A smoothie for breakfast is one of the best ways to get in a ton of nutrition at the same time as your supplements. We love our natural energy supplements, so why not get them with a load of antioxidants and other benefits at the same time? Instead of relying on coffee to wake you up in the morning, try a nutritious smoothie with berries, some greens, and any of the following mix-ins for clean, all-natural energy.
1. Cordyceps
Photo: Andreas KunzeCordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that is one of the most revered medicines in Asia. It is used to increase energy, boost immunity, increase life span, improve athletic performance, and increase sexual vitality. Tradition and modern science agree that this is one of the best herbs for energy in the world. It’s easy to get in your morning smoothie if you use a liquid extract, like this one from Host Defense.
2. Green Tea
Green tea not only has a modest amount of caffeine to boost your energy, but it also has a long list of benefits: it’s full of antioxidants that help prevent cancer, contains L-Theanine which reduces anxiety and improves brain function, can help prevent diabetes, lowers bad cholesterol, and even improves dental health. You can add green tea to your smoothie by brewing a cup of tea and using that as your liquid, or by stirring in powdered green tea, also known as matcha. Matcha can also be a great flavor to play with- try a new recipe or find your own favorite combination.
3. MCT Oil
MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are found in coconut oil. They are a great natural source of energy because they are taken straight to the liver, requiring no bile salts to be processed, where they provide instant and long-lasting energy. These fats even increase the calories you burn. You get some of these fats from regular coconut oil, but for an extra boost, add liquid MCT oil to your smoothie.
4. Raw Cacao
As we’ve mentioned before, dark chocolate is very good for you. Raw cacao powder or nibs are the way to get the benefits of cacao (without sugar) and make your smoothie delicious. Theobromine and minerals are responsible for the energy boost some people get from cacao.
5. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is an adaptogen, which means a safe herb that generally improves your whole body’s response to stress. Studies are starting to show what herbalists have long known- rhodiola helps increase energy, improve focus and performance in stressed individuals, and reduce signs of depression. An easy way to get rhodiola and other herbs into your morning smoothie is adding liquid extracts.
6. Maca
Photo: Urología PeruanaBest known for its ability to balance hormones and increase libido, maca is also an all-natural energy booster. Some people feel the effects immediately after one dose, but it’s even more effective when used every day for a longer period of time. However, once every couple months you should take a one week vacation from maca; this is standard practice to give your body a break and ensure that maca keeps working strongly for you. Powdered maca makes the perfect smoothie mix in. It is a root vegetable, and its earthy flavor combines nicely with cacao.
7. Eleuthero
Eleuthero used to be called Siberian ginseng (even though it’s only distantly related to ginseng) because it has similar adaptogenic, energizing, and immune-improving properties. It improves the body’s ability to handle stress and can help in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s an especially great choice if you’re going through a stressful time- definitely add this to your smoothie during a hard week at work, school finals, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Liquid extract is a good choice for blending in your smoothie.
8. Green Powders
There are a wide variety of greens powders now available on the market, from simple powdered kale to a combination super-product like Green Vibrance. No matter how well you eat, you could always do with an extra helping of leafy greens in your diet. Powdered forms of these vegetables are quick, easy, extremely nutrient-dense, and often get you servings of vegetables you don’t eat all the time. A powder that has a combination of different vegetables, or some powdered stinging nettle are great examples of this. These powders are especially energizing when used every day long term. They provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body produce its own energy, not just fake energy that you eventually crash from.
9. Yerba Maté
Try one of South America’s most beloved beverages! The balance of caffeine, theobromine, nutrients, and antioxidants in yerba maté will help you get your day started with plenty of energy. Brew a batch and keep it in the fridge or freeze it into ice cubes to blend into your smoothie.
10. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is the pollen that bees collect and store to consume later as food. Many people get a boost of energy from consuming bee pollen, probably from the B-vitamins and other nutrients in the small pellets. But watch out- some people do have allergic reactions, so try just one or two pellets under your tongue before trying any more.