Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a health kick and a huge part of that is actually eating breakfast (something I never have been particularly fond of). Because I’m so incredibly lazy in the morning, smoothies have become a nice fast, health breakfast.
My smoothie this morning has: a banana, blueberries, strawberries, mango, lots of spinach, and a little soy milk and ice.
Don’t get me wrong- the smoothie is good enough, but I just feel like it could be better. The overall flavor is kind of. . . blah. Any ideas on what could be added to benefit flavor without sacrificing too many calories? I was thinking a splash of juice, but I’m not sure if that would make a substantial difference.
Anywho, while we’re on the subject: what are some of your favorite smoothies?
I usually have a bag of key limes (or Mexican limons) in the fridge and use them to jazz up nearly anything. I squeeze one into smoothies to brighten them up. To sweeten a smoothie, I usually use Splenda, but if you don’t use it, maybe Truvia. Honey is great, but of course there are the calories to take into account. Vanilla extract is great with anything creamy or banana-y, and almond extract goes well with peach or mango or cherry flavors.
My favorite: Mango/orange juice/banana smoothie with Fage Greek yogurt, lime juice and some Splenda and a couple of drops of vanilla extract.
Go EASY on the extracts, should you decide to use one or more.
My AM smoothies are nonfat dry milk, soy protein isolate powder, nonfat milk, and frozen fruit, with just a squeeze of honey.
The nonfat dry milk is to boost my calcium intake, and the protein powder is the nutrition boost for the smoothie, to elevate it above the milkshake level.
My favorite fruits are blueberries, berry mix (blueberry, raspberry, blackberry), and dark cherry. The dark cherry is so sweet, no honey is necessary.
Banana, IMHO, is too sweet. Frozen peaches are usually underripe, and waaaay too sour. However, they can be redeemed by adding caramel sauce (yes, the stuff you put on ice cream) instead of honey. I love fresh mango, but the frozen mango smells…ehhh…kinda fishy to me. Mango is also redeemed with caramel sauce. Frozen pineapple is quite fibrous.
I’d rather have the spinach by itself as a vegetable.
~VOW
No seasonings? Chili powder, anise, allspice, cinnamon, cardamon … roam the spice cabinet! Mint, thyme, basil … herbs and spices can aid health - cinnamon purportedly helps control diabetes, ginger helps upset stomachs, fennel helps stop burping.
Go coastal South of the Border, coconut water ice cubes, lime, mango, whey powder, some chili powder and almond milk. Go Indian - mango, yoghurt, cardamon, chili powder. Go japanese - soy protein, rice milk, seaweed flakes, melon.