One of the hottest trends in the world of health is smoothies, and it’s a fad that seems to be here to stay. But that’s a good thing, as shakes are one of the best ways to get important nutrients into your diet. By mixing ingredients, you can create something that packs a huge nutritional punch. Due to the consistency of the shakes, it is also easier to consume the same amount of fruits and vegetables that it would take you a while to consume in their solid form. What a lot of people also love about smoothies is their versatility. You can enjoy them for breakfast, snack or as a meal replacement. You can even make them heartier and create a smoothie bowl topped with delicious toppings. But as the shake gets more sophisticated, the ingredients get even more interesting. While you can still enjoy a smoothie with a few simple ingredients like fruit juice, spinach, a few apples, and bananas, some pretty weird stuff is now being added to the mix. Some of these items you would never guess as a good smoothie mix, but they are actually amazing for you and taste great too. If you’re ready to learn how to up your smoothie game, check out these weird but good things you should put in your smoothie.
Pumpkin
Just in time for the fall season, this addition to your smoothie will definitely give you all the fall vibes. You can use canned or even frozen cooked pumpkin, and it provides a creamy consistency and a nice batter to your smoothie. It is also full of vitamins A and C and potassium.
citrus peels
This is strange since many people never think of using citrus peels, but it turns out that we have been missing out on the benefits of adding them to 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
That? Are people really putting cauliflower in smoothies now? Yes, and it has 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 delicious fruits are full of vitamin C, E, K and B6. As far as flavor goes, if you’re more into creamy shakes, avocado brings a mild flavor to create a mix almost like a milk shake.
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 for reducing inflammation. Be sure to steam or roast them first before mixing.
peppers
Are you really ready to turn up the heat? Well, adding a pinch of cayenne is the perfect way to rev up your smoothie and your metabolism. Cayenne pepper is known to contain capsaicin, which can speed up metabolism. This supplement is the perfect way to start your day with a burst of extra energy.
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 and creamy texture, especially if you go the dairy-free route and avoid milk. Boil, roast, or steam your sweet potato before adding it to your smoothie.
