10 Smoothie Boosters To Make Your Morning Routine Healthier

I rely on several of these every day!

Nov 26, 2024

How often do you smoothie? 🧋

If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know smoothies have been a part of my breakfast routine for years. I rely on them so much, I’ve even found ways to make smoothies when I’m traveling.

Roots!

The 5-Minute Plant-Based Smoothie

Smoothies are such a thing, aren’t they? It seems as if every fitness guru or whole foods cookbook author has several pages devoted to different flavors and styles…

a year ago · Lori Osterberg

I found myself heading to my childhood home this past week, part of my caregiving routine. While my sister lives near my mom’s assisted living facility and offers full-time support, I go back periodically to see them both. I stayed with my sister as we went back and forth to my mom.

I got up early and used her blender to make us smoothies each morning before we got going on our morning routine. She buys the basics before I get in: avocados, berries, yogurt.

Of course, I have to poke around in her freezer a bit to see what else is waiting for me to throw in. And this time … sweet potato!

What!? Never added sweet potatoes before?

Yep, sweet potatoes are a great addition to smoothies because they are nutritious and low in calories. High in fiber, potassium, iron, and vitamins A and C, they promote eye health and help with a healthy immune system.

I snuck a handful into our smoothies … and only revealed it on the last day. Now she has something new she’ll be adding into her morning routines!

Want even more ideas? I get it, smoothies can seem a bit boring when you make the same thing every day. But I look at them as a way I can get a host of nutritious foods inside with one delicious drink.

Want more add-ins you can put into your smoothies to make them even healthier (and better!)? Here’s what I add regularly.

Flaxseeds

I add seeds wherever I can, and flaxseeds are especially good because they aid digestion support. They are high in fiber and have been shown to lower blood pressure and even reduce the risk of cancer. I buy my flaxseeds from Bob’s Red Mill, and store some in a jar for immediate use, or keep them in the fridge for more stability. They can become oxidized if left at room temperature for too long. You can also get ground flaxseeds if you prefer.

Chia Seeds

Do you use chia seeds regularly? Then you know these magical little seeds contain a lot of good stuff like fiber, antioxidants, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids, to name just a few. When chia seeds get wet, they will get sticky and bind together. (I often use chia seeds as an egg replacement in baking.) They may also stick between your teeth (brushing your teeth usually gets them all out,) or you can add them to your smoothie if you have a high-powered blender to grind them up.

Hemp Seeds

Don’t get nervous about adding hemp seeds to your smoothie. They are considered a nutritionally perfect food and often top the superfood lists. I love them because they work well in a smoothie or topped on your salads or pasta dishes. Honestly, these little seeds can be added anywhere - hello, avocado toast. Why add a teaspoon or two to your smoothie? They are a great addition, especially if you adhere to a vegetarian or vegan diet. If you’ve ever found pea protein difficult to digest, hemp seeds may be the way to go.

Avocado

I had a conversation with a woman a while back about the benefits of avocado. She had taken it off of her shopping list because she’d heard they were high in fat. They are, but they’re high in monounsaturated fat, which is considered a healthy fat. Monounsaturated fats have been found to lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and may also improve the control of blood sugar levels. They are also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in sodium. Perfect addition to a smoothie, right? Avocado also adds the creaminess I love without overpowering the other flavors you put in.

Nut Butter

Have you ever bought a jar or two (or three) of nut butter, excited to try them, then left them in your cupboard because you aren’t sure what to do with them? Pull them out and add them to your smoothies. That's because nut butters are a balanced macronutrient food filled with heart-healthy fats, quality protein, and complex carbohydrates. Different nut butters offer different nutritional benefits and tastes. Almond butter offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Walnut butter is a source of alpha-linolenic fatty acid, a healthy omega-3 fat. You can experiment with this stable to add texture and definition to every smoothie you make. Just flip the jar around before you buy it to ensure it only has good stuff (nuts or seeds) and none of the bad stuff (sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oils).

Frozen Peas

We were driving through Washington checking out the sites along Highway 101 when we found a plant-based-friendly cafe we wished we could move right next door to our home. They have a whole bunch of vegan breakfast menu items we wanted to try. We didn’t have time to try them all, but one thing caught my eye - frozen green peas in a smoothie. I did my research - frozen green peas are picked at the peak of perfection. They contribute a subtle sweetness, add to the creamy texture, and add a whole lotta nutrition. They provide fiber, protein, and vitamin C. What’s not to love?

Spirulina

Spirulina might not make every smoothie connoisseur's list, but it should. It’s a blue-green algae rich in vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, antioxidants, and protein. I love that it’s great for maintaining a healthy immune system by boosting the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria in your body. Be aware that it is algae, and can have a slightly fishy taste because it is a sea plant. Use it sparingly, a half-teaspoon at a time to avoid a strong taste. If you’ve ever seen bright green or blue smoothies or bowls, that’s spirulina at work.

Cacao Nibs

I cannot say enough good things about these little jewels. They are small pieces of crushed cacao beans that have a bitter chocolatey flavor. They are produced from beans from the Theobroma cacao tree, dried after harvesting, then fermented and cracked to produce small, dark bits called cacao nibs. They are loaded with nutrients and powerful plant compounds. They are among the least processed cocoa products on the market and have substantially lower sugar than other chocolate products. I add them to chocolate chip cookies, including them in a lot of my baking. Add them to a smoothie - you bet! It’s great for specialty smoothies - like mint chocolate! My go-to source is TCHO - mmm …

Matcha Powder

Matcha tends to be a love-it/hate-it food. It has a unique taste that not everyone loves, yet you can’t argue with the health benefits. It’s a finely ground green tea powder chock full of antioxidants and L-theanine, an amino acid designed to support physical and mental health. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory effects, has been shown to lower bad LDL cholesterol levels, and offers polyphenols that are beneficial to brain health. What’s not to love! It pairs well with many flavors, such as banana, vanilla, berries, and almond. Start small with a teaspoon or so until you find a taste you love.

Maca Root Powder

Maca is known to enhance energy, stamina, and boost the immune system. (Who doesn’t want all of that, right?) Maca has a mild nutty flavor, but it isn’t a nut. Instead, it’s a part of the broccoli and watercress family. One to two teaspoons per smoothie will give you the benefits without altering the taste. Experiment with what tastes best for you.

Have you tried any of these add-ins? If not, give one a try.

And don’t stop here. Start playing around with additions and flavors, and you might be surprised at what you can toss in. Zucchini from my garden. Celery is a great addition. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are easily ground up in a high-speed blender.

I’m all about getting creative with your ingredients. It’s a great way to get more whole foods into your body. Plus … Yummm!

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