14. Shop-bought smoothies
Smoothies are a great way of ensuring that we’re getting a good intake of fruits and vegetables along with all their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytonutrients.
The problem is, often if we buy one for convenience from a shop, the chances are there’s some form of added sugar to add sweetness that appeals to our palate. Even if this sugar is in the form of honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup, it’s still sugar; it’s still adding unnecessary calories, and it’s still not adding any other nutritional value.
So the answer is to make your own! Which may be easier than you think; you’ll just need to invest in a blender or specialist smoothie maker like a NutriBullet.
As a general rule, you’ll need liquid as a base, so water, cow’s milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as oat milk or protein-rich pea milk.
Then add a small banana for thickness and a handful of berries and some other chopped fruit (frozen works perfectly; we love strawberries, cherries, and melon).
Something green is good too, so if you’re brave, have a handful of chopped kale, or for a sweeter taste, try spinach.
Then finally a spoonful of nut butter or yogurt for a protein boost. Whizz it all together, which takes seconds, and away you go—a healthy, low-sugar smoothie for breakfast on the go.
