Conceptually, smoothies (and smoothie bowls) are simple enough to make – ingredients, blender, that’s it. Nutritionally, however, many people get it wrong quite often. If you want a smoothie to sustain you, help control blood sugar and fuel your day then it’s important your smoothie is nutritionally balanced. Here I teach you the key principles of making a nutritionally balanced smoothie.
The Core Principles
A nutritionally balanced smoothie (or any meal for that matter) comes down, simply, to the following principles:
- Does it contain a source of protein?
- Does it contain a source of low-sugar, slow digesting carbohydrate and fibre?
- Does it contain a source of healthy fat?
- Where possible, are these sources real foods?
Protein, healthy fats and fibre are digested slower than sugars and simple carbohydrates so they will be satiating, help you feel fuller for longer and help with blood sugar regulation after consumption of the smoothie. Nutrients from real foods are also more easily recognised by the body and assimilated after consumption. By ensuring your shake contains real food sources of protein, slow-digesting carbohydrate, fibre and healthy fat you will avoid blood sugar spikes and drops throughout the day/afternoon.
From there it’s a matter of jazzing up your smoothie with different ingredients and other flavours to make it delicious!
Protein Options
Great options that provide protein to your smoothie:
- Eggs
- Nuts, seeds and their butters (almonds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, brazil nuts, peanut butter, tahini etc.)
- Greek yoghurt if tolerant of dairy
- Protein Isolates and their blends. I love
- 180 Nutrition Superfood Protein or Organic Hemp Plus
- Grilo Protein Cricket Protein
Carbohydrate Options
By using real foods, these will also be a source of fibre:
- 1/2 cup serving of fruit (like banana, berries, mango, kiwi, orange, melons etc.)
- 1/2-1 cup serving steamed then frozen vegetables (like zucchini, cucumber, cauliflower, pumpkin)
- Depending on your activity level for the day you may like to add some more starchier carbs like:
- rolled oats,
- quinoa flakes
- teff porridge
- steamed sweet potato
- cooked brown rice or quinoa
- Other sources of fiber include
- chia seeds, psyllium husk
- whole nuts and seeds
I usually like to use about 1/3-1/2 cup fruit for to help with sweetness then add about a cup of steamed and frozen cauliflower or zucchini for low sugar carbohydrates.
Healthy Fats
Great sources of healthy fats (which also make the smoothie really creamy too) include:
- Avocado
- Coconut yoghurt or cream
- Nuts and seeds
- Nut and seed butters (peanut butter, tahini etc.)
- Cacao butter, coconut oil, macadamia oil
Extras that add flavour
Here are some ideas of ingredients you can use that will jazz up the deliciousness and boost the nutrients of your smoothie:
- Cacao
- Carob
- Maca
- Mesquite
- Sea salt
- Greens powder
- Lemon and lime
- Turmeric, ginger, fresh mint and other herbs and spices
Some Recipe Ideas:
I usually use water and some ice to bring my smoothies together and occasionally some nut milk, depending if I want it to add flavour to the smoothie.
- Pumpkin Pie – roast pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, 2 T 180 Nutrition Vegan Superfood, avocado or coconut yoghurt and some coconut milk, sea salt.
- Choc-Peanut Butter – 1/2 cup banana, 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower, 1 T peanut butter, 1 t Grilo Protein, 2 T 180 Nutrition Hemp Plus , 1/4 of an avocado, sea salt.
- Turmeric Latte – 1/2 cup banana, 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower, 1-2 t of your favourite turmeric latte spice mix, 2 T 180 Nutrition Vegan Superfood, coconut yoghurt or cream.
- Coconut Mango – 1/2 cup mango, 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower, 2T 180 Nutrition Vegan Superfood, 2 T shredded coconut, coconut cream or coconut yoghurt.
- Mixed Berry – 1/2 cup berries, 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower, 2T 180 Nutrition Vegan Superfood, 2 T shredded coconut, avocado or coconut yoghurt.
- Piña Colada – 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower, 2T 180 Nutrition Vegan Superfood, 2 T shredded coconut, coconut cream or coconut yoghurt.
I usually use water and some ice to bring my smoothies together and occasionally some nut milk, depending if I want it to add flavour to the smoothie. I also love to ‘eat’ my smoothies from a bowl with some crunchy toppings so I tend to make mine a bit thicker than others might like… each to their own!
I hope this has been useful for you! Please comment below if you have any questions!
