This smoothie may be green – and it does pack in leafy greens and is supremely nutritious – but that’s where any similarity with your average green smoothie ends.
Add a little less liquid and it’s just perfectly sublime to be eaten with a spoon. It’s that good.
If you need to get the kids to associate green with scrumptiousness this is your smoothie. If you have a sweet tooth and have to cheat the veggies into your diet, this is your smoothie. And, if you don’t like bananas (there are a lot of you out there!), this one is bananaless.
To make the perfect green smoothie, pack in complex carbs, healthy fats, protein, fiber and veggies that boast high levels of nutrients to make a nutritious and satisfying meal. And this smoothie fits the bill. See more about how to make a weight loss smoothie.
The Perfect Green Smoothie
Hopefully having convinced that this perfect green smoothie is absolutely delicious, lets move on to it’s other attributes. The insane creaminess of this smoothie comes from avocado. Brazil and the Far East have long been making milkshakes, desserts and other sweet treats with it. Who knew? And why didn’t they tell us?
You can change things up to suit your tastes, but generally to make a filling, healthy green smoothie be sure to add healthy fat, protein, fiber-rich ingredients, limit sugar-rich fruit, and pack in nutrient-rich leafy greens.
Avocado is loaded with dietary fiber, which helps keep the digestive system running smoothly and also helps you to feel fuller for longer. Avocados are in rich in healthy fats that increase satiety. Again helping you feel fuller longer. Even better, according to research avocados may actually help reduce cholesterol levels.
Pears are a great source of fiber and vitamin C, while fresh spinach is rich in list of vitamins and minerals too long to mention.
Greek yogurt adds protein and makes this smoothie even more filling and more of a meal.
Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and has little to no taste. But more importantly, chia seeds absorb about 10 times their weight in water. After about 20 minutes these little seeds swell up, expanding in the stomach and leaving you feeling full for hours.
This green smoothie is high in the following vitamins and minerals:
- High in calcium
- High in dietary fiber
- High in potassium
- Very high in vitamin A
- High in vitamin C
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 ripe pear
- 2 tbs low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbs chia seeds
- ice cubes
Instructions
- For a super smooth smoothie, first blend the spinach with the milk only.
- Once smooth, add remaining ingredients.
Tip
If the pear isn’t sweet/ ripe enough use honey, banana, grapes or other such fruit to sweeten.
For extra zing add a splash fresh lime juice.
To boost protein add vanilla protein powder.
What else could you add as an ingredient in a green smoothie? I would like to introduce this with my friend but she’s not into greens, she doesn’t like this kind of smoothie. Do you have any suggestion?
Chia seeds are useless. Do not waste your money on them. They do not aid in lowering body weight, body fat and provide no improvement in traditional cardiovascular markers. Just still with veggies and yogurt.
Smoothies are always a good way to start the day and the fact that this one looks healthy is a definite bonus!
I myself find it hard to eat first thing in the morning, so a smoothie is a good alternative and gets me ready for the day ahead!
Thank you for another smoothie recipe to add to my ever growing collection!
Laura (@Detox.me)