Even though many believe iced coffee and smoothies to be healthier alternatives to regular cups of joe, their healthiness depends entirely on how they’re prepared and what ingredients are used in their making. We will show you how to create deliciously nutritious iced coffee or smoothie that will kick-start your day and bring energy and vitality.

This dairy-free iced coffee smoothie can be made in just 5 minutes! Made with freshly-brewed, chilled coffee, bananas, almond milk and vanilla extract; along with sneaky veggies like pepper and pitted dates to provide natural sweetness; this refreshing beverage makes a healthy alternative to sugary coffee shop drinks!

If you want to cut out dairy from your morning routine, simply switch out almond milk for another non-dairy option such as cashew milk or coconut cream. For an extra chocolatey kick, add cocoa powder or maple syrup as natural sweeteners; to switch things up further try swapping out banana for frozen banana for more of a dessert shake style smoothie and even adding protein powder for an added boost of energy!

Add a handful of ice to the blender, and blend everything until smooth. If the smoothie is too liquidy, adjust its consistency with more ice or almond milk as necessary. To add more texture, chopped nuts such as sunflower seeds, walnuts or peanut butter could add an extra creamy element. For an extra bit of sweetness try a bit of pure maple syrup; its natural sweetness resembles that found in molasses.

Add collagen peptides or vanilla whey protein powder for extra protein in this iced coffee smoothie, to keep yourself full and satisfied for longer. For an extra filling and nutritious drink, add some rolled oats or ground flax for thickening up and some added fiber, along with hemp or chia seeds for omega-3s and dark chocolate for flavor and sweetness!