In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleProtein AdditionsBest FruitsBest VeggiesNutrition BoostersChoose These Less Often
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Protein Additions
Best Fruits
Best Veggies
Nutrition Boosters
Choose These Less Often
Whether you enjoysmoothies for breakfast, a snack or even dessert, they’re a great way to increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. But depending on the ingredients they’re made with, smoothies can quickly become heavy on calories and filled with sugar. One of the healthiest ways to enjoy a smoothie is to make your own so you know how much of and what foods you are getting.Wondering how to make a smoothie? A healthy smoothie should include some protein and fiber to help keep you full andprovide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—typically from fruits and vegetables.Need inspiration? Check out the best ingredients to choose from—and the ones to limit.Healthy Smoothie RecipesBest High-Protein Smoothie IngredientsAdding protein helps make your smoothie more satisfying. Protein helps fill you up, and there are plenty of ways to add it to your smoothie without using protein powder.If you do want to add protein powder, choose one without a lot of extra ingredients and no added sugars or sweeteners. Or try adding one of these protein-rich ingredients below.Plain yogurt (unsweetened)Plain milk (unsweetened)Plain kefir(unsweetened)TofuNatural peanut butterNatural almond butterPlain soymilk (unsweetened)Plain high-protein almond milk (unsweetened)LentilsBest Fruits for SmoothiesPictured Recipe:Raspberry-Peach-Mango Smoothie BowlPretty much any fruit is great for smoothies. Use fresh fruit, frozen fruit or fruit canned in water or its own juice. One great tip is tofreeze your fresh produceif you know you won’t get to eat it before it goes bad. This works with overripe bananas, strawberries, blueberries, sliced apples and more.AvocadoBerries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)MangoPineapplePeachBananaAppleMelonCherriesApricotBest Vegetables for SmoothiesPhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors HallPictured Recipe:Pineapple Green SmoothieUse raw or frozen vegetables. Usually, the sweetness of the fruit masks the vegetable flavor, but you may need to play around with combinations and amounts to find what works for you. These veggies are all a good place to start.CarrotKaleSpinachCucumberCauliflowerPumpkinFlavor and Nutrition BoostersPictured Recipe:Berry & Flax SmoothieAdd these to boost the nutrition even more or add to the flavor of your smoothie. Flax and chia seedsadd omega-3sand protein, and oats deliver healthy fiber. Spices and extracts, like vanilla, add fun flavor.FlaxseedChia seedOld-fashioned oatsSpices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)Vanilla extractCoconut waterUnsweetened cocoa powderSmoothie Ingredients to Choose Less OftenTo keep your smoothie as healthy as possible, choose these ingredients less often. All these ingredients provide more calories in the form of added sugar—in some cases without many nutrients—and turn your healthy smoothie into more of a milkshake.Sugar-sweetened fruit juice or concentrateFlavored yogurtFlavored kefirWhipped creamIce creamSorbetSherbetChocolate syrupChocolate milkCanned fruit in syrupThe Bottom LineSmoothies can be ahealthy, nutritious additionto your day—any time of day. Making your own smoothies allows you to tailor them to your taste buds and nutritional needs. Including fruits and vegetables, a protein source and flavor and nutrition boosters make the tastiest, nutrient-dense smoothies that will satisfy your taste buds and appetite.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Whether you enjoysmoothies for breakfast, a snack or even dessert, they’re a great way to increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. But depending on the ingredients they’re made with, smoothies can quickly become heavy on calories and filled with sugar. One of the healthiest ways to enjoy a smoothie is to make your own so you know how much of and what foods you are getting.Wondering how to make a smoothie? A healthy smoothie should include some protein and fiber to help keep you full andprovide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—typically from fruits and vegetables.Need inspiration? Check out the best ingredients to choose from—and the ones to limit.Healthy Smoothie RecipesBest High-Protein Smoothie IngredientsAdding protein helps make your smoothie more satisfying. Protein helps fill you up, and there are plenty of ways to add it to your smoothie without using protein powder.If you do want to add protein powder, choose one without a lot of extra ingredients and no added sugars or sweeteners. Or try adding one of these protein-rich ingredients below.Plain yogurt (unsweetened)Plain milk (unsweetened)Plain kefir(unsweetened)TofuNatural peanut butterNatural almond butterPlain soymilk (unsweetened)Plain high-protein almond milk (unsweetened)LentilsBest Fruits for SmoothiesPictured Recipe:Raspberry-Peach-Mango Smoothie BowlPretty much any fruit is great for smoothies. Use fresh fruit, frozen fruit or fruit canned in water or its own juice. One great tip is tofreeze your fresh produceif you know you won’t get to eat it before it goes bad. This works with overripe bananas, strawberries, blueberries, sliced apples and more.AvocadoBerries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)MangoPineapplePeachBananaAppleMelonCherriesApricotBest Vegetables for SmoothiesPhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors HallPictured Recipe:Pineapple Green SmoothieUse raw or frozen vegetables. Usually, the sweetness of the fruit masks the vegetable flavor, but you may need to play around with combinations and amounts to find what works for you. These veggies are all a good place to start.CarrotKaleSpinachCucumberCauliflowerPumpkinFlavor and Nutrition BoostersPictured Recipe:Berry & Flax SmoothieAdd these to boost the nutrition even more or add to the flavor of your smoothie. Flax and chia seedsadd omega-3sand protein, and oats deliver healthy fiber. Spices and extracts, like vanilla, add fun flavor.FlaxseedChia seedOld-fashioned oatsSpices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)Vanilla extractCoconut waterUnsweetened cocoa powderSmoothie Ingredients to Choose Less OftenTo keep your smoothie as healthy as possible, choose these ingredients less often. All these ingredients provide more calories in the form of added sugar—in some cases without many nutrients—and turn your healthy smoothie into more of a milkshake.Sugar-sweetened fruit juice or concentrateFlavored yogurtFlavored kefirWhipped creamIce creamSorbetSherbetChocolate syrupChocolate milkCanned fruit in syrupThe Bottom LineSmoothies can be ahealthy, nutritious additionto your day—any time of day. Making your own smoothies allows you to tailor them to your taste buds and nutritional needs. Including fruits and vegetables, a protein source and flavor and nutrition boosters make the tastiest, nutrient-dense smoothies that will satisfy your taste buds and appetite.
Whether you enjoysmoothies for breakfast, a snack or even dessert, they’re a great way to increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. But depending on the ingredients they’re made with, smoothies can quickly become heavy on calories and filled with sugar. One of the healthiest ways to enjoy a smoothie is to make your own so you know how much of and what foods you are getting.
Wondering how to make a smoothie? A healthy smoothie should include some protein and fiber to help keep you full andprovide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—typically from fruits and vegetables.
Need inspiration? Check out the best ingredients to choose from—and the ones to limit.
Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Best High-Protein Smoothie Ingredients
Adding protein helps make your smoothie more satisfying. Protein helps fill you up, and there are plenty of ways to add it to your smoothie without using protein powder.If you do want to add protein powder, choose one without a lot of extra ingredients and no added sugars or sweeteners. Or try adding one of these protein-rich ingredients below.
Best Fruits for Smoothies
Pictured Recipe:Raspberry-Peach-Mango Smoothie Bowl
Pretty much any fruit is great for smoothies. Use fresh fruit, frozen fruit or fruit canned in water or its own juice. One great tip is tofreeze your fresh produceif you know you won’t get to eat it before it goes bad. This works with overripe bananas, strawberries, blueberries, sliced apples and more.
Best Vegetables for Smoothies
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Pictured Recipe:Pineapple Green Smoothie
Use raw or frozen vegetables. Usually, the sweetness of the fruit masks the vegetable flavor, but you may need to play around with combinations and amounts to find what works for you. These veggies are all a good place to start.
Flavor and Nutrition Boosters
Pictured Recipe:Berry & Flax Smoothie
Add these to boost the nutrition even more or add to the flavor of your smoothie. Flax and chia seedsadd omega-3sand protein, and oats deliver healthy fiber. Spices and extracts, like vanilla, add fun flavor.
Smoothie Ingredients to Choose Less Often
To keep your smoothie as healthy as possible, choose these ingredients less often. All these ingredients provide more calories in the form of added sugar—in some cases without many nutrients—and turn your healthy smoothie into more of a milkshake.
The Bottom Line
Smoothies can be ahealthy, nutritious additionto your day—any time of day. Making your own smoothies allows you to tailor them to your taste buds and nutritional needs. Including fruits and vegetables, a protein source and flavor and nutrition boosters make the tastiest, nutrient-dense smoothies that will satisfy your taste buds and appetite.
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