Smoothies are a popular food, but it's easy to make a mistake and mix the same foods over and over again. Instead, expand your palate by enjoying a hearty meal of fresh fruits and vegetables with frozen flavor.
Smoothies are a great way to get lots of valuable vitamins, minerals and nutrients in a refreshing drink or delicious bowl. Of course, fruits and vegetables are great individually, but when combined, they can create different flavors and textures. Smoothies can be light, fruity and refreshing, sweet with nuts and cocoa, thick and creamy or light, tasty and full of vegetables.
According to registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, eating more meals per day is one of the best ways to increase your intake of fiber and disease-fighting nutrients and can also help improve gut health. One of the easiest ways to add healthier, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables to your day is to make a healthy smoothie.
Largeman-Roth shares some tips for making the best smoothies, including leaving a little more room in the blender to avoid a lumpy consistency, always adding liquids (including yogurt) to avoid harder ingredients, or adding powdered ingredients to avoid to make this easier. Use a mix of fresh and frozen ingredients to ensure everything is well mixed.
Are you ready to add a list of fun, easy, delicious and healthy smoothies to your diet? Here you will find smoothie recipes that you can enjoy all year round.
Vegetable smoothie
Catherine McCord's divine smoothie
It contains everything you need to drink this green machine: a handful of kale and spinach for a mild vegetarian flavor and loads of antioxidants, bananas and dates for sweetness, chia seeds for protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and flax seeds. Milk for fiber and coconut meat and healthy fats with a tropical flavor.
Refreshing kale smoothie
You may be used to using avocados in salads and guacamole. Its creamy richness pairs well with fruits and vegetables and makes a hearty breakfast.
Tropical Swirl Smoothie by Audrey Jones
Not all “green smoothies” are green! This beautiful orange smoothie is as good as it is delicious and full of metabolism-boosting ingredients.
Light Blue Smoothie by Catherine McCord
“The child (and parent) in me was amazed when I discovered the magical powder of blue-green algae,” says Catherine McCord. “It's a spirulina extract that can naturally turn food blue, which I didn't think was possible. It completely masks the taste and provides 24% of the daily value of iron, which contains more than spinach and is said to support joints and increase energy.
Healthy Strawberry Mint Smoothie by Brittany Williams
“This strawberry mint smoothie is a great way to combine fruits and vegetables in one drink,” says Brittany Williams. "And it's really nice to serve it to kids because I've found that kids love the refreshing taste of mint." Plus, it helps mask some of the spinach's flavors.
Keto Peppermint Smoothie by JJ Smith
This smoothie tastes fresh and refreshing like a mint pancake. The avocado makes it super creamy and filling. It's the perfect energy boost in the morning or afternoon.
Keto Vanilla Avocado Smoothie by JJ Smith
This creamy, hearty smoothie is perfect for breakfast or lunch. Packed with nutrition from fresh spinach, avocado and protein powder.
Morning Glory Matcha Smoothie by Jessica Lloyd
If you're a fan of matcha, enjoy it in smoothie form with this recipe, which includes healthy fats and hydrating coconut milk for a hearty breakfast or post-workout meal.
Dr. Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
Turmeric, grapes, banana and vaziri (green mustard and natural diuretic) are just some of the ingredients that make this drink a special addition to a healthy diet.
Sandra Lee's versatile breakfast smoothie from Sandra Lee
“I love this smoothie because it is a quick and fresh start to the day. The addition of fresh mint makes it a real eye-opener,” says Sandra Lee.
Cookies and Cream Desserts by Kelly Levesque
Smoothies don't have to taste like a salad to be healthy. Keep sugar levels low by eating less fruit and adding protein, fat and fiber.
A fruit smoothie
Banana Blueberry Smoothie by Gabi Dalkin
“Smoothies are our favorite way to start the day, and frozen fruit is our jam!” said Gabi Dalkin. “It is harvested when fully ripe and does not spoil. So go crazy and make a different color smoothie every day and start your day on a happy note.”
Double Orange Smoothie by Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
Made from orange cloves (almost always seasonal from California) and orange juice, this drink contains over 500 milligrams of potassium. It's a great start to the day.
Marco Borges Superfood Breakfast Smoothie
It's a very simple but incredibly nutritious way to start the day. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber that nourish you from the inside out. Try adding seeds and fresh fruit.
Power Smoothie by Dawn Burrell
Filled with naturally sweet Medjool dates, buttery avocado, and blueberries, these smoothies taste great any time of day. They make a great breakfast and afternoon snack.
Berry banana smoothie from Joy Bauer
For those who want more nutrients than veggie flavor in their smoothies, this is a back pocket recipe. It contains a hidden green vegetable that is difficult to taste or recognize. Each savory bite contains wholesome ingredients that provide a healthy dose of fiber and calcium.
Antioxidant Smoothie by Christy Funk
“I've been perfecting my smoothie recipe since 2012 and believe it contains the most nutritious ingredients in a cup of deliciousness in the world,” says Christy Funk. “It can be served as breakfast, lunch or dinner and is full of phytonutrient wonders.”
Wendy Bazilian's incredible melon, mango and avocado smoothie
The flavors of the fresh ingredients combine beautifully to create a smoothie that is creamy and refreshing without being too sweet. You can feel good while enjoying a high-quality diet that includes potassium from melons and avocados, vitamin C from mangos, heart-healthy fats from avocados, protein and essential nutrients from Greek yogurt and milk.
Joy Bauer Piña Colada Smoothie by Joy Bauer
“I call it my four-ingredient vacation... because this frozen coconut pineapple drink takes me straight to the beach!” says Joy Bauer. “It’s clean and refreshing, yet rich and enjoyable, with wholesome ingredients and fun to drink.”
Kevin Curry’s “Good Fat” Berry Smoothie
This smoothie has a lot of personality. Sunny start to the day with a creamy red fruit smoothie. What is the hidden energy component? Lawyer! This thickens the smoothie and balances the sweetness of the dates, berries and orange juice.
A clever smoothie from Joy Bauer
This deliciously refreshing smoothie is incredibly easy to make, but full of fiber and antioxidant-rich ingredients like blueberries and coffee to energize your morning... or whenever you need it!
Chocolate, Banana, Coffee and Turmeric Smoothie by Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
Enjoy the many health benefits by adding turmeric to your morning smoothie. The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to be helpful in treating the symptoms of Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers. Simply mix the ingredients in a blender and you'll have a drink that will brighten your day and fight inflammation.
Powerful protein smoothie from Jessica Sepel
This perfect smoothie recipe makes a great nutritious breakfast or on-the-go snack. This will keep you full and satisfied and combat cravings. Almond milk can be replaced with coconut milk, cashew milk or organic whole milk.
Beetroot Citrus Smoothie, Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
The beautiful bright pink hue of this vegan smoothie will have you feeling energized at any time of the day. The magnesium content helps keep your ticker healthy. In addition, the hemp seeds in the recipe have an ideal ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
Joy Bauer Mango Green Tea Smoothie Joy Bauer
Combine the goodness of green tea with sweet, juicy mango, probiotic yogurt and ice cream.
Elena Besser's peach and berry smoothie
Typical summer fruits are peaches and berries. Creamy yet refreshing, this recipe is a great choice if you're looking to brighten up your day.
Joy Bauer Mango, Ginger and Cashew Smoothie
Are you ready to boost your immune system? Start with this delicious and filling smoothie. It is rich in important nutrients that play a role in fighting colds and viruses - for example vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc and a small amount of anti-inflammatory kapowa .
Lisa Lillien's Sunny Orange Smoothie
Greet the morning with a smoothie as bright as the rising sun. Tropical mango, juicy orange and creamy banana make this smoothie aromatic and filling. This is a great snack or mini lunch.
Date and banana smoothie by Ahmed Alzahabi
Created by YouTuber Ahmed Alzahabi for Ramadan, this smoothie uses dates (commonly used to break the fast) as they are rich in fiber and sugar, which help replenish the body's energy reserves. Paired with sweet bananas, creamy Greek yogurt, cinnamon, and vanilla, this treat tastes like ice cream but feels like a healthy snack or meal.
Brodo's Dark Purple Bone Broth Smoothie by Marco Canora
This nutritious bone broth (or “broth”) smoothie is a beet and berry lover’s dream! Sweetened with blueberries, cherries and blackberries, this drink makes a really filling snack or breakfast.
Post-Workout Recovery Smoothie by Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
This smoothie combines the anti-inflammatory effects of cherry and pomegranate juice with nitrate-rich beets, which some studies show can improve muscle function and lower blood pressure. Adding vanilla protein powder can help repair and build muscle tissue.
Smoothie bowls
Acai Bowls by Catherine McCord
Why spend $12 to $15 on an acai bowl at a cafe when you can make your own in five minutes? The best part is that you can fill them with whatever you have on hand. Have fun experimenting with the toppings!
Red Smoothie Bowl by Kevin Curry
Refine your smoothie experience with smoothie bowls with fresh fruit and healthy, crunchy toppings of your choice. You can increase your protein intake by adding protein powder or Greek yogurt.
Priyanka Nike 3 Way Rainbow Smoothie Bowls
Have you ever scrolled through social media and been amazed by all the beautiful, colorful smoothie bowls? They look quite complicated but are very easy to prepare at home. The base is made from frozen coconut milk cubes and the topping possibilities are almost endless!
Banana Smoothie by Catherine McCord
Catherine McCord has created a healthier version of a smoothie that you can eat with a spoon. If you want to take it to a whole new level, add one or more of these for the ultimate health experience.
Chloe Coscarelli's healthy breakfast ice cream
Yes, you can eat ice cream for breakfast when you make this healthy vegan option. Top with your favorite fruits, nuts, seeds or granola.
Double Chocolate Smoothie Bowls from Catherine McCord
These double chocolate smoothie bowls may look like a dessert, but they're actually healthy. It tastes like frozen yogurt but is made from fruits and vegetables. The best part is that you can make it with regular chocolate chips or cacao nibs, or dairy-free and no added sugar.
Sweet Potato Chronicles Green Banana Smoothie Bowl
Use kale to boost the nutritional value of this delicious, creamy smoothie. You can adjust the topping ingredients to your taste, but it tastes delicious with granola or granola and sweet apple slices.
Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie Bowl by Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN
Fresh raspberries and strawberries scream summer. Mix it with tropical bananas and thick Greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast (or dessert).
Ellie Krieger Blueberry Almond Smoothie Bowl
Beautifully colorful and packed with nutrition, make this blue smoothie in one bowl for the perfect breakfast.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com.