Coffee: it’s an absolute morning must-have for many of us. Luckily, coffee has a lot of health benefits, as long as you avoid the sugar and artificial creamers!
If you love your coffee, and are looking for some great breakfast ideas, give coffee smoothies a try! A coffee smoothie combines the might of coffee with other superfoods to give your body and mind some serious nourishment.
You can enjoy a coffee smoothie along with your healthy breakfast, as a pre-workout drink, or whenever you need a healthy snack. For a light breakfast, a coffee smoothie may be all you need, as long as you add enough protein-rich ingredients.Â
The following are just three reasons to break out the blender and add some coffee to your smoothies!
Note: To ensure you get the most out of your coffee, while doing your part to help people and the environment, always choose organic, fair-trade, bird-friendly coffee.
They give you energy
Coffee is most famous for providing that much-needed burst of energy in the morning. If you add other energy-boosting ingredients to the mix, you may find yourself feeling revved up well into the afternoon!
The yogurt and chia seeds in this recipe provide protein (the latter provides essential omega-3 fatty acids), the banana and raspberries provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, and the coconut oil supercharges the energy quotient of this smoothie to the fullest.
Ingredients:Â
- 1 cup cold coffee
- ½ cup full-fat organic yogurt
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup raspberries
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon organic virgin coconut oilÂ
Simply blend and enjoy! If you wish, add ice to desired consistency. If you’d like your smoothie a bit sweeter, add a bit of raw honey, or organic coconut crystals, to the mix.Â
They help you poop
Coffee is an age-old remedy for a sluggish digestive system. Simply put, it gets things moving in your digestive tract. If you’re feeling constipated, or your bowels are irregular, give this smoothie a try.
The combination of coffee, prune juice, and apple juice can really help to dislodge any blockages that may be hampering the health of your digestion. The live cultures in the yogurt provide support to the healthy bacteria in your gut.Â
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cold coffee
- ¼ cup fresh prune juice
- ¼ cup apple juice
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup organic coconut yogurt
Substitution: You could amp up the probiotic quotient of this smoothie even more by using coconut kefir water instead of apple juice — or on top of it. If this makes your smoothie too thin, add more yogurt, or add ice as desired.
They clear your mindÂ
Not only does coffee provide you with energy, it can help you focus, as well. Add a few other brain-boosting foods, and you’ll be well on your way to maximum mental performance!
Blueberries have been linked to improved memory and cognition, while the healthy carbohydrates found in oats can help keep blood sugar stable, thus improving your concentration. The flavonol content of chocolate may help to increase oxygen flow to the brain. All of these superfoods combine to nourish your brain.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold coffee
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup organic oat milk
- 1 teaspoon organic cocoaÂ
For even more flavonol antioxidants, add a handful of raspberries, blackberries, or acai berries to this smoothie. Sweeten with raw honey or coconut crystals if you wish!
What are your favorite coffee smoothie recipes? Are there any that you’ve found to be particularly effective for energy, digestion, and focus? Please let us know!
—Tanya Rakhmilevich
Tanya is a writer at The Alternative Daily with a passion for meditation, music, poetry, and overall creative and active living. She has a special interest in exploring traditional Eastern remedies and superfoods from around the globe, and enjoys spending time immersed in nature.
