Thick, cool and creamy—not to mention, super simple to prepare… It’s no wonder smoothies have such a loyal fanbase. But if you’re tired of tossing back the same old strawberry-banana smoothie every day, it may be time to rethink your drink.
Forget the status quo and shake things up a bit with these delicious, nutritious smoothie add-ins!
Avocado
This popular fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) isn’t just for guacamole anymore! The creamy consistency of avocado makes it a perfect addition to shakes and smoothies. Rich in dietary fiber and vitamins C, E and K, the healthy fat source will help keep your hunger in check for hours. Try it for yourself with this yam-avocado coconut smoothie recipe.
Beets
Add color, flavor, potassium, manganese and fiber to your smoothie with… you guessed it, beets! If you have a powerful blender, like the NOW Foods Sports high-speed personal blender, toss ‘em in raw. Otherwise, you’ll have to cook the beets (check out our beet-carrot smoothie recipe). Smart shortcut: use beet powder to reap the same nourishing benefits.
Cocoa
Chocolate milkshakes might not make the breakfast menu, but chocolate-flavored smoothies are perfectly acceptable! For mornings that require a little extra comfort, add some delicious, antioxidant-rich ground cacao nibs or cocoa powder to your shake or smoothie.
Coconut Water
Many athletes choose potassium-rich coconut water for recovery instead of higher-calorie sports drinks. Simply freeze the water in ice cube trays and toss the cubes into your shake or smoothie mixture for an instant tropical electrolyte lift! We love it in this coconut water & mango green smoothie.
Collagen
A structural protein that helps maintain flexibility and strength throughout the body, collagen is a smart addition to your favorite smoothie recipe. Go ahead and mix collagen powder into your frozen drink and let it work its wonders on your skin, hair, nails and joints. Looking for a recipe? Try this blueberry-acai smoothie bowl with collagen and top it with nuts, apples and your favorite seeds!
Greens
Smoothies are a great way to incorporate much-needed greens into your diet that you wouldn’t regularly consume. Use a powder mix or add your favorite fresh or frozen greens (think arugula, broccoli, chard, spinach or kale) to your smoothie base and enjoy. Keep in mind that you may have to play around with ratios to find the perfect balance between nutritional benefits and flavor.
Matcha powder
In need of an instant energy boost? Consider mixing this finely powdered green tea into your smoothies (click here for a matcha green tea smoothie recipe you’ll love). Matcha contains powerful phytonutrients and caffeine for a quick pick-me-up. Plus, you’ll love its light, sweet flavor.
Nut butter
Craving a creamier, more filling drink? Bring on the nut butter! Add body to your shake or smoothie base with a tablespoon of peanut, cashew or almond butter. For optimum health benefits, choose an all-natural variety without added salt, sugar or oils. This could be as simple as combining your nut butter of choice with frozen bananas in a blender, or more gourmet like in this chocolate-almond butter superfood smoothie bowl recipe that calls for bentonite clay (another great add-in!).
Protein powder
A scoop of plain or flavored protein powder can (obviously) increase your protein intake and make your smoothie more satisfying. There are many protein powder bases to choose from, including bone broth, hemp, pea and soy. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Start with this vanilla protein breakfast smoothie.
Seeds
Flavor your smoothie with seeds, and enjoy the added benefits of healthy fat and fiber. Types to consider include flax seeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds. Just be sure to grind them first so they’ll be more easily digested by your body! This refreshing green protein smoothie with chia and flax is a quick-and-easy recipe to follow.
Spices
When it comes to spicing up your smoothies, the sky is the limit. And don’t be afraid to go savory! Some delicious, nutritious choices include cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mint, rosemary, turmeric and vanilla. Here’s a citrus sunshine smoothie that calls for turmeric, cayenne and black pepper!
Yogurt
It’s a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and those beneficial “live and active cultures,” so why wouldn’t you add yogurt to your shake or smoothie? Plus, it helps up the creaminess factor.
Grab all these healthy smoothie ingredients and more on vitacost.com:
