Everyone likes a good smoothie. Whether you are looking for something refreshing to drink with a meal, a snack in between meals, or a delicious dessert, a fresh smoothie is often one of the tastiest and healthiest options available. However, just like yogurt and other great snacks, a smoothie can easily become unhealthy if you arenÕt careful with your ingredients.
In fact, many of the smoothies that you can get in restaurants and smoothie shops are packed with sugar and fat, and they are about as healthy as drinking two scoops of ice cream. Your best bet for a healthy delicious treat is to make your own smoothies at home or order them from a spot that uses fresh, local ingredientsÐÐlike Tidal CreekÕs Co-op Caf! All you will need is fresh fruits, vegetables, and a few other ingredients. Here are five great smoothies that will change your life because they are delicious, healthy, and very easy to put together.
1. Berry Coconut Yogurt Smoothie
Berries provide great flavor and sweetness as well as fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. You will want to choose a plain unsweetened yogurt. A flavored yogurt will add so much sugar to your concoction that it will quickly become an unhealthy treat. Finally, you will love the tasty combination of strawberries and unsweetened coconut. Shredded coconut is an underrated superfood, and it will infuse your smoothie with high amounts of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Blend, chill, and enjoy!
- 8 frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or berries of your choice
- _ cup of plain yogurt
- _ cup of shredded coconut
2. Mango Chia Super Smoothie
Fresh mangoes are one of the tastiest smoothie ingredients, and by combining them with some healthy superfoods, youÕll have a smoothie you can drink every day and not feel guilty about it.
The key to this recipe is the super nutritious chia seeds that are added to the smoothie. Not only will they give your drink a more interesting texture, but they are packed with fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, and healthy fats. Once you try it, you wonÕt be able to stop yourself from adding chia seeds to all of your other favorite smoothie recipes.
- _ cup mangoes
- _ cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsps. chia seeds
Mangoes aren’t always in season, but you can substitute a lot of ingredients and end up with an equally delectable result.
Get the smoothie cheat sheet for epic smoothies with any ingredient combo!
3. Oat Kale Smoothie
Though this combination may sound strange at first, youÕll love it as soon as you give it a try. This is a tremendously healthy smoothie that is energy-dense, fiber rich, and loaded with vitamins.
The leafy kale infuses the drink with vitamins A, C, K, and B6. The oats will give it a deliciously creamy and nutty flavor as well as fiber, iron, and magnesium.
- _ cup of kale
- _ cup of rolled oats
- 1 pear
- _ cup of cucumbers
- 2 cups coconut water
4. Cocoa Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
This is one smoothie that youÕll have trouble putting down as itÕs as tasty as a much less healthy dessert. Bananas provided fiber, potassium, and vitamins, but the key to this smoothie is using cacao powder instead of cocoa. Not only does this give the drink a uniquely delicious flavor, but it also adds incredible amounts of fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, and iron.
- 2 tbsp. cacao powder
- 1/3 cup coconut water
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
Need a smoothie in your life, but donÕt have the time or the local ingredients to make it? The Co-op Caf will fix that! Browse the smoothie and juice menu by clicking here. Tidal Creek is one of the best health food stores in Wilmington that serves and sells fresh, local produce from farmers that you can trust.
