Green Smoothies

Drinking a smoothie in the morning is not only delicious, but also possibly the only way you could convince someone to have two servings each of fruit and vegetables before 10:00am! Dr. John often recommends to patients to drink a smoothie to jump start their day; however, because they are delicious and open to creative expression, we have some tips to keep them a nutrient-rich breakfast option.

1. Make a point of including low GI (glycemic index) ingredients (like bananas, apples) in your smoothies! They digest more slowly in the body resulting in them being more filling.

2. Avoid additional sugar in your smoothies, especially in ways you might not realize – like sugar-laden protein powders or large quantities of fruit.

3. Feel free to add in healthy fats to also help keep you full and satisfied!

Here is a green smoothie we enjoy making as a smoothie, or even a smoothie bowl if you use less milk! Remember too that this recipe is a suggestion of some of the endless possibilities you could substitute out and exchange with similar ingredients.

Super Green Smoothie

  • 1/4 ripe avocado

  • 1 ripe banana (previously frozen – if fresh, add ice)

  • 1/2 cup frozen berries (use strawberries/raspberries for a greener smoothie or blackberry/blueberry for a darker, purple-colored smoothie)

  • 1 handful each of spinach and kale (organic when possible; for the kale, remove large stems)

  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups almond or other nut-based milk

Optional add-ins!

  • 1/2 tablespoon flaxseed meal or oil

  • 1 tablespoon peanut/almond butter

Toppings:

  • Roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds

  • Granola

  • Roasted nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.)

  • Shredded, unsweetened coconut

  • Fresh berries

  • Hemp seeds

Add all smoothie ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth! Add more almond milk to thin, more spinach for a bright green hue, or banana for natural sweetness.

*Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker

John Hargrove