Despite all my efforts to vary my morning eating routine, the only breakfast I really like is fruit and yogurt. These Grab-and-Go Oatmeal Cups are my go-to breakfast most days of the week.

But even creatures of habit need a change every now and then so I started working on a slight variation of my favorite foods and created this Strawberry Oat Smoothie. It has made a strong showing as of late, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Why This Smoothie Makes a Great Breakfast

Here are 10 reasons why it makes the cut for me:

1. It’s quick.
2. It’s easy.
3. It’s healthy.
4. I always have the ingredients in my freezer and pantry.
5. It’s free from added sugar.
6. It’s got my yogurt and fruit requirements.
7. I can drink breakfast in the car.
8. It’s filling.
9. It’s soooo fruity and refreshing.
10. I can make little packets of the ingredients and keep them in the freezer.
11. BONUS (Number 11!): It makes me think of summer and sunny days, even when it’s gray outside.

WHAT ARE THE BEST OATS FOR SMOOTHIES

Oatmeal makes this smoothie very filling because it contains a lot of fiber (soluble and insoluble), and then there’s the bonus of the minerals in the oats.

Uncooked old-fashioned rolled oats give you the best texture in this smoothie, but if you don’t mind a coarser texture you could use steel-cut oats. Quick-cooking oats are fine too, but make sure they don’t have any additives. Oats, along with frozen fruit, make this smoothie extra thick, too.

DAIRY VS NONDAIRY SMOOTHIES

Since I have no problem with dairy, I make this smoothie with yogurt, but you could substitute almond milk for the yogurt if you want to avoid it.

Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to replicate the tanginess of the yogurt if your smoothie isn’t tart enough for your taste. You could also use any other non-dairy milk or yogurt interchangeably here.

THE BEST WAY TO SWEETEN AND FLAVOR YOUR SMOOTHIE

Everyone has their own particular tastes (mine are pretty simple, don’t judge) which makes smoothies a great breakfast option. Each person can adapt the recipe to suit his or her style.

• A few slices of bananas add sweetness and help create a creamy texture.
• Add a spoonful of honey or agave if you like it extra sweet.
• Start sweet by adding sweetened nut milk or yogurt.
• Boost the flavor with a little pure almond extract — a little goes a long way.
• Add a few drops of vanilla extract.
• Boost the protein power by adding a tablespoon of almond butter.

MORE GREAT SMOOTHIE RECIPES