UPGRADE YOUR SMOOTHIE

Elevate the contents of your blender with these nutrition hacks

KAPOW WITH POWDER

If you’re chasing the gains, protein powder can take your smoothie from bronze to gold. Killiner suggests Sunwarrior’s range made from sprouted brown rice. But she warns that going too large on protein can be detrimental, as the body is likely to store it as fat. ‘My recommendation would always be to take protein as a whole food alongside the drink where possible.’

BLEND LIKE A BODYBUILDER

If bananas are your smoothie staple but you want to cut the carb and natural-sugar content, swap half for courgette. ‘Bodybuilders often use frozen courgette in smoothies to get the same texture as frozen banana, and it doesn’t affect the flavour,’ says Spendlove.

BLITZ THE FAT

‘If you’re mindful of your weight, include just one or two healthy-fat options,’ advises Spendlove. ‘Nuts, nut butters, avocado and coconut milk are very nutritious, but very energy-dense – half an avocado can contain 150 to 200 calories. Add to that nuts, seeds and a high-energy alt-milk, and a smoothie can contain 700 to 800 calories – the same as a decent-sized meal.’ Noted.