Our avocado spinach smoothie recipe is made with delicious fruits and leafy greens for a creamy beverage full of healthy nutrients. It’s bursting with tropical flavors and is an ideal choice for breakfast, snack, or post-workout drink to keep you satisfied and energized throughout the day.
Is Avocado Spinach Smoothie Healthy?
Full of nourishing vegetables and fruits, it’s no surprise our avocado spinach smoothie recipe is healthy.
1. Avocado
Not only are avocados creamy and delicious, they are also packed with monounsaturated fats. Research has shown that these ‘healthy’ fats help to protect against heart diseases and aid in lowering blood pressure.
According to the USDA, 100 g of avocado contains up to 485 mg of potassium. This is impressive, especially when compared to other potassium-rich foods like banana — 358 mg per 100 g.
Potassium helps regulate nerve activity, transports nutrients into cells, and decreases blood pressure. According to the CDC, high consumption of sodium in the diet can raise blood pressure, while potassium encourages sodium excretion through the urine, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
Plus, foods high in fiber like avocados can keep you fuller for longer. One serving of our avocado spinach smoothie contains 5.7 g fiber — up to 20% of your daily recommended intake, making our smoothie an excellent choice for anyone who is mindful of their weight.
2. Spinach
Low in calories but loaded with nutrients, this leafy veggie is considered a superfood. Three cups of raw spinach contain only 20 calories, 2 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate, and 2 g fiber.
A three-cup serving also delivers more than 300% of the daily need for bone-building vitamin K. As well as more than 160% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A and around 40% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, which both enhance immune function and promote healthy skin.
Main Ingredients
We created this green smoothie with simple ingredients:
- Fruits: Ripe avocado is an excellent addition to any smoothie if you prefer them extra creamy. Bananas give a touch of sweetness and contribute to the silky consistency of the drink. Instead of bananas, you could also try mangoes, peaches, or sweet apples. We also like to keep the fruits in the freezer as they help keep the smoothie cold without added ice and reduce the prep time.
- Vegetables: Not only does spinach provide color to the smoothie, but it also gives a wonderful nutrient boost. Other green add-ins include kale and collard greens. And not to worry, you won’t even notice the vegetables because of the tropical fruits and milk.
- Dairy: Our avocado spinach smoothie recipe calls for regular milk and Greek yogurt, but you can substitute any milk that suits your taste. Nut milks like almond or cashew impart a neutral flavor to smoothies, while coconut milk lends a more tropical flavor.
- Honey: Sweetens the smoothie with its signature earthy aroma. If you choose to add in other sweet fruits, make sure you reduce the amount of added sweetener or add more ice.
- Ice: Ice keeps the smoothie frosty and lends more volume without extra calories.
- Mint Leaves: For the appealing look and another note of freshness.
How to Tell If Spinach Has Gone Bad
Though it’s not a foolproof test, you can rely on your senses to tell whether your spinach has gone bad. The common characteristics of bad spinach include darker hues, a soggy texture, and a pungent odor. If you notice any of the above traits, it’s time to get rid of that veggie.
How to Store the Leftovers
Due to the avocado’s rapid oxidation, this smoothie is best consumed immediately. If preserved, the drink will darken slightly but still remain tasty.
To properly store the avocado smoothie, seal in an airtight container and place it in the fridge as soon as possible. Avocado smoothies will last for up to 1 – 2 days in the fridge and up to 3 – 4 months in the freezer.
More Ways to Sneak Some Greens Into Your Diet
Pairing your leafy greens with fruits in smoothies is one of the easiest (and arguably most delicious) ways to sneak them into your diet. Here are a few other recipes to try out if you like this avocado spinach smoothie:
- Spinach Banana Smoothie: Packed with bananas, spinach, and dairy, this smoothie is creamy and subtly sweet with added honey for a lip-smacking blend. It’s perfect for a decent breakfast or to quickly charge you up after a workout.
- Avocado Green Smoothie: This creamy smoothie is a vibrant blend of avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, and ginger with some chia seeds for a protein boost.
- Healthy Green Smoothie: With a blend of bananas, blueberries, mangoes, and spinach, this smoothie offers layers of sweetness that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Avocado Spinach Smoothie Recipe
Our avocado spinach smoothie recipe is a brilliant option for a nutrient-packed snack. Have it any time you need a veggie boost.
- prep TIME 10 mins
- total TIME 10 mins
- COURSE Beverage, Smoothie
- CUISINE Global
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 232 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz avocado (a large avocado)
- 2 oz spinach
- 8 oz banana
- 2 cups ice
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp honey (optional)
- 6 mint leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
Put 2 cups of ice and scoop 8 oz avocado into the blender.
Add 8 oz banana, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, honey (to your taste but no more than 2 tbsp), and 2 oz spinach.
Blend at high speed in 20 - 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth.
Transfer the smoothie into serving glasses.
Garnish with 6 mint leaves and serve immediately.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary ConsultantLuna Regina
Writer, AuthorNatalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer- TalaveraReally delicious!!! It is now my favorite smoothie!
- Rosie83Nutritious and refreshing avocado spinach smoothie.