In the growing trends of healthy foods and drinks, the Green Smoothie is one of the most popular health food categories. Recipe book after recipe book features new and exciting mixes to get the most out of all the different fruits, vegetables, and milk / juices.

But this canalso be rather daunting. With all the different options and the plethora of ingredients from which to choose, where does one begin? If you have tried to make a Green Smoothie from scratch, chances are you’ve had both successes and failure. There is nothing worse than spending the time to blend the perfect smoothie only to have it come out tasting like dirt!

In this article, we’ll go over all the basics of the Green Smoothie to get you started. We’ll look at why you should consider adding a Green Smoothie to your regular diet, why they are so good for you, what the best ingredients for a Green Smoothie are, and who they are best for. With all this information in hand, you’ll be ready to start mixing some great new drinks!

What Is a Green Smoothie or a Green Drink?

OK, so what are these “Green Smoothies”? The first thing to note is that there is no hard and fast definition that people in the food industry might agree on. First of all, a “Green Smoothie” is not a smoothie or drink that is environmentally friendly. It is not as if other smoothies are out there polluting the earth!

Broadly speaking, a “Green Smoothie” is a smoothie that uses leafy greens as its base ingredient to make a smoothie that is primarily green in color. Now, that’s not so difficult, is it? A “Green Smoothie” is a smoothie that is green in color!

Now, notice that the green color from these smoothies come from certain foods that are the “base” of the drink. They are not the only thing in a green smoothie. In addition to the green foods, you will find a wide range of other ingredients such fruits and certain liquids. What are the ingredients that go into a great green smoothie? Let’s take a look at that next.

What Are the Healthiest Ingredients for a Green Smoothie?

As we said, the base ingredient of the Green Smoothie is a leafy green of some type. The best and most popular vegetables to use are foods like kale, spinach, wheatgrass, collards, or parsley (or any combination of these). You’ll want about 2 cups of these kinds of foods.

Second, you’ll want to add 2 cups of a liquid base to make the smoothie into an actual drink. The best options for a Green Smoothie are water, almond milk, coconut milk, or coconut water. These kinds of liquids will add to the nutritional quality of the Smoothie.

Third, you’ll want to add about 3 cups of a fruit to give the Green Smoothie a really great taste. The best options are bananas, berries, peaches, mangos, apples, grapes, and the like. You can experiment with different combinations or find other recipes to make some great flavors.

Finally, consider adding some cinnamon, flax seeds, almond butter, or chia seeds to boost your Smoothie either for nutrients or for taste.

How Healthy Are Green Drinks, Really?

So, it should be pretty clear that Green Smoothies are made from some great ingredients. But must how healthy are these drinks, really? Are they really the “go to” drink for healthy people? Well, there are at least four good reasons for thinking that Green Smoothies really are one of the healthiest ways to start your day.

First, you know that you need to have, at the very least, 5 full servings of vegetables and fruits every day. That can be fairly difficult in today’s busy world. Do we really have the time to get all our nutrients in every day? Well, with a Green Smoothie you can mix almost all your servings for these categories into a single drink! How convenient is that!? You’ll never have to worry if you’re getting all your fruits and veggies in when you begin each day with a full Green Smoothie.

Second, since you are getting in all your fruits and vegetables in these drinks, you are on your way to eating healthier. This puts you on the way to a real possibility of weight loss. Losing weight is a consistent result from those who turned to a regular diet of Green Smoothies (http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/bootcamp/).

Third, the nutrients that you get from the foods in your Green Smoothies are natural boosts for your immune system. Many of the ingredients you’ll be mixing in your Green Smoothie have been known to help fight sickness. If you are someone who finds themselves regularly sick, adding a Green Smoothie to your diet may be just thing you need!

Fourth, Green Smoothies are a great way to avoid using caffeine as a way to boost your energy. Green Smoothies are a natural way to get all the energy you need to thrive throughout the day. This will also help you avoid those crashes that are also associated with caffeine.

Are Green Smoothies a Superfood?

This is a common question with regards to Green Smoothies. The first thing we have to figure out is, “what is a superfood”? A superfood is, generally speaking, any food that is packed with nutrients and is particularly well suited for well-being and health. So, given that definition, it should come as no surprise that Green Smoothies are definitely Superfoods. You will be hard-pressed to find a food more nutrient-rich than a Green Smoothie!

Are Green Smoothies Appropriate for Athletes?

Athletes are particular targets for many marketing gimmicks regarding healthy foods. Many athletes think they have to consume massive amounts of protein shakes and other gels. But the truth of the matter is that a Green Smoothie has many of the nutrients that even endurance athletes need to perform well. Of course, the Green Smoothie is only part of a balanced diet, but if you want to get your nutrients in, this is one of the best ways.

Conclusion

So, as you can see, the Green Smoothie is a fantastic part of any healthy lifestyle. If you spend time working out and are concerned with your overall fitness, you know you cannot ignore what you are putting into your body. With Green Smoothies as a regular part of your diet, you get all your nutrients in a convenient, great tasting drink. Consider adding a Green Smoothie to your routine to boost your immunity, help you lose weight, and get all the energy you need to make it through the day.

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