My Smoothie ESSENTIALS!

July 14, 2021

I’ve said it before and I will keep saying it until the end of time – smoothies are one of the best and most delicious ways to sneak in all of your vitamins! Not only that, but many people don’t realize that there are also many additives that can really take your smoothie to the next level.

Why not enjoy a delicious healthy treat and treat your body at the same time?

My inspiration and motivation to consistently have smoothies comes and goes, but we recently bought a new blender and it has made making smoothies so much simpler. (Let’s steer off the path of smoothie essentials for just one moment here).

If you are in the market for a new blender or simply HATE deep cleaning a big blender, I recommend making the switch to a NutriBullet (or any blender that is a single-cup style blender).

Ever since getting this blender, making smoothies has become so much more desirable because there is so much less to clean up! I simply rinse the blade right after using it and only have to wash the cup once I’m done. This particular blender also came with a bunch of different lids so it is SUPER easy to take my smoothie on-the-go.

I would recommend the NutriBullet Pro 900 Watt blender or higher if you plan on using frozen fruit as it is a little bit more powerful than the regular NutriBullet.

Okay now down to business, my smoothie essentials!

*QUICK NOTE* Smoothies should not be a regular meal replacement! They are meant to help with a healthy diet, but make sure you still eat meals regularly :)

1. Protein powder

Protein powder isn’t only for those who hit the gym, it’s for everyone! It’s great for helping to repair muscles, help achieve health-related goals and of course, add more protein into your diet.

As someone who was searching for a good protein powder with zero knowledge on the matter, I was VERY overwhelmed when I entered the protein powder world. There were just so many to choose from…

Now I am still no expert, but if you’re looking for a protein powder that works well in smoothies, I recommend getting a vanilla flavour as that usually goes best with fruits and vegetables. I personally use whey protein. Vegan protein is also a great alternative for those who are vegan or who often feel bloated after taking whey protein! If you want extra help, I recommend going to your local supplement or health food store and speaking to someone there who will be able to help you find a protein that best suits your personal needs/goals.

Here is the one that I use:

2. Collagen

At this point, collagen and I are besties. If you’ve watched any of my hair-related videos on YouTube or hair-related blog posts, you know that I am no stranger to collagen. Collagen has many wonderful benefits for the hair, but its powers go way beyond that.

Collagen is a protein that our body naturally produces. By taking a collagen supplement, we are helping the collagen in our body do its job. As we age, our bodies began to produce less and less of this protein. As I mentioned earlier, its benefits go way beyond promoting hair growth; collagen helps maintain the elasticity in our skin, can help with joint pain, keeps our tendons & ligaments strong and is also a source of protein.

Luckily, most collagen brands do carry unflavoured options which makes them perfect for adding into smoothies.

Here are my top picks for collagen:

3. Peanut Butter

Most of us have peanut butter in our cabinets so why not add some healthy fats and protein into our smoothies. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E and is high in fibre. Adding a spoon full of peanut butter can also make you feel full longer. Plus it adds a delicious taste to your smoothie, helping to mask the not-so-yummy taste of other supplements.

Tip: when shopping for peanut butter, consider going to the healthy/natural section of your grocery store!

‍4. Chia Seeds

You want to “go”more regularly? You know what I mean by “go” right?

A great source of fibre, protein, and essential fatty acids, chia seeds are always a must in my smoothies. For help “going” more regularly, I suggest having your smoothie with chia seeds first thing in the morning to get things moving.

You can either add them into your blender or simply sprinkle them on top of your smoothie.

5. Wheat grass

Don’t let its *unique* taste scare you away. Wheat grass is very good for you so the *unique* taste might just be worth it! This superfood powder contains iron, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains chlorophyll, which is important for the production of healthy blood and helps to naturally detox the body. My favourite benefit of wheat grass is its ability to help gut health because it contains enzymes that aid digestion. It also helps to cleanse the intestines, helping with problems such as constipation and bloating.

6. Turmeric

Spell it with me: a-n-t-i-i-n-f-l-a-m-m-a-t-o-r-y! Turmeric is often used in cooking but can be a sneaky additive into your smoothies as well. Like some of the other powders, it doesn’t have the best taste, so make sure to add plenty of fruits and vegetables into your smoothie to help mask the taste.

Turmeric is a medicinal herb that is high in antioxidants which helps to keep the body strong and healthy. However, if you are adding turmeric into your smoothie, make sure that you also add a little bit of black pepper. One of the main compounds in turmeric is curcumin; but our body is unable to absorb curcumin on its own and black pepper helps our body absorb turmeric. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a little bit is enough.

If you’re feeling under the weather, make sure to add turmeric to help you feel better.

7. Greens

I went through a phase where I wasn’t feeling veggie smoothies or juices and realized I wasn’t getting enough greens in my diet. That’s when I began adding a greens powder to my smoothies. There are so many wonderful greens powders out there and if you’re like me and prefer fruits smoothies, this may be a great addition to get those important nutrients!

Lots of greens powders already contain wheatgrass and spirulina :)  

*Please do not rely on greens powder as your only source of vegetables/greens. Nothing will ever be as good as the real deal! Supplements are meant to help support a healthy lifestyle, not replace veggies.

8. Matcha

Need an energy boost? One of matcha powder’s great benefits is that it can give you a natural boost of energy without the crash that you feel when you drink coffee. If you like having smoothies in the morning, consider replacing your coffee with some matcha. In addition to that, matcha is jam packed with antioxidants that help to cleanse the body, boost the immune system and metabolism.

9. Spirulina

A beautiful name and an even more beautiful colour, spirulina is a form of blue-green algae (interesting, I know). Similar to wheat grass, spirulina contains chlorophyll, helping with the production of healthy blood cells. It can help blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and just like wheat grass, is great for your gut.

P.S. you are guaranteed to have the most beautiful colour of smoothie when using spirulina.

*The brands that I share are just recommendations. There are tons of great brands for powders/supplements*

Powders can also be quite pricey, so please do not feel the need to buy all or even any of these supplements! Smoothies with fruits and vegetables are also packed with tons of vitamins & nutrients :)

Tips when using powders in smoothies

Make sure you always read the recommended serving on the package of every supplement. A good rule of thumb to follow is one teaspoon; however, always read the package to double check.

Don’t use too many supplements at once. I typically use 2-4 different powders in one smoothie. I also try my best to alternate the powders that I use so I can get the benefits of all the powders.

For liquids, I recommend using water, coconut water, milk or dairy-free milk. 

Powder combinations I recommend

Collagen + Protein Powder + Matcha + Fruits

Turmeric +Wheat grass + Matcha + Veggies & Fruits

Turmeric + Greens+ Matcha + Fruits

Turmeric +Spirulina + Matcha + Veggies & Fruits

Lastly, if you’re interested in my absolute favourite smoothie straws – here they are! They are made out of glass so they are easy to clean and reusable. Since they are clear, not only do they look pretty, but you can also wash them thoroughly. Finally, they are also thicker than regular straws, making it much easier to drink a smoothie!

Know yourself, know your body & until next time!

Mags

*Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you click on certain product links and decide to make a purchase. However, all of the items mentioned on my blog have been purchased by me and are products that I honestly recommend. Thank you for your love & support!

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