We all heard it, breakfast is important to ensure good energy throughout the day. Therefore it needs to be balances qui good sources of carbs, fats and protein.
Smoothies are ideal because they help ingest a great amount of nutrients, antioxidants and fiber in the morning to have a good start of the day. Also, the digestive system is better at absorbing nutrients in the morning, so it is nice to take advantage of that fact and give our bodies foods that are dense in nutrition straight in the morning.
Smoothies are also easy to prepare: you add the ingredients in a blender, blend 1 or 2 minutes and you pour. Easy as that. If you don't have time to sit and enjoy it, it is also super easy to take it on the go by pouring it in a Masson jar or a juice bottle to enjoy at work or school.
Small tip to make your life easier: prepare all the ingredients the day before to speed up the process in the morning. You will only have to add the liquids and blend in the morning, which is time saving.
Green smoothie
This smoothie is full of greens. It contains about 360 to 415 calories, good fats and proteins. It is also rich in vitamins A, C and K. Mineral wise, it is a good source of calcium because of the almond milk. The hemp seeds bring some omega-3's which are good for the nervous system.
- ½ or 1 banana
- ½ cup of frozen mango chunks
- 1 or 2 leaves of kale
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1 cup of almond milk or cashew milk
- 1 tbs of hemp seeds
- 1 tbs of pumpkin seeds
- 1 scoop of protein powder (suggestion : Garden of Life – Vanilla Raw and Organic Protein)
- Add some water as needed to reach the desired consistency
Small Berries Smoothie
This smoothie is fresh and will satisfy any sweet craving because of the berries that bring natural sugars but have a low glycemic index. Berries are also rich in antioxidants, so it's a win win! From 370 to 410 calories, this smoothie is filling. Spirulina brings in some vitamin B12 and iron, two nutrients highly important for biological functions, which are often unbalanced.
- ½ or 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and rasphberries)
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1 cup of almond or cashew milk
- 1 tbs of spirulina
- 1 tbs of chia seeds
- 1 tbs of hemp seeds
- 1 scoop of protein powder (suggestion : Garden of Life – Vanilla Raw and Organic Protein)
- Add some water as needed to reach the desired consistency
Dessert Smoothie
This smoothie is for those who love their nut butters and who are looking for a dessert-like smoothie. It is smooth and delicious, while keeping it high in nutritional value. From 350 to 400 calories, it is rich in healthy fats like omega-3's, in vitamin D and in magnesium (it's good for bowel movement and the control of nervousness linked to stress).
- ½ or 1 banana
- 1 tbs of nut butter (almond, cashew, hazelnut... do avoid peanut butter!)
- 1 tbs of hemp seeds
- 1 tbs of flax seeds
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- 1 scoop of protein powder (suggestion : Garden of Life – Vanilla Raw and Organic Protein)
- Add some water as needed to reach the desired consistency
You'll notice that I suggest the protein from Garden of Life (not at all sponsored) that is a good quality protein. Of course, you can choose any other brand you like, there's many on the market! Be aware that some brands use whey protein which doesn't go well with everyone.
That's it! I hope that you will try these recipes and enjoy them! Eating needs to be a pleasurable experience and contribute to a healthy body as well. Do not hesitate to add ingredients and modify the portion sizes to your liking.
Inès
Disclaimer
The information on this site is shared for general knowledge and does not constitute a health recommendation, treatment or a means to diagnose. All information shared is not a health advice and does not replace a consultation with a health practitioner.