Personally, my day hasn’t started until some sort of smoothie has been made. Smoothies are such an easy way to get immediately hydrated and sneak in more fruits and veggies than I otherwise would for breakfast. While I have my go-to combinations (hello Cold Brew Coffee Protein Shake or Blueberry Spinach Smoothie!) that I return to time and again, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up with unexpected smoothie ingredients.
Here are a few nutrient-packed smoothie ingredients that might surprise you! Try adding them to your next plant based protein powder smoothie and let us know what you think.
1. Oats
Take your morning oatmeal to go by blending it into a drinkable meal. Add ½ cup oats into your blender with fruit and a liquid of your choice (you can use either leftover cooked oatmeal or uncooked rolled oats). The easiest (and in my opinion tastiest) is to combine with 1 banana, 1 spoonful nut butter and a generous dash of cinnamon. Add non-dairy milk and ice until you reach you 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 milk, frozen blueberries, lemon juice (up to 1 tablespoon), and a scoop of unsweetened Vega® Protein and Greens. Melon also complements cucumber perfectly in a smoothie. So fresh and easy!
3. Avocado
Avocados add a smooth and creamy texture to a smoothie. They are a great swap for banana. If you’re feeling nervous try disguising it in a Vega One® Organic All-in-One Shake or Vega® Essentials Chocolate Shake! 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 re-sealable bag. Freezing will add another layer of texture and thickness. Try adding ½ avocado to each smoothie for best results.
4. Green Tea
Looking for a swap for your afternoon coffee? Consider making a simple mid-afternoon smoothie with a different caffeine source. Brew a batch of green tea and keep chilled in your refrigerator to add to smoothies or for a mid-day drink.
5. Broccoli
I know, I thought it sounded terrifying too. But, the truth is that broccoli adds veggies to your smoothie and really does not change the taste at all. You can use fresh or frozen and typically aim for ½ to 1 cup of broccoli florets per smoothie. A simple combination is 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, 1 frozen banana, ½ cup broccoli florets, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 scoop of vanilla Vega® Essentials.
What fun ingredients do you put into your smoothies?
