Fruit Smoothie with Spinach and Yogurt
Fruit Smoothie with Spinach and Yogurt
Smoothies can be a great way to start the day, since they are an easy way to pack in a ton of nutrients in the form of vegetables, berries, and healthy fats all in a very convenient drink. I especially love breakfast smoothies during the spring and summer when I need something cooling during the warmer weather, Nothing is more refreshing than a cool drink after your morning walk when the sun is out and the birds are chirping. Smoothies are also very versatile.
You can substitute your favorite vegetables, fruit, milk, spices, and protein powder, truly being able to cater to what you need that day, what your tastes are, or what is in season. During the summer I love to pack my smoothies with fresh berries that are in season. To make my smoothies rich I use almond butter or peanut butter or coconut milk.
All three are an easy way to add a dairy-free richness that makes you feel like your drinking a milkshake! The most optional ingredient is the protein powder. I like to put protein powder as a way to increase my protein in the mornings, but it is a totally optional add in. I hope you give this healthy morning breakfast smoothie a try!
How To Make The Best Breakfast Smoothie:
Making a great smoothie does not have to be complicated. When you buy a smoothie out, they can be expensive and have a ton of added sugar, but making a smoothie at home is so simple, healthy, and a lot cheaper.
Avoid ice in your smoothies. This may seem a bit out of the ordinary but ice can water your smoothie down and leave it tasting bland. Use frozen fruit to add thickness to your smoothie.
A trick that I like to use is to chop up ripe bananas into coins and freeze them. I add these to my smoothies and they add creamy texture and thickness!
If you are using protein powder, mix it with water before adding it to your smoothie. When you premix the powder, it helps eliminate clumps that can form when its tossed with all your ingredients in the blender.
Add your sweetener last and as a topping! I drizzle honey over my smoothies at the end. The honey will mix throughout your smoothie as little pockets and you will use less sweetener overall. This makes for a tastier and healthier smoothie.
Are Breakfast Smoothies Healthy?
Smoothies can definitely by a healthy breakfast option! As I talked about above, when you make your smoothie at home, you can control what goes into it. This makes for a healthy option since you can add extra greens and decrease the sugar content.
Another way to make smoothies healthy is to add protein to your smoothie. This helps eliminate smoothie that is mostly fruit which can be a lot of sugar at once. My favorite protein options are a protein powder or Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt is particularly delicious because it makes everything so creamy! You can also pair your smoothie with some scrambled eggs to really make sure you are getting a balanced meal. Let me know what you pair your smoothie with in the comments below!
What Goes into a Breakfast Smoothie?
What I have listed in the ingredients sections are my top choices for creating a healthy breakfast smoothie. There are so many substitutions, however, and I will list a few of my go-to swap outs below.
Peanut butter or cashew butter can take the place of almond butter. You can even throw a handful of roasted nuts in like walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Its all about adding the creaminess that nut butters bring to the table.
Fresh fruit can take the place of frozen fruit. Grab what’s in season! If you use all fresh ingredients, place your smoothie in the fridge and let it chill for 15 minutes to thicken up after you make it.
Greek yogurt can be swapped for milk, coconut yogurt, coconut milk, or left out all together.
Arugula can take the place of spinach since it has a ton of nutrients and you still won’t be able to taste it like spinach.
Recipe for Healthy Morning Breakfast Smoothie:
- 1 cup almond milk You can use oat milk, regular milk, or even water depending on preference.
- 1 ripe banana Bananas help add creaminess. You can leave out the banana if you want to cut down on calories.
- 1 cup frozen berries Most grocery stores sell mixed berry combinations in the frozen fruit isle.
- 1 cup spinach Spinach adds fiber and nutrients.
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt Greek Yogurt helps add protein. You can use other yogurt alternatives if you prefer a dairy free option.
- 1-2 Tbs nut butter I prefer almond butter or peanut butter.
- 1 serving protein powder optional
- 1 Tbs cocoa nibs, for topping and extra crunch.
- 1 tsp chia seeds, for topping and extra fiber.
- Honey, for topping and a little extra sweetness. Adding honey is optional
Directions to Make A Healthy Breakfast Smoothie:
Gather All Your Ingredients
If you are using protein powder, in a small glass mix one serving of protein powder with some water. This helps eliminate clumping when adding to your other ingredients. Set aside.
To a blender, all all your ingredients.
Add your mixed protein powder to your blender.
Blend on high until smooth.
2. Serve Your Smoothie
To the top of your smoothie, add cocoa nibs and chia seeds to taste.
Drizzle with honey, to taste.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
A Healthy Morning Breakfast Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup frozen berries
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1-2 Tbs nut butter
- 1 serving protein powder, optional
- 1 Tbs cocoa nibs, for topping
- 1 tsp chia seeds, for topping
- Honey, for topping
Instructions
Nutrition Facts
Calories
605Protein
41 gCarbs
66 gFat
25 gSugar
38 g