Get fruits, vegetables, protein, and plenty of flavor with this avocado smoothie!
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Avocados have got to be one of the most versatile fruits around. We often find them in salads or spread on toast. Who can forget that they’re the main ingredient in guacamole? That alone is enough to make most of us fond of avocados. But have you ever entertained the possibility of an avocado smoothie? Considering the versatility of avocados, it’s a natural fit.
For most people, avocados only came into vogue in the 21st century. However, they’ve been growing in popularity since the French introduced them to Vietnam in the 1940s. It soon became a staple in Southeast Asia and has since gone global. In the Philippines, there is even avocado ice cream. That makes an avocado smoothie sound a little more natural, doesn’t it?
With an avocado smoothie, you get a little bit of everything. There are fruits, vegetables, and plenty of natural sweetness. You also have the option of throwing some protein powder into the mix. The result is a delightfully sweet smoothie that almost has the creamy texture of a milkshake. It’s a safe bet that you’ve never tasted anything quite like an avocado smoothie.
Of course, if you give avocado smoothies a try and they’re not for you, there are plenty of other smoothies in the world. There’s nothing wrong with a classic strawberry banana smoothie or a blueberry smoothie. If you want to something a little less traditional, try a peanut butter keto low carb smoothie.
Is Avocado Smoothie Healthy?
There is a wide array of health benefits in avocados, so a smoothie with one full avocado in it will do a body good. For starters, avocados help you to feel full longer, which can aid in managing your body weight. Avocados have also shown to be beneficial for your heart and eyes while also preventing complications from diabetes, among many other health benefits.
Of course, avocado isn’t the only ingredient in this smoothie. You’re also getting a dose of pineapple, banana, and spinach, all of which have their own health benefits. When all is said and done, you’re getting a smoothie that’s vegetarian friendly, low in sodium, low in calories, and high in fiber and calcium. From a health standpoint, there’s nothing wrong with that.
What Else?
As long as there is room in your blender, you can add just about anything you want to an avocado smoothie. We suggest a couple of scoops of protein powder, but the possibilities are endless. A little bit of mint, basil, or lemon juice won’t do any harm. Some folks like to add a little crunch with granola, cacao nibs, or chia seeds. Even some extra coconut flakes or cashew butter can enhance an avocado smoothie.
It’s also fine to swap some of the ingredients for others. For instance, using mango instead of pineapple, or perhaps both. Rather than coconut milk, oat milk or almond milk work just fine. If you don’t like spinach, just about any green vegetable is a nice addition to a smoothie that’s going to be green in more ways than one no matter what additives you put in it.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup cubed frozen pineapple
- 2 cups packed fresh spinach or 1 cup frozen spinach
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 frozen banana
- 3/4 cup light coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- 8 ice cubes
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
Adjust
Taste and tweak the sweetness or consistency, then blend any additions.
Enjoy
Serve the refreshing smoothie immediately.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
It’s always best to drink a smoothie right away. However, you can seal leftovers in a sealed jar for up to a day. You can also try freezing this smoothie into ice cubes or popsicles.
There is almost no wrong answer to this. While the recipe calls for pineapple and banana, any type of berry will make a good addition to an avocado smoothie.
For a thicker smoothie, reduce the amount of coconut milk. Likewise, for a thinner smoothie, increase the amount of milk added.
If you don’t get the right consistency, try putting the avocado and other green ingredients in the blender first. After they start to blend together, start adding some of the other ingredients.
For special occasions, fill glasses roughly 1/4 the way up with smoothie and then add a layer of pomegranate arils or passionfruit seeds before filling the rest of the glass to create a more decorative feel.
Serving Suggestions
Smoothies are often ideal for snacks or a healthy dessert. But they can also be a great way to start the day as part of your breakfast. Consider drinking one as a complement to spinach scrambled eggs or a frittata. Smoothies can also be a great side piece for a gluten free pancake parfait or a simple, healthy breakfast like overnight oats with greek yogurt. If you really want to keep things simple, just make an easy omelette with an avocado smoothie on the side.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cubed frozen pineapple
- 2 cups packed fresh spinach or 1 cup frozen spinach
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 frozen banana
- 3/4 cup light coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- 8 ice cubes
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder optional
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the frozen pineapple, spinach, avocado, banana, coconut milk, lime juice and zest, maple syrup, sea salt, ice cubes, and protein powder if desired. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust with more maple syrup if needed. If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit more coconut milk. Blend again.
- DEVOUR!
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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