Smoothies have become popular as breakfast alternatives or as something to enjoy during the day. They’re not just indulgent treats either. When made well, a smoothie can be a powerful source of nutrients. Choosing healthy smoothie ingredients and add-ins plays a large role in how good your smoothie ends up being.
So, in this list, we’re highlighting some of the best ingredients that you can turn to. These have various advantages. Some of them contain antioxidants and phytonutrients, which may help to improve your health in a variety of ways.
Others are perhaps more mundane, acting as sources of important nutrients like protein and fiber, or simply changing the texture of your smoothie. There are many options to choose from, so your smoothies don’t need to be the same every day. Instead, you can change them regularly to create delicious drinks with exciting flavor profiles.
One final note before we dive in. There is no single definition for healthy foods versus unhealthy ones. People vary in their opinions, especially when it comes to ingredients that are high in fat versus those that are high in carbs.
So, use your own discretion when looking at this list. Use your own diet and food preferences as a guide to which smoothie additions will be healthy for you.
Table of Contents
Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
- Chia Seeds
- Spirulina
- Chlorella
- Maca
- Matcha
- Goji Berries
- Milk
- Almond Milk
- Soy Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Cacao
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Kale
- Other Cruciferous Vegetables
- Greek Yogurt
- Cucumber
- Bananas
- Acai Berries
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Flax Seeds
- Avocado
- Almond Butter
- Peanut Butter
- Other Nut Butters
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Berries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Hemp Seeds
- Lemon Juice
- Tofu
- Aloe Vera
- Cayenne Pepper
- Kefir
- Cinnamon
- Tea
- Bee Pollen
- Mesquite Powder
- Rolled Oats
- Kiwis
- Carrots
- Chaga Powder
- Protein Powder
- Meal Replacement Powder
- Green And Red Powders
Chia Seeds
You’ve probably seen tiny black chia seeds in the grocery store. Their simple appearance hides how significant these seeds truly are.
The seeds have become incredibly popular in recent years, as they contain a large number of nutrients and very few calories. They’re also a fantastic source of fiber.
The seeds are also a little odd. If you soak them in liquid for just a few minutes, you end up with a gelatinous mixture. The seeds absorb more than their own weight in liquid, so the seeds end up looking completely different from when you first started.
Using chia seeds in a smoothie is easy. You can sprinkle them on the top or simply include them when you blend everything else together. Exactly when you add the chia seeds doesn’t matter at all, as their small size means that they won’t get chopped up by the blender blades anyway.
Spirulina
Spirulina is created from algae, which means that it contains some compounds that aren’t common in many other foods. There are also omega-3 fatty acids and protein present, along with antioxidants.
Plus, some claims suggest that spirulina may help bind heavy metals, helping to remove them from the body. It may increase white blood cell count too, an important outcome for your immune system.
The flavor of spirulina isn’t as pleasant as other smoothie additions – and it can take time to get used to. Other ingredients can help to balance the taste out somewhat. Spirulina is most often found in green smoothies, although it can be included in other smoothie recipes too.
Chlorella
You’ll also hear about chlorella. This is a similar powder to spirulina and is simply created from a different type of algae. The nutritional profiles of the two algae aren’t very different, with both having roughly the same implications for health.
The most significant difference is color. Spirulina tends to be a blueish green, while chlorella is more distinctly green.
Regardless of which you choose, it’s best to begin with small doses of the algae and increase your intake from there. It can take your body time to adjust to a new supplement. Pay close attention to your physical responses as you go to make sure that there aren’t any undesirable side effects.
Maca
Maca is a South African root vegetable that has started to be called a superfood. You’ll often see it dried and powdered. Some versions are gelatinized, which involves boiling and pressurizing the root. The gelatinization process makes the powder easier to digest and could lead to more health benefits.
Adding maca to a smoothie is easy. Simply sprinkle a teaspoon or so in with the other ingredients, then you’re good to go.
Try using maca and cacao in the same smoothie. The two flavors complement one another well, and both ingredients have considerable health benefits.
Matcha
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea. It has become popular in recent years, partly because it provides more nutrients than you will get with steeped green tea.
This effect is powerful, as green tea itself has been linked to many health advantages. Simply drinking green tea regularly may be enough to improve health and lower disease risk for some people.
While matcha is normally prepared as a hot drink, the powder can be used in smoothies too. Doing so can work well, as matcha has a grassy flavor that some people don’t enjoy. Using matcha in a smoothie allows you to mask some of that flavor and create a more enjoyable drink.
Goji Berries
Goji berries are another so-called superfood. They’re known for high antioxidant levels, along with carotenoids, which are pigment molecules that may have particularly strong health impacts.
Goji berries are generally dried and they can be quite tough. The best way to use them is to soak the berries first, which will make them more pliable.
The berries have a bitter flavor. While bitter might not sound appealing, this flavor acts as a nice balance against the sweetness of many other smoothie ingredients.
Milk
You’ll generally need some liquid in a smoothie and milk is an excellent choice. Not only is milk creamy, but it also offers calcium and protein, along with various other nutrients. The protein in milk is particularly important if you’re trying to create a filling drink.
The effect of milk will vary depending on the type that you choose. For example, full-fat milk tends to be richer and creamier than 1% milk, while half-and-half is creamier again.
Calling milk healthy is controversial these days. While many people do still feel that milk is healthy, others are concerned that it can cause inflammation.
You’ll need to decide for yourself whether milk is a worthwhile addition to your diet. One way to do this is to cut dairy products out for a while and then reintroduce them slowly. Pay attention to how your body responds. This process makes it easy to see whether you experience adverse effects from dairy.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a popular milk alternative for smoothies. Despite being made from almonds, almond milk isn’t a great source of nutrients, as it mostly consists of water.
Even so, almond milk can be a healthy addition to a smoothie. For one thing, almond milk is very low in calories. This is perfect for people who are trying to lose weight. Plus, this plant-based milk is dairy free and the water content means that the liquid is hydrating.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is another milk alternative. It relies on soy and filtered water. Some versions use additives to create a more milk-like texture or to alter the flavor.
Soy milk tends to contain more protein than almond milk, which could make it appealing. There are some nutrients present too, although fewer nutrients than you’ll find with regular milk.
You can find fortified soy milk, which tends to have added calcium and potentially other nutrients too. However, it’s generally best to rely on whole foods for your nutrients, rather than fortified foods.
On a side note, soy milk is controversial, as it relies on soy. Some people are concerned about soy, due to the presence of phytoestrogens. Still, there are benefits to soy too. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether soy milk is a good addition to your diet.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is another popular milk alternative, especially in smoothies. The liquid is created from the white tissue of the coconut. This makes it rich, creamy, and full of nutrients.
The milk is also a good source of medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid. Medium-chain fatty acids are thought to be particularly good for health and even for weight loss, due to how they’re metabolized in the body.
Not surprisingly, coconut milk imparts a coconut flavor to your smoothie. This will be more noticeable if the flavors of your other ingredients are mild. More intense ingredients could mask the coconut flavor entirely.
Coconut milk is a high-calorie addition, so it might not be ideal if you’re trying to lose weight (although this depends on the type of diet that you’re following). Still, coconut milk is a much healthier source of calories than many other options.
Cacao
The health benefits of dark chocolate are now well-known. These benefits come from the cocoa bean, which is often called cacao instead. Cacao is rich in antioxidants, including a class of compounds called flavanols.
Cocoa powder is the easiest way to add cacao into your smoothie, as the powder won’t impact your smoothie’s texture much at all. If you do so, pay close attention to the brand that you choose.
Some types of cocoa powder are heavily processed, include a lot of sugar, and don’t even have all that much cacao in them. Other brands are almost entirely made up of cacao. The latter type is the best option for your health.
Cocoa powder isn’t the only option either. You can also find cacao nibs, which are basically raw bits of chocolate that haven’t been through any processing or had anything added to them. As such, cacao nibs offer the various powerful nutrients that you find in dark chocolate, without any additives to worry about.
You could chop the cacao nibs up a little or include them as-is in your smoothie. Either way, they add a chocolaty flavor to your smoothie.
Grated dark chocolate is another option. Look for the highest percentage that you can, as this will give you the most benefits. Don’t worry about the intensity of high cocoa chocolate. Your other smoothie ingredients will help to balance this out.
Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens, like spinach and kale, are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. This is one reason to include them in your diet. Of the many ways to eat dark leafy greens, including them in a smoothie is an exceptionally powerful choice.
If you choose your ingredients well, then the flavors from your other ingredients will partly mask the taste of your greens. Sometimes it will be almost impossible to tell that there are any greens in the smoothie.
In other cases, particularly green smoothies, you might be trying to mellow out or complement the flavors of the leafy greens, rather than hide the taste entirely. There are many recipes to choose from either way – and you can play around with your own combinations of ingredients too.
Using raw leafy greens in a smoothie can be a little frustrating. The idea works well enough if your blender is up to the task, but your smoothie can end up with an unappealing fibrous quality.
Blanching the leafy greens first is a good way around this issue. You can even chop the greens up, blanch them and then freeze them in ice cube trays. Doing so gives you frozen blocks of greens that are easy to add to future smoothies.
Kale
Most types of leafy green work well in a smoothie. Still, the popularity of kale makes it worth a special mention. Kale is particularly high in vitamin C and can be included raw in a smoothie.
Kale does have a distinct flavor, so you’ll need to use other ingredients that tone the flavor down somewhat. For example, berries are often included in a smoothie with kale. Goji berries create a particularly interesting contrast to kale, as does cayenne pepper.
Other Cruciferous Vegetables
Dark leafy greens fall into the category of cruciferous vegetables. These all tend to be rich in nutrients, with key compounds including vitamin K and folate. They have often been linked to health benefits, especially as these vegetables are low in carbs.
Some studies even suggest that diets high in cruciferous vegetables may have a reduced risk of heart disease.
As well as the leafy greens, you can turn to cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. These are good smoothie additions too, if you blend them well.
Even so, there are some concerns about classes of compounds in cruciferous vegetables that may cause harm in high doses. This shouldn’t be a problem for most situations, but the pattern is something to be aware of if you plan to have green smoothies every day.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is similar to regular yogurt, except that it has been strained multiple times. The straining is important, as means that excess water, lactose, and some nutrients are drained out from the yogurt.
This process creates a thicker and creamier yogurt that also has a tart flavor that many people recognize. You also end up with more protein per serving than regular yogurt and an increased concentration of some nutrients.
The thicker nature of Greek yogurt alone makes it a good smoothie addition. Adding thick yogurt into your smoothie will help give you a desirable texture. Runny yogurt, not so much.
Cucumber
Cucumbers might seem an unusual smoothie addition but like other green vegetables, cucumbers offer a decent amount of nutrition. They’re also somewhat watery, which makes them a great way to add more liquid into your smoothie.
Even more importantly, cucumbers help to change up the flavor profile of your drink. They add in a crisp and refreshing element, one that makes the smoothie stand out.
You’ll get the most benefits from using cucumber with the skin still on. You could peel the cucumber first if you’re looking for a milder flavor, but you would lose some of the nutrients in the process.
Banana
Bananas are easily the most controversial smoothie addition. Many people use frozen bananas in their smoothies regularly, as frozen bananas create a fantastic texture when blended. It’s hard to get the same outcome with other ingredients.
Plus, bananas do offer plenty of nutrients, including potassium and various plant-based compounds. They’re also natural, which may be reason enough to include them in your smoothie.
The problem is that bananas are high in sugar. Using bananas can quickly leave you with a very sugary smoothie, one that isn’t all that good for you.
If you use them sparingly, bananas can still be used in a healthy smoothie. The trick is to pay close attention to your other smoothie ingredients. Don’t rely too heavily on fruit and definitely don’t use fruit juice.
Acai Berries
Acai berries became incredibly popular as a superfood, partly because they are higher in antioxidants than most other berries. Acai berries come from the acai palm in South America, so you won’t find them fresh very often.
Some stores carry acai powder, which can be one way to use the fruit. A more common approach is acai puree. This is usually frozen, so the puree can help you to get the smoothie texture that you’re looking for.
Ginger
Spices like ginger are excellent smoothie additions, as you can choose whether to highlight the flavor of the spice or bury it completely. Either way, you’re getting access to the benefits that the spice has to offer.
Ginger is a particularly appealing choice, as it has been linked to digestion improvements and helps to decrease inflammation. The inflammation effect alone is a reason to include ginger in your diet every day – and a smoothie is the ideal way to do so.
If you enjoy the flavor of ginger, focus on mild-flavored additions to your smoothie, such as vanilla or unflavored protein powder, coconut milk, cucumber, and lemon. You could also look for contrasting flavors, such as a berry and ginger smoothie. Ginger and kale is a surprisingly common combination as well.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another spice that works well in smoothies, mostly because of the benefits that it offers, as turmeric has a distinctive flavor that isn’t always appealing.
The research into turmeric is considerable, with a focus on the anti-inflammatory impacts of the spice. These are strongly linked to the active compound curcumin, which is also an antioxidant.
While the flavor of turmeric is distinctive, you could easily bury it with strong-flavored ingredients, including cocoa powder, berries, and possibly bananas.
Flax Seeds
Like other seeds, flax seeds are a powerful source of fiber. The seeds are sometimes considered a superfood too, due to the nutrients that they contain.
The seeds have a slightly nutty flavor, so they’ll perfectly complement many other ingredients. You’ll need a decent blender to blend them down, but they’re not as difficult to work with as some other seeds, so you shouldn’t have too many problems.
Avocado
Avocados have become the poster child for healthy fats. The fruit offers significant levels of alpha-linolenic acid and oleic acid, both of which can provide many health benefits.
It’s no wonder then that avocados are often thought to improve health. Potential advantages include the chance to decrease heart disease risk and lower inflammation.
But, did you know that you can include avocados in smoothies? While the fruit might not be the most common smoothie addition, it is a particularly good one. The thick consistency of avocado flesh allows it to blend well into smoothies. The distinctive flavor of the fruit complements other ingredients well.
Almond Butter
Nuts are amazing as a source of protein, nutrients, and healthy fats, but they’re not easy to include in a smoothie as-is. You’d need a decent blender to break down nuts – especially almonds, as they are tough.
Almond butter is an easy solution. The best almond butter brands contain little more than the almonds themselves, so you’re getting nutrients from almonds, without needing to do any hard work. The creaminess of almond butter can give your smoothie an incredible texture too.
Almond butter is ideal if you want a protein-packed smoothie and want to avoid using protein powder.
Peanut Butter
Peanuts are technically legumes, not nuts, and they don’t share the same remarkable reputation that you see with most other types of nuts. This is a shame because peanuts do still have many advantages.
They’re still a good source of healthy fats and protein, and still give you extra nutrients. More importantly, perhaps, peanut butter tastes good. Many of us already love the flavor, so why not include it in your smoothie?
Finally, peanut butter is inexpensive. High-quality brands do cost more, of course. However, you’re still looking at a lower price for good peanut butter than for a similar quality of almond butter.
Other Nut Butters
Similar arguments apply for other types of nut butter too. They are all reliable sources of protein and healthy fat. Each type of nut butter will have its own flavor and balance of nutrients, so it’s worth trying out different ones to see what you like best.
There are actually many variations to consider too, including walnut butter, cashew butter, brazil nut butter, and pistachio butter. There are even some seed butters, including tahini, which is sesame seed butter.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to find mixed nut butters. As the name suggests, these butters contain multiple types of nuts. Many don’t contain additives either. Such butters aren’t easy to find, but you might get lucky at a local store or online.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is commonly promoted as a way to decrease inflammation, to improve pH balance in the body, and to help with detoxing. While the truth of these claims is hlighly debatable, there’s no doubt that apple cider vinegar is popular.
The vinegar is often consumed as a shot or mixed with water, honey, and perhaps some spices, to create a drink that is easier to drink. Even then, apple cider vinegar is strong and can even damage your throat or the enamel on your teeth if you’re not careful when you drink it.
Including apple cider vinegar in your smoothie is a terrific way around this problem. You still get the benefits of the vinegar and the other ingredients balance out the vinegar flavor. Apple cider vinegar combines well with flavors like cucumbers, pears and, of course, apples.
Berries
If you’re going to add fruit to your smoothie, berries are the best choice – by far. They are rich in antioxidants and other important plant-based compounds. They also provide a fantastic flavor and color to your finished drink.
Berries also excel because they’re not as high in sugar as you might expect. Some berries can even be eaten on a low carb diet, which is pretty impressive.
Berries often contain a large number of seeds, making them a good source of fiber. This fiber is the reason that berries work better in smoothies than other types of fruit.
You don’t need to rely on fresh berries either. Frozen berries are an easy way to create an appealing texture in your smoothie.
They can be just as good for you as fresh berries anyway, as berries tend to be snap frozen soon after they are harvested. On the other hand, fresh berries can sit around for days or even weeks before you get the chance to enjoy them.
Blueberries
While any type of berry will work well in a smoothie, blueberries deserve a special mention. These berries are particularly high in antioxidants, so they’re exactly what you need to boost your health
Raspberries
Raspberries are another particularly interesting choice, partly because they have such a vibrant flavor. Including raspberries in a smoothie is an easy way to make the drink taste amazing.
Plus, raspberries have lots of little seeds, so you’re adding fiber to your smoothie at the same time.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp is a powerful source of healthy fats and protein. Hemp seeds are easy ways to access the nutrients hemp offers.
Simply add a tablespoon or two to your blender when you are making your smoothie. The flavor from hemp often won’t be noticeable, although you will get an appealing extra crunch.
You can also find hemp hearts, which are shelled versions of hemp seeds. These can be easily added into your drink, without dramatically changing the texture.
Lemon Juice
While lemon juice isn’t common as a smoothie addition, it can work well. The juice provides an appealing sharpness to your drink, one that contrasts well with how sweet many other ingredients are.
Lemon juice contains vitamin C as well, along with the soluble fiber pectin. The juice is thought to help with weight loss too, which is why many people regularly drink lemon water.
Tofu
Tofu, particularly silken tofu, works surprisingly well as a smoothie ingredient. You first need to drain the tofu to remove any excess water, then it can be blended with the other ingredients. You don’t even need to cook the tofu.
The tofu ends up adding a creamy texture to your smoothie. Most of the time you won’t be able to taste the tofu, which is an added bonus.
The biggest advantage of tofu is its protein content. Unless you’re using protein powder, getting enough protein in your smoothies can be a little bit difficult. Tofu makes this process easy.
Just make sure to choose the right type of tofu. Firm or extra firm tofu has a different texture to silken tofu, and only silken tofu with give you a desirable smoothie texture.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another slightly unusual smoothie addition. The juice from the plant is thought to offer benefits for digestion, while also helping to reduce inflammation.
Drinking aloe vera juice straight isn’t a fun experience. Still, the flavor and texture of aloe vera largely get lost in a smoothie. As such, a smoothie is the perfect way to get the benefits of aloe vera without the challenges of drinking it straight.
Cayenne Pepper
Have you ever thought about putting spice in a smoothie? The idea works surprisingly well, as cayenne pepper provides a sharp contrast against the other flavors in your drink.
Plus, spicy foods are thought to be good for your immune system.
Just pay attention to how much cayenne you add in. It would be easy to overwhelm your smoothie with too much cayenne.
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk drink. It offers many of the same benefits as milk, while the fermentation means that kefir also contains probiotics.
These probiotics are what make the kefir particularly interesting. Research increasingly shows that the bacteria in our gut play a significant role in our overall health.
Improving our balance of gut bacteria could help to decrease disease risk – and using kefir as a smoothie ingredient is one way to do so.
Cinnamon
The flavor of cinnamon has made it popular in many seasonal dishes and drinks, but the spice is also relevant for health. Research has linked it to various effects, including the potential to decrease blood sugar level and lower heart disease risk.
It’s also an easy spice to include in smoothies and will add a delicious flavor to your drink, so it’s certainly worth trying.
If you are going to use cinnamon regularly, the type of cinnamon matters. Cassia cinnamon is the most common variety, but this contains significant levels of coumarin, a compound that might be harmful if you’re consuming too much.
Coumarin levels are much lower in Ceylon cinnamon, making Ceylon a better choice if you’re adding cinnamon to your smoothies. The flavor can vary between the types too, with Ceylon cinnamon often having a more subtle floral aroma, while Cassia cinnamon has a more distinct spiciness.
Tea
We mentioned matcha earlier in this list, but you can also use regular tea in a smoothie. Doing so gives you the various benefits that come from tea, including antioxidants. You’re also getting the flavor from the tea, which may be appealing.
Most of the time, you’ll be brewing the tea first, chilling it, then using it as a smoothie ingredient. You could also buy iced tea and use that in your smoothie, if you wanted to make the process easier still.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is interesting. It isn’t used as an ingredient very often, but it does have an interesting balance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There are plenty of amino acids present too.
Bee pollen does add a subtle flavor to your smoothie too. It has a type of sweet floweriness that isn’t found in many other ingredients. This complements nut-based smoothies well, as well as smoothies that use cinnamon as a dominent flavor.
Mesquite Powder
Here’s another unusual entry – mesquite powder. The powder is often used as a natural sweetener, one that has a caramel-like flavor. It is also a good source of potassium and calcium, just in case you need more reason to include it in your smoothie.
Honestly though, the main feature of mesquite powder is the sweetness. The powder is basically a healthier way to make your smoothie a little sweet.
Rolled Oats
Rolled oats offer an easy way to add protein and fiber into a smoothie. Whole rolled oats are the best choice, as these blend better than other types of oats.
The oats don’t need to be cooked first. You can even add them to your smoothie as-is.
Alternatively, you can soak the oats in milk or water for an hour or more beforehand. Doing so softens the oats. When you do blend them, the softer oats create a more appealing texture.
The amount of oats you add matters too. You’ll generally want no more than half a cup of oats per smoothie. Otherwise, the texture will end up being too thick.
Kiwis
Kiwis (or kiwifruit) are another curious smoothie addition. As with every fruit and vegetable on this list, you’re getting various nutrients and plant-based compounds.
Kiwis also have a distinctive sweet and sharp flavor that contrasts well with other smoothie ingredients. You’re getting fiber from the seeds too (always a bonus!).
Carrots
Blending carrots can be a little tricky. Some blenders handle raw carrots well, giving you a result that works perfectly with your smoothies. Others tend to finely chop the carrots instead.
You may need to experiment to find out whether your blender will work well with carrots. If it doesn’t, then you can boil carrots first, which will create a puree-like texture. Or, you can juice carrots instead.
Regardless of what you do, carrots are a good smoothie addition. Their flavor works well with other ingredients and they’re also a source of carotenoids.
Carotenoids are a pigment molecule that is largely found in yellow, red, and orange foods. They’re powerful antioxidants and can help to improve eye health as well. The carotenoids in carrots are a good reason to include carrots in your smoothies, especially if you also like the way that carrots taste.
Chaga Powder
The term chaga refers to a type of mushroom that is thought to reduce inflammation, improve the immune system, and have other similar effects. As you might expect, chaga powder powder is also high in antioxidants.
It’s almost impossible to know how many of the proposed benefits are real and how many are based on hype. Still, you’re generally just using a teaspoon of the powder at a time and it won’t make much of a difference to the flavor of your smoothie.
So, why not give chaga a shot?
Protein Powder
Protein powder offers an easy way to increase the protein content of your smoothie. Doing this makes the drink more satisfying, which is critical if you’re occasionally replacing a meal with a shake.
The source of protein will vary from one protein powder to the next. Whey is a popular choice, although this comes from dairy, so it won’t be suitable for everyone. Egg white protein is sometimes used as well, along with plant-based options like pea, rice, soy, and hemp.
Many brands will combine two or more protein sources to provide a better nutrient balance.
If you’re going to use protein powder, read the label carefully. Some brands rely almost entirely on their protein of choice, including few other ingredients. Less appealing brands use additives and fillers, some of which simply bulk the protein powder out.
Meal Replacement Powders
Meal replacement powders are similar to protein powders, as they’re powders that offer your protein and help to boost your smoothie. The difference is that meal replacement powders contain a variety of other nutrients too.
The added nutrients mean that you really can replace a meal with a shake, without worrying that you’ll miss out on key nutrients. This is even more important if you’re not including many fresh vegetables or similar additions in your smoothie.
However, to provide those extra nutrients, meal replacement powders use more added ingredients than protein powders. Good brands will use natural sources of nutrients, but still, you’ll see more benefits by getting your nutrients through food, rather than a supplement.
In the end, meal replacement shakes are ideal if you need a nutrient boost and don’t mind getting this from a powder. If you prefer more natural approaches, stick to protein powder and get your nutrients elsewhere.
Green And Red Powders
You can also find greens powders, reds powders, and powders that contain a little of both. Greens powders simply include a variety of vegetables, particularly those that are good for your health, like the dark leafy greens.
Red powders tend to rely on fruit instead, focusing on fruits that are high in antioxidants, like berries. Beetroot is sometimes included as well, partly because it has the same color as berries, but also because beetroot contains desirable nutrients.
Powders like these are perfect as a concentrated source of nutrients.
After all, it’s much easier to add a scoop or two of green powder into your smoothie than a couple of handfuls of spinach. For that matter, many powders incorporate more fruits and vegetables than you could ever fit into a single smoothie.
If you are going to use powders, pay close attention to the ingredients label. Look for companies that use hardly any artificial ingredients, additives, or fillers.
