A lot of people are always on the go, which usually results in last minute dietary decisions that may not be the best for their health. There may be zero desire to make nutritious, homemade meals all the time. While we support taking time out of the day to prepare food and sit down to eat, we understand that this isn’t possible for everyone.
Smoothies are growing in popularity by the day. Many athletes and fitness & heath enthusiasts continually frequent smoothie or juice bars. Smoothies are a great way to get a wide variety of nutrients in one go, and it usually only takes 5 minutes to make one smoothie! Just make sure you are using fresh fruits and vegetables to make them.
The following 5 smoothies contain ingredients that are great for keeping your heart healthy. All you have to do is put the ingredients in the blender and blend!
#1: Carrot Papaya Smoothie
Papayas are loaded with vitamins C & E, both of which can help prevent arteriosclerosis, and carrots are great for keeping your eyes healthy. Add more antioxidants with some fresh blueberries!
Ingredients
- ½ papaya, cubed
- 1 carrot, chopped
- ½ cup fresh blueberries (optional)
- 1 scoop Dherbs protein powder
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
#2: Chia Seed Acai Berry Blast
Chia seeds are rich in healthy fats and fiber, and are a great source of protein. Acai berries are a superfood rich in antioxidants that help nourish your cells.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or homemade)
- ½ cup acai berries
- 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
- ½ cup ice
#3: Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
Avocados aren’t the first ingredient you think of when you think of smoothies, but they are a great way to get healthy fats and potassium (a blood pressure regulator) into your diet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries
- ½ avocado
- ½ banana
- ½ cup spinach
- ½ cup ice
- 1 cup water
#4: Banana Oat Protein Smoothie
Oats in a smoothie? Yes! The combo of bananas and steel cut oats give you a healthy protein boost and good amount of fiber to help improve digestion.
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 4 Tbsp. steel cut oats
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or homemade)
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 scoop Dherbs protein powder
- ½ cup ice cubes
#5: Superfood Kale Smoothie
Most people are aware of the nutritional benefits of kale by now. How do you incorporate it into your diet, though? Blending it with sweet produce like pears and bananas is a great way to reap the benefits of kale.
Ingredients
- 1 cup torn kale leaves, rinsed
- 1 medium pear
- 1 banana, frozen overnight
- 2 Tbsp. grade B maple syrup
- 1 cup water
Enjoy these smoothies any time of day as a meal or snack. If you want to omit the protein powder, the smoothies won’t turn out any different. You may just want to add less water.
