10+ Healthy Greens For Smoothies
Healthy Greens For Smoothies
Tired of spending $10 or more on a green smoothie from your local café or juice spot? Same, that is why I make my own Green Smoothies!?
Elevate your smoothie game with the power of healthy greens for smoothies, infusing your blends with a burst of flavor, color, and unparalleled nutritional benefits.
I love to use a variety of greens in my green smoothie creations. I have my favorite combinations of flavors however, the beauty about making your own smoothies at home, you can customize them to your flavor preferences!?
Why I Make Green Smoothies
I would be lying if I said I had no problem eating enough greens all the time. Green smoothies are a wonderful way to get a quick and easy jolt of nutrition, especially on days when sitting down and taking the time to prep and eat a healthy meal seems unfathomable.?
Moreover, I LOVE the taste of green smoothies. I make my green smoothies with the perfect balance of earthy greens, sweet flavors, and a tart, lip-puckering punch.?
I’ve always loved vegetable juices. When I was a kid, I would order Virgin Bloody Mary's when we would go out to breakfast. What can I say, I love my veggies!
11 Healthy Greens For Smoothies
From leafy greens to fresh herbs to other green veggies, healthy greens in smoothies are just one way you can bump up your daily nutrition! Here are my recommendations for healthy “greens” you can add to smoothies. When I think, "What are some healthy greens for smoothies?", I think of these greens, herbs, and veggies!
Leafy Greens
Spinach or Baby Spinach
Spinach is probably one of the easiest green leafy vegetables to add, Why? Because most grocery stores sell frozen spinach, my preferred way is to add some spinach to a smoothie.?
But, if you have some beautiful fresh spinach you picked up from the farmers market or better yet grew in your backyard, fresh spinach is also super delicious.?
Kale or Baby Kale
Another great option for a healthy green is kale. Kale is a good source of plant-based calcium and Vitamin K. Choose baby kale for more of a mild taste.?
Lettuce greens?(romaine, butter, and green leaf lettuce)
For when you have leftover lettuce you don’t want to go bad or you just have a lot of lettuce in your produce drawer, or if you just like lettuce!
Microgreens
Microgreens have a delicate flavor and are often seen as a colorful garnish to dishes like avocado toast, and grain bowls, and served in sandwiches. You can also use up your microgreens in a green smoothie.?
I get my microgreens locally from Gorge Greens!
Fresh Herbs
Mint
Easy to grow in pots, mint is an excellent green for smoothies and most beverages from refreshing waters to cocktails and mocktails.?
Parsley
Loaded with Vitamins A, C, and K, parsley is another herb you can add to your green smoothie ingredient repertoire.
Basil?
Think Strawberry Basil cooler, but in a smoothie. Try the combination of frozen strawberries, a bit of basil, and some coconut milk. Looking for more green? Add some frozen spinach to the mix!?
Lemon Balm
One of my favorite plants to grow and drink in teas, lemon balm has many medicinal properties.?
Known for its delightful lemon aroma, lemon balm may assist in combatting anxiety and enhancing mood while supporting focus and sleep.
Other Veggies and Green Ingredients
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Celery and Celery Tops
Got celery tops? I enjoy freezing them alongside leftover onion peels and ends to make a delicious vegetable stock. However, you could also use those bits in your green smoothies!
?Cucumber
Cucumbers might not be a leafy green but hey, most cucumbers are green, right? So, I am including cucumbers on this list.?
Plus, cucumbers are my favorite addition to a green smoothie. Cucumbers are mild in flavor and blend beautifully. Additionally, they make for a super hydrating and refreshing smoothie.?
Matcha Powder
I love adding matcha powder to strawberry smoothies. Using Macha powder was my very first introduction to a green smoothie. I make a copycat Matcha Man smoothie from Smoothie King’s old menu. The combination of strawberries, soy milk, matcha, and dates makes for a delicious breakfast smoothie.?
?Other Greens
Some other leafy green vegetables you could add to your smoothie recipes that I don't talk about include, beet greens, bok choy, swiss chard, dandelion greens, and collard greens.
Other Ingredients In Green Smoothies
My favorite combination of flavors for a green smoothie recipe is in my Green Juice Smoothie. However, get creative! Explore?your?tastes for?your?ultimate green smoothie experience! Try these fruits, veggies, sweeteners, milks, and additional add-ins.?
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
What are the health benefits of green smoothies?
The nutritional advantages of smoothies can vary based on the types of greens and other ingredients incorporated.
Usually, green smoothies will have many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and even protein to add to your daily nutrition needs.?
Why add greens to smoothies?
Adding greens to smoothies is a matter of personal preference. Some people consider adding greens for the nutritional benefits, whereas others want a healthy breakfast to kick start the day, or even a healthy snack to keep you going through the after-lunch slump.?
I enjoy greens in smoothies for the above reasons and more! I enjoy the hydration greens smoothies provide, and they also add variety to my smoothie-making.?
Most of the fruit smoothies I make are creamy. I use milk, banana, Greek yogurt, nut butter, and MCT powder to achieve a creamy consistency. Whereas, when I make smoothies with greens, I keep them light and refreshing using citrus juice, apple juice, or water as my liquid base.?
What is the healthiest liquid to put in a smoothie?
Defining what constitutes a "healthy" diet and understanding nutrition revolve around individualized nutrition and health goals. So, in my opinion, as a registered dietitian nutritionist, there is no "healthiest" liquid to put into a smoothie.?
However, below I provided a list of "healthy" liquids you might consider adding to your smoothie.?
Bottom Line
Hopefully, this article gets you thinking about different ways to add greens to your diet, or even a bit more about nutrition. And, if green smoothies aren’t your thing, that’s okay!?
I’ll conclude with this question, just some food for thought;?
What are some of your favorite ways to eat some greens!?
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Recipes and Articles
If you enjoy smoothies, check out some of my smoothie recipes!
Like this article? Check out some of my other informative article!