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Our Best Green Smoothie Recipes

January 29, 2015
Photo: Randy Mayor
From limes and avocados to apples and kiwi—there's an abundance of fresh green produce that can be used to create a hearty (and healthy!) smoothie. Try one of these quick recipes for a quick snack or breakfast on-the-go. Sneaking fruits and vegetables into food isn't a new concept. In fact, it's a great way to consume essential nutrients you need but might not otherwise get. However, few of us want to sip on a smoothie that tastes like grass. Fortunately, the addition of fruit, extracts, juice, and even nut butters easily masks the bitter flavor of greens. Making your own green smoothie also ensures you limit—or avoid—added sugar. Fast and fresh—these green smoothies are a great way to get your daily serving of fruits and veggies.
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Kale-Ginger Smoothie

Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Kale-Ginger Smoothie

Smoothies are a great way to front-load your day with produce and nutrition. Just one serving of this power breakfast offers about two-thirds of the day’s calcium and nearly a quarter of potassium in a low-calorie package. Chia seeds amp up fiber and protein, plus they’re one of the richest plant sources of heart-healthy alpha-linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).

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Spinach and Almond Butter

Photo: Sara Tane

Loaded with protein and fiber, this smoothie is a great way to get your day started or sip after a hard workout. This green smoothie is creamy, fresh and flavorful with just a pinch of cinnamon. If you like your smoothies more sweet, try adding a 1/4 teaspoon of honey.

1 tablespoon almond butter + 1/2 cup fresh spinach + 1 cup unsweetened almond milk + 1/2 a frozen banana + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

SERVES 1 (13 oz. serving)
189 CALORIES

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Creamy Mango, Avocado, and Lime Smoothie

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Creamy Mango, Avocado, and Lime Smoothie

A green smoothie never tasted this good before—a mix of fresh mango, avocado and lime juice make for a flavorful combination.

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Go-Getter Green Smoothie

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Go-Getter Green Smoothie

Be sure to try this smoothie in the summer when honeydew melon is at its peak. Garnish glasses with wheels of additional peeled, sliced kiwi fruit, if desired.

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Avocado Smoothie

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Avocado Smoothie

Avocado adds luscious creaminess and loads of nutrients to this cool, refreshing Vietnamese specialty. It's best served icy cold, straight from the blender.

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Green Tea-Kiwi and Mango Smoothie

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Green Tea-Kiwi and Mango Smoothie

Make a colorful and healthy smoothie by pureeing mango, kiwifruit and spinach with yogurt and honey and spooning into glasses in layers.

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Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Drink this to boost your daily veggie count: Each serving of this smoothie offers a half-cup of vegetables, plus a little fruit.

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Green Machine

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Green Machine

Honeydew, spinach, and Greek yogurt pack lots of fresh flavor and essential nutrients into a smoothie with less than 200 calories.

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Sunrise Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Sunrise Smoothie

We tried this smoothie with 2% reduced-fat milk but liked it much better with the soy milk. Any kind of fruit will work—try strawberries or peaches.

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Spinach Smoothies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Spinach Smoothies

Don't let the name of this recipe fool you, because it packs in plenty plaintain—two whole, medium-sized bananas, to be exact. Spinach and kiwi also give a power boost to your day as key ingredients in this tasty smoothie.

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