For breakfast or even as an afternoon snack, I suggest you try this vegan smoothie with blueberries, raspberries and chia seeds. Yes — this is not just a fruit smoothie, it also contains carbohydrates and proteins. And there are chia seeds, which are nutritious and very filling.
Although I usually prefer solid foods at meals — I like to chew — I must say this smoothie is so thick that you can’t drink it like a glass of water. You end up “chewing” it in small sips.
If you prepare it following my instructions it will be slightly tart, a flavor I really liked. If you prefer you can sweeten it more and then count the extra Weight Watchers points, but I’m proposing it the way I enjoy it most. Let’s make it.
Other light drinks from my blog:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 1
- Cooking methods: No-cook
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer and Autumn
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup blueberries
- 3/4 cup raspberries
- 1 cup soy yogurt (unsweetened)
- 1 tsp agave syrup (or maple syrup)
- 2 tbsp rolled oats (or spelt, rice or buckwheat flakes)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Points per serving = 5 WW points
Tools
- Immersion blender
Steps
First, prepare all the ingredients and wash the blueberries and raspberries well: keep a few aside for decoration.
Place the yogurt, rolled oats, chia seeds and syrup into the jug of an immersion blender or a blender. Add the well-drained fruit and blend until you obtain a thick and creamy consistency.
Garnish with skewers made from the fruit you kept aside and our blueberry, raspberry and chia seed smoothie is ready to serve. Not only is this smoothie delicious but it is also very fragrant and has a beautiful, inviting color.
Great for breakfast or a snack, you can also prepare it in advance and let it chill further in the fridge. In that case it will thicken even more.
For a snack you can drink only half and have the other half the next day. Obviously you can also experiment with other fruits. If you do, leave me a comment to tell me about your variations.
Enjoy!
by Giovanna Buono
Storage
You can prepare the smoothie in advance and keep it in the fridge for 2 or 3 days; in that case it will be more of a pudding than a smoothie. It is not suitable for freezing.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are chia seeds?
These tiny seeds are ideal to pair with oats because, like the flakes, they tend to absorb milk and yogurt and swell, making the dish more filling.
On the site Benessere360 I found a very interesting explanation about the beneficial properties of these seeds: they seem to help with blood pressure, digestion, they are gluten-free, suitable even for diabetics, help prevent cellular degeneration and more. Regarding diet and obesity, the article states that: “thanks to their ability to form a real gel, chia seeds contribute to creating a sense of satiety that lasts over time.” This was the most interesting thing I found from a dieting perspective.
Be careful, however, as with all foods there are contraindications for those who already have particular intestinal problems or hypertension. The article mentioned also discusses this; it’s always best to get informed as you would for any food not previously eaten.
Other well-written information about chia seeds can be found on the greenMe site.
