my smoothie tastes like....spinach. suggestions?

hi all - I tried to make a green smoothie this morning because I've heard rave reviews. It's not bad, but it tastes just like pureed spinach. I don't mind it that much, because I like spinach, but not first thing in the morning. here is what I put in - am I missing something?

2 big handfuls baby spinach
1 banana
1/2 cup nonfat greek vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk.
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Replies

  • You want something slightly more acidic in there like orange or berries
  • Makeda1211
    Makeda1211 Posts: 134 Member
    You should add some frozen fruit to it. Walmart has the big bag of mixed frozen fruit for 7.50 and you might want to add some lowfat protein powder as well.

    I do these everyday.
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    hi all - I tried to make a green smoothie this morning because I've heard rave reviews. It's not bad, but it tastes just like pureed spinach. I don't mind it that much, because I like spinach, but not first thing in the morning. here is what I put in - am I missing something?

    2 big handfuls baby spinach
    1 banana
    1/2 cup nonfat greek vanilla yogurt
    1/2 cup almond milk.

    Try adding in PB2 peanut flour or 1 tbs peanut butter!
  • morefitmom
    morefitmom Posts: 264 Member
    I make the same one but with a little PB added and I don't taste the spinach..you could try that
  • amyhoss
    amyhoss Posts: 414 Member
    Maybe try to add some blueberries or strawberries
  • StrongAtLast
    StrongAtLast Posts: 137 Member
    try less spinach until your taste buds adjust and add another fruit or some lemon juice
  • dqgirl1
    dqgirl1 Posts: 39 Member
    mixing something like orange juice in helps neautralize the spinch( green) flavor!!!!
  • PrinnyBomb
    PrinnyBomb Posts: 196 Member
    lemon or lime juice. Cuts straight through it!
  • SStrauss79
    SStrauss79 Posts: 124 Member
    add some mixed berries and you will be just fine.
  • sgv0918
    sgv0918 Posts: 851 Member
    the riper the banana the sweeter it will be. cut that spinach flavor
  • My Recipe is like this:

    2 cups of baby spinach
    1 whole banana
    1/2 green apple
    1 kiwi
    3 strawberries
    2 cups of Green tea with mint

    I don't taste the spinach at all....mostly the fruit.
    Hope that helps!
  • DragonflyF15
    DragonflyF15 Posts: 437 Member
    oranges, blueberries, strawberries, pears, or a tart apple help take away the green flavor. I only add bananas for some sweetness, usually about half one. Fresh squeezed lemon would work out nice if you want to keep the banana or a sweet apple in.
  • hi all - I tried to make a green smoothie this morning because I've heard rave reviews. It's not bad, but it tastes just like pureed spinach. I don't mind it that much, because I like spinach, but not first thing in the morning. here is what I put in - am I missing something?

    2 big handfuls baby spinach
    1 banana
    1/2 cup nonfat greek vanilla yogurt
    1/2 cup almond milk.

    I add a 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1/2 cup red raspberries.
  • TOMEKA18
    TOMEKA18 Posts: 103 Member
    I use the Nutra Bullet to make my smoothies...

    Frozen mixed fruit
    spinach
    protein powder
    peanut butter
    water


    Taste great..
  • I make these all the time and mine never taste like spinach especially if i use a banana. I do not add the milk or yogurt. Mine are typically the base of 2 handfuls of spinach plus any fruit i want to try. Banana + kiwi is good. Kiwi + Strawberry, Mango's are really good and give a smooth texture. I always have fun making mine. Hope this helps.
  • JGT2004
    JGT2004 Posts: 231 Member
    I usually add 1 scoop of protein powder... either chocolate or vanilla and never taste the spinach!
  • Makeda1211
    Makeda1211 Posts: 134 Member
    I use the Nutra Bullet to make my smoothies...

    Frozen mixed fruit
    spinach
    protein powder
    peanut butter
    water


    Taste great..

    ^^This. It really does taste great.
  • JENNTF
    JENNTF Posts: 78 Member
    I put a little bit of peanut butter and non-fat chocolate mikl. Tastes just like a peanut butter covered bananna with a hint of spinach int he background. I don't really like them, but my 4 yr old son begs for them. No yoguart in mine.

    Hope this helps!!
  • theundead
    theundead Posts: 51 Member
    I would add a cup of berries.... any berries! blueberries taste the best imho
  • AndreaMerrill
    AndreaMerrill Posts: 24 Member
    I like a couple handfusl of spinach or kale
    and/or romaine lettuce (what ever I have on hand)

    then I add water, green grapes, a kiwi and a tbls of flax seed meal.

    By freezing the grapes and kiwi (peeled first) it comes out like a slushy.
    the grapes/kiwi take away the "green" taste a ton.

    Love these :-)
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I agree with adding berries. My smoothie is frozen strawberries, greek yogurt, spinach and vanilla protein. It is super yummy!
  • Experiment with the suggestions given. Peanut butter is a great one, but if you want a slightly less rich flavor try adding a little bit of another fruit to your recipe. I find I like certain fruits better than others in combination with the spinach. Strawberries do a great job of covering the spinach flavor. And I use frozen fruit because I like a smoothie texture.

    Have fun with it. This is a great healthy breakfast!
  • thanks all!
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    bump
  • I make a similar smoothie but I add 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 tbsp almond butter, and 1 tsp lemon. You won't taste the spinach at all. Have fun experimenting :).
  • naterar
    naterar Posts: 48 Member
    I use Chocolate Vegan protein powder in mine or Chocolate Shakeology and it covers it pretty well.

    1 Scoop Shakology or Chocolate Vegan powder.
    1/2 or 1 Cup Spinach
    1 Banana
    1 Cup Strawberries Frozen
    1/2 Cup Almond Milk
    1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
    and Ice.

    Tastes really good and cover the geens well.
  • PamelaGatorMom
    PamelaGatorMom Posts: 348 Member
    hi all - I tried to make a green smoothie this morning because I've heard rave reviews. It's not bad, but it tastes just like pureed spinach. I don't mind it that much, because I like spinach, but not first thing in the morning. here is what I put in - am I missing something?

    2 big handfuls baby spinach
    1 banana
    1/2 cup nonfat greek vanilla yogurt
    1/2 cup almond milk.

    Try adding in PB2 peanut flour or 1 tbs peanut butter!

    I make the same smoothie & like above add the peanut butter / PB2 but I also a teaspoon of honey
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    if you like spinach as spinach and don't like it in a smoothie, then eat it as spinach and don't put in the smoothie. It's not going to give you any extra nutrition than spinach not in a smoothie gives you.

    I put fruit, laban (Arabic milk drink) and protein powder in my smoothies, and I put spinach and other vegetables in curry and other foods that I like the taste of spinach in.

    I'm not knocking green smoothies and for people who like the taste, or people who can't eat green vegetables any other way, they're great. But no need to force yourself to eat spinach in a smoothie for breakfast if you're already eating lots of green veg.
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    hi all - I tried to make a green smoothie this morning because I've heard rave reviews. It's not bad, but it tastes just like pureed spinach. I don't mind it that much, because I like spinach, but not first thing in the morning. here is what I put in - am I missing something?

    2 big handfuls baby spinach
    1 banana
    1/2 cup nonfat greek vanilla yogurt
    1/2 cup almond milk.

    Pretend you are Popeye and just go with it?

    Seriously. I would suggest to add another banana. Either that or cut the spinach back to 1 big handful and add something else. The reason I say this is if I add a bananato just about any shake I make, all i can taste is the banana and nothing else.
  • alasin1derland
    alasin1derland Posts: 575 Member
    I use spinach or kale, banana, pineapple, tomato, mini carrots and Just recently I started to add some avocado for the fat. I read you need some fat for your body to absorb the vitamins. Mine tastes like dessert. I am sure the sweetness of the ripe banana and pineapple take over the flavor. I have experimented with rice bran as well for magnesium.