5 Vegetables to Easily Add to Your Smoothie

guess how many vegetables are in this?!

by Fran Allen, CNP

Summer means quick and satisfying meals that are easy to make and require none or minimal cooking. During the week that usually means smoothies, love having them as an easy breakfast or lunch either straight up in a glass or made into a smoothie bowl with some yogurt or granola on top. 

Making a substantial smoothie that is delicious  and keeps you feeling good throughout the day is an art form (bonus points if it ends up looking cute) ! I always make sure to add Protein, Fat and Fiber and include at least a few handfuls of vegetables for an extra boost of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Don’t get me wrong, I love fruit but for me I prefer to have a good mix of fruit and vegetables to keep my blood sugar stable make feel good. Here are a few of my favorite veggies I use in smoothies. 

Zucchini

Zucchini  is the most underrated vegetable! It’s green, mild and almost always cheap. Zucchinis are full of vitamin C, B6 and gentle fiber to help support and improve digestion. I like to add a few slices of fresh zucchini to add an extra boost of fiber and antioxidants  to my smoothies. It’s an easy addition to most smoothies and adds a nice texture. 

Cauliflower

There is always a bag of frozen cauliflower in my freezer! It’s cheap, tasty and offers lots of additional nutrients to meals! It's rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and folate, and, as a cruciferous vegetable is great for supporting liver function. I love to use cauliflower to make banana smoothies more satisfying in the long run. Cauliflower adds a creamy texture and thickness, making it perfect for smoothie bowls. 

Beets

Beets are antioxidant powerhouses and great sources of manganese, folate and fiber. They offer a subtle sweetness and work well paired with berries or citrus in a smoothie. You can easily add them raw and grated to a smoothie or lightly cooked or steamed for easy blending. 

Kale

I love the bitterness of kale in a smoothie, I know bitter flavors aren’t for everyone but I think a few leaves of kale adds a nice subtle depth of flavor paired with the sweetness of fruit. Kale is rich in beta carotene, vitamin K and magnesium. I love to include kale in smoothies with pear, ginger and lemon juice.

Avocado 

Avocado is a great way to add some anti inflammatory fat to your smoothie! Avocados are full of beneficial nutrients like potassium, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and vitamin E. These  nutrients are all so important for the maintenance of healthy skin. Avocados have a mild flavor that pairs so well with chocolate and make smoothies so rich and satisfying.