Smoothies have become a breakfast staple of mine for some years now. I typically like to indulge in the morning or after my workouts. As a working mom constantly on the move, I don’t always have time to make a filling breakfast- especially on my crazy days. Smoothie is my number one go-to convenient breakfast that is packed with so much nutrients. It’s not only tasty but it’s so quick and easy to make. To prep and blend takes less than 3 minutes and Ire also loves it. I rely on smoothies for daily nutrients during those times when Ire decides to suddenly stop eating. If you’re feeling groovy, add granola and fruits to make it even more tasty or appealing.

While making smoothies, I stray away from fruit juice by only using actual fruits while not adding too many sugary fruits. I always add protein, fiber and sometimes healthy fats such as avocado and peanut butter. While making healthy smoothies, I’d advice to keep all the ingredients at reasonable portions. Although fruits provide natural sugar, you don’t have to overdo it. The goal is to blend ingredients that are low in sugar and high in nutrients.

Fun Facts About Smoothies

  • Very nutritious: Healthy smoothies help in many ways such as lower blood sugar level, assist with diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, skin improvement and many other things. Most importantly, this is the easiest way to get lots of nutrients such as vitamins, veggies, fiber and good fat all at once.
  • Helps with cravings: it’s a great way to start the day because it’s jam-packed with loads of nutrients and filling so that you don’t have to give in to eating junk foods
  • Assists with digestions & bowel movement: since you’re consuming liquid, it’s easy to digest because the body doesn’t have to break the food down from solid to liquid. Green smoothies with lots of leafy vegetables are my faves because they help me detox. I have a friend who didn’t have regular bowel movements for years. After trying many things including detox teas, nothing seemed to work until she started incorporating smoothies to her daily diet.
  • Brain works better: you’re mentally more alert and your brain works faster.
  • Promotes weight loss mainly because you’re adding superfoods to your diet such as spinach, chai seeds, blueberries and strawberries.

Eight Ingredients I love adding to my smoothies

  1. Oats: Very fillings, rich in fiber, antioxidants, helps with cholesterol and blood sugar.
  2. Bananas: many people use this in their smoothies because it has the perfect creamy texture, it’s very filling and . It is rich is vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium (helps with skin) and helps with the digestive system.
  3. Organic baby spinach: superfood that is low in calorie but rich in nutrients. It provides iron, folate, fiber, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A and many other nutrients. It helps reduce blood pressure and is high in water and fiber which helps in weight loss. healthy and high in…it gives me comfort to know that by drinking a smoothie, I have already hit my nutrient goal for the day. Unlike kale it doesn’t stink or leave a nasty taste in my mouth.
  4. Chia seeds: those tiny seeds are low in calories but filled with so many important nutrients, it’s crazy. This is one of the easiest ways to get  omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium and antioxidants.
  5. blueberries: another tiny product that’s rich in nutrients. It helps with skin, diabetes, lowering blood pressure, improves heart health and many other things.
  6. Avocado/ peanut butter: These are super healthy fats that I sometimes like in my smoothies. Very rich in fiber, potassium and many other things
  7. Strawberries: Tasty, high in antioxidants, Vitamin C and Magnesium. It is also known to help with heart disease.
  8. Almond milk: you always needs a liquid base for smoothies and I almost milk mostly. It’s low and sugar and calories but high in Vitamin D and calcium and I also love the almond after taste.

Three Smoothie Recipes

  1. spinach
    oats
    banana
    blueberries
    greek yogurt
    almond milk
    chia seeds (I add most times for the nutrients)
  2. banana
    strawberry
    peanut butter
    almond milk
    chia seeds
    The smoothie that’s featured on today’s post
  3. Pineapple
    ginger
    banana (optional)
    cucumber
    water
    spinach or kale
    chia seeds

sources: delish.com, healthline.com, thatsmyjamok.com.