Emerald Glow Smoothie

One cup of spinach disappears completely into this bright green blend. Frozen mango and pineapple bring the sweetness, banana adds creaminess, and chia seeds provide a protein boost. Pour it into a glass, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.):

290 cal, 8 g pro, 52 g carb, 11 g fiber, 32 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 8 g fat (1 g sat fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium

 

Recipe

- 1 cup fresh spinach

- 1 cup frozen mango

- 1 cup frozen pineapple

- 1 ripe banana

- 1 tablespoon chia seeds

- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Tips

1. Add almond milk to the blender first so the liquid pulls everything downward for a smooth blend.

2. Use frozen baby spinach leaves as an alternative to fresh. If using 100% frozen produce, add extra liquid to avoid a smoothie that is too thick.

3. Extra-ripe bananas provide excellent sweetness. Peel, break into pieces, and freeze them in freezer-safe bags so you always have them on hand.

4. Keep frozen items at the top of the blender to prevent them from getting stuck under the blades.

 

Nutrition Notes

Spinach is a source of folate, important for heart health and for preventing neural tube defects during pregnancy. It also provides non-heme iron, which your body absorbs better when paired with a vitamin C source like pineapple.

Pineapple delivers vitamin C for immune function and skin health, plus bromelain, an enzyme shown to lower inflammation and help relieve bloating.

Bananas offer potassium, which helps remove excess sodium from the body to maintain healthy blood pressure. As bananas ripen, their starches convert to sugar, reducing the need for added sweeteners.

Chia seeds expand into a gel-like texture when wet. This helps keep you full while adding fiber and protein.