Everyday Tips for Healthy Living: Replace a Meal a Day with a Super-Green Smoothie

Shrek Shake and Fruit with Nut Cream

Drinking a smoothie is a great way to “check off the box” for one whole meal, without having to think about meal planning, cooking and clean-up.

BUT… if you’re going to use a smoothie as a meal replacement, it really has to be complete and balanced, other wise you’ll never last. Good quality protein powder is a must: If you can get your hands on a professional brand from a nutritionist or functional medicine doctor, this is preferred over store-bought brands. It should have at least 15 grams of good quality protein per serving.

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Your smoothie should also be green. Use a green powder and don’t be shy about adding fresh green veggies to the mix; they get disguised pretty easily. Triple-green it by adding fresh mint. You’ll also want some good fat in there to maintain energy for the long haul: Nuts, avocado and coconut oil are great solutions.

Carbohydrate will give you instant energy and is needed to feel satisfied in the short-term. Choose wisely and power-pack-it with frozen berries that are high in anti-oxidants rather than bananas, which are extra high in sugar. Use liquid stevia extract or xylitol for low-impact sweetness.