Homemade smoothie recipes provide a way for parents to vary daily snacks for the kids, as well as introduce babies to new fruits and veggies and include a variety of healthy ingredients in the family’s diet. The variations in smoothie recipes are practically endless, which means they appeal to everyone, even the finickiest of eaters! Smoothies can easily be tailored to specific tastes and flavour preferences as well as individual dietary requirements, and they are so easy to prepare. Just throw a few ingredients in a blender, puree, and voila!
You can create any fruit or veggie combination as well as include a variety of super-healthy additional ingredients to ensure the family gets all the vitamins and nutrients they need! With only a few additions you can turn simple smoothies into a superfood smoothies-toss your basics, like milk, fruits, and veggies into a blender then incorporate some healthy add-ins, such as all-natural nut butters, chia, flax or hemp seeds, and nutritional boosting spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric.
Here are the top 10 superfoods to add to smoothies for an extra nutritional boost:
1) Flaxseed is a natural laxative that also provides heart-healthy omega 3-fatty acids to support brain health and can also enhance the absorption of certain vitamins. With its mild flavour and thickening properties, ground flax is a great thickening agent in smoothies.
2) Chia seeds are composed of 60% omega-3s which makes it one of the richest plant based sources of fatty acids. Because it’s high in fiber it helps regulate bowels which is very important for those babies who get constipated easily. Whole chia seeds are easily digested (unlike whole flaxseed) and are ideal for thickening smoothies and puddings.
3) Greek yogurt contains calcium, is low in carbohydrates and sodium, and a rich source of protein compared to other varieties of yogurts. It adds a thick and creamy texture and its tart flavour helps balance out super sweet smoothies.
4) Plant-based milk such as, coconut, hemp, soy, rice, and quinoa add a touch of sweetness to smoothies and a creamy consistency, making them ideal for babies and toddlers with allergies to animal-based milk.
5) Avocados are high in fat (the good kind) and contain fat soluble vitamin E and heart-healthy folate. They have a super creamy texture and a very mild flavour, which makes them ideal for any fruit/veggie smoothie combination.
6) Extra-virgin coconut oil has a light, slightly sweet, delicate coconut flavor and adds a buttery richness to smoothies. Coconut oil contains heart-healthy fats,is packed with essential nutrients, and has a ton of health benefits.
7) Dried dates contain both soluble fiber, which helps balances blood sugar levels and insoluble fiber, which helps improve bowel function. The addition of dates in smoothies adds a natural sweetness, therefore avoiding the addition of refined sugars.
8) Oats are high in soluble dietary fiber, and a good source of iron, magnesium, selenium, and manganese. They have a high sateity value and when combined with fruits and other smoothie additions they make the perfect “meal” for baby.
9) Hemp hearts are tiny, nutrient-dense seeds that deliver a hefty dose of omega-3 and omega-6 fats. They are a great source of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), a highly anti-inflammatory omega-6 “super fat” that reduces inflammation and also supports a healthy metabolism, nourishes your hair, skin, and nails.
10) Turmeric is an earthy, fragrant and somewhat pungent spice. It is packed with medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. It adds a healthy dose of nutrition to smoothies, as well as a deep yellow, earhty hue.
Get these healthy smoothie recipes:
Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothie
Mango Banana Coconut Smoothie
Peaches n’Cream Banana Date Smoothie
Shamrock Smoothie
Tropical Fruit Salad Smoothie
Banana Peach Chia Smoothie
I love smoothies, it is also gluten friendly so hubby can have them and he will be happy. xo
My Son love making smoothies and I am always his taste-tester. I need to share these so we can try these…
Gorgeous smoothies! We make smoothies a few times a week for breakfast. I LOVE chia seeds, they are my new fave. Love all of your suggestions. Thanks so much!
I love green smoothies and always add some flax, chia seeds to boost the nutrient. Smoothies are good 🙂
You have my three add- ins right on your list. I always plop coconut oil, flax seed and chia seas in everything my kids eat and drink. Oatmeal topping – coconut oil, but smoothies are the best place to hide all these yummy nutrients from our kiddos!
Smoothies in the morning are the best!!! I use to have them everyday before I had my daughter. I need to start making them again!
I love making smoothies for breakfast because I always forget to eat. It is so easy to add healthy things in them and once blended you don’t even notice. I am going to try adding some of these in my smoothies I make.
I love smoothies for breakfast because of how easy they are to make and then just go. However, I’ve never added any of these super foods to my smoothies even though I have heard about their health benefits in the past. I think I will try avocado because I love the texture and, like you said, the flavor is really mild.
My dentist gave me a smoothie blender as a gift last Christmas. Sadly though, since I’m so busy, I hardly have the time to use it. I should bookmark this post to remind me to create my own superfood smoothies soon.
I just discovered Chia seeds a few months ago and love how easy they are to blend into smoothies without changing the flavor too much. And I saw flaxseed in the grocery store the other day but I really wasn’t sure what it was or the benefits. I like the idea of using it to thicken my smoothies a bit.
My little ones really enjoy their smoothies each morning. I love that I can hide some healthy bits in their for them like veggies and flax and it still tastes delicious to them. They get so many nutrients from this one beverage and it allows me to fill in the gaps for whatever their lacking. My daughter is autistic and has trouble eating meats so greek yogurt and spinach help her get extra protein.
Ever since my boys were little, they have LOVED smoothies. I still make them and now include as many healthy ingredients as I can. It is a great afternoon snack for all of us that doesn’t spoil our appetite for dinner.
Such cute smoothie pictures! I love them all and want to sample each one. I’ve found that smoothies work really well for my kids.
This is awesome! I’ve been really into smoothies lately (I just got a root canal… so they’re all I can really eat haha) But I don’t have a blender at home, so I’ve been buying Odwalla and Naked smoothies from the grocery store.
Jasmine / http://www.jasminekeclipse.com
I absolutely love smoothies. I make them for breakfast all the time. They’re fast and healthy, and I need that in my lifestyle. I can’t wait to give these variations a try.
We have smoothies almost every morning for breakfast. It is a great way to “trick” the kids into getting some great veggies and fruit every morning. These are great smoothies to add to our list.
I have been wanting to get into smoothies. I am not a big breakfast eater and so I need something to substitute for that meal.
I recently bought a new blender for the purpose of making smoothies. I’m hoping to be healthier and lose weight. I love fruits and veggies, and drinks so figure win, win. Your post was very informative, and I can’t wait to try out some of your recipes too.
I’m a smoothie fanatic, but I usually buy them instead of making them. This is a great reminder to drag out my blender once again. I’ve never thought of putting nut butter in, but what a great idea for protein.
I have been trying to get more fruits in veggies in my diet! These sound like amazing smoothies to try out. I never would have thought to try adding oats to my smoothie like this!
These look and sound delicious. I try to drink a healthy smoothie once or twice a week. I think I need to step it up a bit.
I love making smoothies, it’s a satisfying refreshment after a good workout!
Yum! I love smoothies and I’ve been drinking a lot of smoothies this week actually. I will have to try adding oats next time. Thanks for the idea.
They look sooo good! Can’t wait to add some the super foods to my smoothies!
Those look so refreshing and healthy. I would love to be enjoying one of those right now.
Those look really good. I love having smoothies for breakfast or a snack. I’ve tried one with chia seeds once and it was pretty good. I’d love to try more of those ones.
I love to start my day with a delicious smoothie. I will have to try a few of these super foods.
We use our blender religiously to make smoothies everyday! We always make it with fresh or frozen fruits, chia seeds and almond milk! Mmm… so yummy!
I love breaking out the blender this time of year. I have an entire 10 pound bag of frozen fruits. Now I need to sneak in those veggies for the kiddos.
We love our smoothies around here! I am a huge fan of chia seeds, almond mil and raw honey. I even put oatmeal in my smoothies! 🙂
I’ve actually never put oatmeal in my smoothies but I’ve tasted one before with oats in it…it’s almost like eating overnight oats!
I love starting the day with a smoothie. I always feel so great. I can’t wait to give these uber healthy versions a try.
Me too! I’m not a fan of heavy breakfasts!
Those smoothies look so good! I love using chia seeds in stuff. That is probably my favorite of all the food named above. I am trying to get a little more healthy and this is a great first step.
A little goes a long way…I usually add only a teaspoon or so and it that’s all it takes to thicken the consistency of the smoothie.
Those smoothies sound great. I have one every morning, so I can’t wait to try out these uber healthy varieties.
My staple smoothie contains avocado, spinach, hemp protein, almond milk, and almond butter…then I add some chia seeds, cinnamon, raw honey and turmeric.
I love a good smoothie in the morning! I think I might try a couple of these.