How to Save Money, Reduce Fruit Waste, and Make Smoothies Effortless with DIY Smoothie Bags
Hey budget-savvy friends!
Ever found yourself with a fridge full of fruit that’s just a tad too ripe, or a pantry stocked with produce that's starting to wilt? We’ve all been there. But here’s a nifty little trick that I’ve discovered that’s been a game-changer in my kitchen—smoothie bags! Not only do they help me save money and reduce fruit waste, but they also make my smoothie routine so much more convenient. Let me walk you through this simple yet effective method.
What Are Smoothie Bags?
Smoothie bags are exactly what they sound like—bags filled with prepped fruit and veggies ready to be blended into a delicious smoothie. By prepping these bags in advance, you ensure that you always have the perfect smoothie mix on hand, cut down on food waste, and the hassle of measuring ingredients each time.
Why You’ll Love Smoothie Bags
Money-Saving: Buying fruit in bulk or frozen can be more affordable. By prepping and freezing your own smoothie mixes, you’re making sure that all that fruit gets used, not wasted.
No More Waste: You get to use up fruit before it spoils. Overripe bananas? Toss them in. Expiring berries? They’re smoothie-bound. No more throwing away perfectly good produce.
Convenience: On busy mornings, you don’t have to think about what fruits or veggies to add. Just grab a bag from the freezer, blend, and enjoy. It’s that simple!
Nutrient Boost: You can add nutrient-rich greens like spinach or kale to each bag, ensuring you get a healthy boost in every smoothie.
How to Make Your Own Smoothie Bags
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Fruit: Buy frozen or fresh in bulk. Bananas, berries, mangoes, and peaches work great.
Veggies: Spinach and kale are perfect additions for an extra nutritional punch.
Freezer Bags: Quart-sized bags work well for portion control.
Step 2: Prep Your Produce
Fresh Fruit: Wash, peel, and cut it into smoothie-sized pieces.
Frozen Fruit: If you're using frozen fruit, you can skip the cutting step.
Step 3: Portion and Pack
Mix and Match: For each bag, combine about 1/3 to 1/4 cup of each fruit and a handful of greens. Feel free to customize according to your taste preferences!
Seal and Store: Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags, seal them tightly, and flatten them. This makes for easier stacking and quicker freezing.
Note: I keep my add-ins like protein powder, cinnamon, ground flax seed, nut milk (I can’t have dairy), etc until I go to mix the smoothie. If you have a Food Saver Machine that will vacuum seal your bags but you can do this without one a friend recommends it but I still do it this ‘old fashioned way.’
Step 4: Label
Grab a Sharpie and label each bag with “Fruit for Smoothies” and the month/year. I find it best to label my bags before putting anything in them allows me to write neatly and not mess up my Sharpie. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s in each bag and how long it’s been in the freezer.
Step 5: Enjoy
When you’re ready for a smoothie, just grab a bag, dump it into your blender, add your liquid of choice (like nut milk or coconut water), add your add-ins like protein powder, chia seeds, ground flax seed, hemp seed, whatever you like in yours to up the nutrient content, blend, and voilà—instant smoothie!
Final Thoughts
Smoothie bags are a fantastic way to streamline your smoothie routine while saving money and reducing waste. Plus, they’re a great way to make sure you’re getting those essential nutrients in a delicious and convenient form. So next time you are thinking about doing a meal prep but don’t know where to start but love fruit, especially if you like smoothies, give this a try so you have tasty smoothie food prep bags in the freezer. Your wallet, your taste buds, and your schedule will thank you!
Happy blending! 🍓🥑🍌
Feel free to tweak this method to suit your preferences and dietary needs.