The secret formula for out-of-this-world delicious AND healthy breakfast smoothies using just a handful of ingredients, plus a collection of 6 super easy smoothies ideas.
The phrase “less is more” couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to making a truly healthy breakfast smoothie. Many smoothie recipes call for a dozen ingredients or claim to be healthy but they are not that healthy at all.
The trick is to keep it simple and use the right ingredients to balance the flavor and keep it nutritious.
If you’re looking for more of a dessert-like smoothie as a snack check out this amazing Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. Super chocolatey and delicious.
The Secret to Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
The formula for a healthy smoothie needs to have one ingredient of each of these categories:
- protein
- healthy fat
- healthy carbohydrate
- fiber in the form of fruit and vegetable
Many delicious smoothies are all fruit and thus high in sugar and carbs and not very healthy at all.
On the other hand, many healthy smoothies are all veggies and powdered superfoods and not yummy at all, plus, super expensive.
So how can we achieve the best of both worlds? Healthy AND yummy breakfast smoothies at the same time?
It’s much simpler than you think. Just follow the formula and you’ll nourish your body through and through. No need for expensive superfoods, unless you love them in your smoothies of course :)
The Best Protein For Smoothies
- Plain unsweetened yogurt: 1/2 cup = 5g protein
- Cashews: 1/4 cup = 6g protein (also 14g fat, so watch out for overall fat content)
- Protein powder: 2 Tbsp = 12g protein
- Egg white: 1 large = 4g protein
The Best Healthy Fats For Smoothies
- Ground flax seeds: 1 Tbsp = 3g fat
- Hemp seeds: 1 Tbsp = 7g fat
- Chia seeds: 1 Tbsp = 4g fat
- Cashews: 2 Tbsp = 9g fat
- Egg yolk: 1 large = 5g fat
- Avocado: 1/8 large avocado = 7g fat
The Best Carbohydrate For Sweet Breakfast Smoothies
Hands down the best carbohydrate for sweet and creamy breakfast smoothies is one half frozen banana.
It is essential that you use a frozen banana to achieve that delicious creamy consistency.
It is also the most natural “sugar” you can add to your smoothie.
If you don’t like bananas, replace them with ½ cup of frozen mango. That’s the next best thing.
The Best Fruits and Vegetables for Breakfast Smoothies
- 1/2 cup (frozen) blueberries
- 2 apricots
- 1/2 cup (frozen) strawberries
- 1 small fresh orange
- 1/2 cup (frozen) mango
- 2 fresh clementines
- 1/2 cup (frozen) raspberries
- 1/2 cup (frozen) pineapple
- 1 kiwi
- 1/2 cup (frozen) peach
- 1/2 fresh dragon fruit
- 1/2 cup raw baby spinach
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup raw red cabbage
- 1/2 cup blanched and frozen cauliflower
- 1/4 raw cucumber
- 1/2 cup blanched and frozen butternut squash
- 1/2 cup raw diced carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/2 raw red beet
- 1/2 cup raw kale
The Best Liquid For Smoothies
Add water or milk to your smoothie depending on the other ingredients you are using.
Water is great when you use nuts or yogurt as protein.
Nut milk or dairy milk works best if you are using protein powder or egg white as protein, and seeds, yolk or avocado as a healthy fat.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends entirely on the smoothie. As long as your smoothie contains protein, healthy fats, healthy carbs, and plenty of fiber and vitamins it’s a perfectly healthy breakfast.
It also depends on what you eat for the rest of the day. A smoothie might be enough or not depending on your complete day’s nutrients and calories.
Weight loss cannot be achieved by focusing on one meal only. You need to consider your overall diet throughout the day and week to reach weight goals.
However, smoothies are a healthy way of including fruits and veggies in your diet. They also make an excellent healthy snack.
As long as your smoothie is nutritionally balanced, it doesn’t matter when you drink it.
If your smoothie contains an ingredient of each of the categories mentioned above, it is considered a full meal and does not require any additional food.
Other Healthy Breakfast Ideas
If you like switching it up between liquid breakfast and something that requires a little chewing, these are amazing alternatives to healthy smoothies:
6 Recipe Ideas for Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
Green Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- ⅛ frozen avocado
- 1 kiwi
- ½ cup baby spinach
Purple Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup water
- 2-4 Tbsp protein powder
- 2 Tbsp raw cashews
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup raw red cabbage
Orange Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
- ½ fresh orange
- 1 raw carrot
Hot Pink Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ raw red beet
Yellow Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup unsweetened yogurt
- 1 Tbsp hemp seeds
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ cup blanched frozen butternut squash
Rose Breakfast Smoothie
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup milk of choice
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup blanched frozen cauliflower
Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- 1/8 frozen avocado
- 1 kiwi
- 1/2 cup baby spinach
- ___ ___ ___
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup water
- 2-4 Tbsp protein powder
- 2 Tbsp raw cashews
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup raw red cabbage
- ___ ___ ___
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1/2 fresh orange
- 1 raw carrot
- ___ ___ ___
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
- 1/2 raw red beet
- ___ ___ ___
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
- 1 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup blanched frozen butternut squash
- ___ ___ ___
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup blanched frozen cauliflower
Instructions
- Add 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 cup liquid, 1 serving of protein, 1 serving of healthy fat, and 1/2 cup fruit and 1/2 cup vegetables to your blender and blend until smooth.Use at the very least frozen banana better 2-3 frozen ingredients in your smoothie.
- Hot Pink Smoothie: Banana, milk, egg white, chia seeds, raspberries, beet.Light Pink Smoothie: Banana, milk, cashews, strawberries, cauliflower.Green Smoothie: Banana, water, yogurt, avocado, kiwi, baby spinach.Orange Smoothie: Banana, water, yogurt, flax meal, orange, carrot.Purple Smoothie: Banana, water, protein powder, cashews, blueberries, red cabbage.Yellow Smoothie: Banana, water, yogurt, hemp seeds, mango, butternut squash.
- Serve and drink immediately.
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Deitra says
I drink smoothies for a quick breakfast was looking for a new taste . I think I found it I can’t wait to try they sound yummy!! Thank you !!!
Lorena says
I’m so happy you found these recipes useful Deitra :)
Anne-Marie Stimson says
Have just started using my “Ninja” again thanks to your gorgeous recipes! Here is one I just whizzed up! Greek yoghurt, apple, spinach, Kale, lemon (peeled), ginger, honey & ice! Wowza, has a delightful zest, I am jumping for joy!!
Charlotte McDonnell says
can’t wait to try theses, just asking about the butternut in the yellow smoothie, is it raw? I’ve never heard of anyone eating raw butternut
Lorena says
Yes! You can eat butternut squash raw, it’s totally safe. I buy the ones Mann’s sells in bags and freeze it and then use it in the smoothie.
Diana says
I love this,,am actually going to make the hot pink because I hate beetroot but I think it could be amazing paired with something else
Lorena says
Hahaha, not sure you’ll like it. I hate beets, too, lol. I’ve had to have my husband and kids taste test the smoothie to find out if it’s good for someone who likes beets.
Celeste says
I was wondering what you would suggest substituting the banana with?
Lorena says
Cooked, then frozen, sweet potato would work I think. Or if you don’t mind the smoothie not being sweet then frozen avocado. Both offer a creamy consistency.
Carley says
What is the shelf life for all of these? Wondering if I could make a weeks worth and they will still be good by the end of the week?
Lorena says
I don’t recommend that. They won’t taste good and they will separate in the fridge. I recommend making them fresh in the morning. What you could do to save on time is to prepare “smoothie freezer bags”. Add all frozen ingredients you’ll be using in a silicone freezer bag and store in the freezer. All you have to do in the morning is dump everything into the blender, fill with liquid and blend.
Darlene Dowd says
I was also thinking of adding my Greek yogurt to the freezer bag when I do my weeks worth. Any thoughts?
Lorena says
You can totally do that. You might have to add some water when blending depending on how powerful your blender is. If you have a Vitamix or Blendtec you should be totally fine though.
Vance Gibson says
Hi. I’m a 46 year old obese man. I am interested in a smoothy diet to lose weight and get healthy. I have hypertension and type 2 diabetes. I’m a smoker (yes, I have to quit). I like the recipes shown, however I’m not into exotic fruits and vegetables. I also have gout, so I have to avoid things high in purine. Can you give me some ideas on ingredients to make smoothies taking in all consideration using “regular” items easily found at the local supermarket? Also, do you put ice in the smoothies? Please reply at your earliest convenience. Time is of the essence. Thank you.
Lorena says
Hi Vance, I don’t believe a smoothie diet is the best for you, especially considering you are diabetic. I highly highly highly recommend you find a nutritionist that can write you a full nutrition plan considering all your personal health issues. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all diet for weight loss or optimal health. If anybody tells you that they most likely want to sell you something. Make sure you get a personalized nutrition plan by a certified nutritionist and stick with it.
Diana says
Hey Vance, if you must take a smoothie, don’t make it a daily thing but you can replace the banana with avocado to reduce the potassium and sodium intake..
Charlie says
I just made the breakfast smoothie at 4:30 pm!!! Wow Who needs any thing else after that!! The cashews I believe is what takes into OMG! Catagory!!!! Excellent!!!!!
Lorena says
THANK YOU SOOO much for your amazing comment. :D
mylifestylestar says
Thank for share these delicious smoothies for a healthy life. I love your article.
Cassie says
I have an allergy to bananas is there a substitute?
Lorena says
You can use avocado or zucchini, it gives a similar texture. To sweeten (because avo and zuc aren’t really sweet) you could add a date :)
Sandy says
These look tasty, but I am highly allergic to bananas. What could I use instead?
Lorena says
You can use avocado or zucchini, it gives a similar texture. To sweeten (because avo and zuc aren’t really sweet) you could add a date :)
Sandy says
These look wonderful, but I am highly allergic to bananas. What could I use instead?
Nina says
Eating raw cabbage and cauliflower early in the morning is a bit weird to me :/
Lorena says
You can always start with smaller amounts of the veggies and slowly transition to more. Some people take time to get used to it. It’s like with green juices. The less fruit and more green veggies the healthier but it takes time to love them :)
Cheryl Garcia says
Yummy! Very good reminder so I made a great smoothie just now: very-ripe banana, big bunch of spinach, verry-ripe peach slices, handful of frozen blueberries and a splash of almondmilk – delicious.
Lorena says
oh that sounds glorious!!!
Ann says
Thanks for sharing these amazing smoothies