Drinking green smoothies is an easy way to increase your intake of vitamin K, iron, and antioxidants. Make delicious and healthy green smoothies at home with these easy recipes.
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Green Smoothies
A green smoothie is a chilled drink made of liquid, leafy greens, and fresh and frozen fruit. It takes about 5 minutes to make in a blender.
Most green smoothies get their color from leafy greens. The most popular options are kale and spinach.
Kale has an earthy and slightly bitter taste, so it’s usually paired with a natural sweetener or sweet fruits. This will help balance the earthy flavor.
Spinach has mild, slightly grassy taste. It has a lighter flavor than kale, so it might be a good choice for your first green smoothie.
Green smoothies are very healthy. They’re packed with fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins.
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5 Green Smoothie Health Benefits
1. Promotes Healthy Digestion
When you drink a green smoothie, you’re getting a good amount of fiber. This comes from the fruits and vegetables.
Your body needs fiber to form healthy bowel movements. When you don’t get enough, you’re more likely to develop digestive issues.
2. Contains Antioxidants
Oxidative stress increases the risk of disease and sickness. However, eating plenty of antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress.
Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables. Berries and leafy greens are especially high sources.
3. Increases Fullness
The fiber in green smoothies will keep you satisfied for a long time. This is because the body doesn’t digest fiber quickly.
Some green smoothies have protein-rich ingredients, which make them even more filling. Examples include cow’s milk, soy milk, protein powder, and Greek yogurt.
4. Protects Brain Health
Many green smoothies have leafy greens, some of the best foods for brain health. This is from the folate and antioxidants in the greens.
Folate is an important vitamin for the brain. It’s needed for good brain function, especially as you get older.
Antioxidants protect brain cells from oxidative stress, which is harmful for memory and mental function.
Green smoothies with berries are even better for the brain. Berries contain anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that protect brain cells and help your brain get more oxygen.
5. Support Immune Function
Fruits and vegetables are some of the best sources of vitamin C.
Since green smoothies contain both ingredients, these smoothies can help you get enough of the nutrient.
Your immune cells need vitamin C to fight germs that cause sickness.
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17 Best Green Smoothie Recipes
1. Green Smoothie
This 5-ingredient green smoothie is creamy and delicious. It's naturally sweetened with apple, banana, and a Medjool date.The recipe calls for milk, which adds protein and calcium to the drink. But you can use any milk you'd like, including non-dairy versions.Tasty examples include unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk from the carton. Avoid using canned coconut milk, which is too thick for smoothies.Ready in just 5 minutes, this smoothie is rich in fiber and antioxidants. Enjoy this healthy treat any time of the day.Ingredients: Milk, spinach, apple, frozen banana, Medjool date
GREEN SMOOTHIE
2. Kale Pineapple Smoothie
If the flavor of kale is too bitter for you, try this kale pineapple smoothie.The pineapple is naturally sweet and tart, so it balances the taste of kale.Baby kale is the easiest choice because you can add it right to the blender. If you want to use regular kale, you'll need to remove the hard stems first.Kale has more folate than any other leafy green vegetable. Folate is an essential vitamin for brain health.The drink is also a good source of antioxidants, fiber, and calcium from the yogurt and milk. Plus, it takes just 5 minutes to prepare in a blender.Ingredients: Milk, Greek yogurt, kale, banana, frozen pineapple
KALE PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE
3. Cucumber Smoothie
Cucumber has a light and crisp flavor that's so good in smoothies. It also has a lot of water, so it's very hydrating. In this smoothie, cucumber is blended with pineapple juice, spinach, and frozen banana. The finished drink is refreshing and perfect for hot days. For best results, use seedless cucumbers with a thin skin like English cucumber. Chop them into pieces before adding to your blender.If you prefer a less sweet drink, use unsweetened almond milk or coconut water. Both options are delicious in this 4-ingredient recipe.Ingredients: Pineapple juice, baby spinach, cucumber, frozen banana
CUCUMBER SMOOTHIE
4. Matcha Smoothie
The next time you need a quick energy boost, make this 5-minute matcha smoothie. Matcha is finely ground green tea. It contains caffeine, but unlike coffee, it won't cause an energy crash. This smoothie is very high in antioxidants from the matcha, baby spinach, and frozen banana. It also has fiber and essential vitamins.Date syrup is used to sweeten the drink, but honey and maple syrup work well too. You can also omit the sweetener.Ingredients: Oat milk, matcha, date syrup, baby spinach, frozen banana
MATCHA SMOOTHIE
5. Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to illness and injury. But if it continues for too long, it can lead to chronic disease.Drinking this green smoothie can help reduce inflammation. It contains pear, ginger, and baby spinach, all of which have anti-inflammatory compounds.The recipe also uses hemp and chia seeds, which provide omega-3 fatty acids. These are good fats with anti-inflammatory effects.See how to make an inflammation-fighting green smoothie in less than 10 minutes.Ingredients: Pear, ginger, baby spinach, oat milk, hemp seeds, honey, ice
PEAR GINGER SMOOTHIE
6. Mango Kale Smoothie with Collagen
Mango and kale are a tasty combination. The sweetness of the mango balances the earthy flavor of kale.This smoothie uses both ingredients, along with frozen pineapple for extra sweetness. Together, the mango, pineapple, and kale create a tropical flavor.The recipe also calls for collagen powder, making it even healthier. Supplementing with collagen is great for your joints and skin.It's a non-banana smoothie that gets its thickness from frozen mango and pineapple.See how to make this easy green smoothie recipe in a blender at home.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, apple cider vinegar, collagen powder, ground flax seeds, kale, frozen mango, frozen pineapple
MANGO KALE SMOOTHIE
7. Banana Peach Smoothie
This creamy banana peach smoothie gets its green color from baby spinach. It can also be made with matcha for added color, nutrients, and caffeine.The drink contains hemp seeds and peanut butter, which have healthy fats and antioxidants. You can use other seeds, like chia seeds, or nut butters, like almond butter.To make it even more filling, add protein powder or collagen powder.Protein powder will help you recover exercise while collagen powder will support skin health.Ingredients: Oat milk, peanut butter, hemp seeds, baby spinach, peaches, frozen banana
BANANA PEACH SMOOTHIE
8. Ultra Filling Green Smoothie
If you don't have time to make a meal, try this filling green smoothie. It's ready in just 8 minutes in a blender.The drink is rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. All of these nutrients will keep you satisfied for a long time.Most of the protein content comes from vanilla protein powder. Feel free to use plant-based or whey protein powder, depending on your preference.You can also use unflavored protein powder and vanilla extract for a similar flavor profile.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, chia seeds, almond butter, vanilla protein powder, frozen spinach leaves, frozen banana, frozen strawberries
ULTRA FILLING GREEN SMOOTHIE
9. Spinach Cucumber Smoothie
For a delicious way to stay hydrated, sip on this green smoothie. It's made with cucumber and coconut water, a great source of electrolytes.Electrolytes are minerals that control how your body uses water. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, so it's important to replace them.Coconut water is not the same as coconut milk. Coconut water is the liquid found in the coconut, while the milk is the liquid from the coconut flesh.This drink is high in antioxidants, good fats, vitamins, and fiber. Enjoy it for breakfast or as a refreshing snack.Ingredients: Coconut water, lemon juice, hemp seeds, baby spinach, cucumber, frozen banana
SPINACH CUCUMBER SMOOTHIE
10. Spinach Smoothie
With just 5 ingredients, you can make an easy and healthy spinach smoothie. It takes just 5 minutes to prepare at home.The drink is also naturally sweetened with apple, pineapple, and a Medjool date. You can also use date syrup or omit the sweetener.Always cut the apple before using it in a smoothie. Never put a whole apple in a blender. This can damage your blades.Enjoy this creamy green smoothie for breakfast, as a snack, or any time of the day.Ingredients: Milk, Greek yogurt, baby spinach, apple, frozen pineapple
SPINACH SMOOTHIE
11. Mango Spinach Smoothie
Sweet, simple, and made with just 4 ingredients, this vegan mango spinach smoothie is packed with flavor.It's made with soy milk, which is high in plant-based protein. This makes it very filling and satisfying.The combination of soy milk, banana, and frozen mango give this drink a creamy texture. Adding nut butter or protein powder will make it even richer.If you don't have banana, use fresh mango or another fruit. It will still be just as tasty. Ingredients: Soy milk, baby spinach, banana, frozen mango
MANGO SPINACH SMOOTHIE
12. Kale Smoothie
One of the easiest ways to make a kale smoothie taste good is to add apple and pineapple. The sweetness of both ingredients will tone down the bitter flavor of kale.Natural sweeteners like Medjool date, date syrup, and honey also help. These ingredients will deepen the flavor while keeping it healthy.When using apples in smoothies, always cut away the core and chop it into chunks. This will make it easier for your blender to break down the apple.The drink only takes 5 minutes to prepare, making it a great snack or dessert for busy days.Ingredients: Milk, kale, apple, Medjool date, frozen pineapple
KALE SMOOTHIE
13. Cucumber Celery Smoothie
When blended with the right ingredients, celery is delicious in smoothies.The vegetable can taste herbal and bitter, so it needs to be paired with sweet fruits.In this smoothie, celery is pureed with pear and banana. The recipe also contains lime, which adds a bright tartness.The addition of cucumber makes the smoothie even more refreshing. It's perfect for when you need an extra dose vitamins or hydration.If you're new to using celery in smoothies, replace some of it with cucumber or pear. This way, you can see how you like it before using more.Ingredients: Soy milk, lime juice, baby spinach, cucumber, pear, celery, frozen banana
CUCUMBER CELERY SMOOTHIE
14. Pineapple Green Protein Smoothie
Refreshing and sweet, this pineapple green smoothie is full of healthy ingredients. It has a tropical flavor thanks to pineapple and mango.The recipe even contains frozen steamed cauliflower, but you won't even taste it. Cauliflower has a mild flavor and blends well with the sweet fruits.If you don't want to use cauliflower, simply use frozen pineapple or frozen mango. This green smoothie is also high in protein, making it a filling drink. The protein comes from hemp protein powder and raw cashews.You can also use your favorite protein powder or other nuts, like almonds or peanuts.Ingredients: Orange juice, hemp protein powder, lime zest, baby spinach, raw cashews, mango, pineapple, frozen steamed cauliflower, ice
PINEAPPLE GREEN PROTEIN SMOOTHIE
15. Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
This blueberry avocado smoothie is rich, creamy, and satisfying. The texture comes from banana and avocado, which act as thickeners.Be sure to use a ripe banana for the best flavor. You can tell a banana is ripe if it has a yellow peel and some brown spots.Drinking this smoothie is a tasty way to get more antioxidants. The blueberries, banana, avocado, and spinach all provide antioxidant compounds.If you want to make the recipe more icy, try using frozen blueberries or frozen banana instead of fresh.Ingredients: Oat milk, lemon zest, protein powder, baby spinach, avocado, blueberries, banana
BLUEBERRY AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
16. Broccoli Smoothie
Broccoli is an unexpected but healthy ingredient in smoothies. It's packed with fiber and antioxidant compounds.This recipe combines broccoli with kale, apple, and frozen pineapple. The apple and pineapple are naturally sweet, so they'll balance the earthy flavors of the green vegetables.The smoothie also contains coconut water and cucumber, so it's very hydrating. Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes.Avocado gives this drink a creamy texture, along with anti-inflammatory fats. You can also use fresh banana instead of avocado.Ingredients: Coconut water, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, kale, cucumber, avocado, apple, broccoli, frozen pineapple
BROCCOLI SMOOTHIE
17. Matcha Banana Smoothie
Made with just 5 ingredients, this sweet matcha smoothie will give you a boost of energy.Enjoy this green smoothie if you're looking for an alternative to coffee. The caffeine in matcha will stimulate the body, but it won't cause an energy crash.Peaches and banana give the drink a natural sweetness. For a colder smoothie, either fruit can be frozen first.To make it even healthier, add a handful of kale or spinach. A scoop of spirulina powder will add more nutrients too.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, matcha powder, minced ginger, peaches, banana
MATCHA BANANA SMOOTHIE
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