This Is The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You'll Ever Need (Yes, Really) (2024)

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February 08, 2023

Contributing Health & Nutrition Editor

By Stephanie Eckelkamp

Contributing Health & Nutrition Editor

Stephanie Eckelkamp is a writer and editor who has been working for leading health publications for the past 10 years. She received her B.S. in journalism from Syracuse University with a minor in nutrition.

February 08, 2023

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Perhaps the simplest way to boost your overall health is increasing your intake of leafy greens and other nutrient-packed veggies and fruits. One of the easiest ways to do just that? A green smoothie.

The truth is, you're not always in the mood for a salad—especially not first thing in the morning—and a green smoothie makes a delicious, easy-to-swallow alternative that ensures you're consuming loads of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Plus, unlike green juices, green smoothies still contain all the filling, gut-friendly fiber from your fruits and veggies.

Here, we cover the basics of how to make a green smoothie, plus five simple green smoothie recipes for beginners.

There's no exact science for how to make a green smoothie, but in general, a great green smoothie recipe will feature an ample portion of leafy greens, along with some fruit, healthy fats, and protein.

This is a basic green formula, which you should feel free to tweak and adapt!

1.

Greens: 1 Tbsp. greens powder or 2-plus cups veggies

organic veggies+

A quick and effective way to build your green smoothie is with a greens powder.

Ideally, look for one that includes extra nutritious ingredients like prebiotic fibers, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant-rich botanicals like ginger and turmeric—such as mindbodygreen's organic veggies+ powder.*

This particular blend also features organic dark green leafy vegetables, like kale and broccoli, along with hard-to-find organic sea veggiesthat naturally contain many essential micronutrients like iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, folate, vitamin K, and vitamin C.*

Of course, you can also include fresh or frozen leafy greens along with other green chlorophyll-rich produce in your greens smoothie.

Mix and match for a more varied nutrient profile, using greens like spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, parsley, cilantro, broccoli sprouts, and watercress.

Just keep in mind you won't get all the same array of nutrients as you will in a strategic blend by using veggies alone.*

Try this: mindbodygreen's organic veggies +

2.

Fruit: ½ to 1 cup fruit

Fruit adds a nice dose of natural sweetness, plus antioxidants. Feel free to mix and match a couple of different fruits (e.g., ½ banana + ½ cup blueberries).

Pro tip: Fresh fruit works just fine, but frozen fruit will lend a nice thick texture to your green smoothie.

Try these: blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, pear, mango, apple, lemon, pineapple, peach

3.

Protein: 1 serving (or 1 to 2 Tbsp.)

Protein will give your green smoothie even more staying power.

Try these: collagen powder (which is great because it adds no flavor), protein powder, frozen peas (trust!), kefir, Greek yogurt, nut butter, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds

4.

Healthy fat: 1 to 2 Tbsp., ½ avocado, etc.

Keep in mind: If your protein source (e.g., nut butter) or liquid (e.g., coconut milk) already deliver a hefty portion of fat, you don't need to add in an additional fat—unless you'd like.

Try these: coconut manna, coconut oil, MCT oil, avocado, nut butter, hemp hearts, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds

5.

Flavor boosters: 1 tsp. to 1 Tbsp. each

Feel free to add in as many flavor boosters as you'd like, keeping in mind combinations that work well together (think: cocoa + cinnamon + cayenne).

Try these: cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, mint, basil, lemon or lime zest, bee pollen

6.

Liquid: 1 to 1½ cups

Try these: water, coconut water, herbal tea, non-dairy milk (almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc.)

Want a little extra inspiration? Here are some mbg favorite green smoothie recipes to try. For each combo, blend all ingredients until smooth:

1.

Spicy Mango Green Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups baby arugula (or a milder green, like spinach)
  • ½ cup frozen mango
  • 1 scoop collagen (or other protein powder)
  • 1 tsp. grated ginger
  • ¼ tsp. ground turmeric
  • ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup water

2.

Strawberry-Basil Green Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ banana
  • ½ avocado
  • ½ cup frozen strawberries
  • 2 tbsp. hemp hearts
  • small handful basil leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. organic veggies+

3.

Apple-Cinnamon Green Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 cup almond or oat milk
  • 1 small apple, chopped
  • ½ frozen banana
  • 1 to 2 tbsp. almond butter (or your favorite nut butter)
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

4.

Raspberry-Mint Keto Green Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • ½ cup raspberries
  • ½ cup cashew milk
  • ½ cup ice
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 scoop collagen powder
  • 3 to 5 mint leaves
  • ½ tsp. matcha powder

5.

Pineapple-Parsley Green Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut water
  • ½ cup packed parsley (stems and leaves)
  • ½ cup frozen pineapple
  • ½ cucumber, chopped
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 tsp. grated ginger
  • 1 Tbsp. organic veggies+

Whether you decide to stick to one of these tried and true combos or whip up your own green smoothie recipe, these nutrient-packed meals make for a delicious breakfast, lunch, or even snack.

RELATED: 5 Nutrient-Dense Smoothie Recipes To Start Drinking In 2023

organic veggies+

This Is The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You'll Ever Need (Yes, Really) (2024)

FAQs

What happens to your body when you drink a green smoothie everyday? ›

An easy way to get more greens into your diet is by drinking green smoothies. To Look Amazing: Your hair, skin and nails will all begin to look better. The cleansing and detoxifying ability of dark green vegetables helps with the elimination of toxins and establishes a healthy intestinal lining.

What is the healthiest green to put in a smoothie? ›

The best green vegetables to add to smoothies in terms of flavor profile and nutritional value include spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, zucchini, cucumber, and avocado (which is technically a fruit but is more commonly used as a vegetable).

What is the dark side of green smoothies? ›

Concerningly, green smoothies may also have adverse effects on the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland requires the mineral iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Cruciferous vegetables—common ingredients in green smoothies—contain compounds called glucosinolates, which inhibit iodine uptake by the thyroid.

Can I drink a spinach and banana smoothie every day? ›

The answer is yes, absolutely. Green smoothies are still a great way to get the nutrients your body craves. But, as with anything else, be mindful of your choices — rotate your ingredients, wash produce thoroughly and allow yourself a few “smoothie-free” days every week so you can try other nutrient-dense foods.

Do green smoothies reduce belly fat? ›

Green smoothies can be a great source of nutrients. They can also help you to feel full and encourage your body to burn fat. The best green smoothies for weight loss are low in calories and high in fiber and protein. They may include ingredients like spinach, almond milk, blueberries, and avocado.

What sweetener is best for green smoothies? ›

Natural Sweetening Options for Green Smoothies
  • Raw honey. Honey is nature's miracle food; it's known for its natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and has been used as a health food worldwide for more than 4,000 years. ...
  • Stevia. ...
  • Dates. ...
  • Agave nectar.

Do green smoothies have too much sugar? ›

Smoothies are high in sugar.

Even if they have some added vegetables like spinach or kale, they are still likely to be high in sugar.

How many times a week should you drink a green smoothie? ›

Many people do not consume enough greens, even those who stay on a raw food diet. By drinking two or three cups of green smoothies daily you will consume enough greens for the day to nourish your body, and all of the beneficial nutrients will be well assimilated.

Why do I feel weird after drinking a smoothie? ›

Hard To Digest Ingredients

If you're adding nuts or cashews to your smoothie, they can cause problems as they're hard for the digestive system to break down. Another common culprit could be your protein. Many cheap proteins are filled with unnecessary fillers and artificial sugars that can cause digestive upset.

What are two potential risks of smoothies? ›

In conclusion, smoothies can be a great way to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables in our diet, which would have many health benefits. However, they may contain large amounts of added or natural sugars, which can contribute to dental problems and obesity.

Should you drink green smoothie on an empty stomach? ›

Breakfast is best

It's the best way to absorb all the nutrients each drink contains, and it's also the best time to drink one as a meal replacement.

What is the most important ingredient in a smoothie? ›

Protein Powder. Protein smoothie recipes often contain protein powder, and Spivak says protein is an important part of a nutritious smoothie. “Protein builds and maintains muscle mass, and can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied,” she says.

How do you thicken a green smoothie? ›

No ice: If you don't have ice, you can use frozen fruit, oats, chia seeds, yogurt, or nuts and nut butter to thicken your smoothie. No frozen fruit: Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds into the blender instead. No yogurt: You can swap yogurt with nut butter to thicken a smoothie.

Why are green smoothies so filling? ›

Unlike juices, smoothies don't strip the fiber from vegetables and fruits so they're more filling.

What are the side effects of green smoothies? ›

Green smoothies in moderation can be a great way to get extra vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But, excessive intake of green smoothies may increase your levels of oxalic acid and this can lead to aching muscles and joints, gout, kidney stones and other health problems.

What are the side effects of drinking smoothies everyday? ›

You may consume a lot of sugar

If you consistently consume high-sugar smoothies that don't contain much fiber or protein, your blood sugar may spike and you'll most likely be left feeling hungry and unsatisfied.

Does blending green smoothies destroy nutrients? ›

No, blending in a smoothie does not break down the nutrients sufficiently to affect their value,” she assures. Learn more about making healthy smoothies.

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