Whether it’s in a glass, a bowl, or even a to-go cup, smoothies are huge. Often, they act as a replacement for breakfast or lunch, and they’re a great way to get in any essential nutrients and vitamins.
If you don’t know how to start crafting balanced smoothies, you’ve come to the right place! You can use the template below as a guide to creating smoothies perfectly attuned to your taste and diet.
Step 1: Choose your Base
Ice
Avocado
Yogurt
Banana
Milk
Non-Dairy Milk
Non-Dairy Yogurt
Acai
These are going to thicken the smoothie and hold it together. If you want a creamy consistency, avocado and banana are great options. For a runnier texture, ice and milk are perfect.
Step 2: Choose your Fruit
Strawberry
Blueberry
Pomegranate
Orange
Coconut
Pear
Pineapple
Cranberry
Blackberry
Kiwi
Watermelon
Mango
Grape
Apple
Raspberry
Peach
Honeydew
Fruit is an integral part of a smoothie. They are what give it its flavors and many of the important nutrients. Each has its own unique properties, so you can pick and choose fruits in order to get balanced nutrition and delicious flavors.
Step 3: Choose your Veggies
Kale
Spinach
Cucumber
Carrots
Beet
Squash
Just like fruit, veggies are a great way to add extra nutrients to a smoothie, but these you may not want to taste. By adding spinach, kale, or even beets to a smoothie, you add a host of benefits such as vitamin K, antioxidants, and so much more!
Step 4: Choose your Seeds
Seeds are different from fruits and veggies as they offer a different set of nutrients and minerals. They also contain protein and fats that may not be present in fruits and vegetables, so they can round out the smoothie into a balanced meal.
Step 5: Choose your Sweetener
Stevia
Maple Syrup
Honey
Monk Fruit
Cane Sugar
While fruit alone can create a sweet beverage, sometimes you want an extra shot of sweet in your drink. There are more options than plain sugar, and many of them are much healthier than refined sugars.
Step 6: Add Flavors
Carob
Nut Butter
Lemon
Cinnamon
Lime
Vanilla
Finally, flavors and extras are a fun thing to add that can bring a smoothie together. Whether you like a fresh zing of lime or the warm sweetness of some chocolate cacao, flavors are fun!
Once you’ve added all your ingredients, it’s as simple as blend and enjoy! Smoothies are a fantastic way to drink your fruits and veggies with little to no added sugar. You get all the benefits in a simple, delicious drink! You can even take it on the go!
If you’re not eating your smoothie from a bowl, they’re usually enjoyed through a straw. But you don’t have to worry about any waste! Foods Alive has glass straws! So you can have your smoothie and drink it too, all while helping the environment.
If you decide to create a smoothie, be sure to snap a picture and tag Foods Alive on social media for a chance to be featured on our page!
