A smoothie is a broad term. It can refer to a simple mixture of berries and water, as well as a complex concoction of several ingredients. When you’re looking for a great smoothie recipe, be careful of the effect that your chosen ingredients have on the healthiness of your final smoothie.
The addition of sweet ingredients like syrup, sugar or ice-cream is what usually makes a smoothie unhealthy. But sometimes it’s not so obvious what a healthy balance of ingredients is. For instance, a highly dense mixture of certain fruits can contain extremely high amounts of sugar – equal to a large packet of sweets or a slice of cake.
By choosing your fruits carefully and avoiding highly sugary fruit juices, you can create delicious smoothies that are just as tasty as they are nutritious. Here’s our list of our top 5…
Orange, Ginger and Turmeric Detox Smoothies
Ingredients
- 1tbsp level of organic Turmeric powder
- 1tbsp cinnamon
- 1tsp stevia powder (optional) or 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 orange
- 1 piece of ginger root (around 1 inch)
- 2 limes
- 5 carrots
- 6fl.oz (3/4 cup) water
Instructions
- Peel the ginger and carrots and then slice them.
- Place them in the blender and add the juice of citrus fruits, the water, raw honey and half the Cinnamon and Turmeric powder.
- Blend it until smooth and serve in medium to large glasses. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon on top and enjoy!
Cacao and banana smoothies
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana
- 1 tbsp Organic Cacao Powder
- 150 ml almond milk
- ¼ tsp Himalayan salt
- 1tsp raw honey
- 1/2 tsp Organic Cacao Nibs
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in the blender until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Garnish with a dash of Cinnamonor, Cacao Powder.
- Garnish with Cacao Nibs.
- Ready to serve!
Green Maca Smoothies
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk or water (I prefer milk)
- ⅓ - ½ cup yogurt
- 1 loose cup fresh spinach
- 1 tsp of Maca root powder
- 1 scoop hydrolyzed collagen
- 1-2 tbsp peanut butter OR 2 tbsp peanut powder (check the ingredients first!)
- 1 banana
Instructions
- Add ingredients to the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Put in your favourite glass and enjoy.
Watermelon Turmeric and Red Berry Smoothies
Red berries and Turmeric with delicious and hydrating watermelon make this smoothie a very healthy drink. The ginger and turmeric add spice and a little heat, and served with ice it is revitalizing and refreshing. It is better to remove the seeds from the watermelon.
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon chunks, peeled and seeded
- 1 cup red berries (strawberries or raspberries are the best, but you can use mixed frozen berries)
- ½ cup water
- 1tsp of Turmeric
- 1tsp ground ginger, or small piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 3tsp raw honey
- 2tsp extra-virgin coconut oil
- 2tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Put the watermelon, berries, water, lemon juice, Ginger, Turmeric, honey and coconut oil into a blender.
- Purée until smooth, depending on your blender timings.
A healthy green smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 3/4 - 1 cup light coconut milk
- 1 cup spinach or chopped kale
- 1 tsp of Spirulina powder
- 1 tbsp hemp seed
Instructions
- Add frozen banana, cucumber, coconut milk, spinach, Spirulina, and hemp seed (optional) to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides (or using smoothie wand) as needed.
- If too thick, thin with water or more coconut milk. If too thin, thicken with ice or more frozen banana.
- Serve immediately as is or in my preferred: top with blueberries, granola, and more hemp seeds.
Are smoothies healthy?
The trouble with pre-made smoothies that are bought from a store they often contain excessive amounts of sugar and fat. While these drinks may be delicious, be careful that you’re not overloading your system.
But when done right and taken in moderation, a smoothie can be one of the healthiest things for you – perfect for you post-workout recovery or weekend detox.
