Smoothies are a good way to enjoy a healthy diet. They are thick, creamy, filling beverages and are usually made from blending fruits, vegetables, yogurts, juices, milk as well as other natural and organic ingredients. They have become increasingly popular due to being easy to prepare and their potential health benefits. You can read about their benefits and many more in this article.
Smoothies can be made from a number of different ingredients. The most basic one will have a base as well as a liquid to which other ingredients can be added. A base can be any form of fruits; bananas, apples, strawberry, etc. while liquids can include water, juices, yogurts, or milk. Nuts, seeds and other such ingredients can be used as add-ons.
They might also include frozen elements such as ice cubes or instead, can be placed in a refrigerator to cool. Its flavor will of course be dependent on the combination of ingredients used to make them, giving them a variety of tastes, color, and appearances.
The interesting thing about these health drinks is that they are easy to prepare, portable, customizable to a person’s dietary preference, and may be taken as a meal replacement. Although they may be purchased from health food stores and cafes, most people prefer to prepare theirs by themselves.
Types
Smoothies can be classified into about three main types. They include:
Fruit Smoothies – These are usually made of one or more fruits and are blended with either water, ice cream, juice, or yogurt.
Protein Smoothies – These contain at least a fruit, vegetable, and liquids. It also includes protein-based ingredients such as protein powder, cheese, silken tofu, etc.
Green Smoothies – These are made essentially from green vegetables and fruits that are blended with a liquid such as water or milk. They consist more of vegetables as fruits are usually added mainly for sweetening purposes. They also utilize more water than any other form of liquid.
You can check out some recipe ideas for making yours here https://practical-stewardship.com/food/complete-list-of-healthified-recipes/52-different-whole-foods-smoothie-recipes/.
Common Ingredients
As mentioned, smoothies usually consist of a base, a liquid, and add-ons or what can be referred to as boosters.
Base
A base is anything that constitutes its major part. They are usually between 40-50% of the whole mix and it is what usually determines the kind of smoothie you’re having. The most common base ingredients are fruits and vegetables. Proteins can also be used.
Common fruits that are often used include Berries, apples, bananas, mango, pineapple, guavas, kiwi fruit, watermelon, pumpkin, pomegranates, and so on.
Vegetables can include Spinach, kale, celery, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, avocado, wheatgrass, cucumber, beetroot, etc.
Proteins may include protein powder, cooked white beans, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, etc.
Liquid
Liquids are an important part of any smoothie mix. It is what makes them easy to blend and drink. Common liquids that can be used include water, milk, vegetable or fruit juice, coffee (preferably cold brewed), iced tea, coconut water, etc.
Boosters
Boosters can be anything that adds flavor, dietary supplement, nutrients, or filling to your smoothie. They are also what help make it a whole meal that can be used as a meal replacement. Boosters can be anything from spices to nuts, sweeteners and so on. While some are natural, some are a mixture of different ingredients that are mostly organic. Common examples of boosters include:
- Herbs and spices such as turmeric, basil, bay leaf, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cacao nibs, cocoa powder, nutmeg, etc.
- Nuts and Seeds such as peanut butter, almond butter, walnut butter, hemp seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seed, chia seeds, etc.
- Sweeteners that can include raw sugar, dates, maple syrup, simple syrup, ice cream, fruit juice concentrates, honey, and so on.
- Nutritional supplements such as pollen, powdered vitamin, spirulina, rice protein, whey protein, probiotics, aloe vera, etc.
- Other forms of add-ons can include oats, vanilla extracts, muesli, peanuts, etc.
To make it easy for you, look for the best smoothie booster you can find. It should be packed with nutrients. You’ll find a lot of different brands that you can easily purchase and add to your mix. Aside from the flavor they add, they also help supply necessary daily nutritional servings that can help turn your smoothie to a meal replacement.
Conclusion
Adding boosters to your smoothie makes it more interesting and enjoyable. Rather than looking for what to use as add-ons, you can always pick a ready-made one. They are designed to help you get the nutrition that your body needs. All you simply need to do is add it to your base and liquid, blend and you are good to go.
