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HEALTHY DIET RECIPES
Admit it: Sometimes you’re just not in the mood to eat your vegetables. If you’re bored of the same old salads, let us introduce you to our favorite green smoothie recipes. But just because a drink is labeled a smoothie does not mean it’s healthy, so we’ve sipped around to find the most nutrient-rich and delicious recipes made from real whole foods. Need a filling breakfast or a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up? These creamy concoctions from our favorite food bloggers (plus a few of our own!) will take your taste buds for a spin. And all you need to get started is a blender. So, get mixing and raise a glass to good health.
1. Matcha Pear Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
Move over, kale — matcha is the hot new green in town. The finely ground green tea powder delivers caffeine, while protein powder ensures you’ll stay full long after guzzling down this tasty, refreshing shake
2. Spinach Orange Smoothie
Orange you craving a thick, and creamy drink? Citrus flavors can give you a boost of energy sans caffeine, so try blending this recipe up before you head out the door. Pro tip: Cut up the banana and freeze it the night before, and you won’t have to use ice.
3. Orange Kale Protein Juice Recipe
Life is hard. Why should you have to choose between a protein shake and a juice? With 30 grams of protein, plus pulverized kale and fresh orange, you can have it all with every smooth sip.
4. Ginger-Orange Green Smoothie
Five ingredients are all you need for this sunshine-in-a-glass smoothie. Make sure to blend the spinach and romaine first, then add the banana, oranges and ginger.
6. Spring Cleanse Green Smoothie
Give ‘em kale! This veg-tastic smoothie has a mix of savory and sweet flavors, thanks to cilantro, honey, ginger and pineapple. Plus, you’ll get just the slightest boost of caffeine from green tea.
7. Flax and Oats Smoothie
If it’s too hot for oatmeal but you still want some whole grains, try this emerald shake that’s got a hearty amount of raw rolled oats. Sprinkle on some homemade granola if you like some extra crunch.
8. Honeydew Mint Smoothie
Refresh yourself while indulging your sweet tooth with this light and fruity green smoothie. For an extra-cold drink, chill your melon and coconut milk in the fridge before making. Put in a splash of liquor if you’re in the mood to celebrate.
9. Peachy Green Protein Smoothie
With 31 grams of protein, this smoothie works well for breakfast or as a post-workout snack. Sweeten the deal with some peaches and pineapple and you’ve got one satisfying.
10. Kale Pina-Covado Smoothie
Taste the tropics and get some veggies, too. This kale blend gets its sweetness from pineapple and its creaminess from half an avocado. Share the second serving with a friend, or keep it in the fridge for up to two days.
11. Happy Green Monster
Put some pep in your step with this pear-based shake. Pear and coconut water pack enough of potassium to keep your muscles working efficiently, plus spinach and kale are chock-full of fiber to keep your digestion as happy as your taste buds.
12. Joe Wicks’ Green Protein Smoothie Recipe
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach and “Lean in 15” creator, is all about quick and dirty meals and snacks. In this recovery smoothie recipe, he adds spinach for replenishing vitamin K, protein powder to help rebuild muscles and honey for a touch of natural sweetness.
13. Vanilla Matcha Protein Smoothie
Matcha powder is more concentrated than regular green tea, so it packs ten times more antioxidants. Although it’s less bitter than green tea, a little goes a long way when incorporating it into a recipe. In this delicious smoothie, it takes well to the creamy sweetness of banana, vanilla and almond milk.
1. Follow the 60/40 formula.
When you’re making your first few green smoothies, don’t just throw things in the blender. Chances are, it’ll taste nasty if you wing it right out of the gate. To save you a few smoothie-fails, bust out those cute lil’ measuring cups and follow this simple formula: 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens.
2. Blend in stages to avoid leafy chunks.
Chewing your green smoothie is no fun! To get a “smooth” green smoothie experience, blend up your leafy greens and liquid-base first. Then add your remaining fruits and blend again.
3. Ditch the ice and freeze some fruits.
Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas (peel first), grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits (like those brown bananas on your counter). You can also freeze your leafy greens in a freezer-safe bag. Just make sure to add your frozen greens straight to the blender (don’t defrost these fragile lil’ guys).
4. Use raw natural sweeteners.
Add naturally sweet fruits to any smoothie that tastes bitter or a bit too “green.” By sticking with naturally sweet fruits like bananas, mango, apples, pears or pitted dates, we avoid artificial sweeteners and processed sugars.
5. Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food.
We know life can get crazy busy especially in the morning. That’s why we think green smoothies are the healthiest fast food for people who are constantly on the go. You can blend your green smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge (up to 2 days). Use an airtight lid to limit oxidation and keep it as fresh as possible. When ready to drink, give it a good shake before you open.
If you follow these five green smoothie tips, we pinky promise your green smoothies will be love at first sip! Now, here’s a favorite recipe we make for friends and family who’ve never tried a green smoothie before.
