Tropical Green Smoothie – Fraiche Living

Welcome to Day 1 of the 5 Day Smoothie Challenge! This Tropical Green Smoothie is one of my favourites! It’s full of tropical fruit and leafy greens, and is the perfect creaminess and is rich in fibre, calcium and vitamins.

Starting my day with a smoothie is something I do multiple times a week. They give me the fuel I need for the day, and don’t just taste good but make me feel good too! This Tropical Green Smoothie is simple to put together, and has been in my smoothie rotation for years. Also, as a mom and nutritionist, I LOVE the ingredients!

What’s in a green smoothie?

You’ve probably guessed it, this smoothie has some beautiful greens in it! I use fresh spinach, kale, and avocado to give it that rich colour. Avocados are a great addition to smoothies – they can add creaminess to the consistency and add smoothness. It’s also a great dairy-free smoothie addition! Plus, they’re really nutritious and a good source of healthy fats, which may help reduce your risk of heart disease. Try my other slightly different Green Smoothie here!

Note : if you use darker fruits like blueberries or blackberries, the colour will change and you will likely make a different coloured smoothie (that is still delicious) but not vibrant green in colour!

Why put kale in your smoothie?

Kale contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, and many others. It’s also a good source of vitamin C and iron. One cup of raw kale actually contains more vitamin C than an orange does! You can eat kale raw in this smoothie (no need to cook it first). Check out my Kale Refresher for another great way to enjoy healthy kale on a drink, or my colourful and nutritious Confetti Kale Salad.  I tell my kids they are eating a Hulk smoothie and they love it. In fact, green smoothies are hands-down their favourites!

Health Benefits of a Green Smoothie 

Where do I begin! This green smoothie is a really great source of fiber and nutrients like calcium to start your day. Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable and is an easy addition to a smoothie. It packs carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium. The sweetness from the pineapple really brightens this smoothie and adds vitamin C, a nutrient that helps support your immune system. I use Greek yogurt in my smoothies (you can use plain or vanilla); it is an excellent source of calcium and protein, which can help improve bone health and is a source of probiotics to support a healthy gut.

 

Tropical Green Smoothie

Tropical Green Smoothie

This Tropical Green Smoothie is one of my favourites! It’s full of tropical fruits, leafy greens, is perfectly creamy and is rich in fiber, calcium and vitamins. Feel free to use just 1 type of green if you prefer.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh kale, packed
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach, packed
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 avocado
• 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (or plain)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice
• 4 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and serve!

Recipe Notes

If you prefer, you can add in pitted dates for an added sweetness!