Smoothies are a healthy hack that can make life much easier (and tastier). In a hurry? Smoothie. Craving something sweet? Smoothie. Need an extra serving of fruit? Smoothie. The benefits of this simple blended go-to snack are endless, and so are the variety of recipes.
From green smoothies to fruit smoothies to protein smoothies, there’s an option for whatever goal you’re looking to achieve. There’s not a one-size-fits-all recipe and customising to your own needs and taste makes for a great breakfast or afternoon treat that won’t leave you feeling guilty either. But we’re not talking filling your Nutribullet with half a tub of ice cream and four sliced strawberries. Instead, embrace the healthier options to get the most out of your smoothies. Think fruit, veg and protein powder, please! Ok, and maybe a bit of ice cream.
According to The Business Standard, smoothies can help with hydration, digestion and detoxification, but don’t drown in the infinite options on Pinterest or try to hack the newest celeb smoothie fad. We’ve narrowed it down to five smoothie recipes for different goals to help give you a bit of guidance. Happy blending!
Smoothie for healthy weight-loss
Boosting metabolism, supporting muscle growth, and staying fuller for longer are all ways to aid you with your weight-loss goals in a healthy, sustainable way. There are certain foods you can throw into your blender to make your health journey both easier and more enjoyable. For example, combining greens with fruit can keep your recipe low-sugar, while still giving you the nutrients you need. And on the plus side, it’s super refreshing and energising.
We recommend this one in the morning to really kickstart your day:
- 30g spinach
- 250ml water
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 green apple
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
- Juice of one lemon
Pop everything in the blender and whizz to your desired consistency. Inspired by Jen Hansard.
Smoothie for energy
Let’s power up. Feeling like you’re in a slump with little energy can be detrimental to your entire day, so getting a boost is key. Not only does loading up on energy help you feel better physically, but it aids with focus and brain power too so you can get up and go and tick all those things off your to-do list. Blending up some fruits high in key nutrients should do just the trick.
- 50g frozen pineapple chunks
- 2 de-stemmed kale leaves
- 250 ml water or nut milk of choice
- ½ a frozen banana
- 1 tsp matcha green tea
Pop everything in the blender and whizz to your desired consistency. Inspired by Lindsey Bomgren.
Smoothie for building muscle
When you’re going for the gains, protein gives you a great foundation to grow muscles and build strength. Protein powder blends make for a great option when taking your smoothie from sub-par to protein-packed, and this one is one of our favourites for pre or post-workout to really maximise your efforts.
- 4 scoops of The Strong Protein by Innermost in Vanilla
- 375ml water or nut milk of choice
- 30g spinach
- 1 frozen banana
- 100g blueberries
Pop everything in the blender and whizz to your desired consistency. Inspired by Jeff Taraday.
Smoothie for digestion
Having a healthy digestion system is key to feeling your best. When you feel good on the inside, you’re able to tackle the day full steam ahead. Fibre, found in things like flax seeds, is a nutrient known for aiding digestion and it blends well with delicious fresh ingredients like blueberries and spinach. When you want to up your fibre intake even more, top your smoothie with some chia seeds.
- 375ml water or nut milk of choice
- 50g frozen blueberries
- 30g spinach
- 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
Pop everything in the blender and whizz to your desired consistency. Inspired by Stephanie Gerber.
Smoothie for glowing skin
Getting that glow is a must-have and feeling confident in your skin goes a long way. Hydration and detoxification are key, so incorporating greens into your smoothies will give you that brightness and clarity that you’ve been searching for. If you’re looking to improve your skin, avoid sugary smoothies with an ice cream base as this could potentially trigger skin issues. Coconut water is a great option instead for its antioxidant properties.
- 250ml coconut water
- 1 rounded tsp of The Detox Booster by Innermost
- 210g frozen pineapple
- ¼ of an avocado
Pop everything in the blender and whizz to your desired consistency. Inspired by Jen Hansard.
Smoothies are one way to easily to reach your goals from the inside out. Immerse yourself in the benefits and enjoy the deliciousness while you’re at it. Bottoms up!
