Having a well-balanced diet means your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. Servings of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and legumes should be included in all of your meals. 

Since not everyone has the luxury of time to prepare and check the nutritional content of their meals, sticking to a well-balanced diet can be a struggle. Fortunately, drinking smoothies can be an effective solution to this problem.

People are now preparing their own smoothies as an attempt to live a healthy lifestyle. Smoothies are very easy to make, convenient to bring, and allows individuals to add whatever raw ingredients they have in their kitchen.

If you’re planning to hop into this bandwagon, take note of the following tips when making healthy smoothies:

1. Prioritize Fruits

Fruits are an essential ingredient in every healthy smoothie. Because fruits are generally sweet, adding them to your smoothies is a great way of masking the blandness and bitterness of vegetables.

If you’re still a neophyte in creating healthy smoothies, start by scouting for fruits that are available in your area. Regardless if you frequently experience humid or cold weather, there will always be a wide selection of fruits to choose from.

Bananas are one of the best ingredients to use in any healthy smoothie. Bananas have a creamy texture and natural sweetness, making it easy to blend with other vegetables. Frozen berries and chunks of mango and apricots are also great options. Add in fresh slices of apples and pears for variety.

2. Consider Vegetables

Green smoothies are slowly gaining popularity across the globe because of the health benefits it can provide. As the name suggests, this smoothie is composed of green vegetables, liquid base, and ripe fruits.

Adding a few cups of kale or spinach to your smoothie is a great way of introducing vegetables to your diet. This tip can do wonders, especially for individuals who dislike eating vegetables.

Once you’ve fully embraced kale or spinach, expand your options by adding more and more vegetables to your smoothies. Certain vegetables can work well with fruits, so make sure that you research some of the best combo recipes.

3. Add Extras

Fruits and vegetables are the basic ingredients to any healthy smoothies, but there are no rules telling you that you should only stick to these. Since you’re the only person preparing and drinking these smoothies, you have the liberty of adding any ingredients you want.

Fruits and vegetables are already healthy. But, if you’re looking for ways to make your smoothies more flavorful and healthier, add a few tablespoons of these extras:

• Chia seeds contain fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds also have high levels of antioxidants and can boost the protein and calcium absorption of the body.

• Peanut butter contains potassium and can lower the risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease. Its fiber content can improve your bowel movement and strengthen your bones and muscles.

• Rolled oats can make you feel full faster and help you lose weight in the long run. Rolled oats can also improve your blood sugar levels and boosts your immune system.

4. Add Natural Sweeteners

There are a lot of ways for you to add sweetness to your food and drinks. Usually, you’ll do it by adding a few tablespoons of sugar. However, when it comes to smoothies, adding sugar isn’t really a healthy choice. Excessive use of sugar in your smoothies can overpower the fruits and vegetables and can cause several health problems, such as weight gain and a spike in blood sugar levels.

If you want to add sweetness to your smoothies without compromising the nutritional content of your raw ingredients, consider using light coconut milk or water. You can also add teaspoons of pure honey, cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa powder, or vanilla extract. These natural sweeteners can blend well with fruits and vegetables, and also provides a wealth of health benefits.

5. Add Protein

For you to meet your body’s required protein intake, add at least one protein-packed ingredient to your smoothie. Protein plays a vital role in your bodily functions since it’s responsible for building and repairing damaged tissues. Protein is also essential in building bones and muscles. 

Depending on your preference, you can add in a few cups of skim milk, soy milk, or low-fat yogurt in your smoothies. Silken tofu, seaweed, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa are also great sources of protein.

Commit Long-Term

With the number of people who are creating and drinking healthy smoothies, finding a recipe that suits your taste buds and nutritional requirements can be easy. This variety allows you to try out different smoothie recipes and ensure that you’ll stick to a long-term healthy diet.