Food & Drink

3 Meal Replacement Smoothies to Make When You’re Too Busy to Cook

You’re busy. We totally get it. But being busy should not get in the way of fueling your body with wholesome, nutritious food. In fact, being busy is when you need proper nutrition the most!

I’m in the business of making eating healthy simple, delicious, and exciting. This means I’ve spent years developing simple recipes and meal plans that actually make it fun to eat well. (Yes, it’s possible.)

I truly believe that nourishing your body with real food should be just as exciting as ordering a meal at your favorite restaurant.

But let’s be real: As much as we’d love to, we can’t always make the time to cook up a yummy masterpiece. But what we can always make time for is throwing a few simple ingredients into a blender and pouring ourselves a glass of something that’s ultra nutritious and tastier than a milkshake.

Over the years I’ve come to learn that when time is limited, smoothies always make the best meal replacements. But wait—I’m not talking about those fruit only smoothies loaded with sugar and carbs. I’m talking about nutrient dense smoothies that pack a solid dose of protein, fat and fiber to keep us feeling full and energized for hours on end. These smoothies come together in minutes, can be taken on the go and made up in advance. What’s not to love?

Here are three smoothie recipes that make awesome meal replacements. They all take less than five minutes to make, are super delicious and produce two servings so you can store one in the fridge for later. Go ahead and bookmark this page now because this is one you will always come back to!

1. The Ultimate Post-Workout Green Smoothie 

Ingredients:
– 2 servings vanilla protein powder
– 2 cups cold water
– ½ avocado
– 1 frozen banana
– 2 cups baby spinach
– 1 tbsp ground flax seed

Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Divide between glasses and enjoy!

Why I Love It: This one packs a ton of greens and fiber but still has the creamy consistency and delicious taste of a milkshake.

2. Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie 

Ingredients: 
– ½ cup quick oats
– ¼ cup all natural peanut butter
– 1 frozen banana
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
– 3 tbsp hemp seeds

Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Divide between glasses and enjoy!

Why I Love It: This one is delicious, thick, and oh-so-satisfying! The oats give you an energizing boost of complex carbs and the peanut butter and hemp seeds help you fill up on healthy fats and protein.

3. Orange Immunity Booster Smoothie 

Ingredients:
– 1 cup pureed pumpkin
– ½ tsp turmeric
– ¼ tsp cinnamon
– ½ tbsp grated ginger
– 1 tbsp ground flax seed
– 1 cup unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk
– 2 navel oranges, peeled and sectioned
– 1 tbsp raw organic honey
– 2 servings vanilla protein powder

Directions: Add all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Divide between glasses and enjoy!

Why I Love It: Whether you are in the midst of a cold, feel one coming on, or just trying to avoid it all together, this smoothie will give you the superpowers to fight it off. Plus, it tastes like an orange creamsicle!

What are your favorite ingredients to throw into a smoothie? Share with us in the comments below!