What to look for in a smoothie.  It seems that no matter where you turn there are recipes for smoothies or smoothie stands popping up. While it’s a great thing that people are becoming more and more health conscious and paying attention to what they are eating, many of the smoothies you see are more of an indulgence than a healthy meal.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SMOOTHIE

What are your goals? The first thing to consider is why are you having a smoothie (other than the fact that they are delicious). Are you looking to add some nutrition to your diet, or perhaps trying to lose weight or maybe you are making smoothies as meal replacements? This matters because a smoothie can easily pack a whopping 500 or more calories depending on the ingredients you choose.

Is it a meal or just a snack? If you are drinking your smoothies as meal replacements then make sure that it contains at least 5 grams of fiber and protein. If you workout a lot and need the extra protein then adding some protein powder is a great option. Simply adding some flaxseed or chia seeds will boost the overall health and fiber factor of your smoothie. Just make sure that you don’t have a regular meal after having your “meal replacement” smoothie.

Is it green? Not every smoothie needs to be green, just remember that as soon as you start adding fruit, you also start adding sugar. So if sugar and calories are your concern then make sure that about 90% of your drink is green. Generally, the best smoothies are also the simplest ones. Choose your ingredients wisely. Oranges, for instance, have a lot of sugar so it’s probably wise to substitute them with antioxidant packed berries.

What are the ingredients. I remember the first time I made a smoothie and it was just wrong. I couldn’t quite get the hang of what I wanted. I’ve since learned that adding a few ice cubes makes a smoothie more refreshing. Yogurt or avocado will give it that rich smooth texture, while seeds might make it more grainy.

The best thing about smoothies is that really anything goes and you can get creative adding your favourite ingredients that pack the biggest punch, as long as you keep your health goals in mind. So you see, there really is a smoothie for everyone!

What is your favourite type of smoothie?

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*all images except the one with the strawberries courtesy of Dollar Photo Club