Hungry for something healthy but don’t have time to cook? This Strawberry Banana Smoothie will have you filled up and out the door in no time.
Something happened to the way I make smoothies. When I first started making them as a meal replacement (usually for breakfast) or a snack, they were simple concoctions that involved only a handful of ingredients. They took little time to make. In fact, I found washing the blender took longer than actually making the smoothie!
Then, something changed. I got overzealous. Soon, I was rummaging through my fridge and pantry for anything that COULD go in my smoothie instead of using only those ingredients that SHOULD go in it. Yes, I was just like the scientists at Jurassic Park.
Granola, eggs, peanut butter, kale, spinach, yogurt, powders of any variety… it all went in there. My tastebuds could not make sense of what was going down my throat. I just kept telling myself that it was healthy. And it was. But I can’t say I was enjoying the mishmash of flavors. Not only that, but the smoothies were taking so long to make that I may as well have taken the time to make a proper meal.
Well, this recipe is a return to those simpler times. It uses only four ingredients (discounting ice and the garnish) and can be blended together in a few minutes. Plus, the strawberry and banana taste great together, while the milk adds a creamy texture. It’s simple and easy — just what you need in a snack or easy breakfast!
Is This Strawberry Banana Smoothie Healthy?
You bet it is. The fruit will give you energy, as well as a variety of nutrients. Strawberries are a rich source of fiber, vitamin C, and other antioxidants, while bananas contain even more fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6. The almond milk contains vitamin D and calcium, and is a great dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk. The recipe does contain 1 tablespoon of sugar in the form of honey or maple syrup, but these are all-natural sweeteners that have a lower glycemic index than refined sugar.
Which Other Fruit Combinations Do You Recommend?
If banana and strawberry aren’t your thing (or you simply don’t have any), there are so many other fruit combinations to try.
Berries: Ramp up your antioxidants with a medley of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries (and more strawberries, if you like).
Tropical: Use fresh mango and pineapple and pretend you’re on a beach.
Go Green: If you want to rely solely on the honey/syrup for your smoothie’s sweetness and forgo the fruit, use spinach and/or kale.
Citrus: Why go green when you can go orange? Use oranges, clementines, and/or tangerines with a squirt of lemon or lime juice.
Apple Pie: Chop up some apples and add a dash of cinnamon for a taste just like Grandma used to make.
How To Make Ahead And Store
If you make more smoothie than you can drink in a narrow window of time, pour the leftovers into a mason jar with a lid and store it in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, take the jar out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. It will be right there waiting for you first thing in the morning!
Serving Suggestions
This smoothie is great by itself, but you could always turn it into a Smoothie Bowl and top it with some Protein Granola. For even more simple smoothie recipes, try this Kiwi Smoothie, Raspberry Smoothie, and Blueberry Spinach Smoothie.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries hulled
- 1 ripe banana preferably frozen
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the fresh strawberries, banana, unsweetened almond milk, honey or pure maple syrup, and ice cubes.
- Blend on high speed until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Taste the smoothie and, if desired, add a little more honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness. Blend again if additional sweetener is added.
- Pour the smoothie into two glasses and garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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