Are you ready to join us on a flavourful journey that not only tickles your taste buds but also fuels your body? If the answer is yes, get your blender out because today, we’re talking all things smoothies! 

More than meets the straw

Picture this: you’re running late, and breakfast seems like a distant dream. Enter smoothie, the superhero of convenience that will help you kick off the day with a burst of energy even when you’re in a time crunch!  

With the right ingredients, smoothies can be a great way of sneaking your 5 a day into the diet, keeping you full, nurturing your body with all the right nutrients, and helping you achieve body-shaping dreams. 

Vegetables, yoghurt, various nut butters, and chia or flaxseed can transform this sweet beverage into a balanced meal in a glass that allows you to get all the necessary macro (carbs, protein and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) that your body needs.  

Navigating the calorie maze – portion power 

But hold up before you hit the blend button! While smoothies are a practical snack, they can also be sneaky calorie bombs if you’re not careful.

Depending on what you add to your mix, you can transform your smoothie from a light and healthy refreshment to a calorie-rich blend that might make you consume more calories than you’d like.  

However, if your goal is to achieve the body shape you’ve always wanted, there is one versatile ingredient that can help you in more ways than just one. 

If you aim to lose weight, adding more protein to your diet is essential because it increases your resting metabolic rate, meaning you burn more calories throughout the day.

And it’s not only your slimming ally; protein is also great if you want to put on muscle mass (remember, proteins are the building blocks of our muscles). 

All you need are some minor tweaks to your regular smoothie recipes, like adding protein powder or nuts and seeds to your favourite mix, and voilà, a high-protein smoothie is ready to be enjoyed.   

Ingredients of success

Let’s dive into the ingredients that can turn your regular smoothie into a nutrient-packed powerhouse.  

1. Fruits  

Every good smoothie starts with fruit. Think bananas, mixed berries, pineapple, and mango. They don’t only provide flavour but are also filled with vitamins and fibre.  

2. Veggies  

When it comes to smoothies, green doesn’t inspire envy but health! A bit of spinach, kale, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and cauliflower can add antioxidants and even more fibre to your drink.

These veggies will give the smoothie more substance and keep you full for longer. But don’t worry, combined with a rainbow of delicious fruit, you won’t even be able to taste them. 

3. Protein   

Protein is your muscles’ best friend! So whether you want to lose weight, have a specific fitness goal in mind or just want to help your muscles regenerate faster, don’t forget to add a generous dollop of Greek yoghurt, skyr, cottage cheese or a scoop of protein powder to all your smoothie recipes.  

4. Fat  

Last but not least, we have fats. Nut butters, avocado, and various seeds like flax, chia or hemp can make your smoothies silkier and extra filling.

Just remember, these ingredients are calorie-dense, so don’t overdo it. Just a teaspoon of seeds or nut butter may be all it takes to elevate the flavour of the smoothie without adding too many calories to it. 

The only morning smoothie you’ll need... and want

The best way to start the day on a high note is with a tall glass of colourful vitamins! And we have the best recipe for a high-protein smoothie that will keep you full until lunchtime and excite you for the day ahead of you. 

Banana Beet Bonanza

INGREDIENTS:

1 frozen small ripe banana 

50 g beetroot 

80 g skyr 

100 ml cold water 

1 scoop of protein powder 

1 teaspoon of ground hempseeds  

20 g rolled oats 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all the ingredients to a high-power blender and mix on high speed until you get a smooth texture. If your smoothie is too thick, add more water. Enjoy!