Are green smoothies really good for you?

It depends. If you’re putting any sugar (non-fruit sugar, I mean) or other high caloric things in there, then that makes green smoothies a little less good for you. And some plant-based doctors out there want you to chew your food. That is, you can get less fiber from a smoothie (than chewing the ingredients themselves) because the blender does that work for you. However, if you’re also eating salads and a wide variety of plant based foods throughout the day, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a green smoothie as part of that healthy diet.

What are the best greens to put in a smoothie?

Spinach is by far the LEAST “green-tasting” leaf out there to put in your smoothie. You almost can’t taste it at all. But, you should vary your greens to get the most nutrients. Kale is also a great choice. Collards and swiss or rainbow chard are a little bit more assertive in flavor, but I’ve learned to really enjoy them. The trick is to pair them with sweet fruits to mask the bitterness.

Can you use frozen greens?

Yes! Frozen greens are a great way of adding some greens to your smoothie. If you can’t eat all your salad greens in the week before they go bad, toss them in a freezer-safe container or reusable food storage bag and freeze them for your next smoothie.

Should I drink green smoothies every day?

You should consult your doctor because I don’t want to tell you what to do. But I personally drink green smoothies every day (and so does my husband since my recipe makes two 16-ounce servings) and it makes me feel great. I quit caffeine and I have much more sustained energy from drinking them. These smoothies are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins K and A, and iron. If you use citrus you’re also getting some great vitamin C too. The flaxseed are great for omegas as well.

Should I add protein powder?

You can! You definitely don’t have to, but you can. If you don’t want to alter the flavor much, try adding an unflavored protein powder.

The Best Green Smoothie

Name: The Best Green Smoothie
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups cold filtered water; ¾ cup orange juice (see note 1); 1 cup chopped kale (about 2 large leaves) (see note 2); ½ cup chopped collards (about 1 large leaf) (see note 2); 1 small handful fresh sweet mint leaves to taste (see note 3); 1 medium apple, chopped or 1 cup green grapes; 1 - 2 teaspoons fresh or frozen ginger; ¾ cup frozen or fresh pineapple or mango chunks; 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (see note 4); ½ to 1 full cup of ice (see note 5)

Description

Sweet but nutrient-packed, this delicious and easy green smoothie is refreshing, satisfying, and nourishing.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 1/4 cups cold filtered water
3/4 cup orange juice (see note 1)
1 cup chopped kale (about 2 large leaves) (see note 2)
1/2 cup chopped collards (about 1 large leaf) (see note 2)
1 small handful fresh sweet mint leaves to taste (see note 3)
1 medium apple, chopped or 1 cup green grapes
1 - 2 teaspoons fresh or frozen ginger
3/4 cup frozen or fresh pineapple or mango chunks
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (see note 4)
1/2 to 1 full cup of ice (see note 5)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Add liquid: Add your water, juice, or whatever liquids you’re using to the blender first.
Add greens: Next, add your washed greens. If they’re not chopped, just rip them up a little bit and stuff them in there. Throw the mint in too at this point.
Add fruit: Add your fresh and frozen fruit next along with your ginger.
Add remaining ingredients: Finally, add your ground flaxseed and ice (if using).
Blend at high speed for 60 - 90 seconds. You may want to stop the blender halfway through and stir (or use a tamper if your blender has one) to make sure everything is blended and nothing is caught below the blade.
Blend at the lowest speed for 10 seconds. This breaks up any bubbles created by the blending process and makes a much smoother drink.
Pour and serve! We like to drink these smoothies with reusable straws which saves your teeth from too much sugar (even the natural sugars in fruit) and saves you from getting any particles in your teeth.
Store: While a smoothie will last 1-2 days in the fridge, it can start to lose nutrients or separate. If I do have leftover smoothie, I like to pour it in an ice cube tray. Then the next time I feel like a smoothie, I’ll throw those cubes in my blender with some water or juice and it’s still tasty!

Notes

Note 1: For liquids you can substitute all juice, water, non-dairy milk, coconut water or a mix of any of those. I love citrus with my greens (and it boosts iron absorption) so you could also try a peeled & seeded lemon, lime, or fresh orange segments.
Note 2: You can blend stems and all if you have a high speed blender. If not, I would remove the stems and roughly chop the leaves. If you are new to green smoothies or are afraid it will be bitter, try using 2 cups of baby spinach instead of the kale and collards.
Note 3: Use less if you don’t like mint. You can also add either ¼ or ½ teaspoon mint extract. Or omit if desired.
Note 4: You can substitute chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc. You could even do 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter but this will alter the flavor.
Note 5: If you do not have a high speed blender, you may want to skip the ice unless you know your blender can handle it. :)
Note 6: I use a Vitamix blender which has proved to be worth my investment 10,000 times over. I definitely had to save for a while. But I do understand it’s not in the cards for some folks. I have heard great things about bullet blenders and Ninja blenders too.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Smoothie
Method: Blender
Cuisine: American