I ate so unhealthily in college, but now I’m a wellness chef – this is the one appliance I’d take if I were going back to school

When I say I ate terribly in college, I mean it. I somehow managed to survive on a beige diet of bagels, ritz crackers, and curly fries. I couldn't work out why I felt so fatigued and sluggish.

Now, as a wellness chef who cooks for private clients and yoga retreats, I'm no stranger to how food impacts our energy, mood, and focus. If I could go back to school, there’s one appliance I’d pack without hesitation: the Ninja Blast Portable Blender.

Smoothies are a great way to get fruit, leafy greens, nut butters, and seeds into your diet, especially when you're busy or you don't have access to a full kitchen. The Ninja Blast is battery operated and it can tackle it all: green spinach smoothies, peanut protein shakes, even hummus and fresh salsa dips. Out of all the options I've tested over the years, it remains at the top of my guide to the best personal blenders. Even better, it's available in a rainbow of cute colors, too.

Ninja Blast Portable Blender: was $69.99 now $59.99 at Amazon

Lightweight, easy to use, and good value. The Ninja Blast is slim enough to sit in any water bottle holder (I've tried it in backpacks and car cup holders) and has a flip-top lid that doesn't drip, dribble, or leak.

You can read more in our full review.

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Why I love my Ninja Portable Blender

I love the Ninja Blast because it's versatile without taking up a huge amount of space. I've put it to the test on a wide range of tough ingredients and found the only thing it struggles to break down is large pumpkin seeds or enormous hunks of frozen fruit (chances of dorm room students having access to a freezer are slim so this probably isn't a concern). You'll need a small chopping board and a small knife to cut up ingredients like bananas, whole kale leaves, or mango down to size (this cheap knife set on Amazon will do just fine for students).

This is also the best personal blender I've tested for protein powder, whizzing it into a silky smoothie without lumps. Day to day, I use mine for smoothies, but one of the product testers at Homes & Gardens, Alex, uses his for protein shakes before working out. He says: 'The battery life is excellent and it has never leaked on my way to the gym.' So it's ideal for those pre- or post-lecture workouts or sports sessions.

The Ninja Blast is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, too. For students who don't have access to a dishwasher though, it may be worth investing in a blender cleaning brush (I really like this bottle and straw brush from Amazon).

I think it's good value for money, but if you're looking for something cheaper, it's also worth looking at the BlendJet 2 Portable Blender. It's lighter, a bit quieter, and around $20 cheaper. The trade-off is that it feels much flimsier, and it's not as powerful as the Ninja.

My college essentials for a healthy lifestyle

If I were heading back to college, a Ninja Blast portable blender would be my go-to for getting my nutrition in – but I also rate these three appliances for streamlining a healthy routine: an air fryer, a Stanley cup, and an AeroPress.

Looking back, I wish I’d made fresh fruits and veggies a bigger part of my college routine – it’s all much easier than it seemed back then. With one simple appliance like a portable blender, you can very easily get your daily dose of nutrients. There's an endless list of things you can make in a blender; and smoothies are a vibrant and delicious way to start.