Nutrition

If you only had 5 ingredients for a healthy smoothie what would they be?

5 must-have ingredients for a healthy smoothie: fruit, spinach, peanut butter, protein powder, and almond milk!

If you only had five ingredients for a healthy smoothie, what would they be? Definitely I would start with fruit. That would be the base of my smoothie. Always is. Likely a banana and blueberries. I know that's two ingredients. We're going to count it here as one. I would then throw in a couple of handfuls, about two cups of spinach. I would add a healthy fat. My ingredient would likely be peanut butter. It's just a preference. Love it. It also gives me a little bit of protein. A good alternative or substitute in this space would be hemp seeds or chia seeds. Next, I would add in some protein powder and or some collagen peptides to increase the protein content, balance out my blood sugar levels, and have a well-rounded meal, really. I use smoothies often as a meal replacement. Finally, I would do almond milk or milk of choice. Cashew milk is really good here as well, and so is regular dairy milk or cow's milk. Hope you enjoy. I'll add a recipe below.

For a healthy smoothie, I would use banana, blueberries, spinach, peanut butter, protein powder or collagen peptides, and almond milk.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/mn6xwncpt85xfd1xyxyv.vtt

For a healthy smoothie with only five ingredients, I would start with a fruit base, such as a banana and blueberries combined. Next, I would add about two cups of spinach for added nutrients. To incorporate a healthy fat and some protein, my preference would be peanut butter, but alternatives like hemp seeds or chia seeds work well too. To increase the protein content and balance blood sugar levels, I would include some protein powder or collagen peptides. Finally, I would use almond milk or any milk of choice, such as cashew milk or regular dairy milk. Enjoy!

What are some ways you encourage people to start cooking?

Simple Steps to Spark Joy: Encouraging Cooking with Self-Efficacy and Fun!

What are some ways you encourage people to start cooking? First, and foremost, I always say start simple. You can build on things, right? But just like, Behavior, change, or have a change in any Avenue you want to start simple and go from there. So this often looks like finding easy recipes that utilize very basic, simple cooking techniques self-efficacy, is very important here in improve self-efficacy in the kitchen is what's going to have? You keep coming back to it, right? So sustainable Behavior change. JH start small build on that second. Always have fun find recipes that you enjoy. That bring you Joy. Maybe it looks like something from your favorite restaurant that you want to emulate at home. Maybe it's something you've always wanted to try whatever it is. Have fun cook with others put music on. If you're of age have a glass of wine cook over Zoom find ways to make it pleasurable to make it an act in form of self care.

Start simple, have fun, cook with others, make it pleasurable and use it as a form of self care.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/zy7g8m9gvazopgymjnfo.vtt

To encourage people to start cooking, I have a few strategies. First and foremost, I suggest starting simple. It's important to begin with basic recipes that utilize simple cooking techniques. This helps build self-efficacy in the kitchen, which is crucial for sustainable behavior change.

Secondly, I emphasize the importance of having fun while cooking. Find recipes that bring you joy, whether it's trying to recreate a dish from your favorite restaurant or experimenting with something new. Cooking can be a social activity as well, so cook with others, play music, or even have a virtual cooking session over Zoom. Making it pleasurable and treating it as an act of self-care can make the experience more enjoyable and motivating.

By starting small, building confidence, and finding joy in the process, people can be encouraged to embark on their cooking journey.

What is the most important meal of the day?

Start your day right: The importance of breakfast and setting the tone for success

What is the most important meal of the day? Without having additional information about a client's schedule, needs, preferences, lifestyle, and whatnot, as a blanket statement, I am going to say breakfast. Generally, the way you start a day is how you finish a day. So eating within an hour and 90 minutes of waking is the general recommendation I often have or share with my clients. Doing this allows you to activate your metabolism, to manage your hunger hormones, to regulate your blood sugar levels throughout the day. It also impacts what you eat, how you eat, when you eat, and why you eat for the remainder of the day. So it really sets the tone. Sometimes this can be a challenge if people aren't used to eating breakfast, if they don't wake with hunger, totally okay. Start with something small. Maybe that looks like a couple bites of yogurt to get started and whatnot, and you can build on it, right? Your body will adjust. It will take some time. You're likely challenging or combating habits, patterns, beliefs that you've ingrained or have been instilled in your life for some time. So definitely get up, make something for yourself, whether it's a smoothie, a yogurt bowl, eggs, whatever it may be, whatever you have time for. But really set that tone, make that intention or have that intention, and get nourishment. And you also need the calories. You need the energy. You have a busy life, I'm very sure of it. We all do. So I hope this helps. Bon appetito.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Start with something small and build on it as you adjust to eating breakfast. This will help set the tone for the rest of the day and give you the energy and calories you need to get through your busy life.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/wqxs9trrg0sdyxa35vya.vtt

The most important meal of the day, without considering individual circumstances, is generally breakfast. Starting the day with a meal within an hour or 90 minutes of waking can activate your metabolism, manage hunger hormones, and regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day. It sets the tone for what, when, and how you eat for the rest of the day.

If you're not accustomed to eating breakfast or don't wake up hungry, it's okay to start with something small, like a few bites of yogurt, and gradually build from there. It may take time for your body to adjust to this new habit and challenge ingrained beliefs or patterns.

Preparing a nourishing meal, whether it's a smoothie, yogurt bowl, or eggs, is important to provide your body with the calories and energy it needs for your busy life. Starting the day with intention and nourishment can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Bon appétit!

What meal kit service would you recommend for a single adult? 

Thistle: The Perfect Meal Kit Service for Single Adults

What meal kit service would you recommend for a single adult? My favorite meal kit service is one that is fully cooked and ready to eat. It is thistle. It's very plant-based or plant-forward. You can also have options or add protein, animal-based protein, to a variety of their delivery options. But it's a great way, baseline, to increase your vegetable intake, focus on plant-based proteins, have a high-fiber diet, and eat well throughout the day. They offer, I believe, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and also desserts. And yeah, it's been my favorite to date.

I recommend Sole, a fully cooked and ready to eat meal kit service that focuses on plant-based proteins and high fiber meals. They offer breakfast, lunch, snacks, and desserts.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/ffsmxdcwu3zph68y9zzp.vtt

For a single adult, I highly recommend Thistle as a meal kit service. What sets it apart is that the meals are fully cooked and ready to eat. Thistle primarily focuses on plant-based or plant-forward options, but you can also add animal-based protein to many of their delivery choices. It's an excellent way to increase your vegetable intake, prioritize plant-based proteins, and maintain a high-fiber diet throughout the day. Thistle offers a range of options including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and desserts. Personally, it has been my favorite meal kit service so far.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Physician disclaimer

Kelly Powers, MA, RD answers your Nutrition questions. See all the advice Kelly Powers, MA, RD has and get answers to your own Nutrition questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Kelly is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the creator of Weeknight Dinners—a weekly meal plan program that utilizes the batch cooking method, allowing people to prepare meals in less than 10 minutes when they’re pressed for time. She helps busy people feel more confident in the kitchen while improving their relationship with food and also provides 1:1 coaching to help individuals and families find more ease and joy in cooking and eating.