Personally, my day hasn’t started until some sort of smoothie has been made. Smoothies are such an easy way to get fluids and sneak in more fruits and veggies for breakfast. While I have my go-to combos that I return to time and time again, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up!
Here are a few nutrient-packed smoothie ingredients that might surprise you! Try adding them to your next smoothie and let us know what you think @VegaTeam_UK.
1. Oats
Shake up your morning and blend those classic porridge oats into a smoothie instead. It is as simple as adding 45 g of oats into your blender with fruit and a delicious plant-based drink. The easiest (and in my opinion tastiest…) is to combine with 1 banana, 1 spoonful of nut butter, a generous dash of cinnamon, and your choice of plant-based drink until you reach your desired consistency.
2. Cucumber
While it might seem odd, cucumbers are a great addition to a smoothie thanks to their high water content. Try adding 1 cucumber (peeled) to a smoothie made with coconut drink, frozen blueberries and lemon juice (up to 1 tablespoon). Melon also complements cucumber perfectly in a smoothie with spinach and Vega® Essentials. So fresh and easy!
3. Avocado
Luxury doesn’t even cover it! Avocados add a smooth and creamy texture to any smoothie. They are a great swap for bananas, providing your smoothie with less sugars and more fibre. They also have monounsaturated fat. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels, in addition to a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle that is recommended for good health.
If you’re feeling nervous try disguising it in a chocolate smoothie. I promise the avocado will make it rich, creamy and delicious.
Pro tip: you can freeze avocados that are almost past their prime by halving and placing in a resealable bag. Freezing will add another layer of texture and thickness. Try adding ½ an avocado to each smoothie for the best results.
4. Green Tea
Need a refreshing snack? Consider making an afternoon smoothie that includes green tea. Brew a pot of green tea and keep chilled in your fridge to add to smoothies as and when!
5. Broccoli
I know, broccoli in a smoothie!? You’d think we were mad. But, the truth is that broccoli adds greens, and fibre to your smoothie without really changing the taste at all. You can use fresh or frozen and typically aim for 90 to 175 g of broccoli florets per smoothie. A simple combination is 150 g of fresh or frozen strawberries, 1 frozen banana, 90 g of broccoli florets, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 scoop (34 g) of Vanilla Vega® Essentials with your favourite plant-based drink!
What surprising ingredients do you put into your smoothies?