Banana Lemon Ginger Smoothie

A zesty, creamy, and refreshing smoothie packed with natural sweetness, tang, and a gentle kick of ginger. Great for immune support, digestion, and a vitamin-rich boost!

Ingredients (Serves 2)

Base:

• 1 ripe banana (fresh or frozen, sliced)

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or dairy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk)

• ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)

• Juice of ½ lemon (~1½ tbsp)

• ½ tsp lemon zest (plus more for garnish)

Flavor Boosters:

• 1–2 tsp freshly grated ginger (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference)

Optional Add-Ins:

• ¼ tsp ground turmeric (anti-inflammatory)

• A pinch of ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseed

• ½ cup ice (for a thicker smoothie)

Instructions

1. Prep the Ingredients:
   Peel and slice the banana. If using fresh ginger, peel and grate it finely. Zest the lemon first, then juice it.

2. Blend:
   In a blender, combine the banana, almond milk, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated ginger, and any optional add-ins (like turmeric or chia seeds). Add sweetener if desired.

3. Adjust Consistency:
   Blend on high speed for 30–60 seconds until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. If too thin, add a few ice cubes or extra banana.

4. Taste & Tweak:
   Taste and adjust sweetness, lemon, or ginger level to your liking. Blend again briefly if needed.

5. Serve:
   Pour into glasses, garnish with lemon zest or a thin lemon slice, and serve immediately.

⏱ Time Required

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Blend Time: 1 minute

• Total Time: 6 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, approx.):

• Calories: ~180

• Protein: 7g

• Fat: 3g

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugars: 18g
  (May vary based on milk and sweetener choices)

Tips & Variations

• Make it a smoothie bowl: Use less milk for a thicker consistency, and top with granola, coconut flakes, or berries.

• Vegan version: Use coconut yogurt and a plant-based sweetener.

• Frozen version: Use frozen banana and skip the ice for a creamier texture.

• Boost protein: Add a scoop of protein powder (vanilla works best).

• Make ahead: Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake well before drinking.