Green Mango Avocado Banana Smoothie

Green Mango Avocado Banana Smoothie

This smoothie is packed with nutrients, creamy, and naturally sweet. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack.

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 smaller servings Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh spinach (about a generous handful)
• 1/2 cup chopped mango (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 medium avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 banana (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 to 1 cup liquid (water, almond milk, coconut water, or your preferred milk)
• Optional: 1-2 ice cubes (if using fresh fruit and want it colder/thicker)
• Optional additions for extra nutrition/flavor:
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
  • 1 scoop protein powder (vanilla or unflavored works well)
  • 1/2 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled (for a bit of zing)
  • Squeeze of lime juice (to brighten the flavors)

Equipment:

• Blender

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients: If using fresh mango and banana, you might want to freeze them for at least 30 minutes to an hour beforehand for a colder, thicker smoothie. Otherwise, just chop them.
2. Add liquid first: Pour 1/2 cup of your chosen liquid into the blender. This helps the blades move more easily.
3. Add soft ingredients: Add the spinach to the blender. The liquid will help it blend down.
4. Add remaining ingredients: Add the chopped mango, avocado, and banana to the blender. If you’re using any optional additions like seeds or ginger, add them now as well.
5. Blend: Secure the lid on your blender. Start blending on a low speed and gradually increase to high. Blend until the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy, with no visible chunks of spinach or fruit.
6. Adjust consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, add more liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, and blend again until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can add a few more ice cubes or a bit more frozen fruit/avocado and blend again.
7. Taste and serve: Taste the smoothie and adjust sweetness if desired (though with the mango and banana, it’s usually sweet enough). Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately.

Tips for Success:

• Use frozen fruit: Using frozen mango and banana (or even frozen spinach!) will give you a colder, thicker, and creamier smoothie without needing to add too much ice, which can dilute the flavor.
• Layering matters: Adding liquid first, then leafy greens, then softer fruits, and finally harder/frozen ingredients on top helps the blender work more efficiently.
• Adjust to your taste: Feel free to adjust the proportions of fruit and liquid to suit your personal preferences for sweetness and thickness.
• Make it a meal: Add protein powder or a tablespoon of nut butter to make this a more filling and balanced meal replacement.
• Don’t overblend: While you want it smooth, excessive blending can sometimes warm up the smoothie or make it frothy. Blend just until creamy.

Enjoy your delicious and nutritious green smoothie!