When Is a Smoothie a Snack, and When Is It a Meal?
Smoothies are so much more than a drink, these days. They’ve become meals just as much as slurpable snacks, taking the place of our cereal bowl at breakfast or even our salad at lunch.
But smoothies aren’t one-size-fits-all. That 8 a.m. smoothie needs to look a whole lot different than that 3 p.m. smoothie if you want it to keep you satisfied until lunch. So what makes a smoothie a snack, and what makes it a whole meal? Let’s take a look.
Your Smoothie as Meal
In order for a smoothie to qualify as a meal, it needs a few extra hearty ingredients — simply fruit blended with coconut water is not going to cut it.
- Grab at least two high-protein additions like Greek yogurt, tofu, nut butter, and chia seeds.
- A fiber boost helps too. Try adding oats, dates, or even pumpkin purée.
- And don’t forget a bit of healthy fat, like a little coconut oil, avocado, or ground flax seeds.
Read more: 5 Ways to Make Smoothies More Filling
3 Meal-Worthy Smoothies
Your Smoothie as Snack
Snack smoothies should be on the lighter side. Throw in those fruits and vegetables, along with some liquid, and leave it at that or make it a little more satisfying with the addition of yogurt or a spoonful of peanut butter. There’s no needs to stack the blender high with tons of protein- and fiber-rich additions, though — a snack smoothie is more of an easy sipper than a meal in a glass.
Related: How I Stock My Smoothie Drawer
3 Snack-Worthy Smoothies
What do you add to your smoothies to make them feel like a meal? What do you add to make them better for snacking?