meal prep breakfast ideas for kids.
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6 comments
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Thanks, I really do need to make more smoothies!
Thank you for commenting! I hope you give them a try! 🙂
Great tips! It's been awhile since I have made smoothies but with summer coming, it's time for them to make a comeback!
I'm so glad you liked it, thank you for commenting! I hope you whip some up this summer. 🙂