Get Your “Green Smoothie” On – A Delicious Way to Drink Your Veggies

Smoothies can be a smart food choice any time of day. They make a quick and healthy meal when you’re pinched for time. They’re great for exercise recovery because they have carbohydrates and protein. They’re an easy way to get more fruits and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins and minerals to give you energy. My favorite smoothie is “green” – super simple. Just add frozen banana, spinach, and protein powder to a blender. Toss in a little ice and push GO! But your smoothie can be any color of the rainbow. So get creative. Basic Fruit and Veggie Smoothie “Recipe”: This is a basic recipe that I use when making smoothies at home, but this can be customized in a million ways, so just use this as a guide! You can use fresh or frozen fruit or veggies, so experiment with what’s on sale, and what’s in season. Image reprinted with permission from http://www.butterthantoast.com and http://www.healthyaperture.com Fruit: 1/2-2 cups; for the banana spinach smoothie I recommend ½ to a whole frozen banana which adds great texture and flavor. Keep in mind that the more fruit you add, the more calories and carbs you add. Some athletes may need to get in 2 cups of fruits for adequate carbohydrates. Most people are probably fine with 1/2-1 cup fruit per serving. For other variations switch up the type of fruit — berries, mangoes, kiwis, melons – be adventurous! Tip: if your bananas or other fruits are turning brown, just peel them and st...
Source: Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog - Category: Nutritionists and Food Scientists Authors: Tags: eating healthy food nutrition recipes banana healthy recipes smoothie spinach Source Type: blogs