Gimme Five! Smoothies for Beginners
Whether your a complete newbie to smoothies or you’re just looking to revamp your daily fix then this is the place for you. Enjoying a smoothie a day is definitely a positive step towards creating a healthier lifestyle. However, not all smoothies are created equal.
First things first…What is a smoothie?
Smoothies are a thick type of drink that contains two essential ingredients - a liquid base and fruits/vegetables to create flavour and nutrition. A daily smoothie is a great way to add fruit and vegetables into your diet. When you make a healthier smoothie you may boost your daily fruit and veggie consumption and also pack in a range of essential vitamins. minerals, antioxidants and fibre.
Healthy Added Extras
Fruits and vegetables
They make up the content of the smoothie and you can use fresh or frozen. If you use fresh then add a few ice cubes to your smoothie to make it nice and cold. Good choices are - berries, banana, pineapple, mango to name a few combined with veggies like spinach, kale, avocado and cucumber
Nuts and seeds
These contain healthy fats and protein to create a balance to your smoothie - nut butter, chia seeds, tahini, flax seeds are all healthy extras.
Sweeteners
Go easy with these as too much will create an unhealthy smoothie - maple syrup, dates, agave nectar, xylitol and sugar free sweeteners are good choices.
Add Some Spice!
These not only add nutrition and antioxidants but they make smoothies taste so good! - cacao powder, ginger, turmeric, matcha, and cacao nibs add so much deliciousness.
Nutritional Extras
Add some extra nutrition by using some powered nutrition - vegan protein power, matcha, beetroot powder, vitamin supplements, lucuma and maca.
#1 Creamy Cacao (For that chocolate fix)
This is honestly one of my favourite drinks of all time. It really does taste like a dessert in a glass. It’s really filling, healthy and best of all, so delicious!
Ingredients
1 banana (can be frozen)
150ml almond milk
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp almond nut butter
2 pitted dates
1 tbsp cacao nibs
Method
So easy! Simply add everything to a blender and blend unto combined.
Pour into your favourite glass and enjoy!
Add some extra cacao nibs to the top for some added crunch
#2 Busy Days (Great when you’re in a rush)
This smoothie is perfect for those days when you don’t have a lot of time for lunch or need to take your lunch on the go. Packed with protein and healthy fats it’s a really healthy alternative for busy days.
Ingredients
1 cup spinach
1/2 large banana
1/2 avocado
1 cup soya milk
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp flax
1/4 lime juice
Method
Blend all of the above until nice and smooth
#3 Chia and Berry (Makes you feel zen)
Packed full of goodness this smoothie will keep your body and mind healthy and ready for the day. Great for breakfast at home or on the go or to enjoy whenever you fancy a healthy and refreshing smoothie that will make you feel calm with an ahhhhh after each sip!
Ingredients
1/2 very ripe banana, the riper the banana the sweeter the smoothie (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup plain/vanilla plant based yogurt
1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
1 cup of plant milk (add more/less depending on how thick you like your smoothie)
1/2 tablespoon maple syrup (optional but tasty)
Few ice-cubes (If you are using frozen banana and blueberries you don’t need to add any ice cubes)
Method
Simply add all of the ingredients into a blender and whizz up until smooth
Divide into two glasses
Sprinkle with chia seed and add a couple of blueberries to decorate
#4 Pumpkin Protein (perfect for pre/post exercise)
Perfect for post exercise due to the high protein content, this makes a large glass that is full of nutritional goodness to help repair and restore your muscles after a work out or simply to enjoy as a way of getting some additional protein and added nutrients into your daily diet.
Perfect for post exercise due to the high protein content, this makes a large glass that is full of nutritional goodness to help repair and restore your muscles after a work out or simply yo enjoy as a way of getting some additional protein and added nutrients into your daily diet.
Ingredients
1 scoop vegan protein powder - I use my protein mixed with 1/2 cup fresh water
75g frozen pumpkin puree *see here for recipe (or used fresh puree or tinned if available)
1/2 banana (can be frozen)
60g vegan vanilla yogurt
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice mix *make your own here
1/4 cup coconut milk
Optional
Vegan cream of choice to top (squirty, fresh vegan alternative double cream or coconut cream)
Sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice mix
Method
Combine the protein powder with the water either in the blender or shaker if stir them together until lump free
Add all of the above ingredients to a blender and whizz up until smooth. Add a few ice cubes if you’re not using frozen pumpkin & banana
Add cream if using
Sprinkle with some additional pumpkin spice and enjoy
#5 The Snicker (because life is better with a snickers!)
Naturally sweetened and packed with hidden healthy ingredients, yet still taste incredibly indulgent with that snickers vibes that were always longing for! We like ours with a caramel and peanut Love Vegan bar because they also taste like a snickers and work so well together.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of coconut water (fresh or from a tin)
Half a cup plant based milk
1 date
Half a banana (frozen works well)
1 portion frozen spinach (or a large handful of fresh)
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp flax powder
Method
Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until completely combined
Serve in tall glasses over ice
I hope these five basic smoothies for beginners will inspire you to add a daily smoothie into your life. Please check out our recipe page for lots more delicious smoothies and milkshakes recipes, many contain lots more ingredients and super foods for when you’re ready to start experimenting more with your smoothies. You’ll also find many new recipes, that are not currently on our recipe page, on our instagram page- some with how to videos too.
BIG Love, Jen xx