We’re obviously on board. But here’s the thing: not all smoothie recipes are created equal. Taste-wise, yes, but nutritionally speaking even more so. Glugging a bunch of orange juice or sweetened yogurt into your smoothie can leave you with a breakfast that packs more sugar than a frosted doughnut (not to mention the need to take a nap before noon). We consulted Luisa Sabogal, RDN, MS, CDE, for the best food groups and ingredients to use when blending smoothies for every dietary need. Here’s how to make sure your smoothies are as healthy as possible. Once you’ve decided which of the below suits you, try making one of our best healthy smoothies. Sabogal recommends a blend of protein-packed oat milk (1 cup; our favorite is Califia Farms Protein Oat), frozen banana (1 sliced), cooked oats (1/2 cup), natural nut butter (1 tablespoon), chia seeds (1/2 tablespoon), a dash of cinnamon, and spinach (1 cup fresh or frozen). Try blending protein oat milk (1 cup), frozen cherries (3/4 cup), frozen banana (1/2 banana), hemp seeds (1 tablespoon), turmeric (1/4 teaspoon), and a pinch of black pepper to activate turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties. Blend a mixture of pineapple (1 cup frozen), lemon juice (1 tablespoon), avocado (1/4 medium size), flax meal (1/2 tablespoon), fresh ginger (1 teaspoon), and unsweetened probiotic-rich yogurt (1 cup).
