Looking to improve your health by improving your diet is generally seen as a tough task for most. It starts with figuring out what to buy, then usually a lengthy amount of time prepping, cooking and cleaning. This is time most people don't have in the mornings whether you're a busy person or not. You know that fast food isn't an option, so what do you turn to for the most important meal of the day? Something satisfying, filling and loaded with nutrients. Smoothies are an excellent way to get great nutrients into your body quickly without all the work of all the above inconveniences. We're gonna go ahead and make the process even easier for you now. Here are some great examples of smoothies to start your mornings with.
1. The Go-To
I like to start most of my days with this one, hence the name. It boasts a very good mix of nutrients (protein, antioxidants, healthy fats, healthy carbs and loads of vitamins and minerals) which is why I like it so much. Plus it's the best tasting in my opinion.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 banana
3 tbsp hemp seeds
3 clumps baby spinach (or kale)
1 cup orange juice or 1 cup water
Calories: 420, 300 without OJ
Fact: Hemp seeds are a complete protein
2. Peach Protein
The name pretty much speaks for itself. I could see the morning workout people catering to this one quite a bit. It's got loads of protein and simple carbs to help start up the recovery process right after a workout.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen peaches
handful of fresh strawberries
1/2 a banana
3 tbsp hemp seeds
1 cup almond or coconut milk
1 scoop vanilla vegan or whey protein
Calories: 497
3. Lean n Green
A fitting name. A low calorie, green smoothie. If you're on a strict diet looking to loose weight, this one is a great way to ensure you stay in your diets caloric range while still getting the essential micro nutrients the body needs to function.
Ingredients:
2 handfuls of kale
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 cup frozen pineapple (without this its basically juice)
2 ginger cloves
1/2 a lemon squeezed in
(optional) 1-2 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup water
Calories: 180, 270-360 w/ chia seeds
Pro-tip: While chia seeds are quite high in calories, they can be very beneficial when it comes to weight loss due to how filling they are.
4. Antioxidant Booster
Oxidants can be very harmful to the body, so you need to include a good amount of antioxidants into your diet to be able to combat them. Here is a good example that'll help fit them in.
Ingredients:
2 handfuls Kale
1 1/2 cups frozen berry mix (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
1/4 cup goji berries
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup water
Calories: 310
5. Smoothie Bowl
The process of making one of these may be a bit longer, but it's completely worth it. Try them on weekends or days that your schedule is a tad more flexible. You're going to want to have a few more frozen items for the base in order to make it the right consistency, which is similar to that of an ice cream.
Ingredients:
Base:
1 cup Frozen pineapple
1/2 cup Frozen berry mix
1/2 banana
1 cup almond milk
Toppings:
3 tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 banana
3 sliced strawberries
(optional) 1 tbsp honey
Pro tip: Including a minimal amount of frozen parts to your smoothie will make it faster and easier to drink, given that you're less likely to be subject to brain freeze.
These are only a few examples of what you can do with smoothies. There are really no limits when making them so don't be afraid to experiment with your own variations and recipes. It feels good knowing you're putting good things into your body with ingredients you can actually pronounce. Feel free to leave your own recipes and tips in the comments below to share with us and others.
-The London Styler Team