I never used to be a smoothie kind of gal, because the ones I order outside are usually really thick, which I don’t like. But knowing how healthy smoothies can be, I wanted to give it another shot. I started blending my own instead so I can control the texture, and soon enough, I have fallen into the smoothie black hole. This is the blend that changed everything for me. It has become my go-to. It’s actually a very simple recipe, which makes it even better in my opinion.
I drink this 3 to 4 times a week, so I guess it’s more of an every-other-day smoothie. But you get the point. This little treat helps me glow-up from the inside out.
Here are the ingredients:
*All nutritional facts below are sourced from Healthline unless stated otherwise*
Strawberries
My favourite ingredient in smoothies! It’s sweet, visually appealing, and packed with health benefits. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It helps with everything from boosting your immune system to preventing iron deficiency, and from reducing heart disease to protecting your memory and thinking.
Portion: ~1 cup of strawberries
Blueberries
Blueberries by itself aren’t really my thing, but when it’s in smoothies, that’s a different story. My strawberries to blueberries ratio are usually 2:1. According to an article from MedicalNewsToday, blueberries can help with skin health (yasss!), mental health, bone strength, blood pressure, cancer prevention, and more.
Portion: ~3/4 cup of blueberries
Chia seeds
Chia seeds add a little crunchy chewy texture to the smoothie, I love it!
There are multiple proven health benefits of chia seeds. They are loaded with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, magnesium and quality protein. Though packed with nutrients, they have few calories. Health experts believe that chia seeds may be able to aid weight loss too.
Portion: ~1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds
Flax seeds
I have no idea what flax seeds are until a year ago when my mom insisted on adding it to our smoothies. It doesn’t taste like anything, but it is full of nutrients. Flax seeds are high in omega-3 fats and dietary fibre. It is also a rich source of the antioxidants Lignans, which helps balance hormones, according to NutraMilk.
Portion: ~1/2 teaspoon of flax seeds
Honey
I adjust the amount of honey I add depending on how sweet the fruits are. When the strawberries are really sweet, then I only add a tiny bit. When they’re less sweet, then I’ll add more.
Honey is also loaded with antioxidants. It can help improve cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and promote wound healing. That being said, although it is a “better” alternative than refined sugar, I’m still cautious of how much I add.
Portion: ~1/4 teaspoon of honey
Chocolate protein powder
This is the key! At first I was using an unsweetened Protein Powder, which I didn’t think mattered much. Until one day, the Vega Chocolate Protein Powder went on sale, so I got it to try. And my goodness, what a great purchase. The added chocolate taste is a cherry on top.
If you’re not a chocolate fan, you can try something else like vanilla or berry. Most brands nowadays have multiple flavours to choose from. And if you don’t want to use protein powder, then maybe try regular powders. It’ll probably still do the job.
Portion: ~1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
That’s it!
If you get a chance to try this out, let me know how you like it! And if you have your own version of an everyday go-to smoothie, please share in the comments below I’d love to try it!
Featured photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Photos within the posts are by Hello City Girl
