Breakfast Smoothie Recipes
Do you eat breakfast every day? You’ve probably heard that it’s healthy to eat breakfast every morning, but we all know that in reality, it’s hard to find the time and energy to cook and eat something in the morning. Between getting ready for work, getting the kids prepared for school, walking the dog and seemingly endless other morning tasks, a healthy and nutritious breakfast may be the last thing on your mind. Those of us equipped with an assortment of breakfast smoothie recipes, however, know that there’s a simple solution to that problem.
The Benefits of Breakfast Smoothies
The first meal of the day gives you the energy and nutrition to get your day started and last you through your entire day, or at least until your next meal. That’s why it’s so important to take in some nutrients early in your day. A breakfast smoothie is the perfect way to get an early start with only a few minutes of preparation time. It’s easy to make one for yourself or make a batch for the whole family. You may even find yourself saving time in the morning by not having to cook or by drinking your breakfast smoothie while doing other things, such as walking the dog or reading your morning news.
Types of Breakfast Smoothies
There are many different kinds of breakfast smoothie recipes. Some are focused around fruits, while others incorporate ingredients less commonly found in most smoothies, like oatmeal or bran. It all depends on what you like to eat, the variety you like to have in your daily routine and the combination of nutrition you’re striving for. If you like fruits and berries go ahead and mix in some orange juice, bananas and strawberries. You can even add in some mango to add a little extra sweetness. If you’re trying to cut down on the sugar content while maintaining a high nutritional value, use skim milk and bran cereal, flavored with a little cinnamon and vanilla extract. Add an apple for taste and consistency, and you’ve got a filling and nutritious breakfast in a cup!
Some of the most popular types of breakfast smoothie recipes are the ones that list oatmeal as an ingredient. So many people are used to eating oatmeal for breakfast, it’s only natural they would want it in their breakfast smoothies. For a delicious oatmeal smoothie, mix in a banana, apple juice and some maple syrup in the blender with your oatmeal – you will be pleasantly surprised at how tasty this simple combination turns out.
Whether or not you are used to drinking smoothies for breakfast, or whether you eat breakfast at all, now is a good time to start. Find your favorite breakfast smoothie recipes and rotate them throughout the week. The variety will keep you from getting tired of your morning routine, and you’ll be pleased with how delicious and nutritious your breakfast is every single day!
How to Make Breakfast Smoothies
Breakfast smoothies come in many varieties, so you’ll have to try a few different kinds before settling on a breakfast routine. Here are some delicious examples:
Strawberry Oatmeal Vegan Smoothie
This is the classic breakfast smoothie – a mixture of strawberries and oatmeal to create a delicious and filling breakfast treat. It also happens to be a vegan recipe if you choose to use soy milk instead of regular milk. Here’s how it’s done:
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- ½ cup of rolled oats
- 1 cup of soy milk (or regular milk, if you prefer)
- 12 frozen or fresh strawberries
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
Directions:
Cut the banana into several chunks. Combine the milk, strawberries, banana and rolled oats in the blender. Blend them until they’re creamy and add the vanilla and sugar. Blend some more to mix in the sugar and vanilla. Now you have a classic and delicious breakfast smoothie. Enjoy it any day of the week!
Antioxidant Booster Breakfast Smoothie
This is a very special smoothie that is not only very tasty but is very good for you as well. It incorporates pomegranate juice to provide you with antioxidants that help fight free radicals in your body. This is an excellent addition to your breakfast smoothie rotation.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of pomegranate juice (make sure it’s pure, 100% pomegranate juice)
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp of sliced almonds
- ¾ cup of skim milk or soy milk
- 1 tsp honey (or sweetener of your choice)
- 3 tbsp of your favorite protein powder (this is an optional ingredient)
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and make sure to cover it before blending. Continue blending for about half a minute on high speed. You’ll want to check if the almonds have gotten sufficiently crushed up. Once they have (you shouldn’t see bits of them floating around anymore), your smoothie ready to serve.
On-the-Run Breakfast Smoothie
This is a quickie recipe for when you’re in a hurry but still want to squeeze in a healthy breakfast. It’s one of those go-to recipes you’ll always want to keep in mind just in case you find yourself in a rush.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of milk (your choice of the type of milk)
- 1 instant oatmeal packet
- ½ cup of orange juice
- 1 banana
Directions:
Slice the banana into several pieces. Then, blend all the ingredients together. Pour the smoothie into a portable drinking container, like a water bottle, and get going!