Even though I love breakfast, I hardly ever eat it. My mornings are usually too hectic, and I find myself rushing around and having to wait until later in the morning/day to get the time to enjoy some food. Even something as simple as grabbing a granola bar has proven to be ineffective, since I’ll run to catch the bus and realize I forgot to stop by the kitchen in my hurry.
This semester, I have early morning classes every day. Maybe not the smartest thing for me, because I’m not a morning person, but ultimately will do me good in the future. One thing this has helped me with is eating breakfast. Even if I don’t have time to eat before I leave, I make the time to eat when I get back home, which is no later than 10:30 a.m. This means I still eat breakfast at a normal and socially-acceptable time (win!). But, I’m usually still super sleepy when I return, and I end up crashing the moment I get home.
I’ve begun relying on smoothies as my go-to breakfast for convenience, simplicity and yumminess. Smoothies will last overnight in the fridge, making it easy to grab before (or after, like me) class and slurp down in no time. Just give it a quick stir and you’re all set! They’re also easy to eat, no plates or utensils required. There’s so many options, so you’re never limited on tastes and can alter them to your own preferences.
While making smoothies seems like just throwing some fruit and ice in the blender, for a yummier experience, try these basic guidelines, as shown in this graphic.
Start with a liquid to make sure it’s smooth enough to drink. This can be water, milk (I prefer vanilla almond milk), fruit juice or tea.
Then, add your fruits and veggies. This is where you get really creative! If you want it to be a green smoothie, consider adding avocado or spinach. If you prefer fruity, it’s hard to go wrong with smoothies involving bananas and strawberries.
Next, add texture and flavor. This can include honey, sugar, oats, nuts, yogurt or seeds. I prefer adding a bit of honey to mine because I have a huge sweet tooth, but yogurt can also provide this sweetness if you use a flavored kind. If you like a little crunch, nuts would be so great!
Lastly, blend it all up! This is the easiest part. Just throw everything in the blender and mix it up to your liking. One thing to remember is that you can always add more to your smoothie at this point, like if you need more sweetener, so add the recommended amount and then wait to taste it. If you like a thicker smoothie, add in yogurt or peanut butter. If you prefer them thinner, add in water, ice or juice.
My go-to smoothie is a banana peanut butter one, but I also like making a banana Nutella one and a banana strawberry one. The banana peanut butter one has 1 banana, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk, some ice cubes and a drizzle of honey. The peanut butter is easy to add more or less of depending on if you want a strong or subtle flavor. If it’s too thick, you can add more milk or ice cubes!
Here are some of the smoothie recipes on Pinterest that I’ve been dying to try, so I hope these inspire you to make your next breakfast a smoothie!
Avocado Smoothie (source: University of Illinois Extension)
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 banana
- 1-2 tbs honey
This one is super easy and simple, plus you can add in so many yummy things if you want! The recipe also says that it would taste good over ice cream, so if you’re looking for a healthiest topping option, this could be it!
Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie (Source: Running With Spoons)
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 Tbsp nut butter OR chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
This one is a bit more intensive, so if you’re low on time this may not be the option for you. If you want your oats to be easier to blend, let them soak in all the ingredients (except chocolate chips, if using) for at least 3 hours, overnight if possible. It’s not necessary, but it will cut your blending time and make your smoothie creamier. When you’re ready to make it, blend it until the oats are full broken down and there is a smooth consistency. Pour the smoothie into a small saucepan over medium heat (add in chocolate chips if using) and bring to a simmer or boil depending on the temperature. When it’s warm enough to your liking, you can pour it into a cup and enjoy!
Strawberry Orange Sunrise Smoothie (Source: Garnish and Glaze)
- 2 bananas, peeled
- 2 cups strawberries, stems removed
- 1 orange, peeled (or 3/4 cup orange juice)
- 1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
- 8-10 large ice cubes
This smoothie will taste so refreshing after a busy morning of classes! So revitalizing and fresh tasting, plus, strawberry and orange is such an underrated flavor combo. Just place all the ingredients in a blender and mix together!
Watermelon Peach Smoothie (Source: Seasonal Cravings)
- 3 cups chopped watermelon
- 1 ripe peach, sliced
- 1/2 cup coconut milk refrigerated, not canned
- handful of ice
- mint for garnish
Something about mint just scream summer, especially when paired with watermelon and peaches. These fruits may not be in season right now, but imagine being able to sip this in the summer when classes aren’t stressing you out. Sounds good right? Just blend all these ingredients together, top with mint and drink!
Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie (Source: The Seasoned Mom)
- 1-2 cups ice
- 1 banana, sliced and frozen
- 1 cup milk
- 1 scoop (about ¼ cup) chocolate protein powder
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Garnish: chocolate chips
This recipe used lots of dairy-free options, but if you’re into dairy then definitely indulge in it! If you’re looking for something to keep you fuller for a longer period of time, this would be a great option. You can also add protein to other recipes if you want to make a fuller smoothie of any flavor. Mix all these together for a breakfast that tastes like dessert!
Peach Green Tea Smoothie (Source: Recipe Runner)
- 1 cup chilled green tea
- 1 heaping cup frozen peaches
- 1/2 of a frozen banana
- 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of ice, use less or omit if you want a thinner less frosty smoothie
One of my favorite things to get at Starbucks when it’s warm outside is their iced peach green tea. Having it as a smoothie would be a dream! This is another recipe I’d love to try during the summer when it’s hot and humid outside. Place everything in a blender and blend until smooth.