100 Days of Real Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
×
Home » Recipes

How to Make a Perfect Green Smoothie

green smoothie with blender, mango, pineapple, banana, and spinach
Learn how to make fresh, healthy, and delicious Green Smoothies like these!

Want to Save this Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!

Save Recipe

There are so many ways to make a delicious (and healthy!) green smoothie recipe — but did you know that you can combine almost any leafy greens and fruit with one basic formula?

Today I’m sharing some words of wisdom by fellow (real) foodie Jen Hansard, who co-founded the website Simple Green Smoothies, plus some additional green smoothie recipes and tips for you to try!

Table of Contents

  • Why I Love This Simple Green Smoothie Recipe
  • Guest Post: How to Make a Simple Green Smoothie
  • 5 Green Smoothie Tips to Get You Started
    • 1. Follow the 60/40 formula.
    • 2. Blend in stages to avoid leafy chunks.
    • 3. Ditch the ice and freeze some fruits.
    • 4. Use raw natural sweeteners.
    • 5. Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food.
    • Try a 10 Day Green Smoothie Challenge
  • Easy 3 Ingredients for a Green Smoothie
    • 1) Leafy Greens
    • 2) Fresh or Frozen Fruit
    • 3) Water or Other Liquid
  • This Green Smoothie Recipe with Spinach, Pineapple, Banana, and Mango Is Perfect for Beginners
  • More Easy Recipes for Homemade Green Smoothies
  • FAQs for a Perfect Green Smoothie

Why I Love This Simple Green Smoothie Recipe

Not only does Jen have some great tips for green smoothie beginners, but she is also sharing her magic formula for fruit and vegetable ratios so you can change the recipe to suit your taste, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand.

This green smoothie recipe is perfect as a homemade healthy snack, quick “fast-food” meal, or even as a way to cool off on a hot day. 

Guest Post: How to Make a Simple Green Smoothie

by Jen Hansard


green smoothie in jar with ingredients

We have a super simple and healthy recipe we’ve been itchin’ to share with you!!! As a crazy-busy passionate mom, I’ve been known to fuel my body with processed junk. Like those days when we found ourselves at Starbucks twice in one day…or driving through Taco Bell for dinner (again).

I was starved for time, low on energy and just….overwhelmed.

Can you relate?


Well, I discovered something that quickly changed our lives— green smoothies. This blended drink of fresh fruits and dark leafy greens gave us energy, a fast healthy meal, and transformed our bodies from the inside out.

No joke. And we made this healthy habit really stick for the past 2 ½ years... and going strong. Now we have over 500,000 people from all around the world hooked on the green smoothie lifestyle too. I hope you’ll join us!

5 Green Smoothie Tips to Get You Started

Before we share our most popular green smoothie recipe, we need to welcome you into the world of green smoothies with a few important tips...
 

1. Follow the 60/40 formula.

When you’re making your first few green smoothies, don't just throw things in the blender. Chances are, it’ll taste nasty if you wing it right out of the gate. To save you a few smoothie-fails, bust out those cute lil’ measuring cups and follow this simple formula: 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens.

Go to recipe formula for a perfect green smoothie time, plus ideas for smoothie ingredients.

2. Blend in stages to avoid leafy chunks.

Chewing your green smoothie is no fun!  To get a "smooth" green smoothie experience, blend up your leafy greens and liquid-base first. Then add your remaining fruits and blend again.

3. Ditch the ice and freeze some fruits.

Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas (peel first), grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits (like those brown bananas on your counter). You can also freeze your leafy greens in a freezer-safe bag. Just make sure to add your frozen greens straight to the blender (don’t defrost these fragile lil’ guys).

4. Use raw natural sweeteners.

Add naturally sweet fruits to any smoothie that tastes bitter or a bit too “green.” By sticking with naturally sweet fruits like bananas, mango, apples, pears, or pitted dates, we avoid artificial sweeteners and processed sugars.

5. Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food.

We know life can get crazy busy— especially in the morning. That’s why we think green smoothies are the healthiest fast food for people who are constantly on the go.

You can blend your green smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge (up to 2 days). Use an airtight lid to limit oxidation and keep it as fresh as possible. When ready to drink, give it a good shake before you open.

If you follow these five green smoothie tips, we pinkie promise your green smoothies will be love at first sip!

Now, here’s a favorite recipe we make for friends and family who’ve never tried a green smoothie before...

You May Also Like

  • Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
  • Hot Pink Smoothie
  • Strawberry Kale Smoothie Bowls
  • Raspberry Breakfast Smoothie
  • Green Vegetables
  • Healthy Shamrock Shake

If you enjoyed this healthy green smoothie recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! Check out these Breakfast Recipes for more delicious recipes.

beginners luck green smoothie recipe

Perfect Green Smoothie

This tropical treat has the perfect fruit-to-veggie ratio, which makes it a great beginner-friendly green smoothie. The spinach has a mild taste and is packed with over 20 different nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and high-quality amino acids. It’s rawesome stuff! Oh, and this recipe is kid-tested and approved too:) Our friend Jen Hansard, co-founder of Simple Green Smoothies, shares her perfect formula in this guest post.
38 Reviews / 5 Average
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, Smoothies & Drinks, Snacks & Appetizers, Treats
Cuisine: American
Method: Freezer Friendly
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe
Servings: 2 glasses
Save Recipe Saved!

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup mango
  • 1 cup pineapple
  • 2 bananas (Use at least one frozen fruit to chill your smoothie. We often use frozen mangos and bananas our green smoothies.)

Instructions
 

  • Tightly pack 2 cups of leafy greens in a measuring cup and then toss into a blender.
  • Add water and blend together until all leafy chunks are gone.
  • Add mango, pineapple and bananas and blend again until smooth.
  • Pour into a mason jar (or cute cup of your choice).
  • Gulp or sip like a rawkstar!

Notes

PSSST! Got an allergy to mango or pineapple, or not a big fan of bananas? You can substitute any fruit with another fruit with a one-to-one ratio.
Also don't miss our Simple Green Smoothie book!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Perfect Green Smoothie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 203 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 39mg2%
Potassium 818mg23%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 3830IU77%
Vitamin C 88.2mg107%
Calcium 63mg6%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out

If you made this recipe or have a favorite of your own, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below (we’ll read every one).

Try a 10 Day Green Smoothie Challenge

If you want more recipes, green smoothie tips, and a 10-day challenge to kickstart your smoothie habit, check out our Simple Green Smoothies book! You'll get tasty plant-based smoothie recipes, shopping list and community support. #kaleyeah

Simple #GreenSmoothies on 100 Days of #RealFood

Whether you're passionate about raising an awesome family, traveling the world, reading new books, creating the latest fashion trend, starting a new job or something totally different... we want to make sure you're able to go after that as best as possible. You need LOTS of energy and nutrients to fuel you passions.


Lisa here again! Here are some more green smoothie recipes to try :)

Easy 3 Ingredients for a Green Smoothie

Green Smoothie Challenge on 100 Days of #RealFood

The basic smoothie recipe only has three ingredients — so easy! You just combine your favorite leafy green vegetable, fresh or frozen fruit, and a liquid (to help it blend). 

You can also include other healthy ingredients such as chia seeds, coconut oil, peanut or almond butter, hemp seeds, flax, cocoa (for a chocolate smoothie), cinnamon, acai powder, or even protein powder in your smoothie for extra benefits or flavor.

1) Leafy Greens

Almost all leafy green vegetables (that are not lettuce) are perfect smoothie ingredients. I love pulling mine from the garden or grabbing in-season vegetables at the farmer’s market. You can use a single ingredient, or combine more than one leafy green veggie; just make sure it equals two cups.

Spinach, which is what this recipe calls for, is probably the most popular leafy green for smoothies. Mainly because it’s inexpensive, freezes easily, and has a mild taste. 

Kale is also commonly found in smoothies, some might think it has a bitter taste, but it’s definitely one of the healthiest options.

fresh kale in plastic bags from the farmers market.

Besides spinach and kale, you can also add bok choy, swiss chard, collards (also known as collard greens), and even dandelion greens! 

2) Fresh or Frozen Fruit

This is where you get the most of your sweetener and flavor, so it’s important to use fruit that you like. Just like with the greens, almost anything goes when it comes to adding fruit to your smoothie — and you can use any combination, as long as it equals 3 cups.

If you’re making the green smoothie recipe below you’ll need a cup of mango, a cup of pineapple, and two bananas. 

Tip: Use frozen fruit to make a cold smoothie. You can freeze one of the bananas, and/or use frozen mango instead of fresh. To save time and money, you can also make green smoothies with fruit that is only frozen.

For a sweeter smoothie, use ripe (or even overripe) fruit that has strong flavors such as banana, mango, berries, orange, and pineapple. If you prefer a more “green” taste, stick to milder fruit such as pear, apple, and avocado.

Of course, that all depends on your own preferences and taste; you may need to experiment with different combinations to get it just right.

Sheet pan of frozen strawberry halves.
Frozen strawberries

3) Water or Other Liquid

Last, but definitely not least, is water. You can use plain water, or try coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, or any other liquid base of your choice.

Like with the other green smoothie ingredients, you can also use a combination of liquids as long as it totals two cups.

If you're really into smoothies and would like a copy of the 5 best smoothie recipes here on 100 Days of Real Food, you can grab it from our Free Membership Area (under the "recipes" section)!

- Lisa Leake

This Green Smoothie Recipe with Spinach, Pineapple, Banana, and Mango Is Perfect for Beginners

Two green smoothies in clear drinking glasses with a green and white striped straw.

Calling this a “spinach, pineapple, banana, mango green smoothie” sure is a mouthful, so I prefer to say “perfect beginner smoothie” instead. Which is exactly what I love about this recipe; it’s the ideal combination for beginners.

When we started our real food challenge, cutting out sweet treats (and training our taste buds) was one of the hardest parts. If you’re not used to eating a lot of leafy green vegetables, and tend to gravitate towards sugary drinks, you might not like the taste of green smoothies at first.

I didn't want to share some recipe that you’d have to choke down — real food should taste good! And I find that this recipe in particular, which includes mild-flavored spinach as the leafy green and deliciously sweet fruit like mango, pineapple, and ripe bananas is a delicious start to get anyone (including kids!) loving green smoothies.

More Easy Recipes for Homemade Green Smoothies

If you liked this green smoothie recipe, but aren’t quite ready to make your own flavor combinations, you can try some of these options.

First, if you want a tasty treat for fall, try this Pumpkin Pie Green Smoothie that my kids love. Or, if you’d prefer something more refreshing, you have to try this Peachy Pineapple Green Smoothie. Finally, check out my Pina Colada Green Smoothie for a tasty vacation-inspired treat. 

You can also check out some more delicious green smoothie variations using the 60/40 formula (or only a few extra ingredients) below. 

Glowing Green Smoothie

The Glowing Green Smoothie was actually created by Kimberly Snyder as a healthy breakfast idea. I simplified her recipe and adjusted the measurements to (mostly) fit with our simple green smoothie ratios. 

Ingredients for a Glowing Green Smoothie:

  • 2 cups baby spinach (packed)
  • 1-2 celery stalks
  • 2 cups water
  • Whole apple, cored and halved
  • Whole pear, cored and halved
  • 1 banana
  • ¼ of a lemon, peeled

Island Green Tropical Smoothie

An Island Green Tropical Smoothie is another sweet and delicious smoothie variation. It’s identical to the basic beginner smoothie with greens that Jen shared, but with one difference: you use coconut water instead of regular water.

The coconut water adds an extra tropical flavor and sweetness; give it a try!

Monster Green Smoothie (High Protein)

This Monster Green Smoothie is really good, especially if you’re looking for an easy breakfast smoothie or healthy post-workout snack. 

Monster Green Smoothie Ingredients:

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
  • 1 cup chopped mango
  • 1 avocado, peeled with pit removed
  • 2 bananas

If this recipe comes out too thick add more milk to the blender until you reach your desired consistency. You can also add chia seeds for additional protein.

FAQs for a Perfect Green Smoothie

Can you make green smoothies with frozen spinach?

This is a common question because frozen spinach tends to be packed more densely than fresh spinach. The simple answer is yes, green smoothies can be made with frozen spinach and substituted at about a 1:6 ratio. So if your smoothie calls for 2 cups of fresh spinach, use about ⅓ cup frozen instead.

Don’t defrost frozen spinach that you use for smoothies; instead toss it right into the blender. You can buy frozen spinach in a bag or freeze your own in ice cube trays for ease of use.

How can I make my green smoothies sweet?

First, make sure you’re measuring your ingredients correctly. Fruit can sometimes be difficult to measure, especially if you’re working with large pieces.

Second, I suggest using fruit that’s as ripe as possible. For bananas, that usually means once they’re browning.

Third, consider using milder leafy greens. Spinach is usually on the sweeter side, but if you don’t like the taste try substituting with romaine lettuce instead.

Finally, if you still find your smoothie on the bitter side you can adjust the fruit and veggie ratios so there’s a little more fruit and fewer greens.

When is the best time to drink a green smoothie?

Anytime! Although a lot of people swear by drinking them in the morning, you’ll benefit from drinking smoothies at any time during the day. 

A lot of people like to drink green smoothies in the morning as a breakfast alternative, which is great if you’re busy and would normally turn to a less-healthy option. Green smoothies are also fantastic pre or post workout drinks!

Are green smoothies healthy? 

Like with anything, health is relative, but green smoothies can definitely be a healthy part of your day. I believe healthy foods include real food ingredients and this green smoothie recipe is made with 100% real food. 

One thing I love about green smoothies is that you can adjust the recipe for your dietary needs or to avoid allergens.

What is the difference between a green smoothie and green juice?

Green juice is made by extracting the liquid (juice) of several ingredients using a juicer — removing most of the fiber in the process — whereas green smoothies are made by combining whole ingredients, plus water, in a blender.

While they can have the same ingredients added to them, green juice and green smoothies are two different things and have different levels of nutrients.

How can I make a thick smoothie?

I usually just add additional ingredients such as a handful or two of spinach or another banana if I want to make a thicker smoothie. You can also add greek yogurt to thicken a smoothie, if you like.

If your smoothies are consistently turning out too thin, reduce the amount of liquid in your recipe.

What is the best blender for making smoothies?

Honestly, it’s all about personal preference and your budget. Blendtec and Vitamix blenders are both great options, especially if you want a multi-purpose appliance that will thoroughly blend your smoothies.

How can I make a smoothie without a blender?

It’s tough, if not impossible, to get perfect smoothies without a blender but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a smoothie when there’s no blender available. To make a smoothie without a blender: cut the recipe in half and add all ingredients, plus two ice cubes, to any cup or jar with a lid, then shake vigorously.

Blender containers made for protein powder work especially well as blender alternatives if you want smoothies on the go.

More Recipes

  • Garlic butter steak bites.
    Garlic Butter Steak Bites
  • Chicken sausage sheet pan.
    Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan
  • Sausage stir fry.
    Sausage Stir Fry
  • Sausage broccoli pasta.
    Sausage Broccoli Pasta
381.1K shares

About Jen Hansard

Author of the Simple Green Smoothies blogand cookbook and newly released Simple Green Meals cookbook.

Comments

  1. Wee montano says

    December 23, 2018 at 6:27 am

    Im doing smoothies for a long time. But most of the time it taste nasty all the time. That’s why I’m lazy to do it religiously. Now I know why? 60% fruits and 40% green.

    Reply
  2. Susanne says

    December 21, 2018 at 1:21 am

    I love Smoothies :)

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    August 02, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    Can you substitute milk for water? I don't eat enough greens or get enough calcium. This substitution seems like a good way to get all of the healthy stuff I don't make time for in all at once, but I don't want to mess up the flavor. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      August 06, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Hi. Sure, you can.

      Reply
  4. Lillian Audycki says

    July 18, 2018 at 7:08 am

    5 stars
    I loved the lucky green smoothie, it is so tasty and I believe it did give me energy like never before. I don't eat greens much but wanted to get more natural vitamins and nutrients, I want to stay more healthy as im getting older, i would like to have more of thess tasty smoothies, this one was so AMAZING!

    Reply
  5. Jane says

    June 05, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    Loved your smoothies.

    Reply
  6. CJ says

    April 04, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    Yes....my first smoothie! Used the 60/40 ratio and it was spot on. I’m going to try adding to protein now.

    Reply
  7. Jill J. says

    March 23, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    Loved the 60/40 ratio rule! First green smoothie I made at home that I actually like!

    Reply
  8. Tara Kelly says

    March 22, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    I done really like the taste of green smoothies although I have tried it many times with different combinations. But this Beginner's Luck smoothie which you mentioned turned out quite nice! I wasn't expecting it to taste this good, to be honest!

    Reply
  9. Jay says

    March 05, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    I just made this and got about 4xcups worth so put some in the fridge. Tasted really good.

    Reply
  10. Tani Leon says

    January 20, 2018 at 11:49 am

    I make a green smoothie with spinach banana blueberry strawberry and almond milk and a little bit of Greek yogurt and it's so yummy

    Reply
  11. Alma says

    January 18, 2018 at 7:14 am

    I’m allergic to mangoes. What can be used to substitute?

    Reply
    • Jen | Simple Green Smoothies says

      January 18, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      Hi Alma, you can swap with peaches, avocado pretty easily. We have more green smoothie ingredient swap ideas here: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/tips/substitution-guide

      Reply
  12. Michelle says

    January 16, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    I just made this. Still standing here starring at it. Don't worry my mom says it will be great. My question is how much flax, Chia, hemp seed combo should I put in my smoothie?

    Reply
    • Sabrina Ivery says

      January 18, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      Looking forward to trying this, can u toss n a few strawberries? I would like to know the mgs of protein? My husband has to be on a "low protein diet" because he has Sacrodosis and he has high levels or protein in his Kidneys so we are eating healthy, NO RED MEATS OR PROCESSED FOODS. We do alot of smoothies. Thus far he has lost 15 lbs and I have lost 4 lbs in less than a month, I'm proud that we are sticking to a Nutritionist diet. Thank you for your recipe. If you have any other suggestions on what else we can do, it would be so appreciated.

      Reply
      • Sabrina Ivery says

        January 18, 2018 at 12:21 pm

        I am looking for a "low protein powder" (to fill him as he drinks smoothies for lunch) do u have any suggestions? Or maybe just leave out the powder idea and stick to green smoothies .

      • Jen | Simple Green Smoothies says

        January 18, 2018 at 1:01 pm

        You can def add in some strawberries. Mint, basil, ginger or cilantro is also really good in this. It's fun to doctor it up. :) These cauliflower vegan buffalo wings are really good: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/green-meals/cauliflower-buffalo-wings

  13. Christina says

    January 16, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    5 stars
    I made it! It was good. :) Thank you for the recipe and suggestions.

    Reply
  14. amanda says

    January 09, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    I know there is an article on making a meal replacement smoothie. I love Beginners Luck smoothie for breakfast/ dinner but it isn't as filling for lunch. Has anyone figured out the perfect meal replacement add ins?

    Reply
    • meg says

      January 12, 2018 at 10:38 am

      I love green smoothies and often add a vegan protein powder to help keep me full midday.

      Reply
    • Jen says

      January 16, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      This is one of my favorite meal replacement smoothies: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/green-smoothies/meal-replacement-green-smoothie

      Reply
    • Shanika says

      January 22, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      I added the vegan protein as well

      Reply
  15. Leenisha Mistry says

    January 09, 2018 at 2:35 am

    Yum definitely gonna try it. But can i skip pineapple ?

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      March 25, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      If you do, I'd recommend adding another sweet fruit in its place. - Nicole

      Reply
      • Kimberly says

        August 05, 2020 at 12:00 pm

        I am making some post partum freezer meals for a friend with 2 boys. Is this recipe something that can be refrozen after making? If so, how long will it last in the freezer?

      • 100 Days Admin says

        August 07, 2020 at 9:52 am

        Some of our readers have said they freeze all the ingredients in a bag and when they are ready they just add their liquid to the blender and blend. Jen also mentions that you can blend them and keep in the fridge for up to two days. - Nicole

  16. Hugo Santiago Escalona says

    January 03, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    I just tried making this smoothie and it was quite delicious :) , thank you so much for the recipe, the boost it part was my favorite, I added some coconut oil and I thought "WOW! This really does boost it." Thank you again for the recipe I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the smoothies. :)

    Reply
  17. Maria says

    November 29, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    I thougbt these drinks could not be stored ..ibwas told they have to be consumed immediatley or they lose nutritional value..please advise

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      December 04, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      I would pose this question here: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/simple7/ref/Kiran. I do make smoothies the night before for lunches sometimes but do not add greens. Greens get bitter if they sit too long, in my experience. I am also sure they (smoothies) do lose nutrient value as time passes.

      Reply
  18. Scott says

    November 20, 2017 at 2:03 am

    Seems odd your smoothie recipe doesn't include honey as an ingredient, given all the health benefits honey carries...

    Reply
    • M says

      December 04, 2017 at 10:43 am

      Honey is usually only added as a sweetener if the smoothie doesn’t taste as sweet as you’d like it

      Reply
      • maureen says

        December 05, 2017 at 3:44 pm

        Ooh waoh!

    • 100 Days Admin says

      March 25, 2020 at 2:03 pm

      No need to add any sweetener to this recipe. - Nicole

      Reply
  19. Alan says

    November 15, 2017 at 3:17 pm

    The 60/40 may lead to tasty smoothies, but they are way too high in sugar, especially for diabetics. You can reverse the percentages ank make a healthier, still sweet, smoothie.

    Reply
    • Zaina says

      December 30, 2017 at 2:29 pm

      I would recommend looking further into what causes diabetes and diets that can help the disease. Dr. Greger explains what causes insulin resistance below.
      https://nutritionfacts.org/video/what-causes-insulin-resistance/

      Reply
    • Tarashaun Hausner says

      July 25, 2019 at 2:44 pm

      Yes so true! When keeping the sugar content down, I also flip the ratio in my How to Make Low Sugar Green Smoothies formula: https://www.blenderbabes.com/articles/food/how-and-why-to-make-low-sugar-healthy-smoothie-recipes/

      Reply
  20. Ryan says

    November 13, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    Is the spinach cooked before blending or raw?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      November 17, 2017 at 9:40 am

      It's raw.

      Reply
  21. DR CRAIG BUTTLE says

    November 07, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Yes the sugars (natural ) will speed you up and give you energy. I make smoothies for weight loss, add Garcinia, and the weight goes off. The fruits fight disease on their own. The blood system is near perfect. I can exercise a little even desk bound, havent needed to join a gym yet but thinking of it.

    Reply
  22. Claire says

    October 29, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Hey, I'm about to move into a flat and really want to try these recipes for breakfast smoothies, however it would be very early in the morning and I have a very loud blender! Would I be able to make this in the evening and store it in the fridge for the morning?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      November 01, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      You can, depending on what is in it. Greens can make it bitter if it sits for a long time.

      Reply
      • Corey says

        February 02, 2018 at 1:29 pm

        Hi Amy,

        What is chard? I did not see the answer to Andrew's question. Did the smoothies cause his issue which sent him to the ER?

      • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

        February 07, 2018 at 12:40 pm

        Hi. Swiss chard is another green. I can't answer that about Andrew because I've no idea.

  23. Andrew says

    October 28, 2017 at 10:18 am

    I want to give my personal experience in the ER as a warning to others about oxalates. I would have green smoothies that include spinach and chard about 5 days a week. I didn't realize that these two ingredients can boost oxalates so high that kidney stones will result Ultimately, kidney failure can occur. Please avoid spinach and chard in smoothies (kale is okay). Look up hyperoxalueria for more info.

    Reply
  24. Marla Knight-Dutille says

    October 10, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    I've been making morning smoothies for me and my husband for about 3 months. Heavy on the fruit, with some veg. We went to get our annual checkups and both of our blood glucose levels spiked to pre-diabetes! His was 106, mine was 104! They had both been in the 80s a year ago. We are thin, get exercise, eat very healthy foods (nothing processed), all organic, etc. It appears as though these smoothies are the cause in our fasting blood sugar levels. Is anyone aware of this phenomenon?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      October 23, 2017 at 11:07 am

      Yes, that is a big difference in blood sugar but no, I've not heard of that being an issue for other. For myself personally, my smoothies are heavy on protein (yogurt or nut butter), greens, and just enough fruit to add some sweetness. :)

      Reply
  25. john says

    September 28, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Hello. I have always been a fan of healthy drinks,smoothies etc. I have a wide pallet and can eat almost anything. For the last few weeks I have been drinking smoothies made at home. Mine consist of; frozen blueberries, frozen sometimes mixed fruit containing blueberries,strawberries,and mango. I add spinach,kale, spirulina powder and beet root powder. I use spirulina and the boot root once a day in the mornings and a banana also. I just read concerns about eating raw kale. Is it OK to use raw kale in my smoothies? And do you believe the smoothies I am making are healthy? I know they are but just wanted another opinion. I dont need sweetness, the fruit is plenty and I use only water,half a blender full, to mix it everything in.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      October 06, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Hi there. You might want to pose this question here: https://www.simplegreensmoothies.com/. You can always switch out kale for spinach.

      Reply
  26. Sade says

    September 23, 2017 at 7:09 am

    5 stars
    Been making my green smoothie with your recipe and experimented as well. So far, love it and feel more energetic

    Reply
  27. Robert says

    September 19, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    Can this be a breakfast smoothie?

    Reply
    • lillian says

      September 22, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      yes it can be a breakfast smoothie cuz it will fill you up

      Reply
  28. Donald Becker says

    September 12, 2017 at 5:22 am

    I love making the green drinks I feel so much better and have enough energy to get threw the day...

    Reply
  29. Lesleyann says

    September 03, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    Hi there. I'm a newbee to the smoothie world. Do I cook the kale, pak choi and spinach before freezing it or do I freeze it raw? Thanks
    Les

    Reply
    • Elemental says

      September 11, 2017 at 1:47 am

      No need to pre cook, just use raw

      Reply
  30. Jil says

    September 02, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    Hi,
    I was wondering if you can use more than one type of leaf/fruit per smoothie?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      September 11, 2017 at 10:53 am

      You can.

      Reply
  31. Tom Buka says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    I am new to this healthy lifestyle.
    I would like to maintain a healthy food intake since I am a type 11 DIABETIC.
    I find so many food source have high sugar and salt added.

    Reply
  32. Alexandra Thorpe says

    August 25, 2017 at 1:40 am

    Could I replace the water for apple juice?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      August 28, 2017 at 5:26 pm

      Sure.

      Reply
  33. John Marren says

    August 12, 2017 at 9:41 am

    When making smoothies do you peel the fruits (apples, pears, peaches) and do you remove the seeds???

    Will a 2 speed Waring blender work or do I need to purchase a dedicated "juicer?"

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      August 21, 2017 at 11:34 am

      We use a high speed blender, not a juicer, and do generally peal fruit unless it is a very soft peal. We do remove cores and seeds.

      Reply
  34. allissa orison says

    August 10, 2017 at 8:44 pm

    i love this site!

    Reply
  35. Joe Ortiz says

    August 01, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    How many calories in the recipe above?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      August 08, 2017 at 12:28 pm

      Hi. We do not provide nutrition details because we just want people focused on getting more real foods into their daily routine. This helps explain: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/healthy-eating-defined/

      Reply
  36. Carol says

    July 27, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    Can i make vegetable smoothies add in a good vegan protein powder and also add peanut butter Carole?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      August 08, 2017 at 12:26 pm

      Sure, you can add whatever you like. Be aware that many protein powders are full of questionable ingredients.

      Reply
  37. Bee says

    July 27, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    5 stars
    That is funny! I only had mango, pineapple, and spinach left in fridge (was needing to grocery shop) and threw those in the blender with a tsp of raw honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon and my family really liked it! Then I saw this site glad I found it! Point is my son is drinking these smoothies now. Am happy he's getting nutrients he needs being autistic he is a very picky eater!

    Reply
  38. Brenda Lewis says

    July 16, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    When making this smoothie do I cut the stems off the spinach before blending them. Is this a sweet tasting smoothie. Just making sure it does not have a bitter taste.

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      July 20, 2017 at 4:22 pm

      No need to cut the stems off. It is sweet.

      Reply
  39. Steph says

    July 10, 2017 at 11:41 pm

    Thank You so much for the well laid out steps that made making this smoothie sooo easy! This has been the best I've Ever made! ☺

    Reply
  40. Charlotte says

    July 10, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Wow! Such a helpful printable guide I can just attach to my fridge for quick reference. I usually just google recipes to use but this is going to be so much easier, especially for shopping too! Thanks!

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!


Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

Learn More

Popular

  • Chicken sausage pasta.
    Chicken Sausage Pasta
  • Steak with veggies.
    Steak with Veggies
  • Sausage and potatoes.
    Sausage and Potatoes
  • Spaghetti squash with meat sauce.
    Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Seasonal

  • Spaghetti squash boats.
    Spaghetti Squash Boats
  • How to cook spaghetti squash.
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash
  • Air fryer popcorn chicken.
    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
  • Healthy blueberry pancakes.
    Healthy Blueberry Pancakes

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cookbooks
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
  • Favorite Products
  • Free Downloads

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Blog

  • About
  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 100 Days of Real Food