5 Breakfast Smoothies to Boost Your Morning

Trends come and go, but the smoothie has staying power. Sure, some are loaded full of sugar and unhealthy fats, but there are a range of other options to make a healthy, delicious, nutrient-packed, and energy-boosting smoothie to kick start your day. The best kind of smoothies are rich in fiber and antioxidants, packed with a good portion of your daily fruit and veg requirements, quick and easy to make, and an amazing way to keep your immune system strong and skin and hair looking vibrant. If you don’t have a good breakfast routine in place (most important meal of the day to jump start your metabolism!), this is one of the best ways to begin. What’s more, kids love smoothies, so if you have little ones, this can be a family affair. Here are our top five tantalizing smoothies to boost your morning. They are all single-serving portions, so just double or triple up as needed and blender-size allows!

1- Turmeric Smoothie

Turmeric has been known for its medicinal properties throughout Southeast Asia going back thousands of years, and in present day is finally being recognized by the medical community in the West too. This deliciously spiced and creamy concoction is great for the respiratory system, immune system overall, and digestion. While a warm smoothie might sound counterintuitive, it is spectacular, soothing, and will make your latte seem sorely disappointing.

1 Banana

1 large apple (peeled if preferred)

Seeds from ½ a pomegranate

½in piece of ginger

¼in piece of turmeric (or 2 tsp powdered turmeric)

½ cup milk, coconut milk, or other preferred dairy substitute (warmed)

¾ cup filtered water (warmed)

Blend until smooth

2- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Wait, this isn’t a dessert? The key to this being a healthy option is organic, high quality peanut butter, and unsweetened high grade cacao. Those make this smoothie rich in healthy fats and a great source of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and minerals. You also get iron from the spinach and dates as well as numerous digestive bonuses. Since this is another warm smoothie, if you are inclined toward a morning caffeine boost, go nuts and add a shot of espresso into the mix. If the final result is a little too thick for your tastes, just add water to your preference.

1 banana

½ cup spinach

2 tablespoons peanut butter

2 teaspoons unsweetened cacao powder

2-3 dates (without pits)

1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

1.5 cup milk or almond milk, warmed (or preferred dairy-free substitute)

Blend until smooth

3- Apple Cinnamon Smoothie

This is a personal favorite, and the couple of extra steps it takes are totally worth it. Apples are fiber and antioxidant rich, while cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels, is anti-inflammatory and protects the brain. The other ingredients have already received air time in earlier recipes, but we haven’t mentioned coconut oil yet. This gem of an oil increases healthy cholesterol and fights bad cholesterol, its great for skin, hair, kidney and liver function, and inflammation. And its also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. So feel free to add a teaspoon to any smoothie, and make this a kitchen staple if you haven’t already.  Oats make the smoothie more filling, but are also an amazing source of soluble fiber, are gluten-free, and wonderful source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Warm 1 cup of coconut milk and ½ cup water with a sliced apple (peeled if preferred), 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Heat to simmer

Add to blender with a quarter cup of organic rolled oats.

Leave to soak for 10 min.

Add 1 teaspoon maple syrup, cane sugar, or couple of pitted dates (optional)

Blend until smooth

4- Green Smoothie

Courtesy of www.thedabblist.com, this recipe is the winner when it comes to low sugar, tons of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and other nutrients and minerals. Not only is this an incredible digestive aid and anti-inflammatory, but it’s refreshing and will have all your senses tingling.

1/2 avocado

4 leaves kale, stems removed

1/2 apple

1 handful loose spinach

1 cup coconut water

4-5 fresh mint leaves

Blend until smooth

5- Berry Smoothie

Bet you didn’t think berries would make such a late appearance! Berries are a magnificent way to sweeten up any smoothie. Berries are renowned for their antioxidants, as sources of fiber, packed with phytochemicals (which protect from cell damage), and are a great brain boost and protector. They are also scrumptious, and make a colorful and appetizing drink to start your day.  Particularly for berries and leafy greens, do try to go organic if you can.

4/5 ice cubes (optional- replace with ½ cup water if preferred)

1/2 coconut milk or water

1 cup kale or spinach

1 cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

¾ a banana

As you begin to get comfortable with smoothie-creation, you’ll be able to experiment, adding more leafy greens, replacing some fruits with others, and alternating your liquid base. You’ll be able to find smoothies online that can fit whatever produce is in season, and to fit your dietary restrictions or preferences whether it is gluten-free, low-sugar, vegan, etc. The list of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you can boost them with is endless, with liquid vitamin C, magnesium, Maca powder, flax, probiotics, and more (except be careful not to add to hot recipes that will zap the benefits). We recommend organic produce whenever possible, most particularly for apples, berries, nuts and leafy greens, which have the highest pesticide contamination. Whatever is accessible and preferable to you, the possibilities are endless to make smoothies the perfect tailored breakfast boost. Have fun, and don’t forget to keep us posted on your favorites in the comments!