With the start of a new year, many of us are looking for ways to eat right and get in shape. But adjusting to a new diet can be challenging, especially for those who aren’t sure where to start. Making a sudden and dramatic shift to what you eat isn’t the smartest idea, even though some may think that it’s the only route—a complete overhaul of the contents in your pantry and fridge could cause you to crash and revert back to your old eating habits. Steadily and gradually incorporating healthy meals into your diet will help you love what you’re eating and get you closer to your goal of a new year, new you.
So, where do you begin? Well, as students, we tend to have busy schedules and don’t always have time to cook healthy meals. A solution to this problem for me is a smoothie. I mean, really, what’s easier and quicker than throwing a bunch of ingredients in a blender and turning it on? All you really need is a maximum of 10 minutes, and you’ve got a nutritious and delicious breakfast or snack that you can take with you on your way to class, the gym, the library, or more. Here are three of my favourite smoothie recipes that are sure to leave you satiated and energized for the day!
Green Goodness
Ingredients
- One large handful of mixed spring greens, kale, or spinach
- One and a half cups of fresh pineapple cubes
- One teaspoon of chia seeds
- One teaspoon of ginger (fresh or bottled)
- Two teaspoons of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- One cup of water
- Two or three ice cubes
A Berry Good Choice
Ingredients
- One cup of mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- One cup of water
- One teaspoon of chia seeds
- A handful of pitted dates (four or five)
- One tablespoon of protein powder (optional, I usually add this if I’m going to the gym; any vegan or plant-based powder works)
Goin’ Bananas
Ingredients
- One banana
- One cup of non-dairy milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
- One tablespoon of peanut butter
- One teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- Two or three ice cubes
Simply blend and enjoy!
