Green Smoothie Meal Replacement
During everyday routine life, we all try to eat healthy balanced meal. But, majority of us face challenge when it comes to eating a full balanced meal with busy schedule. When we are short on time and do not have enough time for a perfect meal, that’s the time we tends to lean towards fast food or junk food. I would say, that’s the right time when you should consider blending a green smoothie.
Yes, green smoothie meal replacement is one of the best options for a meal replacement. You can make balanced nutrition rich green smoothie meal replacement quickly in 4 easy steps.
How to Make Your Smoothie a Meal
Balanced meal contains fiber, nutrients, vitamins and good fats. You must mix them up to create your green smoothie for a meal replacement.
Step 1: Pick Greens for Smoothie a Meal Replacement
Green Smoothie, name says it, you need greens for your green smoothie. Thoughts of greens bring feeling of bitter taste, but greens don’t mean bitter!
If you are new to blending then you might want to start with basic greens such as baby spinach and collard greens. For those who have been blending for a while, can easily consider Kale for a green smoothie a meal replacement.
Spinach and Kale are the most popular greens for a green smoothie diet as they are loaded with vitamins and immunity boosting nutrients.
Step 2: Pick Fruits for Smoothie a Meal Replacement
If you are new to blending then I recommend to start with fruits with low sugar that taste great without compromising the taste of your green smoothie. You can easily start with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apple and pear.
You may think that banana contains higher sugar level, but if you are beginner then consider to add banana for creamy and sweeter taste to smoothie. You can always freeze banana in small pieces and use few of those pieces in each smoothie.
You can add 1-2 cups of fruits. For example, diced strawberries, blueberries you can fill up one cup of each, or you can combine 1 cup of berries with 1 medium sized fruits such as apple, pear or banana.
Step 3: Pick Protein for Smoothie a Meal Replacement
Balanced meal is not complete without proper amount of protein. Add protein powder to add protein to your green smoothie meal. You can use any plant based protein powder, for example unflavored pea protein or rice protein powder.
You can also avoid protein powder and add alternative, for example 2 tablespoons of cashew or almonds or flax seeds or hemp seeds. Even you can add unflavored half cup of Greek yogurt.
All these protein alternatives also add good fat in your diet. Green smoothie with good fat is necessary for a balanced healthy meal replacement.
Step 4: Pick Superfood for Smoothie a Meal Replacement
I insist to add superfood to a green smoothie as by adding 1-2 teaspoons of superfood will boost your smoothie. I have listed few of my favorite superfood for a green smoothie.
Maca powder or matcha tea will help boost energy level. You can add antioxidant and vitamin c rich, acai berry powder and camu camu to increase immunity power in your smoothie. And of course, cinnamon powder and cacao powder is perfect for anti-inflammatory kick to smoothie.
If you are beginner then start with a teaspoon of superfood until you develop the taste. Each superfood has unique taste and flavor so try with different to find the one you like.
Layer Your Smoothie Right
You must layer your ingredients right for your meal replacement green smoothie based on your blender type.. Here is the visual guide that will help you understand the layering of ingredients for perfect smoothie.
