Easy Veggies To Add Into Your Next Smoothie
Are you trying to get into the smoothie game but not thrilled by the sound of a “veggie” smoothie? I hear THAT!
Whether you’re going for a detoxifying green smoothie or a more decadent chocolate-banana combo, these 5 veggies easily blend in without affecting the taste. Bonus: most don’t impact the color either (helpful for kids)!
Cauliflower - packed with fiber, vitamins C and K, B vitamins and potassium, this cruciferous vegetable is great for digestion, detoxification, immunity and brain power.
Although raw cauliflower works fine, I prefer steaming, then freezing, the florets before adding them to my morning smoothie. Why? Because it adds a lot of low calorie bulk which makes smoothies more spoonable, than sip-able (a key element to filling up). Want a recipe? Click here for one of my favs (yes, it has cacao)!
Zucchini - this low carb, mineral-rich veggie is energizing, bloat fighting and eyesight enhancing. Best consumed in the summer months, you can typically find zucchini year-round at your local grocery store.
This smoothie add-in couldn’t be easier: simply chop (raw), freeze, then add for that extra dose of nutrients. Buyer Tip: always buy organic!
Spinach - rich in chlorophyll, vitamin K and iron, spinach is a mild dark leafy green that easily blends into smoothies without impacting the flavor profile (although, it will change the color for all you sneaky moms out there!). This heart-healthy addition energizes and helps strengthen the bones.
Truly versatile, spinach is best purchased organic and, for the sake of color, added to a “green” smoothie such as this yummy combo.
Summer squash - similar to zucchini, this veg is best utilized in the summer months, but it is mellow in taste and provides a good amount of anti-aging vitamin A, bloat-fighting minerals and bowel-regulating fiber.
How to Use: chop and freeze (from raw), then add as much as desired to your smoothie. Like spinach and zucchini, always buy this veg organic - not only is summer squash heavily sprayed with nasty chemicals, but it’s also a top genetically-modified crop (GMO)!
Steamed broccoli - (yes really!) containing more vitamin C than an orange, this liver-loving superfood is also packed with sulfur compounds, calcium and antioxidants. From cancer prevention to balancing the hormones and boosting mood, broccoli is one of THE healthiest foods on the planet.
Bitter when raw, I recommend steaming, then freezing, broccoli (similar to cauliflower), before adding it to your smoothie. This bulks and adds a hefty dose of nutrients, without sacrificing flavor.
A morning smoothie can either be the healthiest thing you do in your day…or a complete sugar bomb. The more you can moderate fruit and load up on veggies, the better off you’ll be!
Want more smoothie tips? Click here to learn the essential elements to your perfect smoothie.
This recipe contains affiliate links, which means that if purchases are made when clicked, I receive a small commission. Thank you!