Healthy Green Smoothie

Our healthy green smoothie is packed full of nutritious green fruit and veg. Not only does it taste great but it is naturally nutrient rich and packed full of vitamins and minerals, so really good for you too.

This is one of those healthy green smoothie recipes that taste good. There is a perfect balance of flavours and this recipe includes both fruit and vegetables as I find if there is just too much bitter greens, I struggle to get the kids to enjoy it.

Our super green smoothie combines cucumber, celery and spinach with green apple, kiwi, pineapple and banana. We’ve also added in lemon juice and fresh root ginger for added zing.

This simple healthy green smoothie not only tastes great, but it can be prepared and ready to enjoy in a matter of minutes. Great to start your day, or enjoy mid afternoon when you need a pick me up.

You can play around with the fruit and vegetables in your smoothies, but this is our best healthy green smoothie recipe, using the flavours we love to eat.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• The perfect balance of vegetable and fruit flavours making this a green smoothie the entire family will enjoy.
• A great way to help you towards your 5-a-day as this smoothie is loaded with goodness.
• Prep ahead by measuring out most of the ingredients and storing them in the freezer in individual sized portions.
• This smoothie is gluten free, dairy free and suitable for a vegan diet.

Are green smoothies good for you?

Yes, green smoothies are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals. I love green fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens. A healthy green smoothie is a great way of introducing leafy greens into your diet in a way that is often more palatable than just a serving of greens.

Coconut water is used in this best healthy green smoothie as it is full of electrolytes that both hydrate and energise us. It is a great ingredient to use if you are feeling unwell or are in need of an energy boost.

Also using coconut water in place of milk is healthier as coconut water contains less calories and is lower in sugar than milk.

Is it ok to drink a green smoothie every day?

Yes, it is ok to drink a green smoothie every day as it is a great way of introducing fruit and vegetables into our diets. That said, don’t just focus on eating only your greens as a healthy diet should include a rainbow of fruit and vegetables. Also it is good to vary how you cook and eat your food. Like everything else it’s all about balance.

What are the healthiest greens for a smoothie?

Leafy greens are the healthiest greens to add to any green smoothie as they are packed full of nutrients. Spinach is used in this smoothie, but you can also use chard, kale or collard greens. Then balance the bitter leafy greens with a variety of other green fruits and vegetables.

We have added other nutrient rich green ingredients too – cucumber, celery, green apple and kiwi fruit.

How to make a healthy green smoothie:

• Prepare the banana and pineapple the night before and place into the freezer. You can also buy frozen fruits and vegetables to make it easier.

• Add the lemon juice and coconut water to a high speed blender.

• Add the remaining ingredients into the high speed blender and blend to smooth.

• Divide the smoothie between 2 glasses and serve immediately.

Green smoothie benefits – ingredients & substitutions:

Green smoothie benefits include increased hydration, packing in lots of nutrient rich foods as well as adding to our 5-a-day. Below is a list of the ingredients we have used and the nutrients they are high in:

• Cucumber – keep the skin on as a lot of nutrients are contained in the skin of a cucumber, including vitamin C, K and magnesium.
• Celery – balances out the sweet fruit flavours and is also nutrient rich in potassium, calcium, folate and vitamin K.
• Spinach – is a nutrient rich leafy green containing vitamins and minerals including vitamin E and magnesium. Substitute with kale, chard or collard greens. Frozen spinach or kale are also a great substitutes.
• Green apple – is rich in vitamin A, C, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Leave the skin on so you get the most from the fruit. You can also use other apples.
• Kiwi fruit – is high in vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C and dietary fiber. You can leave the skin on or off – whatever your preference.
• Banana – is a great tasting fruit that most people enjoy. It also happens to be fiber rich and full of antioxidants. We slice and freeze the banana first, then added it frozen to the smoothie.
• Pineapple – is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties which aid digestion. We used frozen pineapple chunks for ease, however if using fresh pineapple slice and freeze it first.
• Root ginger – is grated and added to the smoothie. Ginger has great anti-inflammatory qualities and adds a real zing to the smoothie.
• Lemon juice – is an excellent source of vitamin C adds a fresh burst of citrus flavour to the smoothie. You could also use lime or orange juice.
• Coconut water – is low in calories, high in potassium and aids hydration. It is added to loosen the smoothie, making it drinkable. You could also use milk or plant based milk if you prefer, just be aware that this will add to the calorie count and also increase the sugars in the smoothie.

Why leave the skin on the fruit and vegetables?

The skin and peel of fruits and vegetables are packed full of nutrients, rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The fiber helps break down the sugar in the fruit and also aids digestion. This is why we have added the whole fruit.

You can add a whole kiwi fruit to the smoothie as the peel is edible. However, we have removed it so our kids would eat it.

Recipe variations:

It is really easy to make simple healthy green smoothies by blending together fruits and vegetables. Here’s a list of some healthy green smoothie ideas and ingredients:

• spinach, green apple, cucumber, lime, ginger, mint and coconut water
• kale, banana, mango, pumpkin seeds, dairy free milk
• kale or spinach, banana, apple, pinch of cinnamon, dairy free milk
• spinach or kale, pineapple, root ginger, pinch of turmeric, pinch of cinnamon, chia seeds, dairy free milk
• spinach or kale, avocado, pineapple, lime, root ginger, coconut water

Can a smoothie be made ahead?

Smoothie is best enjoyed immediately, as soon as it has been blended. However, leftover smoothie can be kept in an airtight container then stored in the fridge for another day.

Can I freeze smoothie mix?

Yes, you can freeze smoothie mix into individual silicon bags before it is blended. This time saving tip is a great way to get ahead.

Prepare all the fruit and vegetables in bulk, then bag up ingredients into individual smoothie sized portions, leaving out the lemon juice and coconut water. Then when you are ready to enjoy add the lemon juice and coconut water to the smoothie mix and blitz to smooth.

Useful hints and tips:

1. Frozen fruit and vegetables are ideal in a smoothie as they cool the drink down and save the need to add any ice, which only dilutes the smoothie.
2. A high speed blender makes easy work of this smoothie and also blitzes the fruit and veggies to a smooth consistency, meaning that you can leave the skin on.
3. For a low carb smoothie swap the fruits and add in some avocado and fresh berries instead.
4. Containing no dairy this smoothie is suitable for Vegan diners.
5. Allergy advice: gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soya free and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

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Additional recipe suggestions:

If you like this recipe and want to try some other healthy breakfast options for starting your day then try some of these recipes:

• Cinnamon Granola with Almond & Apricot
• Chocolate & Hazelnut Granola
• Spinach Omelette with Pesto
• Curried Eggs
• Baked Nectarines with Hazelnuts & Yogurt

Our simple healthy green smoothies great as part of a weekend breakfast or brunch. For some other great ideas have a look at our Ultimate Guide to Brunch which contains lots of useful hints and tips for creating the perfect brunch.

This recipe has been shared to CookBlogShare, click on the link to find recipe ideas by fellow food bloggers.