7 Smoothie Recipes That Pack in the Nutrition
While it may seem more convenient to go stand in line to pay a ridiculous amount for our favorite smoothie, they are actually one of the easiest things to make, and much more economical once we get the hang of it. There isn’t much to making a delicious version of our favorite Jamba smoothie – it just takes a good blender and a bit of creativity and patience until we find the perfect combination.
Smoothies are a great snack for everyone, especially for our little ones, because they’re packed with all kinds of protein, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. If your child happens to be a picky eater, a delicious smoothie full of protein is a saving grace. As far as protein goes, you can use milk, coconut milk, almond butter, peanut butter, ground sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, yogurt, oats, quinoa, or various protein powders.
Here are some of my favorite recipes:
PB&B Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 bananas
2 cups whole milk, almond milk, or soy milk
½ cup peanut or almond butter
¼ cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons honey or agave, or to taste
2 cups ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds
Note: Add 1-2 tablespoons chocolate syrup or powdered chocolate mix and 1/4 cup of spinach to sneak in some greens. They’ll never know!
Very Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
¼ cup cold cranberry juice
1 8 oz. container of strawberry yogurt
1 teaspoon protein powder
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen strawberries
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds
Note: Throw in some chia seeds and spinach leaves; the blueberries will mask them.
Tropical Bliss Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
½ chopped banana
1½ teaspoons chia seeds
¾ cup frozen pineapple chunks
¼ cup frozen mango chunks
¼ cup apple
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons agave or honey
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds.
All-American Apple Pie Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup soy milk or whole milk
¼ cup apple cinnamon flavored yogurt
1 teaspoon protein powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 apple, diced
5 vanilla wafers
Honey or agave to sweeten
1 cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds.
Pom & Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup pomegranate arils
½ cup ripe chopped banana
½ cup frozen strawberries
½ cup vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 cup coconut, soybean or whole milk
2 tablespoons honey or agave, or sweeten to taste
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds.
Fruit and Veggie Smoothies as a Healthy Snack
Fruit and vegetable smoothies can be a great way to keep our little one’s blood sugar regulated in between meals, as well as to provide powerful antioxidants. I drink a kale smoothie every day, and the effects on my health have been incredible.
Smoothies as snacks are an awesome way to work in some of the daily suggested fruits and vegetables that our children need, without them noticing it. As much as I love kale, I have to say that spinach has just as much calcium and vitamin A and K as kale (not to mention it’s high in iron), and it has a much milder taste. That makes it a perfect vegetable to pair up with fruits to create some powerful and delicious smoothies that our kids will definitely love:
Apple, Strawberry, Kale Smoothie
Ingredients:
¾ cup chopped kale, ribs and stems removed
1 small stalk celery, chopped
½ chopped avocado
½ cup apple juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon chia seeds
½ cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds.
Green Pineapple & Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
½ cup apple juice
1 cup chopped spinach
1 cup chopped kale
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped zucchini
1½ cups chopped pineapple
½ cup chopped apple
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth; about 30 seconds.
What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?
