Smoothies are my go-to healthful breakfast every weekday morning, when my time is limited. After my morning smoothie, I’ve already consumed 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables plus many other essential phytochemicals and nutrients. And the best part about these nutritious beverages is that there are endless combinations of ingredients that can be made into delicious vegan smoothies!
At first, it may seem overwhelming with so many options to choose from. So I’ve created a handy chart for how to make the best vegan smoothie. There are three main types of ingredients that I consider when planning out a smoothie.
How to Make the Best Vegan Smoothie in 3 Easy Steps
1. Liquid
The liquid is what will help your ingredients blend smooth and can also be used to add flavor and nutrients. Some common liquids I use in my smoothies are unsweetened plant-based milks such as almond, soy, rice and coconut. I tend to have a variety of plant-based milks in my cupboard as they are one of my Vegan Grocery Essentials! There are many kinds to choose from so switch it up from week to week and see which ones you like best.
Another liquid I use frequently in smoothies is juice, most commonly orange though I have been known to use freshly squeezed carrot or beet juice. And of course, water can always be used as the liquid for a smoothie if you’re trying to keep it simple.
2. Fruits & Vegetables
If asked what ingredients go into a smoothie almost everyone would most likely think of fruit first. Fruits are of course what make smoothies the tasty treat that they are. However, some may be skeptical at the thought of adding vegetables into the blender. I may have even been one of those people at some point. But now I am a believer! I put spinach into all of my smoothies and am actually sad when I run out of this favorite leafy green. If you follow the guide above, the combination of ingredients will create enough flavor and the spinach is not even noticeable – except for the occasional vibrant green color. Other leafy greens such as kale are a great addition to smoothies as well.
Bananas are a fruit I use in almost every smoothie because they create a sweet flavor. I like to freeze ripe bananas ahead of time so they also create a creamy texture make the smoothie cold without having to use ice.
3. Healthy Fats & Superfoods
In addition to fruits and veggies, using healthy fats and superfoods in smoothies is a great way to get in extra vitamins and nutrients. Some of my favorite additions are freshly ground flaxseeds, almonds and walnuts. Other great healthy fats include coconut and avocado which also help the smoothie have a creamier texture.
And then there are “super foods” which are nutrient dense foods that provide a variety of disease-preventing qualities such as chia seeds, goji berries, spirulina and cacao.
