Blueberry Breakfast Shake

This is breakfast in a glass for the busiest mornings. The whole smoothie comes together in 5 minutes with four ingredients you probably already have, and it delivers protein, fiber, and antioxidants without any added sugar. The natural sweetness of the banana and orange juice does all the work.

Use a really ripe banana, the kind with brown spots that you’d otherwise relegate to banana bread. Ripe bananas are sweeter, blend smoother, and contribute that creamy thick texture that makes a smoothie feel substantial. Underripe bananas leave the shake gritty and starchy.

Fresh blueberries work but frozen blueberries actually do this drink better. They thicken the smoothie like ice cubes without diluting the flavor and give the finished drink that proper smoothie chill. If using frozen, you may want to add an extra splash of orange juice to keep things blending smoothly.

Full-fat plain yogurt is the right call for richness and a satisfying texture. Greek yogurt makes it even thicker and adds extra protein. Don’t substitute flavored yogurt. The added sugars throw off the balance.

Blend until completely smooth and frothy as the directions say. The frothiness on top is just air whipped into the dairy by the blender, and it’s what gives smoothies that pleasant cloud-like top layer.

Kitchen Tips

• Freeze peeled banana chunks in a zip-top bag for instant smoothie convenience.
• Use 100% orange juice, not orange drink. The added sugars in orange drink make the smoothie too sweet.
• Add a tablespoon of chia seeds or flax seeds for added omega-3s and fiber.
• Drink immediately. Smoothies separate quickly and lose their texture if they sit.

Variations

• Substitute strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for the blueberries.
• Add 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup if your fruit isn’t very sweet.
• Stir in a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder for a post-workout shake.