Smoothies are more fashionable than ever. But why not stop looking at them on Instagram and prepare them yourself? Take note of these tips to prepare the perfect smoothie in just 3 steps.

1. Liquid Base

Start by adding the liquid base. This can be filtered water, coconut water, fresh juice, milk or non-dairy alternatives and even green tea. It's good to experiment.

2. Fruits & Veggies

One of the easiest ways to eat more fruits and vegetables is to add them into smoothies, and in this way, you give your smoothie the flavour and texture that you want.

Practically any fruit or vegetable can be converted into a smoothie, and utilising different combinations of these can make your blends even more enticing.

Fruits and vegetables are known to be rich sources of vitamins and minerals. Including them in your diet is also a great way to get the fibre that you need in a palatable and easy-to-digest form.

Blended veggies are a great way to add thickness, flavour, and a wallop of nutrition to any smoothie. From vegetable-only smoothies to fruit combos and protein shakes, veggies add a fresh dynamic and pack in some extra health benefits, too.

There are tons of great veggies that add nutrition to smoothies, without altering the taste. Leafy greens are a great start to vegetables in your smoothie.

3. Healthy Fats

After including the ingredients above, you add the natural healthy fats to complete your smoothie:

Avocados
You may be wondering what makes avocado one of the favourite foods of health enthusiasts everywhere. Avocados have a reputation for being extraordinarily healthy and great for smoothies and shakes. Full of phytonutrients and healthy fats, they are great for helping to eliminate toxins and inflammation inside your tissue. They are also an excellent source of vitamins C, E, K, and even B-6, and contain riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, and folate.

Nut Butters
Nut butters are a great source of protein and provide a delicious flavour in smoothies. Nut butters are one of those ingredients that kick smoothies up a notch, making them taste even more delicious. They add depth, creaminess, and nuttiness, as well as an extra boost of nutrients to any smoothie or smoothie bowl. There are many nut butters available on the market including almond, peanut, cashew, macadamia and hazelnut, among others. If you suffer from nut allergies, sunflower seed butter is a tasty nut-free alternative.

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil belongs to the superfood family thanks to its impressive health benefits in cooking, baking, and in smoothies. This healthy fat actually helps your body process the carbs from that smoothie you just drank, for longer-lasting energy without the sugar crash. Coconut oil has been shown to support healthy cholesterol levels, memory and brain function, as well as healthy immune function.

MCT Oil
MCT Oil is a great supplement to add to your juices and smoothies on a daily basis, with the main benefits focussed on the brain. MCT stands for “medium-chain triglycerides” which are a form of saturated fatty acid found in coconut oil. They are composed of caprylic and capric fatty acids. Around 62 to 65% of the fat in coconut oil comes from MCTs.

Natural Yogurt
High in protein with a delicious creamy texture, natural yoghurt is the ideal backbone for any smoothie. Perfect to promote digestion and support healthy immune function, as well as good bone structure and even stable moods. For those with dairy allergies, non-dairy alternatives are easily found on the market these days and offer the same benefits.