Best Green Smoothie Recipes

As a holistic nutritionist, personal trainer, athlete, and mom of 4, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of green smoothies in supporting overall health and well-being. Here’s why I created this post with the Best Green Smoothie Recipes and why we should drink them often.

1. Abundant Nutrients: Green smoothies are typically packed with an array of nutrient–dense ingredients like leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard), fruits (such as bananas, berries, and apples), and healthy fats (like avocado or nuts). This diverse blend provides essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients crucial for optimal functioning of the body.
2. Hydration: As an athlete, staying hydrated is key to performance and recovery. Green smoothies, with their high water content from ingredients like cucumber and celery, contribute to your daily hydration needs, helping to replenish fluids lost during exercise and maintain electrolyte balance.
3. Digestive Health: The fiber content in green smoothies supports digestive health by promoting regularity, preventing constipation, and fostering a healthy gut microbiome. A healthy gut is vital for nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall well-being.
4. Energy Boost: The combination of carbohydrates from fruits and leafy greens, along with natural sugars, provides a steady source of energy without the crash associated with processed sugars. This sustained energy is especially beneficial for busy moms and athletes juggling multiple responsibilities and demanding training schedules.
5. Alkalizing Properties: Many green smoothie ingredients, particularly leafy greens, have alkalizing properties, helping to balance the body’s pH levels. An alkaline environment may support overall health and reduce the risk of inflammation and chronic diseases.
6. Weight Management: For those looking to manage weight, green smoothies can be a helpful tool. They are naturally low in calories but high in nutrients, making them a satisfying and nutritious option for meals or snacks. Plus, the fiber content helps promote satiety and may reduce overall calorie intake.
7. Immune Support: As a mom, supporting immune health is paramount. Green smoothies, rich in vitamin C from fruits like citrus and berries, as well as other immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin E and zinc, can help strengthen the body’s defenses against illness and infections.
8. Convenience and Versatility: As a busy mom and athlete, convenience is key. Green smoothies are quick and easy to prepare, making them a convenient option for busy mornings or post-workout refueling. They’re also highly customizable, allowing you to tailor them to your taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Favorite “GREENS” List

Fresh Spinach: Spinach is a popular choice for green smoothies due to its mild flavor and tender texture. It’s also rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and antioxidants.

Kale: Kale is another nutritious option that adds a slightly earthy flavor to smoothies. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, calcium, and antioxidants. To make kale easier to blend, remove the tough stems before adding it to your smoothie.

Swiss Chard: Swiss chard has a slightly bitter taste but is milder than other leafy greens like arugula or mustard greens. It’s an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Romaine Lettuce: Romaine lettuce has a crisp texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it a great addition to smoothies. It’s rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and potassium.

Collard Greens: Collard greens have a sturdy texture and a slightly bitter taste, so they’re best blended with sweeter fruits to balance the flavor. They’re high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and manganese.

Cucumber: While technically not a leafy green, cucumber is a refreshing addition to green smoothies. It has a mild flavor and high water content, which helps to hydrate and add volume to your smoothie without altering the taste significantly. Cucumber is also a good source of vitamins K and C, as well as potassium and antioxidants.

Celery: Celery has a mild, slightly salty flavor and adds a refreshing crispness to smoothies. It’s low in calories but high in fiber, vitamins K and C, and antioxidants.

Zucchini: Like cucumber, zucchini is not a leafy green but can be added to smoothies for added nutrition and texture. It has a mild flavor and creamy texture when blended, making it a versatile ingredient. Zucchini is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and antioxidants.

Watercress: has a peppery taste and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants.

Dandelion Greens: have a slightly bitter flavor but are highly nutritious, containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants.

Beet Greens: have a mild taste and are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants. They’re a great way to use the entire beet plant and reduce food waste.

Microgreens: are young, tender greens harvested when they’re just a few inches tall. They come in a variety of flavors, such as arugula, radish, and pea shoots, and are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Spirulina: type of blue-green algae that’s often consumed in powdered form. It’s incredibly nutrient-dense, containing protein, vitamins B1, B2, and B3, iron, and antioxidants. While it has a strong flavor, a small amount can be added to smoothies for a nutritional boost.

Wheatgrass: young grass of the wheat plant and is typically consumed as a juice or powder. It’s rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as chlorophyll, minerals, and antioxidants. Like spirulina, wheatgrass has a strong flavor but can be added to smoothies in small amounts.

Sprouts: nutrient-dense, easy to digest, low in calories, versatile, rich in antioxidants, hydrating, and easy to cultivate at home.

Moringa: nutrient-dense tree native to parts of Africa and Asia. Its leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants.

Kohlrabi Greens: Kohlrabi is a member of the cabbage family, and its greens have a mild flavor similar to kale or collard greens. They’re rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Broccoli leaves: often overlooked but are edible and highly nutritious. They have a milder flavor than broccoli florets and are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants.

Favorite Green Smoothies

Smoothies are a nutritious way to boost fiber intake, aiding digestion and satiety, while facilitating the absorption of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They improve nutrient absorption and increase fruit and vegetable consumption, supporting overall health.

1

Tropical Pumpkin Smoothie

Delight in the nourishing blend featuring banana, cooked pumpkin, vibrant parsley, kale, and the sweetness of pineapple or mango. Infused with a refreshing mix of water or orange juice, this smoothie is enhanced with optional hemp seeds for added nutritional benefits.

Check out this recipe

2

Spicy Green Flu Fighting Smoothie

Indulge in a tantalizing smoothie featuring the harmonious blend of ripe banana, juicy orange, vibrant spinach, and a dash of fresh ginger and ground cinnamon, all blended to perfection with water for a refreshing and invigorating treat.

Check out this recipe

3

Green Peach Cranberry Smoothie

Indulge in this smoothie, a tantalizing blend of ripe banana, frozen peach, a splash of raspberries or cranberries, and the nutritious addition of fresh kale. Fused together with this vibrant concoction offers a delightful mix of flavors and a nutritional boost for a refreshing and indulgent treat.

Check out this recipe

4

Tropical Green Smoothie

This vibrant smoothie combines sweet banana, pear, and mango with the goodness of kale and zucchini. The citrusy touch of orange and a hint of lemon juice add freshness, while shredded coconut and dates bring delightful sweetness. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and natural flavors, it's a nutritious and refreshing beverage.

Check out this recipe

More Green Smoothies:

• Green Berry Smoothie
• Green Orange Smoothie
• Apple Pear & Kale Citrus Smoothie
• Kale Berry Green Smoothie
• Sweet Exotic Green Smoothie
• Easy Green Apple & Pear Smoothie
• Healthy Sweet Green Smoothie
• Creamy Kiwi Smoothie Bowl

Elevate Your Smoothie

• Coconut milk & coconut water (tropical smoothie)
• Fresh and frozen fruit (frozen banana for creamy texture) 
• Chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds 
• Almond butter (peanut, cashew or hazelnut butters too)
• Orange juice, lemon juice
• Oat milk, soy milk etc.
• Green and red apples

Smoothie Bowls

Smoothie bowls are delicious due to their combination of creamy textures, crunchy toppings, and customizable flavors. They’re visually appealing and packed with nutrients, making them a satisfying and tasty treat especially in the summer!

The secret is to make a simple smoothie and omit the liquids. That simple.

Here are the very BEST toppings for your delicious smoothie bowl:

• Fresh fruit slices (such as strawberries, bananas, kiwi, mango, pineapple, berries)
• Dried fruit or freeze-dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, figs)
• Chia seeds, hemp seeds and flax seeds (ground or whole)
• Coconut flakes or shreds (toasted is SO GOOD)
• Granola (homemade) or muesli (your favorite variety)
• Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds
• Nut butters (such as almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter)
• Nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts)
• Cacao nibs, dark chocolate or carob chips
• Agave nectar or maple syrup
• Protein powder (best vegan)
• Vegan yogurt (homemade)
• Popped quinoa or amaranth
• Edible flowers (such as pansies, violets, roses)
• Goji berries or mulberries
• Buckwheat groats
• Acai powder, turmeric powder
• Rice cakes (crumbled)
• Whipped cream
• Date syrup or chocolate sauce
• Cinnamon powder

Get a Vitamix blender today and enjoy a creamy smoothie tomorrow!