5 Key Ingredients for Hormone-Balancing Breakfast Smoothies
Looking for an easy, healthy way to start your morning? Try a nutrient-packed breakfast smoothie! Eating the right foods is crucial when you’re working to maintain healthy hormone levels, and the right smoothie can help you do just that.
Of course, many store-bought smoothies are loaded with sugar, which can wreak havoc on hormones. If you have a blender, it only takes a minute to skip the sugar and prepare your own delicious, power-packed smoothies at home.
The key to a healthy smoothie is the right balance of nutrients. These five key ingredients will help balance your hormones, boost your energy and keep you feeling fuller longer.
Blend These 5 Ingredients into Your Morning Smoothie
When blending a healthy, hormone-balancing smoothie, keep in mind the Fab Five ingredients: protein, fiber, healthy fats, greens, and non-dairy milk. Combining these together helps to elongate your blood sugar curve and keep you feeling fuller longer–helping you resist the urge to reach for those mid-morning snacks.
1. Protein
Protein is an important part of any diet. It builds and repairs muscles and tissues, and helps to make hormones and enzymes. High-Quality protein powder is a great base for any breakfast smoothie and helps to jumpstart your day and keep you full until lunch rolls around.
If your diet includes dairy, an organic whey protein powder is ideal as it offers all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.
Egg white protein powder is also a great option. Or, for a plant-based option, combine pea protein with a hemp or rice protein to round out the amino acid profile.
2. Fiber
Fiber plays an important role in gut health, and according to some studies, it may also help regulate hormones such as insulin and help maintain a healthy weight.
Chia seeds, flax seeds, and acacia fiber are excellent ways to add fiber to your morning smoothies. You can also add in ground almonds or oatmeal for a fiber boost. Aim for 1-2 tablespoons.
If you like to add fruit to your smoothies, opt for fiber-rich fruits such as pears, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and kiwi. Try to keep fruits to a ½ cup or less.
3. Healthy Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats give you energy, help balance blood sugar and insulin levels and raise good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol. They can even help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Those chia, hemp, and flax seeds not only count as your fiber source, but they’re also rich in healthy fats!
Adding ¼ of a fresh avocado to your smoothie provides healthy fats as well as giving your smoothie a thick, creamy texture. Coconut oil is a great option, too. When you’re ready to change up the flavor, try a couple of tablespoons of almond, walnut or cashew butter.
4. Greens
Greens like spinach, kale, mustard greens, and swiss chard are low in calories and high in folate, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them one of the healthiest things you can add to your daily smoothie. They can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, burn fat and more.
Spinach is a favorite for adding to smoothies, and it’s high in magnesium and iron, which are essential for healthy hormones. Swiss chard is high in antioxidants, while mustard and collard greens can help balance estrogen.
Fresh herbs like basil and dandelion greens are a great addition as well!
5. Non-Dairy Milk
Rounding out your smoothie with almond or coconut milk adds calcium and healthy fats while providing optimal texture and smoothness for a drinkable meal.
Try These Hormone-Balancing Smoothie Recipes
Need help getting started? These 3 smoothie recipes are great options for boosting energy, maintaining healthy hormone levels and helping you stay full until lunch.