14 Healthy Smoothies to Kick off the New Year | Healthy Family Project (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to put in a smoothie? ›

In conclusion, smoothies can be a great way to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables in our diet, which would have many health benefits. However, they may contain large amounts of added or natural sugars, which can contribute to dental problems and obesity.

Fiber keeps you full: Blend a variety of fruits (banana, strawberries, oranges) and leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard) together to create a high fiber drink that'll keep you full and satisfied. Simple portion control: Measure out the ingredients you add to the blender to make portion control easy.

For those who want to consume smoothies with bananas, or other high PPO activity fruits and vegetables such as beet greens, the suggestion is to not combine them with flavanol-rich fruits such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

Smoothies rich in fiber and protein keep you full longer, while those made with fruits and vegetables increase your daily vegetable servings. As long as you are drinking smoothies made from a variety of fruits and vegetables and low in refined sugar, there would be no problem with consuming smoothies every day.

Include one or more sources of protein like yogurt, kefir or milk, as well as healthy fats from nuts, seeds or avocado. Both adults and children should consume smoothies no more than one portion per day.

Apples take the prize for the number one fruit for weight loss for many reasons. A large apple has 5 grams of fiber, which is a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. Both types are needed for health, but soluble fiber helps regulate your appetite by delaying gastric emptying, which keeps you fuller for longer.

There are endless ingredients that you can include in a smoothie, but the healthiest way to make one is to include a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. According to registered dietitian Kate Regan, this three-part formula is the key to creating a healthy smoothie.

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

What's more, peanut butter packs antioxidants that help decrease your risk of several chronic diseases, like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and support a healthy immune system. Peanut butter is a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which support a healthy heart.

This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. It's important to add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit, as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.

For example, you can use ripe fruits that are naturally sweet, such as bananas, mangoes, or berries, to sweeten your smoothie. Additionally, options like stevia, a calorie-free natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant, offer a zero-calorie way to add sweetness to your smoothie.

Adding vegetables is a great way to get in more vitamins and minerals. They're loaded with fibre and a variety of nutrients for all sorts of health benefits. Vegetables like kale, spinach, beets, and carrots are commonly used in smoothies. For extra hydration, cucumbers or celery work wonders.