Hydrating, delicious and packed with nutrients, smoothies make the perfect healthy breakfast or post-workout snack – and we can’t get enough of them. For our latest blog series, we’ve teamed up with Jess Moses, healthy food blogger from Freshly Snapped, to show us how to make the best smoothies, and give us the low-down on the ingredients with some pretty swish health benefits. It’s time to shake things up!
Smoothies are super-simple to make and are the best way to pack in a whole lot of goodness – without having to munch on spinach leaves and raw celery sticks the whole day. Just like any meal, it’s important to get the right balance of ingredients to make sure that you’re nutritionally getting the best from it. So that means making sure you’ve got your protein, healthy fat, low fructose and, of course, greens. This might not sound like the most delicious smoothies, but you’ll soon see how easy it is to pack this all in without skimping on flavour.
Smoothie must-haves
Protein
Plant-based proteins such as hemp or brown rice protein are perfect options if you want to keep your protein sources more natural. Two tablespoons of one of these is about 15g of protein – so it’s perfect for your post-workout recovery!
Greens
Things like raw spinach, cucumber, kale, courgette, peas and celery work really well in smoothies. It’s the easiest way to reach your veggie quota without even tasting them. How great to say that you’ve had one or two portions of your five-a-day just by breakfast?
Good fats
Fats are essential for a balanced diet, keeping your hormones in check and helping to prevent that sugar rush too. Adding things like avocado, nut butter or coconut oil to your smoothies are perfect options for your good fat intake.
Fruits
Although fruits contain all natural sugars, some do contain more sugars than others, so it’s important to go low GI where possible. Things like berries are perfect for this. Having said that, frozen bananas may not be low GI but they are a must when it comes to making smoothies thick and creamy. Adding just half or one frozen banana adds the best sweetness and deliciousness to your smoothie, plus having them frozen keeps your smoothie nice and cold!
Spices
When it comes to spices, I’m really talking about my love for cinnamon. It works wonders for balancing sugar levels to avoid that dreaded insulin spike. Just a dash will keep those sugar levels in check!
Plant-Based Mylk
This is essential for any smoothie, as the liquid is what will blend all your ingredients together into a smooth consistency. You can use coconut water instead, but mylks add the best creaminess.
Zest
Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice balances the all the sweet flavours, to add some zestiness and zing to your smoothie!
It’s not all boring nutrition I promise – this smoothie will blow your socks off – with help from my beloved dear friend almond butter!
Cinnamon and Almond Butter Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup tightly packed spinach
1 frozen banana, peeled and sliced
½ juice of lemon
1 teaspoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of almond butter
½ cup almond/brown rice/coconut mylk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon hemp protein powder
Optional toppings
½ banana
1 teaspoon almond butter
1 teaspoon bee pollen
1 teaspoon dessicated coconut
1 teaspoon hemp seeds
Method
Simply add all the smoothie ingredients to your blender. Blend for about a minute until everything has broken down and is completely smooth. Sip straight away or pour into a bowl and top with your favourite toppings for some extra crunch!
Would love to know how you guys get on, I’m sure you’ll never be without your greens at brekkie again! You can contact me via my Instagram page – @freshlysnapped
Thanks for reading my smoothie top tips,
Jess x