Green Smoothies

sweetangel895

My DH and I are wanting to get in better shape this year and a friend of mine started drinking green smoothies a year ago and has lost close to 20 lbs. I've been seriously thinking about starting to make them, but I'm concerned that it might not be the "healthiest" way to get more fruits and veggies in our diets. Have any of you tried these smoothies and had more positive or negative results?

VadersValkyrie

H and I drink smoothies in the spring/summer for breakfast.  I basically throw fruits, some plain, fat free Greek yogurt, ice, and spinach into a blender with a little milk or juice.  I don't add protein powders or anything like that.  I figure we each get about a serving of fruits and veggies in each smoothie, and that's a good start to the day.  I know I sometimes feel hungrier than I would if I had actually eaten my breakfast, but I also tend to drink my smoothie at work, as opposed to eating breakfast in my kitchen, which tends to bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch.

shortycake

I add more spinach/lettuce than fruits to my smoothie and add only water/ice for the liquid. very low calories and super healthy.

ryanfcarey

i drank green smoothies before my wedding as a meal replacement for 1 or 2 meals a day. i lost weight, had tons of energy, felt and looked great. my smoothies consisted of a half a banana or a half of an avocado for creaminess, a big handful of baby spinach or baby kale, a few pieces of frozen mango, cinnamon, skim milk or almond milk, and some low calorie protein powder. i would occasionally add natural peanut butter or a bit of coconut oil (if i used banana instead of the avocado) to add some essential healthy fat. 

phillywife2007

I've been doing smoothies, and am loving it ! It's an easy meal/snack replacement and the blender I have doubles as an on the go cup, which is really convenient! And I've noticed a major change in my energy level, which was really needed.

Ingredients I typically use:

frozen spinach, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and banana, ice, alittle milk and orange juice, I like this combination because it has lots of Vit C, A and fiber.

NestCayla

I've been playing around with green smoothies but I can't seem to get it right!  

I try to make one before I go to yoga so I have a healthy snack ready for me when I get home. Usually I'll do spinach, kefir (new obsession), banana, strawberries, a lil rice milk, and some and a scoop of whey protein. Still trying to perfect the taste. 

iteachkids81

I do spinach - a couple large handfuls, a banana, some frozen berries, some almond milk

ValueValerie

Kale and Mango Smoothie with apple juice is my favorite green smoothie!

EJS4153

Yes, green smoothies are great! I used to have them for breakfast.

Generally I just do spinach, almond milk, frozen banana, ice and protein powder. I've put in peanut butter and/or raw oats too, but now that I'm trying to lose weight I leave those things out.

anyagujraal

Green Smoothies is the best option for healthy weight loss. They offer pure nutrition. 

I like Spinach and Banana Smoothie. It tastes good.

NovaLova

My favorite combo is Spinach and frozen blueberries.  I add plain greek yogurt, a little water to get the blender going,  and a packet of truvia. It's SO good! 

NovaLova

Oh, and I think it helps the taste to keep it really cold and icy!

@nestcayla Do you keep it frozen when you make it ahead? I sometimes make a big batch of smoothie ahead (if i have spinach going bad) and freeze it in ice cube trays.  Then if I'm heading to class and need a snack for later, I just throw several of the "smoothie cubes" in a tumbler (or a mason jar with lid works well so you can shake it up), and it's the right consistency when I'm ready to drink it.  

lkray619

Thanks for all the suggestions. I just purchased a new Ninja IQ Blender. It has made a world of difference. Nothing gritty like I used to with a blender. I can't wait to try it out and make some yummy, healthy smoothies.