Green Smoothies

lauraspberry
lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I get into making green smoothies from time to time, I love the taste! And I love the rejuvinating feeling after I drink up my fruits and veggies. I was just wondering is anybody out here incorporating the smoothies in their daily diet? If so, I have a bunch of questions.

1. Do you drink it as a meal? Let's say breakfast perhaps? I just drink it as a "snack" since it's a good pre workout snack for me but I dont really make it as meal replacement or anything.

2. How many do you consume a day?

3. Best veggies/stuff to put in? I live in the Philippines so we only have easy access to tropical produce, I get stuck to using only romaines (Kale is hard to find here jeez) strawberries from time to time since strawberries here are quite expensive but I love banana-berry combo so much! LOL

Replies

  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    When I make them, they're typically breakfast. They tend to be pretty high in calories. Mine usually have spinach, banana, strawberry and OJ but I sometimes add in things like oats, protein powder, coconut oil or sometimes an energy shot.
  • lauraspberry
    lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
    Spinach is a great idea! My smoothies are usually under 100 cals since I only put in fruits and veggies. Fruits around here are REALLY sweet so a little goes a long way :)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    UNDER 100 calories? Wow, you're good. Mine run over 300. A banana is 100 and it needs that for the emulsion. Though mine come out large and I never use water as the liquid or ice, just frozen fruit.
  • lauraspberry
    lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
    I only put half a banana in because I use the one that is nearly overriped so it tastes like a full banana in the smoothie ;) and I use strawberries which are very low cal sometimes a few really sweet pineapples then just water and Ice and bam! It's under 100 :) it's only around 22oz though :) and romaine is only 12 calories/80g
  • shoeloveramber
    shoeloveramber Posts: 291 Member
    I usually have them for breakfast when I do them. I put spinach, banana, PB2, protein powder and ice in it with about a cup of water. It is super yummy and is one of my favorite things for breakfast in the summer.
  • lauraspberry
    lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
    That sounds really yummy, i should definitely try spinach :) what kind of protein powder do you put on it?
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I like peanut butter, ice cream, and chocolate protein powder shakes
  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    I usually do spinach, carrots and frozen fruit. The fruit varies from mango, pineapple, peach, berries.

    Sometimes I throw in a small apple, celery and even ginger to spice things up.

    I add water if I need it smoother.

    I don't like banana flavoured items so it's never in my smoothie.
  • kennie2
    kennie2 Posts: 1,170 Member
    normally a meal, but then again they are normally around 700 calories
    and i'll have like 4 bananas, 4 dates, water, spinach and sometimes frozen or fresh berries
  • pamhello123
    pamhello123 Posts: 1
    Breakfast 3 times a week!
    I swear it taste just like a frozen frap!
    1 handful of fresh spinach (cup to cup and ½)
    2 table spoons of PB2 (powdered Peanut butter with Chocolate)
    1 small banana
    1 table of flax seed - optional
    1 table of fiber powder - optional
    2 -3 table spoons of Carmel – no calories!
    ½ cup 2% milk
    ½ cup water – just to get it drinkable (I add a cup sometimes if I need to make an extra-large shake)
    Crushed ice
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    This was my breakfast today...

    Breakfast
    Flax Seed - Whole Ground, Organic, 2 tbsp
    Pb2 - Powdered Peanut Butter (Net Carbs), 12 g (2tbsp)
    Soy Protein Powder, 24 g
    Banana Small (6"-7"), 2 Banana
    Hershey's Cocoa - Natural Unsweetened Powder, 2 tbsp (5g)
    Silk - Pure Almond - Almond Milk - Original - Unsweetened, 1 cup
    Chopped Spinach, All Natural, Frozen, 0.75 cup (81g)


    Calories
    458
    Carbs
    53
    Fat
    12
    Protein
    35
    Sodium
    594
    Fiber
    15
  • Polly758
    Polly758 Posts: 623 Member
    I make meal smoothies for breakfast sometimes; during summer I have one almost every day, but in the winter I am usually too cold...

    I use any or all of these:
    OJ (from my backyard trees) or water
    salad lettuce
    berries
    cucumber
    canned pumpkin
    frozen berries
    apple
    protein powder
    green tea powder or ground cinnamon
    lemon or lime

    And I really do put all of it in there, if I'm not careful it fills the blender up too much :)
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I try to drink one a day and it's usually for breakfast. Sometimes I'll use it as a post workout drink if I have protein powder but I don't care for breakfast and it's an easy way to get something in me. I do a lot of spinach and whatever fruit is in season or I have in the freezer. I also add almonds if it's a meal and I like to put cinnamon, maca powder and turmeric in mine because they help with various things.
  • shoeloveramber
    shoeloveramber Posts: 291 Member
    That sounds really yummy, i should definitely try spinach :) what kind of protein powder do you put on it?

    Right now I have Designer Whey Chocolate but I have used Vanilla and it is good too.
  • mbagradstudent
    mbagradstudent Posts: 29
    M-F I have one for breakfast:
    1 Banana
    Handful of Spinach
    Handful of Kale
    2 Carrots
    1 danon light and fit yogurt (from the 4 pack)
    1 cup of coconut milk (Silk is really good)
    sometime half an avacado if i use the other half in my sandwich for lunch
    ice

    it makes for 2 people
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 924 Member
    I am currently using supergreens type of powder to get "it" all in. The powder is kinda gross and I am working on the perfect cover-up recipe. But it is nice that I can add in more of what I want versus more greens.
  • Mdin1029
    Mdin1029 Posts: 456 Member
    I love having them for breakfast or afternoon snack:

    Mine is 1 cup water, 2 cups baby spinach and baby kale or other greens,1/2 banana, 1/3 cup frozen blueberries

    I also add 1/3 cup greek yogurt or 1 tbl peanutbutter for protein-I don't like protein powders

    Sometimes I add a few mint leaves, cilantro leaves, a tiny bit of ginger

    Hope you enjoy!
  • Caporegiem
    Caporegiem Posts: 4,297 Member
    I try to drink one daily to get my fruits and some veggies in. I use about 2 cups spinach, a granny smith apple, bananna, 1/3 cup blueberries, 1 oz. almonds, and 2 tbsp flax seed with a shot of lemon juice. Has a really good citrus/bananna taste and runs right at 500 calories.
  • laursoar
    laursoar Posts: 131 Member
    I love spinach smoothies! I think my favorites would have to be with banana, unsweetened coconut milk, strawberry, and vanilla extract or spinach, vanilla extract, a splash of peppermint extract, 1/2 avocado, unsweetened coconut milk, and 1/2 banana. I usually add sweetener too.
  • morethenjustmum
    morethenjustmum Posts: 170 Member
    I do about 4 cups spinach , three cups frozen berries or a banana and apple. I add 2 cups water with the spinach and it keeps me going till lunch, or I split it and drink the rest mid afternoon which helps me eat less dinner.

    Sometimes I mix it up with other fruits, really its whats cheap easy or in season. I also add chia or flax sometimes. The usually come in around 300 cal or so but that's for 2 pints worth
  • morethenjustmum
    morethenjustmum Posts: 170 Member
    see if you can find a book called the green smoothie bible by robyn openshaw she has some amazing recipe's in there , lots of variety , low cal easy to make
  • lauraspberry
    lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
    Looks like spinach is a really good choice! Anybody used cabbage? :D
  • LisaBeateith2012
    LisaBeateith2012 Posts: 346 Member
    Looks like spinach is a really good choice! Anybody used cabbage? :D
    It's funny you are asking if anyone has used cabbage..well this morning I used red Cabbage and OMG it was the worst tasting most vile and disgusting smoothie I have ever had...No Joke!! I have an open Diary if you want to have a look...I have a smoothie most mornings for breakfast! :o))
  • LisaBeateith2012
    LisaBeateith2012 Posts: 346 Member
    I try to drink one a day and it's usually for breakfast. Sometimes I'll use it as a post workout drink if I have protein powder but I don't care for breakfast and it's an easy way to get something in me. I do a lot of spinach and whatever fruit is in season or I have in the freezer. I also add almonds if it's a meal and I like to put cinnamon, maca powder and turmeric in mine because they help with various things.
    SNAP ME TOO!! :drinker:
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    If you're going to have them as a meal/snack on their own, they should have protein and fat added...otherwise all you'll get is a sugar hit (even with the vegies).

    I have added protein powders (whatever you choose) or collagen/gelatin for protein and as fat sources I would add nut butters, coconut oil, avocado.

    Spinach, celery, herbs (especially mint and parsley), lettuce, cucumber, and kale are my favourite green additions. Love adding citrus (whole lemon or lime) too.
  • laceyfowler
    laceyfowler Posts: 127 Member
    I just finished my green smoothie! I go through phases as to how often I have them... I like having the smoothies 5-7 times a week. I make mine pretty low calorie.
    I agree with lots of the posters here, spinach is the way to go! I made one with kale and it was okay, but not great... spinach is milder and blends in with the fruit better.

    So, ingredients I tend to use:
    - a few handfuls of spinach
    - frozen fruits (easy way to get items not available fresh - I usually use two types, from: pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry)
    - unsweetened vanilla almond milk (only 30cal per cup, whaaat??? awesome!)
    - 2 packets stevia
    - a bunch of cinnamon
    - a little vanilla (imitation or real, either is fine)

    Sometimes I use fresh fruits. I usually avoid bananas, though - too much sugar for me. I may have them every once in a while once I'm working on maintenance, but right now I'm definitely in "lose pounds" mode :-)

    Depends on what's going on in my life as to what meal I have my green smoothie at. And, sometimes I eat other stuff at that meal, and other times I don't - just depends on how I feel. If I'm quite hungry, I might have the smoothie as a side and also have some meat-based something. Other times, I don't feel all that hungry... okay, that happens rarely, but I do take advantage of it when it does, and stick to just the smoothie! (I usually carry a small baggie of almonds and/or pumpkin seeds on me to munch on through the day if I get hungry - the high protein content is quite satiating. If I've only had a smoothie at lunch, I'll usually munch on a few nuts at some point before dinner)

    I do find green smoothies the way I make them to be yummy, satisfying, and energizing. The hardest thing about them is drinking them when I'm cold... so, I do more of them in the summer than in the winter.
  • lauraspberry
    lauraspberry Posts: 655 Member
    Looks like spinach is a really good choice! Anybody used cabbage? :D
    It's funny you are asking if anyone has used cabbage..well this morning I used red Cabbage and OMG it was the worst tasting most vile and disgusting smoothie I have ever had...No Joke!! I have an open Diary if you want to have a look...I have a smoothie most mornings for breakfast! :o))

    Okay, no red cabbage for sure! How about like Napa Cabbage? :D Thanks I'd love to see your diary ♥

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