When Is a Smoothie a Snack, and When Is It a Meal?

Smoothies are so much more than a drink, these days. They’ve become meals just as much as slurpable snacks, taking the place of our cereal bowl at breakfast or even our salad at lunch.

But smoothies aren’t one-size-fits-all. That 8 a.m. smoothie needs to look a whole lot different than that 3 p.m. smoothie if you want it to keep you satisfied until lunch. So what makes a smoothie a snack, and what makes it a whole meal? Let’s take a look.

In order for a smoothie to qualify as a meal, it needs a few extra hearty ingredients — simply fruit blended with coconut water is not going to cut it.

• Grab at least two high-protein additions like Greek yogurt, tofu, nut butter, and chia seeds.
• A fiber boost helps too. Try adding oats, dates, or even pumpkin purée.
• And don’t forget a bit of healthy fat, like a little coconut oil, avocado, or ground flax seeds.

Read more: 5 Ways to Make Smoothies More Filling

• Sunshine Smoothie with Coconut, Clementine and Turmeric
• Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
• Banana Bread Smoothie

Snack smoothies should be on the lighter side. Throw in those fruits and vegetables, along with some liquid, and leave it at that or make it a little more satisfying with the addition of yogurt or a spoonful of peanut butter. There’s no needs to stack the blender high with tons of protein- and fiber-rich additions, though — a snack smoothie is more of an easy sipper than a meal in a glass.

Related: How I Stock My Smoothie Drawer

• Banana Split Smoothie
• Cantaloupe Smoothie
• Honey-Lime Fruit Salad Smoothie

What do you add to your smoothies to make them feel like a meal? What do you add to make them better for snacking?