Meals-on-the-Go: 4 Smoothie Recipes to Try

Healthy smoothies are great option for busy medical professionals who are always on the go. Green smoothie recipes as well as other smoothie options work as a meal replacement because they are packed with nutritious ingredients and are minimally processed - which is ultimately better for you than even an energy bar or other highly processed “healthy” food. Since you're making your own smoothies - whether they're kale smoothies or other recipes - you can control how much fiber, sugars and fats go into each one.

 

Of course, not all smoothies are healthy. Some pre-made and store-bought versions include lots of preservatives to enhance shelf life, while others include large amounts of sugars and fats to improve taste. However, by making your own smoothie recipes at home, you can have a quick and easy meal you can even drink on shift. Just blend the ingredients, and you're ready to pop your creation into a to-go cup

You can find a lot of smoothie recipes online, but we've compiled four fantastic smoothie recipes for you to try. Each one contains healthy fats and proteins as well as nutrition-packed ingredients to help your keep energy high all day. Each one takes only minutes to prepare and keeps you full for longer, thanks to the protein and the fats.

1. Choco-Banana Smoothie

Who doesn't love chocolate and banana - especially when they're good for you? To make this smoothie, you will need:

• Two bananas that have been peeled, cut up and frozen overnight in the freezer
• One cup of almond milk
• One heaping tablespoon of peanut butter (crunchy or smooth - your choice)
• One date (pit removed)
• One heaping teaspoon all-natural and unsweetened cocoa powder

Place all ingredients in a blender and blitz until the consistency is smooth. Taste and add an extra date if you need more sweetness. If you like, you can also make this smoothie without freezing the banana first, but frozen bananas lend the meal a delicious and rich ice-cream-like texture.

2. Tropical Smoothie

This tropical smoothie has the sweetness of fresh fruit along with coconut and a rich, creamy texture to make you feel full.

You will need:

• Half a cup of coconut milk
• Two bananas, peeled
• Two dried dates
• One cup pineapple chunks

Blend all ingredients in a blender before pouring into a container.

3. Berry Bliss Smoothie

Berries are full of natural antioxidants, and they lend both sweetness and a pleasant tartness to smoothies for a refreshing drink.

To make this smoothie, you will need:

• A mix of frozen berries (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup of your favorite nondairy milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats (optional, but these add a little thickness and heft)
• One banana, peeled

Blend everything together in a blender until your smoothie becomes smooth and creamy.

4. Green Smoothie

Green smoothies are extremely popular, and it's no wonder why. They're an easy way to get more vegetables, and they can contain less sugar than fruit-based smoothies. If you like the idea of a green blended drink, it can be an especially good idea to make yours at home - prepared versions tend to include plenty of added sugars to make them palatable.

For a green smoothie, you will need:

• One small bunch of kale (with stems removed)
• One green apple
• 1 inch of ginger (peeled)
• One cucumber
• One scoop protein or whey powder
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Blend all ingredients together in a blender and taste. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a banana or a natural sweetener (such as agave syrup).

DIY Smoothies

One of the best ways to keep enjoying smoothies is to create your own and to include a little variety into your recipes. Experimenting with your favorite flavors lets you explore a whole new world. If you're interested in green smoothies, mix equal parts frozen and fresh vegetables (such as spinach, kale, beets or other vegetables). Putting in some frozen vegetables creates a thicker texture.

Add in some sweetness and tartness with ginger or a green apple - the acidity will smooth out the bitterness of any vegetables. Put in some lemon juice to keep the mixture from oxidizing and add protein powder or rolled oats to create thickness and add some more heft to your smoothie. Finally, give your mixture some sweetness in the form of a banana, a date or a non-sugary sweetener such as agave syrup.

If you're making a fruit-based smoothie, use equal parts fresh and frozen fruit, or you can use all frozen fruit. Add protein powder, nut butter or rolled oats for protein and thickness. You won't need to add any sugar because of the sugars in the fruit, but you might want to add a banana or date for a little extra sweetness.

Smoothies aren't the only way to save time when you're always on the go. When you're ordering scrubs, shop with Pulse Uniform for fast ordering and a quick order process. We work with the medical industry, and we know how to work to save you time!

Sources:

http://www.blendtec.com/blog/meal-replacement-smoothies/