A smoothie is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, but sometimes it can be hard to find an extra kick. Smoothie enhancers are a delicious way to enhance your smoothie while adding healthy ingredients.
They’re simple and easy ways to boost your smoothie with the necessary nutrients. Plenty of options are out there, so we’ve rounded up the best ones to help you choose!
Protein Boosters
Protein helps build muscle, so these supplements can be useful if you’re trying to build muscle mass or increase strength. Whey protein powder is the most common source of protein in smoothies because it dissolves easily in liquids and has a neutral flavor that doesn’t interfere with other ingredients. Other sources of protein include soy, hemp and pea powders.
Nutrient-Rich Additions
Nutrient-rich additions such as spirulina or chlorella powder are both types of blue-green algae that contain high amounts of protein, iron, B vitamins, vitamin K and chlorophyll — an antioxidant that cleanses the body and promotes healthy digestion. These powders come in capsules or tablets at health food stores, but they’re also available as a powder that can be added to a smoothie instead.
Another addition is wheatgrass powder that can be added to smoothies for an added dose of vitamins A, C and E, calcium; iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese.
Fruit Enhancers
Fruit Enhancers are the secret to making a smoothie that is more than just fruit. These products can be used to add flavor and texture, as well as nutritional value to your smoothies.
Fruit Enhancers are not limited to just dried fruits or frozen fruits. They also include powders, seeds, and nuts.
Frozen fruits make it easy to blend up a delicious smoothie without having to cut up fresh fruit every time! Add ice cubes or crushed ice for an even colder drink!
Dried fruits like raisins, dates, apricots, and mangoes add body and texture to your smoothies without adding extra sugar since they’re already sweetened! You can also use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones for a tart taste that will wake up your taste buds!
Vegetable Boosts
Vegetable Boosts like spinach, kale, avocado and cucumber are great additions to any smoothie because they contain vitamin C and antioxidants. They also make your smoothie look green, which may be appealing if you’re trying to “eat clean”.
One thing to watch out for with these is that they can get slimy when blended in a blender. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it might not be what you want either!
Beetroot is another vegetable that works well in smoothies because it adds an earthy flavor as well as colour (beets are naturally red). You can also add beetroot juice or powder to your green smoothies if you prefer not to use whole beets in your drinks.
Healthy Fats
Fats are often viewed as the enemy of weight loss and healthy eating, but they’re actually vital for good health. Healthy fats provide energy, help with brain function, support the immune system and promote healthy skin and hair. They also help reduce hunger pangs by slowing down digestion.
Healthy fats include:
- Almond butter
- Peanut butter
- Coconut oil
- Cashews or almonds
- Chia gel (chia seeds soaked in water)
Sweeteners
You don’t have to use sugary syrups or artificial sweeteners — there are plenty of healthier options! Try honey, stevia extract, or fresh fruit juice for sweetening your smoothie without excess calories or too much added sugar.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
Dairy products are a great way to add some extra protein and calcium to your smoothie. If you’re avoiding dairy, there are many other options available. Just remember that the more liquid you add to a smoothie, the thinner it will be. If you want a thicker consistency, try adding more frozen fruit or ice cubes.
Dairy alternatives include coconut milk, almond milk and soy milk. Although these alternatives are low in fat, they still add flavor to smoothies and make them creamy. Coconut milk is a great alternative if you’re looking for a tropical-flavored smoothie because it tastes like coconut but isn’t as sweet as some other ingredients. Almond milk is milder but still sweet enough to mask the taste of greens like spinach or kale in your smoothie.
Spices
Adding spices to your smoothie can give it an extra kick of flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg are both popular choices for adding spice to smoothies because they naturally sweeten them. You can also use cayenne pepper or paprika for a spicy kick! If you’re not sure which spice would go well with your smoothie, try experimenting with different combinations until you find the one that works for you!
Superfood Powders
Powders like maca, goji berry, camu camu, cacao, and turmeric powder are packed with vitamins and minerals that can boost your immune system, improve your digestion, and even help you lose weight. These superfoods are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain caused by inflammation in the body.
Adding one or more of these superfood powders to your smoothies is a great way to give them an added nutritional boost without adding extra calories.
Extras
Extras like rolled oats, quinoa and cooked sweet potato are good sources of protein and fiber, which helps keep you full longer. Rolled oats can be added to any smoothie as an alternative to milk or yogurt. Quinoa is also a complete protein that makes a great addition to any green smoothie. Cooked sweet potato has a creamy texture and adds sweetness without adding sugar or artificial sweeteners. Silken tofu is another good source of protein that can be added to any green smoothie for creaminess without adding calories from fat or carbs like dairy products would.
Bottom Line
In the end, we all have different preferences, and there is no one perfect smoothie enhancer out there. The best smoothie enhancer will depend on a few different factors. Are you looking for something tangy? Something with a hint of sweetness? Or are you more interested in a specific flavor profile, such as berry or chocolate? And how much do you want to spend?
But hopefully, our reviews have given you a relevant starting point for making your selection. Best of luck with your selections!
