Looking to sweeten your smoothie, but want to keep your smoothie healthy? Many people do not realize that natural ingredients can give smoothies a sweet taste without adding lots of sugar.
Many ingredients in your cupboard right now can be used as a sweetener, such as honey, dried fruit, or maple syrup. These alternatives provide you with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they are less likely to give you a sugar crash.
Instead of reaching for the sugar or artificial sweeteners, try these three ways to sweeten your smoothies and keep your smoothies healthy.
1. Sweeten Your Smoothie with Dried Fruit
Dates
The soft and squishy consistency of dates makes them super easy to blend into any smoothie. Medjool dates provide you with minerals and improve digestion, all while satisfying your sweet tooth. It only takes two or three dates to alter the taste of your smoothie completely. Dates taste amazing in SmoothieBox’s Berry and Orange Smoothie mixes. Try dried dates in your smoothie with this Berry Granola Crunch Smoothie Recipe »
Goji Berries
Goji berries are a sweet superfood from Asia that provides countless benefits. Filled with vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, they are a perfect topping for any smoothie bowl or natural sweetener. Goji Berries go well with SmoothieBox’s Berry and Green Smoothie mixes.
Prunes
Prunes are soft, sweet, and packed full of fiber. They are an excellent addition to your daily smoothie, and it only takes two or three prunes to add just enough sweetness to the taste. Prunes go well in SmoothieBox’s Green and Berry Smoothie flavors.
Figs
Dried figs are full of flavor and fiber and delicious in a smoothie! They are soft enough to blend smooth, but be aware that the seeds can add a bit of texture to the smoothie. Figs can quickly overpower with flavor, so it only takes one or two to sweeten your smoothie. They taste amazing in SmoothieBox’s Chocolate and Green Smoothie mixes.
2. Sweeten Your Smoothie with Natural Sweeteners
Honey
Natural honey contains good bacteria and is proven to have medicinal properties when harvested raw and locally. It mixes well with any smoothie flavor and is a very popular natural sweetener. Try honey in this Berry Mango Smoothie Recipe »
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup comes directly from a maple tree and is filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, while simultaneously being super sweet. Try maple syrup in this Pecan Pie Smoothie Recipe »
Molasses
Molasses is a byproduct of the processing of sugar cane and beet sugar. It is filled with calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and an incredibly high amount of antioxidants. The thick gooey texture of molasses can make a huge difference to your everyday smoothie.
3. Trick Your Tastebuds With Flavor
An alternative to sweetening your smoothie can be to trick your taste buds with flavor!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a delicious addition to all of SmoothieBox’s Smoothie flavors. It’s particularly delicious in the Orange and Green Smoothie mixes. Some early research shows that cinnamon can have some health benefits, but the flavor benefits are undeniable. It can trick your tastebuds into not noticing the bitterness of a vegetable. Try adding cinnamon to your smoothie with this Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe »
Almond Butter
Adding a protein like almond butter to your smoothie is an excellent way to add more protein to your smoothies and make your smoothies more filling. The toasty, nutty flavor of almond butter can also play tricks on your tastebuds. It’s a super healthy way to flavor your smoothie without adding sugar. Try adding almond butter to your smoothie with this Chocolate Almond Smoothie Recipe »
Vanilla Extract
Although vanilla extract does not dominate the flavor, it is one of the best additions to smoothies to complement the other ingredients. Adding vanilla extract to this Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe highlights and smooths out the citrus flavor of the oranges. Vanilla extract goes particularly well with SmoothieBox’s Chocolate Smoothie mix, helping to bring out the chocolatey flavor. Try it in this Pumpkin Mocha Smoothie Recipe »
Delicious smoothies do not have to be a treat! When you sweeten smoothies in moderation or flavor them with sweet alternatives, delicious smoothies can be a super healthy everyday meal!
Easy, Organic, Healthy Smoothies
No more shopping, prep work, or wilted produce! SmoothieBox Smoothies are delivered to your door, ready in 60 seconds, and made from whole, organic ingredients. Whether you smoothie for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, SmoothieBox makes it easy to develop and maintain healthy habits. Focusing on consuming the right foods can have you living better, thinking sharper, and feeling better.
References
Andricks, J. (2017, June 14) 5 Alternative Sweeteners For Your Smoothies.
How To Naturally Sweeten Your Smoothie. (2016, August 10) GreenBlender.com
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