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Creating a nutritious Shake/Smoothie

Posted in NUTRITION , October 26th, 2017

We often find ourselves busy and on the go which is a common excuse used regarding poor diet. But did you know that not all meals have to be food meals. In fact you can replace one to two meals a day with healthy , balanced and easy to make super nutritious shakes.

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Found this easy to follow list on Precision Nutrition.com 

Here’s what to do

STEP 1

Pick a liquid

  • Water
  • Almond milk (unsweetened)
  • Cow’s milk
  • Soy milk (unsweetened)
  • Hemp milk (unsweetened)
  • Iced green tea

Less liquid = thick shakes. More liquid = thin shakes. 4-8 oz is a good starting point for each serving.

STEP 2

Pick a protein powder

  • Whey protein
  • Casein protein
  • Pea protein
  • Rice protein
  • Hemp protein
  • Other proteins or protein blends

Some protein powders contain thickeners, which will increase the thickness of your shake. Find the protein supplement that you like best. 1-2 scoops should be sufficient (25-50 g).

STEP 3

Pick a veggie

  • Dark leafy greens: Spinach / Swiss chard / kale
  • Pumpkin / sweet potato
  • Beets / beet greens
  • Cucumber / celery
  • Powdered greens supplement

Spinach is usually your best bet, as it is virtually flavorless in your Super Shake. Canned pumpkin is great too. It goes well with vanilla. When using beets, try roasting them and removing the skin first. Beets pair well with chocolate. If you add celery or cucumber, you’ll need to use less liquid in your shake. Add 1-2 handfuls.

STEP 4

Pick a fruit

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Berries
  • Cherries
  • Dates
  • Pineapple / mango
  • Powdered fruit supplement

Toss in half a banana to give the shake an excellent consistency. Dates go a long way, as they’re very sweet (and make sure to get rid of the pit first!). Apples are easy — simply remove the core and slice into wedges. You can use fresh or frozen fruit. Aim for 1-2 cupped handfuls.

STEP 5

Pick a healthy fat

  • Walnuts
  • Flax, hemp, chia seeds
  • Cashews
  • Almonds
  • Peanut and nut butters

When blended well, nuts and seeds give the shake a nice, rich consistency. 1-2 thumbs is usually enough.

STEP 6

Pick a topper

  • Coconut
  • Cacao nibs / dark chocolate
  • Yogurt
  • Oats / granola
  • Cinnamon
  • Ice cubes (if using fresh fruit)

Cinnamon is good with vanilla and pumpkin. Add oats if you need extra carbs, yogurt if you want more protein and a smoother consistency. For all of these, a little goes a long way.

Thats all folks. Give it a try and don’t let your busy schedules get in a way of healthy living.