Smoothies are the ultimate health food. You pack almost any food into them (and boy, have people tried!), and somehow they usually come out much tastier than the individual ingredients might suggest. And you don’t have to be a culinary master to make one. It’s like the time-honored toddler trick of sneaking healthy foods into something tasty but with 90 percent more adulting. But sometimes our smoothies can get boring.
If you’re tired of the same ol’ banana, berry and yogurt combo, join the club. Fortunately, there are lots of tasty, healthy ways to spice up your smoothie. Try one — or all — of these in your next blended beverage.
Cardamom
This Indian spice is seriously underrated. Just one or two crushed seeds will add a unique, spicy, herbal flavor that perfectly enhances fruit flavors. (There’s a reason it’s so often added to the traditional mango lassi!) As a bonus, the tasty spice adds some calcium, potassium and magnesium, along with essential oils, and is said to calm upset stomachs and help reduce bloating.
Matcha
Want the health benefits of drinking green tea without having to drink green tea? Matcha is the powdered form of a specially grown type of green tea and has a very mild taste. One scoop provides a hefty dose of vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium. Plus, it’s said to help burn body fat and calm your mood.
Cacao nibs
Raw, crushed chocolate — what’s not to love? OK, there’s no sugar added, so these little nuggets don’t taste like a candy bar. But they do add a rich, chocolaty flavor and a nutty crunch to smoothies. They’re a good source of fiber, polyphenols and antioxidants, which help to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
Kefir
It’s like yogurt but a little runnier and a little kickier, thanks to the fermentation process (and slight alcohol content). Kefir offers more probiotics than yogurt and has been shown to help boost the immune system and keep your digestive tract running smoothly. Just make sure you’re buying the plain kind as flavored varieties have a ton of added sugars.
Maple water
Often called nature’s Kool-Aid, maple water is the pure sap from maple trees before it’s boiled down to make the syrup we put on pancakes. The clear, slightly sweet liquid is said to contain at least 46 bioactive nutrients essential to health, including phytonutrients, minerals, active antioxidants, electrolytes, and amino and organic acids. It’s said to improve bone and heart health, and some tout it as the ultimate hangover cure. (There’s no evidence for that last one, but it couldn’t hurt to try!)
Maca powder
Maca is a root in the radish family, and although that may not sound like what you want mixed in with your bananas and juice, proponents say it gives smoothies a pleasant malted or toasted flavor. It’s said to be particularly beneficial to women, helping alleviate PMS symptoms and hormone swings. It may also help boost libido — an unexpected bonus of your breakfast!
Dulse
Seaweed is the kind of ingredient that makes people think of health nuts as, well, nuts. But adding dulse flakes — finely ground red seaweed — to your smoothie is a great way to get all of the health benefits of sea vegetables without making your drink taste like the ocean. It adds a boost of protein and fiber along with micronutrients and minerals you can only find in seafood.
Mushrooms
The spongy fungi are one of the most nutritious vegetables we have (hello, vitamin D!), but they’re also the last things anyone would want in a smoothie. However, adding a couple of the more mild-flavored varieties, such as button or enoki, won’t change the flavor at all. You can also buy powdered mushrooms to make sure they blend even better.
Sweet potato flour
A tablespoon of sweet potato flour is a quick way to thicken up a smoothie and give it a more hearty texture while still maintaining the sweet flavor. And the powdered form of the tuber offers a big dose of fiber and vitamin A.
Moringa
The moringa plant isn’t well known in the Western world, but it’s a staple food in many countries around the world — and for good reason. Its leaves and pods, usually dried and powdered, contain a high concentration of antioxidants. Proponents swear it helps boost immunity, improves oral health, cures headaches and prevents kidney stones.
Bee pollen
These little granules are the bee’s knees, literally. They’re made from the pollen that collects on the legs of bees as they fly about their business. They have a granular texture and slightly sweet flavor that blends well into smoothies. Health benefits include softening skin and improving seasonal allergies and asthma. But steer clear if you’re allergic to bees at all as this could cause a reaction.
White beans
Beans are protein powerhouses and are the perfect solution if you want to amp up the protein content of your smoothie without resorting to processed protein powders. Not only does the protein help you build muscle, but also the fiber will keep you full all the way to lunch. And if you’re worried about taste, mild white beans blend into a creamy base, which is easily flavored by whatever fruits and veggies you normally use.
Superfoods for smoothies
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