In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, smoothies are truly a versatile way to sneak some extra fruits, veggies and vitamins into your day. And the good news? You don't have to visit a smoothie shop to snag a truly healthy and satisfying treat. We've got some tried-and-true recipes you can try right at home, perfect for spring and summer. Grab your blender and get started!
CLASSIC GREEN SMOOTHIE
Contrary to its appearance, green smoothies often don't taste anything like whatever green you choose to use in your recipe! This smoothie recipe is perfect for those looking for something simple that packs a punch. Spinach is a popular choice for greens, and you can use it fresh or frozen–the perfect way to use up that big old bag you bought at the store. Also, instead of using ice cubes, add a frozen chopped banana to the mix, leaving you with a creamier and more satisfying texture.
CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA SMOOTHIE
When something claims to taste like a Frosty from Wendy's, consider me intrigued. This recipe proved to be everything and more you could want in a nutritious sweet treat! The real stars of the show here are cocoa powder and peanut butter, but you could always make some adjustments to tweak the recipe to meet your needs without losing that stellar flavor (chocolate protein powder in place of cocoa powder, a powdered peanut butter instead of standard creamy to lower the fat content).
COFFEE LOVER'S SMOOTHIE
If you're anything like me and need your protein and caffeine fix to function, this coffee lover's smoothie just might be your jam. There are plenty of ways to prep and make this smoothie come together, so choose whichever method works best for you: brewing a pot of coffee and letting it cool and store in the fridge; freeze coffee into ice cubes; use store bought cold brew or instant coffee. This recipe also includes cauliflower, of all things. But trust me! You can't taste it at all.
JUICY MANGO SMOOTHIE
You can't go wrong with fresh mango! It's the perfect way to channel summertime vibes right into your glass. However, if you don't have fresh on hand, frozen absolutely works, too. Top everything off with a banana, milk and yogurt of your choice (I'm partial to oat milk and vanilla Greek yogurt these days), and you're good to go. Of course, if you want to opt for a non-dairy option, water and a nut milk or coconut yogurt also make for great substitutions.
PRO TIP: Up your protein intake to any smoothie by adding a scoop of your favorite flavored protein powder. If you want something that could mix into most flavors, vanilla is your best bet. You can also add in additional ingredients depending on your preferences, like chia seeds, collagen powder, ground flax seed and more.
Happy smoothie-ing!
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
