- Looking for foods that look and smell good, are colorful, and increase your appetite during your before, and after your treatments–well, smoothies check all of the boxes.
- They are also easy to include when you are having smaller, more frequent meals.
- They can be put in glass or plastic cups and sipped with a straw over a period of time.
- They can be an excellent source of protein. You can easily add yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu or protein powders.
- Adding healthy fats and proteins can keep you feeling full longer and help to combat nausea.
- They can also help you to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Spinach, kale and other leafy greens can be added without changing the taste. Fruit can be purchased in season and frozen or purchased frozen to add flavor, antioxidants, and phytocompounds.
- Since chilled or cold foods might be better tolerated during treatments, smoothies can be put in a insulated cup and and kept cold until you are finished.
- Smoothies also count towards your fluid intake, and help to keep you hydrated.
- They can be prepared quickly if you are tired or low on energy and provide almost as much calories, protein and healthy fats as a full meal.
Try some of the single-serve recipes below. Be sure to add your liquid first for easier blending. Use frozen fruit in place of ice to make the drinks cold without diluting the flavor. Add spinach, kale, beet greens, or microgreens to add a serving of vegetables.
Experiment with ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon to enhance the taste.
Creamy Peanut butter and banana smoothie
8 ounces almond milk
½ frozen banana
2 T. peanut butter powder
¼ c. Greek yogurt
Calories 181; fat 5g; carbohydrate 18g; protein 13g and 3 grams of fiber
Chocolate Avocado smoothie
1 cup almond milk
½ frozen banana
¼ avocado
1 T. almond butter
2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
2-3 dates
1 tsp chia seeds
Calories 379, fat 25g; carbohydrate 38g; protein 9g and 14 grams of fiber
Coconut Citrus smoothie
8 ounces coconut milk
½ cup pineapple chunks
1/2 mango
1/3 banana
Calories 190; fat 4g; carbohydrate 37g; protein 1g and 3 grams of fiber
Pumpkin smoothie
1 c. almond milk
⅓ cup pumpkin puree
½ frozen banana or 4-5 ice cubes
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
A dash of nutmeg
Calories 239; fat 3g; carbohydrate 28g; protein 23g and 9 grams of fiber
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