Because smoothies are so popular these days, they are available practically everywhere! Be careful because not all smoothies are healthy. Many of the fanciest and most well-liked options on the market are actually loaded with sugars and other ingredients that give smoothies a bad reputation most especially among actual health-conscious people.
The best smoothies, of course, are the ones that come straight out of your own blender at home. If you’re a newbie in making smoothies, continue reading. Below are some of the healthiest ingredients you may want to add to your smoothies to come up with the tastiest and most nutrient-dense beverages around.
Bananas
If you want the creamiest smoothies on the planet, make sure to dump some bananas in your blender. Aside from making your smoothies thick and sweet, these elongated tropical fruits also add good amounts of fiber to every serving. Bananas are loaded with vitamin B6 needed by your immune system and brain. Definitely, these popular smoothie staples also provide good amounts of potassium, a mineral necessary for proper skeletal muscle and heart functioning.
Blueberries
Smoothies become tastier and healthier when blueberries are around. They may be small but they can definitely outshine so many fruits out there when it comes to their nutritional profile. It’s no secret that blueberries are loaded with antioxidants that fight off cancer as well as chronic inflammation — a condition blamed for a dizzying number of health problems like heart disease, obesity, arthritis, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Cruciferous Veggies
Make your smoothies very good at neutralizing accumulated poisons in your body by adding some cruciferous vegetables in your list of ingredients. Cruciferous vegetables contain sulfur compounds known to help deactivate toxins. Some good examples of these veggies include bok choi, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower. If you don’t like the way they taste, make sure to throw in some of your favorite fruits in the blender with them.
Greek Yogurt
If you want your smoothies to be so creamy, it’s a wonderful idea to add Greek yogurt each time. This healthy treat is packed with calcium, a mineral that helps ward off osteoporosis by making your bones strong. Greek yogurt also contains loads of friendly bacteria that help restore the normal balance of microorganisms in your gut. This super smooth ingredient is recommendable if you are trying to lose weight as it is very low in calories.
Oatmeal
Dumping a few tablespoons of raw oatmeal into the blender allows you to come up with thick smoothies that are like no other! The nicest thing about adding oats to your favorite beverage is the dietary fiber content per serving is considerably increased. It’s a wonderful idea to consume fiber-rich smoothies because it makes you feel satiated for a long time, wards off constipation and lowers your risk of ending up with deadly colon cancer.
Spinach
Make your smoothies taste more interesting by adding a few leaves of spinach into the blender. This dark green leafy vegetable is packed with iron and zinc, both of which necessary for stellar physical performance. Spinach is also a good source of B-vitamins that help convert fat to energy as well as promote the formation of new cells. Spinach has vitamin C, too, for stronger immune system and vitamin A for healthy eyes.