How to make healthy smoothies on a budget

Whether you’re interested in starting off your day right or finding a healthy way to get through a midday slump, a smoothie is the perfect solution

Drinking smoothies is a great idea in theory. And once you start thinking about it, it can be hard to know where to start. What are the healthiest ingredients to include? Should you go fresh, or frozen? When was the last time you saw your blender? 

Are you ready to take the stress away from smoothie-making? Creating healthy smoothies is easier than you might think, even while on a budget.

Smoothie Formulas

The great thing about smoothies is that you don’t have to follow a strict recipe – instead, you can go with a formula or a general idea of what you want to include. 

One of the healthiest (and cheapest) smoothies you can make is a green smoothie. 

The formula is simple…

Fill half of your blender with fruit and the other with smoothie-friendly vegetables (like spinach, kale, or spring mix). Leave about a one-inch gap at the top for optimal blending. 

Bananas are a great choice for smoothies because they create a rich and creamy texture. Plus, they’re affordable. You can add berries in with your banana – or, if you’re not a fan of berries, you can substitute them with peaches, pineapples, or mangoes. 

You’ll need your liquid base after the vegetables and fruit. A few popular choices include yogurt, almond milk, or oat milk. Whatever liquid you choose, make sure it covers the fruit. From there, you can throw in any additives. From protein powder or flaxseed to raw oats and more, you can’t go wrong when it comes to creating great flavors.

The last step is blending. From there, all you’ve got to do is drink up and enjoy. 

Budget-Friendly Ingredients 

Here’s how you can save a little extra when shopping for fruits and vegetables for your smoothies. 

Greens 

• Buy frozen, not fresh, as frozen typically costs less. You can also freeze your own! 
• Buy a lot when it’s in season. 
• Expand your horizons beyond spinach and kale (swiss chard, beet greens, zucchini, summer squash, frozen broccoli, and avocado work just as well).

Fruit

• Buy a lot when it’s in season or on sale, then freeze it. 
• Pick locally. 
• Price shop before you buy.

Time to Blend

Now that you’ve got a good idea of what budget-friendly smoothies (and their ingredients) look like, there’s only one thing left to do: Try them out for yourself to see what you like best.