Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that are deemed to have various benefits capable of positively affecting health. The term is coined for marketing purposes and is still considered popular today. While nutritionists and other experts have come to agree that there is no such thing as a superfood, the buzz around it has made thousands of people become more conscious of healthy living and wellness, so it isn’t too bad.
One of the many ways superfoods are enjoyed is to combine them in a smoothie. The idea is to blend as many vitamins and antioxidants as there is in one single serving to help nourish the body. Breakfast is said to be one of the major meals to never skip on, and if you’re not a breakfast person, a superfood smoothie that you can leisurely sip while on the go may sound appealing to you.
With a breakfast smoothie, you don’t need to heat up a pan or produce several dirty dishes aside from the food processor or blender. Using the right ingredients can help boost energy, keep you full, and get started for the day. Here are some creative concoctions that will leave your taste buds fulfilled and happy.
Chocolate and Avocado
Avocado is considered a superfood because it is rich in folic acid, lutein, fiber, omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. It is said to have more potassium than bananas have and to be loaded with fiber and antioxidants. While incredibly nutritious, avocado is also known for its flavor and texture, which is why avocado toast has been popular in the last few years.
If you’ve never gotten into the avocado-toast trend for breakfast or brunch, then you may want to consider combining it with chocolate and turning it into a smoothie. Those who say you can’t have chocolate for breakfast clearly never had this nutritious drink to wake up to. Take a look at this great recipe so you can make one at home.
Matcha Green Tea, Banana, and Tofu
Ever since the term superfood was coined, the health industry has been constantly looking for foods to add to the group, and matcha green tea is one of them. For those who don’t know, real matcha only comes from Japan, and its purported health benefits include a substantial amount of antioxidants. To be more specific, the particular antioxidant found in matcha is called catechins, which are said to improve overall health, metabolism, and heart health and to have antiaging properties.
Matcha is more potent than regular green tea is and has a unique flavor that is completely on its own league. It has a slightly bitter taste and grassy aroma, which can complement a lot of flavors. While matcha is already good on its own, a smoothie made from it and blended with banana and tofu can make the drink taste more full-bodied. This recipe can show you how you can make matcha green tea, banana, and tofu smoothie on your own.
Kale and Pineapple
Kale is also a popular vegetable known in the superfood category and is known for its deep-green color and slightly bitter taste. It makes sense to pair it with a sweet fruit like pineapple to balance the taste and add more nutritional vitamins and minerals in the mix. A quick breakfast smoothie should only have a few ingredients, and luckily, this recipe has only five.
You only need to add a tablespoon of chia seeds, unsweetened almond milk or nondairy milk of your choice, and either a banana or an avocado, depending on what you have. If you want to add more sweetness, you can add a splash of maple syrup. The great thing about smoothies is that ingredient substitution is easy.
Cucumber and Mint
Suppose it’s a hot summer morning and you want to refresh yourself and have a hearty helping of daily fruits and vegetables. A cucumber-and-mint smoothie will be perfect. While cucumber is not everyone’s cup of tea, it gets mistaken a lot as a vegetable, but it is, in fact, a fruit. It has a sweet aftertaste and is great for low-fat smoothies and suitable for those who are trying to lose weight.
Pairing cucumber with mint and lemon will serve to amp its refreshing factor when drunk on a hot day. This recipe teaches you how to make one on your own with easy-to-find ingredients that may already exist in the kitchen. Take it on the go or sip leisurely at will.
Acai Berry
You’ve probably heard of the trendy acai smoothie bowls, and while you can eat acai any way you can, why not turn it into a literal drink? Acai is the OG superfood, and it is packed with many nutrients.
In this recipe, the smoothie will also include two other superfoods, raspberries and pomegranate juice. If you don’t have acai berries on hand or if they’re out of season, you can use the powdered form instead. For a nutritionally dense breakfast smoothie, the prep time of five minutes is ridiculously short.
What other superfood combinations do you like to turn into breakfast smoothies? Share your answers below.
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