Benefits of Morning Smoothies

As crazy as it sounds, I’ve been having smoothies for breakfast every day, for almost 4 years now. This is what I learned and why I will continue to do it.

Depending on who you ask, smoothies can be very boring or extremely satisfying. I’m more on the satisfied side. Let’s start with the basics: for the right person, the right smoothie can be a perfect choice, and not all smoothies are healthy. I’m talking about fruit smoothies, and not “shakes” commonly known for milkshakes (with dairy ice cream, sugary chocolate, weird syrups, and all of that unhealthy jazz). There are certain qualifiers that are important (for me): my morning smoothies have to be completely raw. That means, no processed stuff, no added sugar, and certainly no commercial protein powders; just completely based on fruit, vegetables, nuts and/or oats.

What are my favorite benefits?

• Energy boost: You’re going to have lots of morning-energy! Of course, this has to be combined with sleep habits & a semi-active lifestyle.
• Digestion aid: Eating raw in the morning helps for digestive efficiency and normal bowel function. I can not stress this enough, this will change the way your body functions completely, for the best!
• Boost metabolism: Gain more energy & nutrient absorption, this helps improve toxin removal.
• Quick to prepare: Weekday mornings for me are completely rushed. Having a smoothie really helps saving time since is super fast to make, but I can also drink it while I’m getting ready for work.

Yes, some people and/or so-called nutritionists will warn you “THAT’S A LOT OF SUGAR!” or something else that revolves around sugar consumption. But let me tell you right now, that is just a myth. There’s a clear difference between glucose and fructose; glucose in excess is bad; an excess of glucose with fructose is also bad; but fructose per se is not bad at all. Just ask the dozens of people who have managed to reverse multiple conditions and illnesses, by eating completely plant-based, like myself when I was diagnosed with Prediabetes seven years ago (also watch Forks Over Knives).

Ready to give this a try? Let’s get more into specifics. Quantity is very important. A small fruit smoothie is not going to keep you full all morning; this is something that takes some time to get used to. When I started, I couldn’t handle more than 12 oz of a fruit smoothie at the same time; I was so used to carb-y breakfast that I got full very easily but that didn’t last long at all. So, I started training myself into drinking more each week, until I finally hit the perfect quantity for me, which is around 20 oz.

What are the do’s and don’ts?

• ProteinDon’t: Commercial protein powders are filled with highly processed ingredients.
• • Do: Use natural sources of protein instead to help sustain your energy throughout the day.A small dose of raw peanut butter or a tablespoon of flaxseed is a great way of adding protein to a smoothie.
• SweetnessDon’t: Processed sugar helps no-one. Avoid adding sugar to your smoothie in any form, whether it comes from canned fruit or flavored yogurt. Plus, you’re likely to crash later in the day.
• • Do: Use fresh or frozen fruits should naturally sweeten your smoothie. You can also try adding beets or dates.
• GreenDon’t: Jumping straight to kale. This greeny leaf tends to be very bitter, you’ll end up disappointing yourself.
• • Do: Start with some spinach, as it’s easy to mask the flavor.
• LiquidsDon’t: Go with commercial fruit juices. These juices tend to have a lot of processed sugar.
• • Do: I personally just go with water, but a fresh unprocessed juice can be great for added nutritional value.

What to add to your smoothies for extra nutritional value?

• Ground flaxseed
• Chia seeds
• Spirulina
• Maca powder
• Cacao or carob powder

VeggieJeva’s Tips:

• Bananas are a great base for smoothies, freeze them to give your smoothies an ice cream-like texture.
• Although fresh berries are ideal, frozen berries last way longer and can save you some money in the long run.
• Invest in a high-speed blender, my favorite one is Ninja Blender. Honestly, I used to have a cheap $30 blender that didn’t do its job properly, and always ended up being a pain. I’ve been using my Ninja for 3 years now, and it’s still good as new.

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