how to turn your daily harvest smoothie into an actual meal
It’s no wonder breakfast is often skipped by many. But, with the help of Daily Harvest smoothies, many people have altered their busy mornings to incorporate a quick, blended meal on the go.
It is easy? Yes. It is convenient? Yes. Is it balanced? No. What are the benefits of making a daily harvest smoothie?
Daily Harvest Smoothies are a great way to get a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables in your diet. They're also an easy way to pack in some protein and healthy fats. Smoothies can be a healthy, refreshing breakfast, post-workout snack, or midday pick-me-up. Another benefit of making a daily harvest smoothie is that you can customize it with whatever ingredients you want, so it never gets boring! You can make it more nutritious by adding additional ingredients, so it becomes an actual meal when you need more than a snack. These smoothies can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until it's time to drink them – perfect for those mornings when you don't have time to eat breakfast before heading out for the day. Or you can dump them in the blender, add your enhancements, and whip them up in no time!
Though some Daily Harvest smoothies can work as a meal replacement, most of them are missing the energy and key nutrients needed to qualify as an actual meal. A lot of them are essentially fruit and water, which will cause a spike in your blood sugar. They lack protein and healthy fat, so they also won’t keep you satiated or energized for long.
But they’re not marketed this way. So it’s no wonder you likely toss them in the blender, throw in some liquid, blend them up and carry on with your day thinking you’re really taking care of your body. And, don’t get me wrong, you are. But, with a few slight tweaks, you can turn these low-calorie smoothies into well-balanced meals that’ll carry you through to your busy morning.
These packaged smoothies are super convenient and a great starting point. Let’s take a look at how you can make them better.
Daily Harvest Smoothie Additions
I've linked brands I recommend.
Protein powder (ritual, four sigmatic, tone it up)
Peanut butter (look for one with just nuts and salt — no added oils or sugars)
Almond milk (or milk of choice; look for unsweetened)
Ready to blend up your own delicious and nutritious smoothies?
Smoothie School is here — get your copy now!
Now, let’s see how we can use these additions in a few Daily Harvest smoothies.
Add the following ingredients to turn these convenient smoothies into a balanced and substantial meal.
Strawberry and Peach
What's missing? Protein and fat. Carbs are also a little low here.
How to supplement:
1 scoop of protein powder
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
½ small banana
1 handful spinach
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
Additions above equate to a smoothie that contains — 424 calories, 51g CHO, 22g PRO, and 17g FAT.
Tart Cherry and Raspberry
What's missing? Protein and fat. Carbs are also a little low here.
How to supplement:
1 scoop of protein powder OR 1 scoop of collagen (or both post-workout)
1 Tbsp almond butter
1 Tbsp chia seeds
½ small banana
1 handful spinach
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
Passion Fruit and Pineapple
What's missing? Protein. Carbs are also a little low here.
How to supplement:
1 scoop of protein powder OR 1 scoop of collagen (or both post-workout)
½ small banana
1 handful of spinach
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
Mango and Papaya
What's missing? Protein and fat. Carbs are also a little low here.
How to supplement:
1 scoop of protein powder OR 1 scoop of collagen (or both post-workout)
Pick 2 (1 Tbsp nut butter, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 Tbsp hemp seeds)
½ small banana
1 handful spinach
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
Spiced Pear and Cranberry
What's missing? Protein and fat. Carbs are also a little low here.
How to supplement:
1 scoop of protein powder OR 1 scoop of collagen (or both post-workout)
Pick 2 (1 Tbsp nut butter, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 Tbsp hemp seeds)
½ small banana
1 handful spinach
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I can’t afford Daily Harvest, can I still enjoy a quick smoothie in the morning?
A: You can save yourself quite a bit of money by prepping a handful of smoothies on Sunday for the week. Use a glass mason jar or Tupperware that you can stash in the freezer. Start with ½ banana, about 1 cup of fruit, and a large handful of spinach. Simply pull it out and add in your additions the way you would with a Daily Harvest smoothie, blend it up, and you’re good to go!
Q: Why is eating breakfast important?
A: Eating breakfast within an hour of waking provides your body and mind with the energy it needs to function. It also activates your metabolism and helps you control your hunger hormones throughout the day. If you’d like to know more about the importance of eating breakfast, check out this post on breakfast here.
Q: What’s your go-to smoothie?
A: Right now, it’s my blueberry bliss smoothie. I’ve made it almost every day for the last year — I love it! It has ½ banana, ¾ cup wild blueberries, 1 big handful of spinach, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, 1 Tbsp hemp seeds, 1 scoop vanilla protein, 1 scoop collagen, a few dashes of cinnamon, and 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
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This post was written by Kelly Powers, MA, RDN. Kelly is a Registered Dietitian and Culinary Nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to nutrition and health. She is a recipe developer with a food blog highlighting whole foods, simple recipes, and her life in San Francisco. Kelly is the creator of Weeknight Dinners, a weekly meal plan program that helps users get back in the kitchen and feed themselves well. Kelly specializes in the Mediterranean diet and sustainable behavior change, helping her clients reach their health goals while improving their relationship with food.