There is nothing better than a smoothie either for a healthy breakfast or to give you a boost of energy sometime during your busy day.
There are hundreds of ways of making smoothies and dozens upon dozens of ingredients from which to choose. If you are looking for great smoothie recipes, check out ‘The Smoothie Diet’ program online.
Everybody likes their smoothie a bit differently. When it comes to the texture and thickness of it, you are free to make adjustments.
For those who like thick and creamy smoothies, we have some great tips on thickening a smoothie to achieve the consistency you want. Read on further to find out how to thicken a smoothie.
How to Thicken a Smoothie
The following are ways to make your smoothie thicker.
Use Less Liquid
Quite simply, one of the easiest ways is to use less liquid in the first place. Blending a smoothie is much easier when you have more liquid in the mix, whether juice, water, milk, or anything else.
However, the more liquid you add, the thinner the smoothie will be. Therefore, you can just add enough liquid to blend the smoothie into a smooth concoction, but not so much that it ends up thin and watery.
Use Yogurt Instead of Milk or Juice
If you want a thick and creamy smoothie and don’t want it to be too thin, you can use yogurt instead of milk or juice.
Yogurt is partially liquid, and that it will help thin things out a bit, but it’s not as thin as milk or juice. It will give you a thick and creamy texture.
Yogurt is very healthy as it contains calcium, minerals, and vitamins, and it comes in many different flavors.
Use Ice Instead of Milk or Juice
You can also make a thicker smoothie to use ice instead of water, milk, or juice. Ice is ideal because it creates a cold smoothie that is refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
Be aware that as smoothies made with ice heat up, they will get thinner just something to keep in mind. However, ice is a good thickener as long as you plan on consuming the smoothie shortly after making it.
Don’t Add Liquid at All
Another trick is not to add any liquids at all. However, if you do this, you will need to use fruits with plenty of juice in them.
The problem with not adding any liquid is that you cannot blend solid and hard ingredients into a smooth and drinkable beverage. If you don’t add liquids, high-liquid fruits are a must.
Use Frozen Fruits
Something else that works well as a smoothie thickener is frozen fruit. If you add liquid to fruit and then blend them, your smoothie will be thin, and it won’t be cold.
However, if you use frozen fruits, you can still add your favorite liquids to the mix, and because the fruits you are using are frozen, the result will be quite thick and creamy.
Use Ingredients with a Low Water Content
If you add water, milk, or juice into your smoothie, but you want it to be thick, try using fruits and greens that don’t contain much water. This way, you can make a thicker smoothie while still having some liquid in there, whether milk, juice, yogurt or water.
Bananas
If you like thick smoothies and bananas, a great way to thicken your smoothies is by adding a banana or more banana than the original recipe called for.
Bananas are very healthy; they are high in potassium. They fill you up. When added to smoothies, they produce a thick and creamy texture. They are super sweet.
Using Oatmeal
Yet another option is to use oatmeal or shredded oats. Oats are dry and will suck up liquids and help mixtures bind to become homogenous.
A few tablespoons of ground oats added to a smoothie mix will help thicken it up. Be sure not to add too much at first, or else you might end up with a grainy and mealy paste.
Chia Seeds
Similar to oatmeal, chia seeds are another excellent smoothie thickener. They do have a particular taste to them, so you should determine whether you like them.
If you like them, a couple of teaspoons added to any smoothie mix should be more than enough to thicken it up.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is high in protein and minerals, it doesn’t have much taste, and it blends easily. It’s a great smoothie thickener that works well for people who are vegan or lactose intolerant. It works well because it won’t change the flavor of the smoothie.
Nut Butters
This one is a bit out there, but some people like peanut and other nut butters, and if you don’t mind a bit of extra fat in your smoothie, it’s a great thickener.
Freeze Some of the Liquids
If you prefer milk, yogurt, or juice in your smoothie, you can always freeze a portion of the liquid before blending your smoothie. However, keep in mind that the liquid will melt once the smoothie is made.
Protein Powder
If you regularly work out and are looking to get extra protein, adding hemp, whey, or soy protein to your smoothie is an excellent way to build those muscles and thicken your smoothie.
Conclusion
For more information on making the best smoothies, particularly if you are trying to cut down on some weight, we would recommend checking out ‘The Smoothie Diet.’
Remember, as long as you enjoy it, your smoothies can be as thick or thin as you want.