If you are wondering how to make a healthy breakfast smoothie, then we should probably nail down the definition of that word first. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a smoothie as …
“noun: a creamy beverage made of fruit blended with juice, milk,
or yogurt “
Likewise, Dictionary.com uses words like beverage, fruit, blender, milk, juice and yogurt, but adds ice. Anyway, you get the picture. A smoothie generally steers clear of using processed foods, sugar and other unhealthy components to make a thick, frozen, or at least cool beverage designed to promote health.
Breakfast Smoothie Step 1 – You have probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So if you are going to replace your morning meal with a smoothie, there are some things you have to be sure and include. Protein is important at breakfast and gives you energy and throughout the day.
People that eat protein during breakfast also tend to eat less all day long, leading to a more naturally regulated body weight. So you want to ensure you get some type of protein in your breakfast smoothie. Some great sources of protein for your breakfast smoothie include eggs, spinach, kale, collard greens and protein powders.
Breakfast Smoothie Step 2 – Adding fruit to your smoothies makes them taste great. It also delivers a lot of wonderful nutrients and dietary fiber. This regulates your digestive system, once again promoting a healthy body weight. Apples, mangos, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, pears, blackberries and pineapples are all great tasting additions to any breakfast smoothie. (You may also choose to add fruit through yogurt, but read the nutrition label carefully so you do not indulge in a processed, unhealthy product.)
Breakfast Smoothie Step 3 – You need some type of liquid base. Try to steer clear of dairy products as much as you can. The last few years, we are learning more and more that dairy products may not be as healthy as we once thought. Great traditional milk alternatives include soy milk, rice milk, hemp milk, almond milk and oat milk.
For your liquid you also might want to choose orange, apple, grape or pomegranate juice. Just be sure to select sugar-free, healthy varieties, going organic whenever you can.
Breakfast Smoothie Step 4 – Mix! This is the easy part. Pour a cup or 2 of your liquid with 2 ice cubes into your blender and mix. Start slowly adding your protein source and vegetables. Add liquid as needed, and experiment with different combinations.
