A smoothie for breakfast, snack, or even dessert is a great way to increase your daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Not to forget how they have become an on-the-go staple for healthy eaters. However, smoothies can quickly turn into unhealthy calorie bombs loaded with sugar, especially those store-bought smoothies you get from any joga Dubai stores. Hence, the healthiest way is to enjoy a smoothie made by you with simple yet nutritious ingredients.
Here are four most essential ingredients to make the ultimate smoothie:
Fruits
Fruits don’t only play a role as a natural sweetener in the smoothie, but they are rich in fibers and a good source of carbohydrates to fuel you up. Bananas, for instance, are smoothies essential and rich in potassium. Added to that, berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are a good source of antioxidants. Use fresh fruit or frozen fruits.
Protein
Adding protein to your smoothie makes it more satisfying and fills you up. Adding plain yogurt or Greek yogurt gives your smoothie a creamier consistency. Otherwise, protein powder low in sugar is an outstanding option as well.
Liquids
The liquid bases used in your smoothie plays a significant role in not breaking your blender’s blades. Using unsweetened plant-based milk or cow’s milk is a potent option to increase protein content and offer healthy fats to keep you satiated. However, you can just use water but skip juices because they are packed with sugar and lack protein or fat.
Vegetables
A handful of greens in your smoothie add an extra dose of fibers and key vitamins and minerals. Use raw or frozen vegetables to make a delicious smoothie. The best mild-flavoured green is baby spinach, a good source of vitamin C, Vitamin A, and minerals, especially iron. Kale is also a great antioxidant and an excellent source of vitamin C that would enrich your smoothie.
Seeds and Spices
Last but not least, adding seeds to your smoothie boosts its nutrition. Flaxseed and chia, for example, add omega 3, healthy fats and protein. Also, spices like cinnamon and extracts like vanilla extract add a nice flavour to your smoothie.
Enjoying a smoothie every day is totally acceptable; however, as nutritionists say, it’s better to chew and swallow food than drink it for fullness. Therefore, it’s probably best to limit your intake to one smoothie a day and enjoy proper meals throughout the day.
Rym Timani,
Kcal Nutritionist
