Making the perfect smoothie may be a matter of opinion, depending on your health and fitness goals, but one key fact is that the ingredients you use make all the difference. If your smoothie is loaded with sugar, artificial flavors, ice cream, simple syrup, etc., then you’re basically making a shake and missing out on the benefits that can be reaped from these easy-to-make, quick-to-ingest, nutrient-rich drinks. Don’t load up your smoothies with unnecessary sugary substances to add flavor - consider natural peanut butter, protein powders, flavor-rich fruit (pineapple, mango, banana) or cacao powder.

Here are some of the best ingredients to add to your smoothie:

Fruit

High in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fruit is a great way to add a good dose of deliciousness to your blend while keeping it healthy. And using berries increases the amount of fiber, keeping you fuller for a longer period of time, which is perfect for weight loss.

Bananas, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, pineapple and raspberries.

Vegetables

Veggies are low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods that add a good measure of protein, iron, fiber, and folate to your smoothie. They may lack the sweet flavor profile of fruit, but the health impact is worth it.

Spinach, kale, bok choy, beets, celery, carrots, and zucchini.

Liquids

Most smoothies will require a liquid, and choosing what works best for you depends on dietary restrictions, goals, and smoothie profile. We’d recommend avoiding anything too heavy - whole milk, creams, sweetened yogurts, sugary drinks, etc. Some ideas include skim milk or unsweetened soy milk (provides vitamin D), green tea (loaded with antioxidants and good for metabolism), unsweetened almond milk (high in calcium), or simply water and ice. And while it’s not exactly a liquid, unflavored Greek yogurt is a great source of protein to add to the mix.

Skim milk, unsweetened soy milk, green tea, unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened Greek yogurt, water, and ice.

Superfoods

These are ingredients you can add to your smoothie that are known for their energy-boosting properties and vitamin/nutrient-rich profiles - protein, omega 3, vitamin E, fiber, etc.

Spirulina, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, flax seeds, leafy greens, avocado, mushroom powders, ginger, and acai.

Supplements

Supplements are a great way to add even more benefits to your smoothie, allowing you to add elements that are suited to your fitness goals. Here are some supplements we recommend form our own personal collection:

• JBN Matcha Boost

Utilizing the benefits of green tea, matcha boost is perfect for increasing energy and metabolism.

• JBN Confidence Isolate

Loaded with 25 grams of protein, JBN’s Confidence is perfect for weight loss and building muscle.

• JBN Whey Superior

This is 90% whey protein isolate blended with 80% whey protein concentrate, and delivers the perfect post-workout recovery drink, or early morning addition to your smoothie to stave off cravings, and keep you fuller longer.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg, explore JBN’s line of supplements, based on your fitness goals, and meet your objectives faster.

Smoothies are a great way to stay healthy, and an easy way to maintain a regular diet that incorporates all of the food groups. We hope these ideas help you to experiment with different combinations that keep you feeling good. All it takes is a blender!