The 5 Parts of a Perfect Smoothie

The weather is getting warmer, which means it is time to dust off that blender and stock up on your favorite smoothie ingredients. After all, there are few things better than a cold smoothie on a hot summer day. However, it is important to remember that not all smoothies are created equal. That is to say, some smoothies can be heavy on calories and sugar while others pack a stronger nutritional punch. 

The key to making sure your smoothies are both healthy and delicious is to ensure you have a proper balance of nutritious ingredients. After all, no one wants a smoothie that leaves you feeling hungry less than an hour later. But how do you know how to choose and balance your smoothie ingredients? Use this 5 part smoothie checklist to ensure you are covering all your bases. 

1. Liquid (1-2 cups) 

The first step to any great smoothie is a liquid base. After all, without liquid, your blender wouldn’t work properly and you wouldn’t have a smoothie at all. There are many different liquid options to choose from, and when choosing it is important to consider the flavor and sugar content of each option. A lot of fruit smoothie recipes call for fruit juice, but be careful here. Many fruit juices are loaded with sugar, and the last thing you want to do is overwhelm your healthy smoothie with unnecessary sugar. For a less sugar-filled option, you could always consider using one of the following: 

• Water
• Coconut Water
• Almond Milk or Coconut Milk

2. Fruits (½ to 1 cup)

No smoothie is complete without fruit! Of course, your options here are endless as pretty much any fruit you can think of would be great in a smoothie. After all, fruit can add wonderful flavor while also providing a healthy dose of fiber and vitamins. However, some combinations of fruit may suit you better than others. In addition to the flavor profile, it is important to be mindful that fruit also contains sugar, so you don’t want to be too heavy-handed here. A few great fruits to put in your smoothies include: 

• Apples for the fiber and vitamin C. 
• Berries (any kind) for the antioxidants. Plus, they tend to be lower in sugar. 
• Bananas for the potassium and vitamins A, C, and E. 
• Oranges for the vitamin C. As a bonus, they offer that delicious citrus flavor.  
• Kiwi for the vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium. It is important to keep in mind that kiwi should be used fresh, not frozen. 

Pro tip: using frozen fruit will make for a thicker smoothie and eliminate the need to add ice. 

3. Vegetables (1 to 2 cups) 

We’ve all heard of green smoothies that are heavy in spinach or kale. But did you know that you can add other types of vegetables to your smoothies as well? It’s true! And adding them will help you get that nutritional boost you are looking for. As a bonus, some of them will change the color of your smoothie, which is how you get drinks that are dark red or bright orange. Here are some of the best vegetables to consider adding to your next smoothie: 

• Spinach or Kale. These leafy greens are the go-to for a reason. Spinach is packed with vitamins, iron, and calcium while kale provides beta-carotene, vitamin K and vitamin C.
• Cauliflower. Not only is it a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, but it’s less likely to overpower the flavor of your smoothie like a banana might. 
• Carrots. This vegetable is loaded with nutrients, including carotene, vitamins A, B3, C, and E, as well as iron, and zinc. Your blender may not take well to this harder ingredient, so it is best to finely shred them before adding them to the mix. 
• Cucumber. Another vegetable that will add great nutritional value and thickness without too much extra flavor. Cucumbers are a great source of potassium, vitamin K and fiber.

4. Nuts and Seeds (1 to 2 Tbsp)

This is the part that can take your smoothie from a refreshing afternoon drink to a full meal. Adding nuts and seeds to your smoothies has a lot of benefits including adding extra protein, vitamins,  and minerals. Consider adding one of these to your next smoothie:

• Almonds or almond butter can add a little extra vitamin C. Additionally, almonds are great sources of calcium, magnesium, and fiber. 
• Cashews or cashew butter can add both iron and zinc to any smoothie. Plus, they contain less saturated fat than other nuts. 
• Flaxseed is high in fiber as well as omega-3 fatty acids. They also have calcium, folate, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. 
• Chia Seeds have a mild flavor but high nutritional value. With omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, manganese, zinc, and more they are the perfect addition to any smoothie. 

Pro tip: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, try soaking your almonds or cashews in water overnight. Just be sure to drain them before you add them to the mix. 

5. Superfoods (½ to 1 Tbsp) 

Of course, you could stop there. With a good liquid base, plenty of fruits and veggies, and a handful of nuts or seeds, your smoothie is bound to be delicious and nutritious. However, if you really want your smoothie to pack a punch, adding a superfood will make a world of difference. But what’s the best superfood for smoothies? Some may say acai berries, hemp, or even cacao. And all of those are great options for any smoothie. However, there is one superfood that tops them all—organic Wild Microalgae™. 

What is organic Wild Microalgae? It is a rare type of blue-green algae that possesses an impressive nutritional profile. With all 20 standard amino acids, essential fatty acids, 13 different vitamins, over 63 trace minerals, phenylethylamine (PEA), phycocyanin, and chlorophyll, it really is a near-perfect superfood. And it makes the perfect addition to any smoothie. 

The Perfect Smoothie Addition: Essentials Blend 

Whether you are looking for a cold treat on a hot summer day or a quick and nutritious breakfast option, ensuring that your smoothie is jam-packed with nutrients is a must. That is why Essentials Blend makes the perfect addition to any smoothie recipe. Made with organic Wild Microalgae and blended with probiotics, enzymes, and wheat sprouts, this blend really has it all. And the convenience of a powder that easily blends with other ingredients makes it one smoothie ingredient you won’t want to run out of. 

And the best part? You can try it completely risk-free with our 60-day money-back guarantee. It really doesn’t get any better than that.