Perhaps you’ve noticed many people embracing the “smoothie culture” that promotes the blended meal as “all-natural” and “healthy!” Smoothies are convenient and a great way to ingest a concentrated nutrient boost but things can quickly go awry with ingredients that break the nutrition bank. Here are a few tips and tricks to making that smoothie ACTUALLY healthy.

Nut butters are a good addition to a healthy smoothie but be conscious of portion sizes. Keep portion size to 1 tablespoon or less to avoid excessive fat and calories.

Is protein powder a must or a bust? Many experts agree that the average person does not need to supplement his diet with protein powders. Active individuals can easily get what they need healthy whole food sources.

While often considered a “healthy” sweetener, agave nectar is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar, has more calories and is high in fructose. Use it sparingly or let the fruit in your smoothies be enough of a sweetener.

While fruit is a healthy ingredient in most smoothies, people tend to overdo it. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 2 cups of fruit per day for people eating a 2,000 calorie diet – but it’s best to spread this over the course of the day. Choose whole fruits instead of fruit juice, which lacks fiver and can lead to blood sugar spikes.

Need a dairy fix in your smoothie? Make sure it’s from a clean source that is free of antibiotic and hormones. According to Harvard University, dairy consumption accounts for 60%-80% of dietary estrogens, which have been linked to cancer.

We encourage you to be educated, ask questions, and find high quality ingredients and be aware of the seemingly healthy options that are not.

*Source IDEA