Smoothies and shakes are perfect for camper life: a quick, tasty and healthy way to make the most of the seasonal fruit you buy in each area, start the day with energy or recover after some activity. With little equipment and in a minute, you get a good dose of vitamins. Here are some ideas and how to make them without any fuss (or using much battery).
Why they suit the camper
- Make the most of local produce: the seasonal fruit from each market, delicious and cheap (see eating well).
- Quick and healthy: a nutritious breakfast or snack in a minute.
- Use up very ripe fruit before it goes to waste (see using up leftovers).
- Popular with children: a way to get them eating fruit and vegetables without complaints.
The equipment: with or without electricity
- Jug or hand blender: convenient; uses electricity, but only briefly (with a good battery, no problem; see appliance power consumption).
- Portable blender with its own battery (USB): ideal for the camper; you make the smoothie without touching your electrical system and it takes up little space.
- Without electricity: very ripe fruit (banana, mango) can be mashed with a fork for simple shakes.
Smoothie ideas
- Classic energy shake: banana, milk (or plant-based drink), oats and a touch of honey or cocoa.
- Fruit smoothie: strawberries, mango, peach... whatever the region offers, with yoghurt or water.
- Green smoothie: spinach or avocado with fruit, to sneak in some vegetables.
- Post-workout recovery: fruit, protein (yoghurt, nuts) and oats.
- Summer refresher: with fruit and ice (if you have a fridge with a freezer compartment; see drinks and hydration).
In summary
Smoothies and shakes are a quick, tasty and healthy way to make the most of local fruit in the camper, ideal as breakfast or after some activity, and for getting children to eat fruit. The step you can take today: get yourself a hand or portable blender (they use little power) and make the most of the seasonal fruit in each area for an energising smoothie; it's vitamins and energy in a minute. Combine this with coffee and breakfasts.