Food Healthy Meal Ideas

How to Make Your Own Superfood Smoothie for $2

Willa Tellekson-Flash

August 29, 2016

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Smoothies aren't going out of style any time soon—whether you sip on one for breakfast or to get you through a mid-afternoon slump, the blended drink is nearly effortless to make and consume. (What other superfood-packed meal can make that claim?). And it's no secret that the trendy beverage has major health benefits, supporting everything from hydration levels to glowing skin—not to mention it can be a protein-happy BFF to your most intense workouts.

But while there's no such thing as a $200 smoothie, if the $10 (and up) price tags at your local juice bar keep you walking by, I feel you. The good news? You're not without options: Befriending the blender in your kitchen is one trick to cut down on costs in a big way, as is taking your reusable shopping bag to Trader Joe's, where the items lining shelves are often super-affordable, yet still high in quality.

I recently tasked myself with creating the most cost-effective—yet still nutrient-dense—smoothies that I could from Trader Joe's ingredients. No, you won't find super-trendy superfoods like maca or reishi (yet), and I opted to skip over cult-favorite items like their Speculoos spread to keep thing healthy (sorry!). The big surprise? Ultimately, at the uber-popular supermarket I found all that I needed to make my stomach and wallet very happy. (Think $0.19 bananas and jars of nut butters for less than $3—yes, really!)

Sound too good to be true? It isn't—keep reading for seven superfood-filled smoothie recipes inspired by the aisles of Trader Joe's, all of which cost less than $2.50 a serving.

$2 smoothies from Trader Joe's — Illustrations by W+G Creative

Chia Seed Berry Smoothie

Packed with: omega-3s, vitamin C, and protein

Ingredients
1 banana ($0.19)
1/2 cup frozen Mixed Berry Blend ($0.75)
1 Tbsp chia seeds ($0.18)
1 Tbsp Raw Creamy Almond Butter ($0.29)
1 cup almond milk ($0.50)

Price per smoothie: $1.91

Superfood PB&J Smoothie

Packed with: fiber, potassium, and manganese

Ingredients
1 banana ($0.19)
1/2 cup frozen strawberries ($0.50)
2 medjool dates ($0.44)
1 Tbsp Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter with Flax + Chia Seeds ($0.10)
1 cup almond milk ($0.50)

Price per smoothie: $1.73

Blueberry Oat Smoothie

Packed with: antioxidants, omega-3s and 6s, and fiber

Ingredients
1 banana ($0.19)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries ($0.62)
1/4 cup rolled oats ($0.10)
1 Tbsp hemp seeds ($0.25)
1 cup almond milk ($0.50)

Price per smoothie: $1.66

Peach Protein Smoothie

Packed with: iron, vitamin E, and protein

Ingredients
1 cup chopped kale ($0.16)
1/2 cup frozen peaches ($0.58)
1 Tbsp Raw Creamy Almond Butter ($0.29)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder ($0.31)
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk ($0.55)

Price per smoothie: $1.89

Strawberry Avocado Smoothie

Packed with: carotene, omega-3s, and vitamin C

Ingredients
2 cups spinach ($0.50)
1/4 avocado ($0.42)
1/2 cup frozen strawberries ($0.50)
1 Tbsp ground flax ($0.04)
1 cup almond milk ($0.50)

Price per smoothie: $1.96

Blueberry Superfood Smoothie

Packed with: iron, protein, and antioxidants

Ingredients
1 banana ($0.19)
2 cups spinach ($0.50)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries ($0.62)
1 cup almond milk ($0.50)
1 Tbsp Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter with Flax + Chia Seeds ($0.10)

Price per smoothie: $2.32

Tropical Superfood Smoothie

Packed with: B-vitamins, healthy fats, and electrolytes

Ingredients
1 banana ($0.19)
1/2 cup frozen mango ($0.50)
2 cups spinach ($0.50)
1/4 avocado ($0.42)
1 cup coconut water ($0.75)

Price per smoothie: $2.36

Who said that being healthy has to cost a lot? These cooking tips will help you get the most out of your grocery budget. And for your go-to sweat sessions, these affordable activewear lines will keep your workouts stylish (minus the hefty price tag).