Leading a modern and hectic lifestyle means that often, you won’t have enough time to prepare an actual meal. This is when a nice smoothie can help, as it’s easy to make, you can carry it with you and drink it on the move, and it’s tasty. Of course, a smoothie should never replace every meal of the day, as you still need to consume some solids to stay healthy. However, when you are in a rush, a smoothie can provide your body with everything it needs – as long as you prepare it properly. With that in mind, here’s how you can turn your smoothie into a good meal replacement. 

Choose Fruits and Veggies

First things first, you need to add fruits and/or veggies to your smoothie. Don’t skimp on these, as you need as many nutrients as you can get. Now, of course, the choice of fruits and veggies depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, you can’t go wrong with berries, banana, pineapple, peaches, etc. If you want something a bit more neutral, avocado, spinach, and kale are all good choices. Be creative, mix things, and don’t be afraid to experiment a bit until you find what you like. 

Don’t Forget Proteins

 

Your body needs protein to stay strong and healthy, so this is the next thing you should add. Usually, 20-30 grams of protein per smoothie should be enough, but of course, this also depends on your own body weight and lifestyle. The best way to include protein is by using protein powder. Again, there are plenty of different protein powders, so test a few until you find one that suits you. 

Add Healthy Fats

When making your smoothie, don’t forget healthy fats. They are important for your body, as they can help you actually absorb all the nutrients. Healthy fats also help you feel satisfied for longer, and they can improve your digestion. As for the sources, you can opt for nuts, avocado, coconut milk or oil, seeds or seed oil, and similar. Just keep in mind that some sources of fat also double as sources of protein, which is good to know when choosing your combination. 

Choose Your Superfood

 

If you’re looking for that extra punch, or if you simply need an energy boost to help you get through an exhausting day, you can always add some superfoods to the mix. For example, acai powder is a great choice, as it contains a range of various minerals and vitamins, it is a good antioxidant, it helps your skin, and it’s low in sugar. As for those days when you simply want to spice things up a bit, you can add some cacao or cinnamon. Just make sure not to add too much superfood right away – it’s a powerful ingredient, after all, so start with one teaspoon and work your way up once you get used to that amount. 

Pour the Liquid

Once you add all the above, all that’s left is to choose your liquid. Now, of course, you can keep it simple and simply add water, but you can also opt for almond milk or seed milk if you need that extra boost of healthy fats. Blend everything until it’s smooth, and you’re ready to go. 

Today, smoothies have become a popular meal replacement option, and it’s not hard to see why. However, in order for a smoothie to truly replace your meal, it needs to contain everything an average healthy meal does. So, follow the above-listed steps, be creative, don’t be afraid to experiment a bit, and your smoothies will be as delicious and healthy as any other meal.