How to Make a Green Smoothie

Add spinach or other greens to your smoothie to make it green.

Not everyone cares for greens, but they are packed with nutrients that everybody needs, such as vitamins A, C and K, folate, calcium and iron. In fact, "Greens are the No. 1 food you can eat regularly to help improve your health," according to dietitian Jill Nussinow. Adding leafy greens to a fruit smoothie is an easy way to get those health benefits painlessly. Although the smoothie is green, all you taste is the fruit.

Things You'll Need

• 1 medium size banana
• 3/4 cup spinach
• 4 strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Set up your blender by rinsing out the pitcher and plugging in the power cord. A personal-size blender works best for making a single smoothie, but a full-size blender will work as well.

2. Add spinach, banana, strawberries, almonds and milk to the blender. You can use cow's milk or substitute a dairy-free alternative such as almond, soy or rice milk.

3. Pulse the ingredients in 30-second intervals until blended.

4. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use other leafy greens in place of spinach to make a green smoothie. Try arugula, kale or dandelion greens.

• Try different combinations of fruit and berries -- blueberries, mango and raspberries are all delicious in a green smoothie.

References

• Young Women's Health: Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
• WebMD: Leafy Greens - Ranked and Rated

Resources

• Green Diva Mom: 14714812 Great Tasting Green Smoothie Recipes!