Our Favorite Healthy Smoothie Ingredients For Winter
Are you a fan of smoothies year-round? Or do you only think of them as a summer treat? The chilly nature of most smoothies from your local juice bar franchise may have you thinking that you should reserve them for warmer weather, but there’s so much to love about a smoothie packed with healthy winter food.
Smoothies can be just as tasty and beneficial in the colder months as they are in July and August. You can even try them warmed or in special winter preparation methods.
Smoothies are a great addition to your routine year-round.
Whether you’re at the ski slopes or on the beach, smoothies are equally powerful in benefiting your health and your everyday life. It also doesn’t hurt that they taste fantastic!
You’ll want to enjoy a smoothie packed with nutrients and fresh ingredients, like the kinds you can find at Pure Green, to be sure you’re getting the nutritional boost you need.
No matter what time of year it is, smoothies can help lead to the following improvements in your health:
-Increased ability to fight off illness and disease.
-An increased intake of fiber, which can aid with digestion and overall health.
-A boost in energy without a caffeine crash.
-A faster metabolism.
-A diet rich in healthy ingredients and fresh sources of nutrients.
-An increased mood, because just about everyone is tempted to smile when enjoying such a tasty, healthy treat!
In the winter, smoothies packed with healthy winter food are an excellent choice.
Smoothies are a great way to help maintain your health in the winter. Winter is notorious for causing an increased risk of colds and flu. Winter can also lead to dry skin, allergies, a lower mood, and struggles with maintaining healthy sleeping patterns. It can be tempting to call it a day and hibernate until spring - but your body deserves better than that! Fortunately, smoothies that are packed with healthy winter food ingredients can make a big difference in your wellbeing during colder months.
Smoothies can help boost your immune system in the winter, especially if your smoothies include antioxidants and immune-boosting ingredients. For example, a bit of ginger, blueberries, or carrots in your smoothie can help kick your illness-fighting capabilities into high gear. Since flu, viruses, and the common cold can spread like wildfire in the winter, smoothies are a great secret weapon in any efforts to fight off sickness.
Inflammation-related issues tend to flare up in the winter for many people, and smoothies can help with this issue as well. Among other issues, inflammation can lead to joint pain, soreness, allergies, asthma, and digestive problems. Adding a smoothie to your daily winter routine can help to keep these issues at bay.
As many of us know, winter can also lead to a feeling of sadness or blues. Heading out to grab a smoothie each day may help with these feelings, because getting out of the house is a key method in fighting off the blues. So is having a set routine, so if your smoothie is a regular ritual, you may find extra joy in it. Getting outside for a smoothie pickup errand also increases your exposure to vitamin D, which can help with winter-related sadness.
If you make your smoothies at home, you might find a sense of accomplishment that can help increase your mood as well. If you start each morning by making a fresh smoothie made of healthy winter food ingredients, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that you’ve already done something great for yourself before your day has even begun. That feeling can build upon itself, leading to more healthy habits and an increased mood.
Another great reason to drink more smoothies in the winter is to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Fresh fruits and veggies can be more of a hassle to come by in the winter. Drinking them in a smoothie is a one-stop method of getting as many regular fruits and greens as you need. The fact that the fresh taste of smoothies are reminders of sunnier days only makes them that much more fun.
Well-made smoothies, like the ones you’ll find at Pure Green, provide healthy and natural energy sources. This means a consistent sense of energy without the unpleasant crash that comes along with sugar or caffeine. More energy means more power to fuel through a successful day!
All of this is to highlight the fact that smoothies are an excellent addition to your winter routine!
Ingredients to add to your winter smoothies.
If you’re stumped on how to get started with winter smoothies, consider trying some of the below ingredients. Some are healthy winter food options that thrive during this season, while others are simply ingredients that appeal to what our taste buds most crave in the winter. Others still are ingredients known to help with common winter health issues.
Cacao. This ingredient provides that sweet, chocolate-y taste most of us love. It’s also extremely rich in antioxidants, even compared to most well-known antioxidant-rich foods. Cacao is also a great source of iron, calcium, and magnesium. It can help keep your brain sharp and boost your mood naturally, which most of us need a boost with in the winter!
Ginger. The much-needed zest ginger provides to get you energized is only the beginning of its benefits. Ginger is also a powerful immune booster. It can help you fight colds, ward off inflammation, and decrease acne. It can also help with digestion and help you better absorb nutrients.
Pear. This popular winter flavor is a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. It can help with heart health, digestion, fighting diabetes, and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also a much-loved ingredient in many winter recipes!
Banana. Banana provides the sweetness and rich texture that is so often craved during the winter. Not only is it a great flavor addition to a healthy smoothie, but it makes the beverage more, well, smooth. Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, and many other healthy ingredients.
Apple. We’ve all been told that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and perhaps with good reason! Apples are an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and key nutrients. Apples may be able to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It also provides a wonderful seasonal taste that reminds us of fall apple orchards, apple pies at Thanksgiving, and other delicious holiday treats.
Orange. Did you ever hang dried oranges on your Christmas tree as a kid? The rich scent and flavor of citrus is a holiday favorite that extends through the entire winter. It’s also incredibly healthy! Oranges are a fantastic source of vitamin C. Oranges may also contribute to skin health, as well as a decreased risk of cancer, heart issues, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Cinnamon. There are few more treasured winter flavors than cinnamon. This ingredient adds a wonderful sense of coziness to any smoothie, but it’s also great for your health. Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and may help protect against diabetes, cancer, infections, and heart health issues.
Avocado. This popular ingredient adds a rich texture to any smoothie, as well as a delicious taste. Avocados are high in potassium, fiber, and healthy fatty acids.
Pick up a Pure Green smoothie on the go this winter.
If you’re in a hurry or don’t want to make smoothies at home, Pure Green is your one-stop shop for healthy winter smoothies. Our smoothie menu has a wide variety of tasty options. Here are a few you might especially love in the winter:
Pure Green. Our self-named classic is a delicious blend of greens like kale and spinach with fruits like mango, pineapple, and banana. We also include coconut water for a truly magical taste.
Chocolate Mousse. This drink provides the sweet, rich taste we crave in the winter, without the negative health impact of sugary desserts. The Chocolate Mousse smoothie is a blend of raw cacao, avocado, banana, coconut, whey protein, agave, and almond milk.
Blue Royale. If you’re looking for antioxidants to stay healthy this winter, the Blue Royale is your new best friend. This smoothie blends acai, blueberries, coconut, almond butter, whey protein, agave, and almond milk. Talk about delicious!
Preparing winter-friendly smoothies at home.
If the idea of a frozen beverage in chilly weather just doesn’t jive with you, there are still plenty of options. For starters, you can prepare your smoothie with less ice than usual for a slightly warmer drink. If you’d like to go this route, don’t add any extra ice to your blender when making your smoothie. If you’re using frozen ingredients, add a small amount of hot water to your blender before blending. (If you do this, be careful of any steam, as this will create pressure in the blending. Make sure you start slow with the blender and ensure the lid is in place and held down.)
Another option is to make warm smoothies. You can do this by warming any liquid ingredients, like almond milk, before blending. (Again, be sure to watch out for any steam pressure in your blender!) Warm smoothies are excellent options for sipping beside a cozy fire.
If you don’t mind cold food in the winter, and it’s just the idea of cold beverages that don’t work for you, try your blended nutrients in another form. Enjoy an acai bowl for breakfast, or make some healthy popsicles in your freezer with your favorite smoothie ingredients to eat for dessert.
When it comes to healthy smoothie options this winter, the sky’s the limit! No matter how you work smoothies into your winter routine, give yourself a pat on the back for staying committed to your health even during the coldest months.