Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (Full Version)

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spitzu -> Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/26/2008 8:39:29 PM)

My husband has been doing smoothies for breakfast because it's pretty much the only healthy thing he can eat on the go that he will tolerate. lol However, he usually gets pretty hungry mid-morning and doesn't always have time for a healthy snack, if he's even anywhere around his desk at all, and he's starving by lunch time.

So he's trying to figure out how to make the smoothies a little more stick-to-your-ribs without adding a ton more calories. Right now they have:

1% milk
low fat yogurt
hemp protein
1/2 banana
some other fruit (usually berries or peach)
sometimes a handful of spinach (can't taste it, believe it or not)

We've thought about trying a whole banana instead of half, or adding another kind of protein powder, or some raw oats (he likes raw oats [&:]), but I thought I'd ask to see if you had any suggestions. I'm not sure if those will really help the sticking power. The only other thing I can think of is peanut or almond butter.

Ideas?



manda59 -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/26/2008 8:48:17 PM)

I was going to suggest powdered psyllium husks, wheat germ and oat bran.

Btw if you're using banana, I've read somewhere that if you freeze the banana at least a day beforehand, it will make the smoothie thicker and creamier.



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/26/2008 8:49:55 PM)

Crystal, in, addition to the fruit, I also put in black strap molasses, ground flax seeds and raw coconut in my smoothies. Sometimes coconut milk, as well.

I eat my smoothie from a bowl with a spoon, so I don't know how this next suggestion could adapt with your husband on the go, but sometimes I also stir in dried fruit and/or nuts (after the smoothie's been poured into a bowl).

Oh, and I use a whole banana.



uponeagleswings -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/26/2008 10:56:12 PM)

I was going to say flax seeds. Peanut butter might do the trick too



nicole6598 -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/26/2008 11:06:14 PM)

I was going to say something like oats and using the whole banana. You could just add a whole heap more fruit too... Mangos, watermelon, apple, pear, orange etc



BlessedAngel1983 -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 1:17:19 AM)

You can also buy whats called a smoothie base or vanilla powder. Just add 2 tablespoons.



uncabeeil -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 10:32:19 AM)

3 or 4 donuts would do the trick. [:D]



miasma -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 10:37:25 AM)

I put a lot of greens in mine. Kale, spinach, lettuce, sprouts - beets...etc. I also drink more than a glass. I fill up a whole water bottle, or mayo jar, and drink on it all morning.

I don't use any sort of protein substitute (too many superfluous chemicals/ingredients).

I'd definately use a whole banana.

I like a banana with walnuts, honey and kefir (or yoghurt - real yoghurt, not the sugar-laden stuff) smoothie.

Really, though, he just needs to figure out a way to have something to eat mid-morning - I'm of the opinion one should eat consistently throughout the day.

Nuts are super easy to have around, in a desk drawer, briefcase, glove compartment, etc.



coinpurse -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 10:51:47 AM)

Soy Protein powder or adding peanut butter might work too.



miasma -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 11:01:52 AM)

A natural peanut butter, not the common kind full of sugar. I've actually (a life-long pb LOVER) come to prefer almond butter. I get it from a local store that makes it; the commercial jars are way too 'spensive. I'd just throw in some nuts - not peanuts, though. Almonds or walnuts.

I avoid soy in my diet, but there are other "bulking" agents out there. Again, though, I avoid those as well, in my attempt to be as natural and healthy as possible.

If I'm going to have something not actually good for me, it's going to be some fries or Ben and Jerrys, something tasty, not powdered chemicals.[:D]

He's hungry 'cuz he needs to eat, so finding a way to eat something would be better than trying to bulk up his smoothie. I've never found anything that really way-laid the hunger for more than a couple of hours.



spitzu -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 11:09:35 AM)

The protein I'm using doesn't have chemicals nor is it processed with any. [:)]

I only buy natural peanut butter too. Yep, I'm a pretty good health nut. [;)]

Believe me, I'd rather him find a way to eat a snack mid-morning, but with his job that's really not always possible, so I'm going to try to help him however I can.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely try a few of them. I hadn't thought of flax seeds.



spitzu -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 11:10:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

3 or 4 donuts would do the trick. [:D]


That would certainly be his favorite option. [8D]



miasma -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 12:32:25 PM)

quote:

with his job that's really not always possible,


He's a construction worker, on a job site, with nowhere to lay down a water bottle? No briefcase, computer bag or pockets to stick a Clif bar in?

I don't know that flax seed would help fill him up. If it did, it'd take a lot of them, I would think -and there's the potential side effect (esp. if you tried psyllium husks) of a stimulated bowel.



manda59 -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 12:52:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: miasma
If it did, it'd take a lot of them, I would think -and there's the potential side effect (esp. if you tried psyllium husks) of a stimulated bowel.



LOL!! Should be ok so long as no more than a tablespoon is used.



monamie -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 2:36:24 PM)

I use Whey Protein Complete (a whole foods Standard Process product) in mine. Sounds like you have it all right (not surprised, knowing you!) just beefing up the protein--no pun intended--to keep him from getting hungry before lunch.



laura... -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 2:44:56 PM)

Add an egg.

Pretty much everything in that smoothie is going to burn fast. Adding more protein and the balanced fat that is in an egg will take his body longer to process and thus hold him longer.



miasma -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 2:54:08 PM)

Adding an egg was my thought, too, but figured she wouldn't put a raw egg in it. Though, the egg whites in a carton, I've used those with no problem. I think - well, I know, because I have some at home, but I don't use it because it's got milk, too - they have the powdered egg shake stuff, too.



laura... -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 3:09:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: miasma

Adding an egg was my thought, too, but figured she wouldn't put a raw egg in it. Though, the egg whites in a carton, I've used those with no problem. I think - well, I know, because I have some at home, but I don't use it because it's got milk, too - they have the powdered egg shake stuff, too.


You can blend the egg and milk together and then heat it up on the stove to a temp of 160 degrees or until scalded. Then the egg will be cooked and safe. Prepare a milk and egg mixture ahead of time and keep refrigerated for use in the smoothie. If you use ice in the smoothie you could freeze the cooked milk and egg mixture into cubes and use that instead.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 4:38:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

3 or 4 donuts would do the trick. [:D]


That would certainly be my preference[8D]

Adding an egg(like Laura said) or some Spirulina might also help. I also know people that add Tofu, but we don't do soy so I've never tried.



spitzu -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 8:07:17 PM)

We normally avoid soy too, but hmmm, tofu probably would do the trick.

An egg, huh? I've seen the pasteurized kind in the store. I suggested that to him and he gave me a funny look. [8D]

I really don't want to debate whether or not he has time for a mid-morning snack. The fact is we've tried that route and have failed, so I'd like to figure out something that works a little better for him and helps him to not be starving before lunch rolls around. [:)]

I'm definitely going to try some of these suggestions out. I'll let you know if we find a winner!



manda59 -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/27/2008 8:19:23 PM)

I just thought of something else that should definitely help stave off the hunger - ground almonds.



HisCovenant -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/28/2008 10:42:05 AM)

Two things that help me are to use higher fat milk products and adding nuts. I use different nuts depending on my mood, the season, and the fruit I'm using. Pecans are one of my favorites with peaches. Anything that is higher in fat, fiber, and protein and lower in carbs (not counting the fibery ones) will help to make it more filling.



miasma -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/28/2008 10:47:33 AM)

It wasn't an attempt to "debate." Just troube-shoot. Kinda thought that was the point of the thread.

Just make sure you get the silken tofu.



1mlasp -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (8/28/2008 3:28:40 PM)

I add whey powder, peanut butter and flaxseed to mine, but those have already been mentioned.

Can he stick some beef jerky in his pocket or something? Even a granola bar will see him through till lunch.



uponeagleswings -> RE: Ways to bulk up a smoothie? (9/10/2008 11:40:10 PM)

I was just wondering how this was going for your hubby? I've been having lots of smoothies for breakfast since we have tons of fruit right now. I make mine with nonfat vanilla yogurt and fruit, and a little milk if it needs thinned down. I put a spoonful of peanut butter in my strawberry smoothie today and it tasted good and did seem to make it "stick" longer. I should have added more milk though- it made the smoothie really thick.
I've tried flax seeds before, but they stick to the blender really bad. I may have to check and see if I can get ground ones.



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