Smoothies can be a great meal replacement, but have to be done right to get the full nutritional benefits. Many health enthusiasts warn against drinking too many smoothies or juices due to high sugar content, which is a legitimate point depending on the ingredients. I don't think there are "bad for you" smoothies as long as you are using clean ingredients, however there are definitely smoothies that are high in sugar content, so for someone who is trying to lower sugar intake, it is worth experimenting outside of the usual.

Swapping out bananas, which have a higher sugar content than most fruits, with a low sugar smoothie thickener like cauliflower not only cuts back on sugar, but adds nutritional value of a cruciferous vegetable. This is especially important when smoothies are a meal replacement - so you can make sure you are getting in legit vitamins your body needs! Incorporating low sugar fruits like blueberries is a great way to get a serving of fruit and sweeten up the smoothie enough without loading on the extra sugar of a sweetener like honey or agave.

I find this smoothie to be best as a bowl because it is pretty basic tasting and benefits from having some toppings added! Cacao nibs and raw coconut satisfy that sweet tooth without the sugar rush of granolas. Try using a raw nut butter like Artisana cashew butter, as many roasted nut butters also have some added sugar snuck into the jar.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups cashew milk (I like to make my own by soaking raw cashews 2 or more hours and, blending them with fresh water) or other milk of choice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp Artisana cashew butter
1 cup steamed then frozen cauliflower (can be found in frozen section of health food store)
1.5 cups frozen organic blueberries
1 tbsp raw shredded coconut
1 tbsp raw cacao nibs
Optional: protein powder of choice

Method:

Add cashew milk and frozen blueberries and cauliflower to the blender.- first reserving a few blueberries to top the smoothie. I let them soak for a couple of minutes so they defrost and get creamier faster
Add all remaining ingredients except the cacao nibs and shredded coconut to the blender and blend on high until smooth
Pour in a bowl and top with cacao nibs, shredded coconut and extra frozen blueberries