Eating a well-balanced breakfast helps you stay on track throughout the day — but if you have a busy morning routine, finding the time to put together a quick, A.M. meal can be challenging.
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One terrific option is to make a well-balanced breakfast smoothie that you can take with you on the go. An ideal breakfast smoothie for optimal health should include:
- A serving of veggies
- A serving of fruit
- A healthy fat source (like nuts, seeds or avocados)
- A protein source
- A low-calorie liquid
Here are 5 inspiring breakfast smoothies that will help you start your day off right.
If the recipe calls for cow’s milk and you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, feel free to substitute for soy milk, almond milk or any other milk substitute of your choosing.
Apple Crumble Smoothie
According to an American Heart Association, people who eat a diet high in white-fleshed fruits like pears or apples also have a 52 per cent lower risk of stroke! This is probably because fruits with white flesh are a great source of fibre and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Enjoy the health benefits of apples while sipping on this yummy smoothie.
Ingredients:
- 1 peeled and cored apple, cut into chunks
- 1 chopped, pitted date (soak in water for 1/2 hour to soften)
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 serving of a greens supplement
- 1/2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp apple pie spice blend
- 4 to 8 oz of unsweetened almond milk* (more will make the smoothie thinner)
Green Power Smoothie
Kale may not seem like a breakfast food, but it’s a great way to start your day! This descendent of wild cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, copper, calcium, potassium and dietary fibre. And it blends perfectly into a smoothie!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 cup kale
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 to 8 oz unsweetened almond milk (more will make the smoothie thinner)
Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
Cacao nibs are small pieces of cacao beans that have been roasted and separated from their husks. They give a wonderful chocolate flavour to any smoothie along with a major nutrient boost! Cacao beans are one of the world’s best sources of the mineral magnesium. Magnesium contributes to your nervous system function and many other processes in the body. Cacao nibs are also a good source of iron, fibre and antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 serving of a greens supplement
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 to 8 oz unsweetened almond milk (more will make the smoothie thinner)
Green Tea and Mango Smoothie
Green tea is more than just a morning caffeine buzz. It also has compounds that can help you lose weight. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a substance found in green tea, is known for its metabolism-boosting properties.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mango, cut into chunks
- 1 steamed and cooled carrot, cut into chunks
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup fresh brewed green tea
- 1 scoop vanilla or orange flavored protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add more tea to adjust the thickness of your smoothie if desired
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
A half-cup of pumpkin contains only 40 calories, but packs plenty of healthy nutrients. It has four grams of fiber to help you stay feeling full, plus a generous dose of the cancer-fighting antioxidant beta-carotene, which bolsters your immune system and promotes good vision and skin health.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 plain canned pumpkin
- 1 to 3 chopped, pitted dates (soak in water for 1/2 hour to soften)
- 1 tbsp pecan pieces
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend
- 4 to 8 oz unsweetened almond milk (more will make the smoothie thinner)