Build a Better Breakfast Smoothie

Whether you’re an athlete on the go or an active person with minimal time on their hands, smoothies can be great healthy options in the diet. The key is to pack them full of more than fruit and water so that they can act as a full meal to keep you nourished and energized all morning long.   Personally, I turn to smoothies for breakfast because they are quick to make, and drink and they make getting the nutrients I need fast and easy.  Plus when my digestive tract is just waking up, liquid is easier to breakdown than solids.

So here’s a recipe for you breakfast smoothie

• 3/4- 1.5 cups water (depends how thick you like your smoothie)
• 1 cup fresh or organic frozen berries – berries are a great source of vitamin C and loaded with antioxidants.
• 1/2 svg protein powder – about 15-20g of whey protein isolate or vegetarian pea, hemp or brown rice protein) OR 1 cup plain organic yogurt, cottage cheese or soft tofu – protein is necessary for muscle repair as well as for proper immune function.
• 1 tbsp chia seeds – rich in Omega 3 which is vital for the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.  Also great for decreasing inflammation in the body and promoting good skin and hair.  Ground flax seeds can be added instead of chia if you prefer.
• 1 scoop Vega Whole Food meal replacement – this has some of my needed daily vitamins as well as greens and other antioxidants, in addition to some healthy carbohydrates and fats. Skip this by adding in a couple handfuls of spinach or kale or a powdered greens supplement (such as spirulina or chlorella).
• 1/2 avocado – think a smoothie is too light for your breakfast?  Add avocado to provide some health fat that will keep you energized all morning long.  Bonus, the avocado will add the creaminess to the smoothie that a banana would without the added sugar.

Other items to add to your smoothie:

• Probiotic powder – instead of a pill 1/4 tsp of probiotic powder can be added to help keep your bowels and immune system healthy.
• Vitamin C powder- again, instead of a pill add 1/4 tsp of vitamin C powder to your smoothie if you are sick or working through a high training volume.
• Coconut Flakes- Instead of avocado, you can add unsulphured coconut to your smoothie.  It’s a great source of healthy fat that will help your skin and hair look radiant.

Get creative and try different fruits and vegetables to keep it interesting and to maximize the health benefits.