5 Advantage of Green Smoothies

Jade green drinks are all the rage, with green smoothies leading the trend.

You’ve probably noticed a friend or two drinking their blended, green breakfast. But should you give them a try? Are green smoothies about to be the best thing to ever happen to your health, or is it just an unsubstantiated craze? Let’s look at the facts.

What are Green Smoothies?

Green smoothies are made from a blend of nutrient-rich vegetables like spinach, kale, and other leafy greens that are blended together with other ingredients like berries, bananas, yogurt and more. In general, the ratio to work towards for the optimal smoothie is 60% ripe fruit and 40% greens, with a little liquid added in to ease the blending. 

Not only are these plant-fortified drinks filled with vitamins and minerals, they also contain a heaping dose of antioxidants and filling fiber that can substitute for a meal. In this way, these nutrient-rich drinks are an effortless way to amp up your daily diet with extra veggies and greens.

Unlike juicing, which leeches greens of their fiber content, pureeing vegetables in a smoothie keeps their nutrition profiles intact. This makes green smoothies just as healthy as big salads made from the same ingredients, and they are much easier to consume. 

Surprising Benefits of Green Smoothies

There’s a lot to like about green smoothies. Below are some of the biggest benefits for your body with making a green smoothie a regular part of your diet.

1. Keeps Your Body Alkaline

An acidic diet leads to a host of health problems, but filling up on fruits and vegetables will restore your body’s pH level to promote optimal health. For an even better benefit, make your green smoothie with alkaline water to better achieve internal homeostasis. 

2. Easier to Digest

When well blended, plant cells rupture, making them easier for your body to absorb and digest. This allows you to get more nutritional benefit from the same serving of vegetables while providing all the fiber you need to keep your system running smoothly.

3. Delicious Taste

It might be hard to believe when you see all the greens that go in each glass, but a ratio of 60% fruit to 40% greens ensures that the fruit flavor dominates the taste in your green smoothie. When blended together, most people are shocked by how easy it is to drink down their daily greens servings.

4. Easy to Make

Cooking healthy food takes a ton of effort, and even chopping salad ingredients doesn’t happen fast. Make the process easier on yourself by getting your blender to do all the work! Simply toss in your smoothie ingredients and you’ll be enjoying a pureed blend of nutrition in a matter of minutes.

5. Keep Out Unnecessary Ingredients

Cooking greens usually involve adding copious amounts of seasoning and oils to the mix to enhance the flavor. You won’t have to compromise on nutrition when you make a green smoothie instead. Fruit, greens, and ice are all it takes to make a delicious blend, though you can add yogurt or milk if you prefer.

Make Your Own

Ready to jump on the smoothie craze train? Here are some recipes to get you started:

Ginger and Spinach Green Smoothie 
by Love & Olive Oil

Ingredients

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/3 English cucumber, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 handful fresh baby spinach
• 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh minced ginger, to taste
• Ice cubes as needed

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. 

Grapefruit and Kale Smoothie
By Wonky Wonderful

Ingredients

• 1 extra ripe banana
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (optional)
• 1/2 cup fresh pineapple
• 1 ruby red grapefruit - juiced (approx 2/3 cup)
• 3 cups kale - ribs and stems removed (approx 3-4 kale leaves)
• 1 cup ice

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

Be Creative!