Summer is around the corner and we’re on the lookout for some refreshing drinks. What better way to start than with Smoothies. Not only are they delicious, but also healthy and make for a perfect breakfast or an afternoon snack (or a post-workout shake if you’re a gym addict). Now there is only one thing better than smoothies, and that’s smoothies with nuts! We’ve put together a few recipes to help you with your newfound addiction.
Before we get into the recipes, let’s begin with tips on getting your smoothies right:
– Always use a blender instead of a food processor, as it will give your smoothies an amazing silky texture.
– You can use any fruit you like, either one type or a mix – just go healthy!
– If you feel like you need to add extra sweetness, a little bit of honey will do the trick.
Now that your set and ready, here are some recipes you need for a quick five-minute cup of nutty freshness
Almond butter banana smoothie
This is the smoothie you should go to if you’re looking to increase your nutrients intake and have an incredibly tasty drink at the same time.
What you need:
- 1 ripe banana, peeled
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon flaxseeds
- 8 almonds
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons almond butter
- 3 ice cubes
- Freshly grated nutmeg, to garnish
The night before, put the banana in a Tupperware in the freezer. Add pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds to a small bowl, cover with water and let it sit at room temperature overnight.
The following day, drain the seeds and put them in a blender, add the frozen bananas, some almonds, almond milk, vanilla, turmeric, honey, almond butter and ice. Blend until smooth, pour into a large glass and then finish with a splash of grated nutmeg. Yumm!
Cashew butter blueberry smoothie
This one taste exactly like blueberry pie in a glass, but without the added sugar.
What you need:
- 1 med ripe banana
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
Simply add all the ingredients in a blender and voila! You’ve got yourself 8 grams of protein, 57 grams of carbs and 8 grams of fiber all for only 345 calories. The perfect healthy smoothie for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Pistachio creamy smoothie
Don’t we all love pistachios?
They’re packed with nutrients and contain much of the daily-recommended vitamins (vitamins B and E).
What you need:
- ⅓ cup pistachios
- 1 cup skimmed milk
- 2 cups ice
- 8 oz. vanilla yogurt
- 1 banana (optional, but we love it!)
Add pistachios and milk to a blender and keep blending until the pistachios are properly crushed. Add ice and vanilla yogurt (and a banana) and blend again until smooth. Tasty!
Walnut butter strawberry smoothie
This is an unusual one. The walnut butter is super rich in flavor and goes perfectly with tart strawberries.
What you need:
- 1 med ripe banana
- ½ cup hulled and sliced strawberries
- 1 ½ tablespoon walnut butter
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
Blend all the ingredients for one to two minutes, pour into a glass, and enjoy one of the tastiest smoothies you’ve ever had! With 6g of protein, 50g of carbs, 7g of fibers and only 2g sat fat, the 375 calories here are totally worth it.
Peanut butter and jam smoothie
This one’s for the books! Frozen berries, peanut butter and banana for a protein smoothie? We can assure you it tastes like your favourite childhood sandwich, and is even healthier.
What you need:
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- ½ scoop protein powder (plain or vanilla work well)
- ⅔ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 ½ tablespoon peanut butter
Blend it all and just enjoy. It’s divine! Especially for a post-workout snack.
The green smoothie
What’s a smoothie list without green smoothie right? So here’s one for you, and not just any!
What you need:
- ½ of a large frozen banana
- 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup cold unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any other milk)
- ¼ cup cold water
- 2 handfuls of baby spinach
We promise you, you won’t taste the spinach, but you’ll definitely get its nutrients! And if you’re not using a high-powered blender, you’ll probably be dealing with pieces of un-blended greens but that’s ok. Just make sure to check your teeth afterwards
