One of the most popular trends in the health world is the smoothie, and it is a craze that seems like it’s here to stay. But that is a good thing as smoothies are one of the best ways to incorporate important nutrients into your diet. By blending together ingredients, you can create something that packs a serious nutritional punch. Due to the consistency of smoothies, it’s also easier to consume the same amount of fruits and vegetables that would take you a while to tackle in their solid forms. What many people also love about smoothies is their versatility. You can enjoy them for breakfast, a snack or as a meal replacement. You can even make them more hearty and create a smoothie bowl topped with delicious ingredients. But as the smoothie grows more sophisticated, the ingredients become even more interesting. While you can still enjoy a smoothie with a few simple ingredients like fruit juice, spinach, a few apples and bananas, there are some pretty strange things being added to the mix now. Some of these items you would never guess as good smoothie mix ins, but they are actually amazing for you and taste pretty good too. If you are ready to learn how to take your smoothie game up a notch, check out this weird but good stuff you should be putting in your smoothie.
Pumpkin
Just in time for the fall season, this addition to your smoothie will definitely give you all the Autumn vibes. You can use pumpkin that’s cooked canned or even frozen, and it provides a nice smoothie, creamy consistency for your smoothie. It’s also full of vitamins A and C and potassium.
Citrus Peels
This is an odd one as many people never think to use citrus peels, but turns out, we’ve been missing out on the benefits of tossing them in our smoothies. They’re great for a kick of flavor and provide additional vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytochemicals like carotenoids, flavonoids and limonene.
Cauliflower
What? People are actually putting cauliflower in smoothies now? Yes, and it has some wonderful health benefits as a superfood packed with antioxidants, potassium, B vitamins and fiber. The great part is that its smooth texture makes it pretty undetectable in your smoothie.
Avocado
Another interesting ingredient to add to your smoothie is avocado. These delightful fruits are full of vitamin C, E, K and B6. As far as taste goes, if you like your smoothies more on the creamy side, avocado brings on the smooth taste to create an almost milk shake like blend.
Beets
This earthy powerhouse is a great addition to smoothies, as it has a mild flavor that complements other flavors well. They are full of antioxidants and betalain, which is great to reduce inflammation. Be sure to steam or roast them first before tossing in to blend.
Cayenne
Are you really ready to turn up the heat? Well, adding a dash of cayenne is the perfect way to kick your smoothie, and your metabolism, into high gear. Cayenne Pepper is known to contain capsaicin, which can boost your metabolism. This add in is the perfect way to start your day with an extra energy burst.
Sweet Potato
If you need even more fiber in your diet, sweet potato smoothies are your new best friend. They are also full of antioxidants and potassium. Sweet potato is another way to achieve that smooth creamy texture, especially if you are going the dairy free route and avoiding milk. Boil, roast or steam your sweet potato before adding to your smoothie.
