Green smoothies are not just packed with super foods, they ARE a superfood. Is there an easier way to get all your vitamins, minerals and fibre in one quick fix?

Green smoothies are the perfect fast food – quick, delicious and packed with nutrient-rich foods. Here’s our guide to making your own smoothies plus handy tips to make them even healthier.

If you need a reason to try a green smoothie, here’s five:

• Green smoothies are packed full of energy-rich foods to help you get-up-and-go in the morning and keep going all day;
• Adding healthy fats and protein into your shake keeps you full so helps you lose weight naturally;
• Leafy greens are packed full of vitamins and immunity-boosting antioxidants to help keep your immune system strong;
• Unlike juice, smoothies are full of fibre;
• They are quick to prepare – and easy to drink on the go.

Making smoothies at home

The perfect green smoothie recipe includes plenty of fruit to add sweetness and taste. The ideal ratio is about 60% fruit to 40% leafy greens. 

Tips:

• If you want a cold smoothie, use frozen fruit;
• Blend the smoothie twice – first the liquid and the greens, and then add your fruit and blend again. This ensures a smoooth smoothie;
• Don’t use too many flavours in your smoothie to allow the natural flavours to stay distinct.

Here’s our base recipe for making delicious smoothies. Feel free to experiment with flavours, depending on what fruits and vegetables are in season.

Easy green smoothie base recipe

2 cups leafy greens + 2 cups liquid base + 3 cups fruit

Greens

• Go wild – choose from spinach, kale, silver beet, romaine lettuce, bok choy, dandelion, parsley, coriander, mint – or anything that takes your fancy. Another option is to use powdered greens such as spirulina.

Liquids

• Take your pick from water, coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, green tea or freshly squeezed juice.

Fruit

• Choose from banana, mango, berries, orange, avocado, peach, pear, apple, pineapple or grapes.

Tropical Green Smoothie

• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 cup mango
• 2 bananas
• Method: Blend spinach and water until smooth. Next, add the remaining fruits and blend again.

Creamy Green Smoothie

• 2 cups kale, fresh
• 2 cups water
• 3 bananas
• 1/4 avocado
• Method: Blend kale and water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.

• 2 cups spinach, fresh
• 2 cups coconut water
• 2 cups pineapple
• 1 avocado
• Method: Blend spinach and coconut water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.

How to make your smoothie super

Boost the juice even further with the addition of a few of these superfoods. It’s an easy way to get some of these amazing nutrients into your body.

Chia seeds

These super-seeds are high in healthy fatty acids that increase brain function and fight cholesterol. They are packed with protein, fibre, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium and antioxidants. 

Coconut oil

The healthy fatty acids in coconut oil are quickly converted into energy, boost your metabolism and so can help burn fat. 

Flax seed powder

An excellent source of fibre and fatty acids, flax seed powder eliminates toxins from your system, and benefits the cardiovascular and immune system, brain and joint function plus healthy skin.

Goji berries

These popular berries are packed full of more than 20 vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidants and amino acids.

Spirulina

Packed with four times more protein than meat, high in vitamins and minerals and high in healthy fatty acids.

Cacao powder

Packed with antioxidants to boost immmune system and help with colds and flu, plus delivers a chocolatey punch.

Avocado

Containing almost 20 vitamins, minerals, heart healthy fats and plant compounds to boost your smoothie and make it extra creamy.

Hemp Protein

High in protein and fibre to help build and repair muscles.

Camu Powder

Packed with 60% more vitamin C than an orange, it boosts your immunity and helps to keep skin healthy.

Acai Powder

Loaded with antioxidants to boost your energy level, the protein and fibre will keep you feeling full. Great for weight loss diets.

If you’re not into making your own, head to your local juice bar for a healthy shot of green power.