Going vegan means you’re in for a lifestyle change. Your choices of food and other products will be limited, and you have to properly educate yourself with what you can or can’t use or consume.
To help you out a bit in your journey to a healthier life, here are some easy-to-make smoothie recipes that are perfect in helping you get acclimated to that vegan lifestyle and ensuring that you’re still getting the nutrients you need.
5-Ingredient Detox Smoothie
This is the perfect smoothie to take if you think you pigged out too much the night before. It contains a ton of fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, vitamin C, and so much more! What’s more, it has absolutely zero fat.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen berries
½ cup frozen bananas (sliced)
1 cup organic spinach
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
1 cup fruit juice of choice
Procedure:
Simply place all ingredients into a high-power blender and blend until smooth. You can work out the thickness of the smoothie by regulating the juice.
Green Warrior Protein Smoothie
All its ingredients contribute plenty of things. For example, kale provides beta-carotene, calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins C and K. The grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and is an effective liver detoxifier. The cucumber prevents water retention and improves digestion.
Ingredients:
1 cup kale
1 large apple (cored and chopped)
1 medium celery stalk (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
1 cup cucumber (chopped)
⅓ cup frozen mango
3-4 tablespoons hemp hearts
1½ teaspoons virgin coconut oil
½ cup fresh red grapefruit juice
ice cubes
Procedure:
Place all the ingredients into a blender (except the ice cubes) and mix on high. Blend until smooth. Add the ice cubes one by one until desired consistency is reached.
Blushing Apple Smoothie
This is a refreshing smoothie that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon. It’s dairy-free, nut-free, sugar-free, gluten-free…perfect for the pickiest eaters. It’s low on calories and total fat, but provides the body with protein and dietary fiber.
Ingredients:
1 apple
½ English cucumber
½ cup cherries (pitted)
½ cup raspberries
1 tablespoon chia seeds
ice cubes
Procedure:
Put in the apple, cucumber, cherries, raspberries, and chia seeds in a blender. Puree everything in high speed. Once smooth, add in the ice cubes gradually, until thickness you want is achieved.
Cinnamon-Banana Smoothie
This is a light and sweet treat that’ll appease that sweet tooth. The cinnamon and ginger add a subtle and surprising but pleasant kick to the drink. This drink has plenty of fiber, so your digestive tract will thank you.
Ingredients:
1 banana
½ cup frozen pineapple chunks
2 tablespoons almond butter
¾ cup almond milk
pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground ginger
Procedure:
Simply add all ingredients in a blender and mix everything in top speeds until smooth.
Creamy Chocolate Hemp Smoothie
This is a creamy and dreamy concoction, the perfect way to end an excruciatingly long day. It’s a natural way to provide your body with much-needed fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Also, it boasts of manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Take note that this recipe yields 2 servings.
Ingredients:
2 cups almond milk
2-3 large Medjool dates (pitted)
1 large frozen banana (sliced)
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
ice cubes
Procedure:
Except for the ice cubes, put in all the ingredients in a blender. Set it on high and process until everything is mixed and super smooth. Add in the ice cubes gradually for the thickness you want.
Blueberry Maple Protein Shake
This is one of the easiest and most uncomplicated smoothie recipes out there (well, okay, a lot of smoothie recipes are easy and uncomplicated). Whip this up to kick-start your morning. It makes sure your body gets its needed supply of daily protein too.
Ingredients:
½ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 handful spinach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 teaspoons flaxseed meal
¼ – ½ teaspoon maple extract
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
ice cubes
Procedure:
Place all the ingredients in a blender, save for the ice cubes. Mix everything until smooth and thoroughly incorporated. Put in the ice cubes one by one to get that consistency you want.
Mystical Mango Smoothie
A smoothie with a sweet, tangy taste, this mango smoothie is perfect pick-me-up breakfast. On top of that, its components help in the production of collagen for radiant skin, strong nails, and lustrous hair. The mango contains vitamins A, C, and E, which can help in liver cleansing and help in digestion. Its potassium and fiber content also regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This is another recipe that produces 2 servings.
Ingredients:
¼ cup avocado chunks
2 cups frozen mango
1½ cups orange juice
½ cup water
½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
Procedure:
Blend everything in a high-speed blender for about 30-60 seconds, or until everything is thoroughly mixed. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Chia-Berry-Cardamom Smoothie
The chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help increase HDL cholesterol. These seeds are also packed with antioxidants as well as iron, fiber, and calcium.
Cardamom is known to assist with digestive problems and can combat nausea, heartburn, bloating, excess gas, and constipation. The two berries used in this recipe add to the antioxidants that can protect your body.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen raspberries
½ cup frozen strawberries
3 tablespoons chia seeds
1½ cups almond milk
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Procedure:
First, in a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of almond milk with the chia seeds. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to 1 hour, or until the seeds expands and the mix looks like pudding. Afterward, transfer the chia seed mix into a blender, then add the remaining ingredients. Blend everything on high until fully incorporated.
Happy Digestion Smoothie
The name says it all. If you’re having some trouble with your digestive system, then have a go at this smoothie. It contains ingredients that can help with your digestion as well as amp up your immune system. In just one smoothie, you get folate, fiber, manganese, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, C, and K.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
½ large frozen banana
2 tablespoons avocado
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
½ cup coconut water
½ cup water
Procedure:
Simply add everything into a blender and blend in high speed until completely smooth.
Spinach-Avocado-Cucumber Smoothie
Spinach is loaded with protein, fiber, niacin, zinc, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, manganese, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K. Avocados provide your body with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients:
2 handfuls baby spinach
½ small cucumber
½ avocado
½ cup almond milk
juice of 1 lemon
ice cubes
Procedure:
Put in the spinach, cucumber, and avocado in the blender. Puree everything until somewhat smooth. Add in the almond milk and lemon juice and resume blending until completely smooth. Put in the ice cubes one by one for the thickness you want.
Kate B. Forsyth is a writer for Be Healthy Today, who specializes in health and nutrition. Her passion is to help people get an overall transformation of health that lasts a lifetime. In her blog posts, she goes beyond research by providing health-concerned citizens doable and simple tricks to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Sources:
http://ohsheglows.com/categories/recipes-2/beverages/smoothies-beverages/
https://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2012/07/18-healthy-vegan-smoothies/
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/drink/smoothie/vegan-smoothies/
https://minimalistbaker.com/12-simple-healthy-smoothie-ideas/
