Featured Smoothie: Banana Berry

A healthy lifestyle starts first-thing in the morning. Breakfast is the perfect time to incorporate as many vitamins and minerals as possible in order to jumpstart your day. If you skip breakfast, you’ll be more susceptible to the temptation of fast food or equally unhealthy choices come lunchtime. Giving your body plenty of fiber, vitamins, and protein before you leave your house in the morning is a sure way to offset cravings later in the day.

Time is understandably an issue in the morning. Your routine is already packed with an early workout, urgent emails, kids’ school schedules, and your beloved sleep cycle. Finding time to make yourself a nutritious breakfast can be tricky. I highly recommend opting for a breakfast smoothie like the one below. Not only will it keep you full until lunch, but it will rev up your metabolism and help you burn calories throughout the day.

Banana Berry Smoothie

1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)

1 whole banana (frozen is preferred)

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 scoop of soy or whey protein powder

3/4 cup milk (dairy, soy, or almond)

1 small bunch of fresh spinach or kale

The fruit offers an ample serving of antioxidants to begin your day, along with the kale or spinach. Chia seeds contain a whopping 11 grams of fiber, which is approximately 40% of your daily value, and 4.5 grams of protein. The protein powder in this smoothie is optional, but highly recommended, especially if you are just completing a workout or beginning one later. Fiber and protein keep you fuller longer, so by the time lunch comes around, you’ll be able to make smart choices without the interruption of hunger or cravings.

If you use a fresh banana in this smoothie, make sure you add ice so that the mix is still nice and cold.

Breakfast is just one meal of the day, so to create a full meal plan, consult with me at Lifestyle Chiropractic. I can help guide you through a nutrition plan that will help you reach your weight loss or training goals. Have a healthy start to your weekend!

Best of health,