These healthy smoothie recipes are packed with nutrient-rich ingredients to start your day strong. Here are 8 delicious smoothie recipes to make for breakfast.
Smoothies have become an on-the-go staple for health-conscious eaters, and we have to agree: They’re ridiculously easy to make, filled with fruits and veggies, and are ready in seconds. But not all smoothies are created equal. In fact, many store-bought smoothies are loaded with excess sugar and calories. So, if you’re looking for healthy smoothie recipes, we have the expert-approved tips, tricks, and ingredients to toss into your blender ASAP.
1. How to build a healthy smoothie?
Smoothies can make a healthy breakfast if you have a good balance of ingredients and nutrients—including protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
“Smoothies can be a healthy and convenient way to add in several nutrients to help jump-start your day,” says Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D., an Alabama-based dietitian and author of The Complete Book of Smoothies: 115 Health Recipes to Nourish, Health, and Energize.
Mathis especially loves that you can modify smoothies for any taste or preference. She emphasizes the importance of making smart swaps to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. For example, protein powder is a great addition to your smoothie for an extra kick of the macronutrient, but Mathis also loves nuts, cottage cheese, chia seeds, and other foods that already contain high amounts of protein.
Additionally, adding a source of healthy fat, like nuts or avocado, and extra fiber from vegetables, flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds can help provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, she says.
2. Is it healthy to have a smoothie every day?
If you’re looking to put your own blender to use and start making smoothies at home, you’re already one step ahead with saving yourself money and ensuring you have full control over what goes into your drink. Enjoying a smoothie every day is totally fine if you make sure it has a good balance of nutrients.
That said, dietitians say it’s actually better to chew and swallow food rather than drinking it for fullness, so it’s probably best to limit your intake to one smoothie a day and enjoy proper meals and snacks throughout the day. And if you’re aiming to make your smoothie a meal, try to include at least 25 grams of protein; if it’s a snack, go for at least 10 grams of protein.
These delicious, healthy smoothies make it easier to eat right with nutrient-rich fruit and veggies, creamy milk, protein, probiotic-rich yogurt, and other nutritious ingredients.
Just a note: Some of these recipes contain fruit juice or honey to up the sweetness, but if you’re looking to cut added sugar from your diet, you can nix those ingredients.
3. Healthy and delicious smoothie recipes to make for breakfast
a. Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
Who says smoothies are only for sipping? Blend together frozen blueberries, almond milk, almond butter, and vanilla until ultra-creamy and divine. Once you divide into two bowls, decorate with fresh blueberries, hemp seeds, vanilla granola, and more for the breakfast bowl of your dreams.
Ingredients
1 c. frozen blueberries
1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk
1 1/2 scoops protein powder
2 tbsp. unsweetened almond butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1/4 c. vanilla granola
2 tbsp. sliced almonds
2 tsp. hemp seeds
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Directions
In blender, puree frozen blueberries, almond milk, protein powder, almond butter, and vanilla until creamy. Divide between two bowls.
Top each bowl with fresh blueberries, granola, almonds, hemp seeds, and cinnamon before serving.
Nutrition per serving: 370 cal, 25 g pro, 32 g carb, 7 g fiber, 16 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 17 g fat (2.5 g sat fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 130 mg sodium.
b. Berry, Chia, and Mint Smoothie
Red is our favorite color in this ruby smoothie packed with strawberries, raspberries, and beets. It’ll give you a ton of gut-friendly fiber, and a refreshing sip from the surprising addition of mint.
Ingredients
1 c. sliced strawberries
1/2 c. raspberries
1/2 c. grated beet (from 1 medium beet)
1/3 c. mint leaves
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1 c. unsweetened almond milk
Directions
Place berries, beet, mint, and chia seeds in resealable plastic bag or freezer-safe jar. Freeze overnight or longer.
When ready to prepare, add almond milk to blender, then add frozen ingredients. Blend until smooth. Serve in two tall glasses.
Nutrition per serving: 105 cal, 3 g pro, 17 g carb, 8 g fiber, 7 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 3.5 g fat (0.5 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 115 mg sodium.
c. Green Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
Tropical flavors from pineapple, coconut, banana, and lime get a nutritional punch from baby spinach. It’s a health-packed cup for any time of day that’ll feel like a vacay on an island.
Ingredients
2 c. baby spinach
1 c. frozen pineapple chunks
1 c. light coconut milk
1 banana, sliced and frozen
1 tsp. grated lime zest
1 tbsp. lime juice
Directions
In blender, puree all ingredients until smooth. Divide between two glasses.
Nutrition per serving: 192 cal, 4 g pro, 30 g carb, 4 g fiber, 11.5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 7 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 43 mg sodium.
d. Stress Less Smoothie
Tangy kefir offers gut-boosting benefits, that combined with raspberries, hemp seeds, and a peach may help you lower stress levels. But if you can’t find hemp seeds, add a tablespoon of almond butter for a comparable boost of magnesium, which is key in lowering stress.
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. plain full-fat kefir, chilled
1/2 c. raspberries
1 tbsp. hemp seeds
1 peach, pitted and sliced
1/2 c. ice
Directions
In blender, puree kefir, raspberries, hemp seeds, peach, and ice until smooth, about 30 sec.
NUTRITION (per serving): 222 cal, 9 g pro, 29 g carb, 6 g fiber, 21 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 9 g fat (3 g sat fat), 18 mg chol, 54 mg sodium.
e. Apple Crisp Smoothie
Savor the taste of fall with this delicious smoothie, which features sweet apple cider, Greek yogurt, oats, nuts, and warming spices. It’s also rich in protein and beta-glucan, a type of fiber that improves endurance.
Ingredients
1 c. apple cider
1/2 c. 2% vanilla greek yogurt
1/4 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tbsp. pecans
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. ice cubes
Directions
Process ingredients in a blender and enjoy.
NUTRITION (per serving): 364 calories, 14 g protein, 49 g carbs (4 g fiber), 12.5 g fat (2 g sat fat), 32 g sugar, 69 mg sodium.
f. Antioxidant Berry Avocado Smoothie
Packed with tons of nutrients and antioxidants, this smoothie recipe leans into frozen avocado for an ultra-creamy texture. Plus, spinach, flax seeds, and an antioxidant-rich blend of frozen berries bring great flavor and keep you full.
Ingredients
1 cup Sprouts Sliced Frozen Avocados
1 cup Sprouts Whole Antioxidant Blend
1 banana
1 handful spinach leaves
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1 and ¼ cups unsweetened almond milk
Optional: fresh berries for garnish
Instructions
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
You may add additional milk if you would like a thinner texture.
Pour in a glass and top with your favorite toppings, such as fresh berries.
Enjoy!
g. Yellow Fruit and Turmeric Smoothie
Turmeric is a time-honored superfood with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Powered by curcumin, one of its primary substances, the spice may help boost memory, ease joint pain, lower the risk of certain cancers, and lessen the symptoms of depression. What are you waiting for? Make this smoothie that’s bursting with the stuff.
INGREDIENTS
1 medium banana, sliced
1 cup diced cantaloupe
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend that ish together!
Think about how great you’re going to feel for having a healthy breakfast or snack instead of a bag of potato chips.
Perform some daily affirmations in the mirror.
Meditate for five seconds.
Drink up!
h. Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Here’s a smoothie recipe that’ll make you nostalgic for the childhood favorite. Mixed berries and peanut butter powder give this smoothie the sweet and salty taste you crave. Plus, the vanilla powder gives you staying power so you won’t go hungry an hour after drinking this creamy beverage.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup frozen mixed berries
2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
1 scoop dairy free vanilla protein powder (about 30g)
1 ½ cups almond milk or coconut milk
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth and creamy.
NUTRITION
Calories: 140, Fat: 4g, Carbohydrates: 11g, Fiber: 5g