Losing weight and eating healthy can be overwhelming — especially when you have to think about preparing food daily. It can also feel like you are always short on time and recipes that don’t take a lot of fuss can be hard to come by. Smoothies are an easy way to eat healthier. People make smoothies almost every day, and are always finding a way to make it easier for them.
But they can also be boring, messy, time-consuming, and expensive. Here are some top hacks that will save you money, time, and provide a better overall smoothie experience!
Use Organic Berries Whenever Possible
Strawberries grown without pesticides have no added chemicals or artificial ingredients, so they’re better for you than regular store-bought ones. If you can’t find any organically grown strawberries where you live (or they’re too expensive), opt for frozen or canned berries instead. Manufacturers clean and stir the product in water before freezing it, which lessens the amount of pesticide residues.
Make It at Home
The best way to ensure that what you’re drinking is actually healthy is to make it yourself from scratch. You’ll save money on both labor costs and ingredients by making your own smoothies at home rather than buying them premade in a smoothie bar franchise near you. Plus, there are plenty of recipes available online that allow you to customize your drinks according to your personal tastes and dietary needs!
Spice It Up
Cinnamon has a lot of health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels and boosting brain function. You can even use it as a natural sweetener in place of sugar! Just add a dash (or more!) to your strawberry blended smoothie and voila! Your drink will have an extra kick that will leave you feeling great all day long!
Sweeten With Fruit, Not Sugar
The best way to sweeten up your smoothie is by using fresh fruit instead of sugar. That way, you’ll add vitamins and fiber along with sweetness. Don’t substitute artificial sweeteners for natural ones. Artificial ones may seem like a convenient and cheaper way to cut down on calories, but they don’t always taste as good as real sweeteners do. If you need more sweetness, try natural stevia or honey.
Take Advantage of Greens
Fresh spinach is one of the most popular green ingredients in smoothies. If you don’t like the taste of spinach, opt for other greens like kale or chard instead. A good rule of thumb when creating your own recipes is to use at least two cups of leafy greens per batch. The more greens you add, the better your smoothie will taste!
Add Healthy Fats
Smoothies are already high in protein and carbohydrates, but they can be lacking in healthy fats that help keep you full throughout the day. Add 1/2 avocado or 1 tablespoon of nut butter (like almond butter) to your next smoothie, and you’ll find yourself feeling fuller longer!
Swap Water for Milk
Milk is a good source of calcium, which helps build strong bones, and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Plus, milk contains whey protein and casein protein — both important for muscle growth and repair.
If you’re allergic to dairy products, there are other options available. Soy milk has similar nutrients to cow’s milk but may not be as easily digested by some people because they contain lactose that isn’t digested in the same way by everyone. Almond milk doesn’t contain any lactose or protein but does contain vitamins A, C, E and B12 that are important for immune function.
Add a Splash of Citrus Juice
Citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges are rich in vitamin C, which can help to ward off colds. But they’re also high in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps reduce cholesterol levels and may improve digestion. Add the juice of half a lemon or lime to your smoothie for an extra boost of flavor and health benefits.
Takeaway
We’re all for preparing healthy, tasty meals for breakfast and lunch, but nothing is a better pick-me-up than grabbing a smoothie along the way. Overall, these hacks will not only make things easier as well as more interesting, but also save you money and get you more nutritional bang for your buck. Your kids will surely have a blast with these hacks!
About Bea
Bea is a copywriter specializing in adept research and creating all kinds of content. She’s all about getting creative, developing relationships, and contributing to making businesses succeed through her writing.
When she’s not writing (professionally), you can see her binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race or writing film reviews on Letterboxd.
