The best thing about this recipe (probably thanks to the fact that a smoothie looks just like a milkshake) is that both of my daughters love them, and my pickier child ends up consuming fruits and vegetables that she would not normally eat. I had been making these for a while when one day I added the spinach, and it barely changed the taste. I was so excited that I could easily get everyone (including me) to eat some fresh, raw spinach!
It is currently strawberry season here in NC, and this is a great way to use up all of those freshly picked berries. But, feel free to experiment with substitutions based on your family’s favorites. I noted some alternatives that we have tried below. Please leave a comment if you try something new to let us know how it turns out!
Tasty Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups plain yogurt
- 1 cup berries (fresh or frozen (we have also tried 2 oranges, peeled))
- 2 bananas (or honey (1-2 tablespoons))
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup spinach (fresh (I also tried adding some leftover broccoli instead of the spinach. My husband said I took things a little too far, but the kids still sucked it down!))
- ice (optional (use if doing fresh berries instead of frozen))
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into blender and blend. Pour into cups and garnish with fruit or use fun straws to entice your kids!
How can you add more protein to this? Any protein powder you recommend?
Hi Jeanine, we don’t have any protein powder recommendations (you can read why Lisa doesn’t use them here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/why-are-americans-so-concerned-about-protein/), but I like to add peanut butter to my smoothies for some added protein. – Nicole
How do you send smoothies to school? Do you just put them in a thermos?
Hi Jenny. Yes, that is the easiest way.
Hello, would these work if poured into reusable freezie pop molds and frozen?
Yes. :)
I use fresh spinach that I’ve frozen (never used the kind from the freezer section) and it works perfect. I would imagine the already frozen would work the same :)
Could you use frozen spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach works, too.
Thank you for this recipe! I hate bananas and this is the first smoothie recipe I’ve seen that give me an alternative to them. :)
Hi, I received the menue for 100 days of real food and I am excited to try this. In the meal plan it says “popcorn”, but the recipe does not list it. Do I use it or not.
Thanks
Hi Robin. I’m not sure specifically what you mean but here is Lisa’s popcorn trick: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/06/17/recipe-the-popcorn-trick/.
Can these be frozen?
Hi Laura. You can freeze them but it will effect the consistency. Lisa freezes them in molds and sticks them in the girl’s lunches. :)
OK SO I JUST TRIED
THE KAYLE SMOOTHIE NOT BAD, BUT I DIDNT DO THE ALMOND OR COCONUT MILK I USED 0% MILK WILLTHE ALMOND OR COCONUT MILK MAKE IT TASTE BETTER
On day 2. Just made this smoothie, added 2 tsps of Flax seed, amazing! Cheers.
We tried the smoothie recipe this weekend and it was great. I did a double batch to freeze some and have some in the fridge for leftovers. We tried the ones in the fridge this morning (2 days later) and they tasted gross. I have a Ninja blender so I know it doesn’t blend the spinach quite as good as Blendtec or Vitamix. Any thoughts on why our leftovers taste not nearly as good? I’m afraid the ones in the freezer will taste the same and I’ll have to throw them all away.
Hi Krista. I find if you store them in a sealed mason jar, they keep fresher longer. I have also found that green smoothies start to taste “earthier” as time goes by. :)
How many servings does this recipe make? I can’t wait to try it out!
Hi Kristi. About 2. ~Amy
I just halved the recipe and I’m feeling pretty stuffed trying to finish what I made. It’s a little more than 2 cups. Disclaimer: I used an orange instead of berries and I weigh 92 lbs. :D
What blender do you use? Mine always leaves small bits of spinach. I would love to get the Vitamix but it’s a little to much money.
Hi Tonya. This will help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2014/08/08/video-vitamix-blendtec-ninja-best-blender/#more-15869. ~Amy
This is such a great recipe, we absolutely love it over at TimetoCleanse.com – so much so, that we have featured it in our recent “Recipe Round Up: 15 Summer Smoothie Recipes” – Thank you for sharing! http://www.timetocleanse.com/recipe-roundup-top-15-summer-smoothies-recipes/
This is such a great recipe, we absolutely love it over at TimetoCleanse.com – so much so, that we have featured it in our recent “Recipe Round Up: 15 Summer Smoothie Recipes” – Thank you for sharing! http://www.timetocleanse.com/recipe-roundup-top-15-summer-smoothies-recipes/
My daughter is allergic to milk. Any suggestions on how I could still make this for her. Would almond milk or coconut milk be better? And what should I replace yogurt with?? Thanks so much if you can help!! I absolutely love this website!!
Hi Nicole. Coconut and almond milks will work fine. You can now also find coconut and almond milk yogurts. ~Amy
We’ve been making fruit/yogurt smoothies for a couple of weeks and today I made the leap to fruit plus spinach smoothie. The kids (ages 4 and 6) loved them! And they knew the spinach was in there. Even better, my six year old then asked to try fresh raw spinach and she loved it! Amazing. I’m in shock. Thank you!!
The second time we made this, we used mango instead of berries and added a tsp of vanilla – delicious!!
Wonderful! I put in the honey, but I don’t know that it needs it. I think it is great either way!
When adding things to smoothies like protein powder,what are the best suggestions and best places to buy to stay within the rules of 100 day of real food
Hi Mark. The Leakes don’t supplement with protein powders. :) Here is a guest post by Food Babe which might help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/12/13/food-babe-investigates-protein-shakes/. ~Amy
Have you ever used straight yogurt? Taking it from the yogurt container, into the freezer pops?
In the past I’ve used berry yogurt, peaches, bananas and ice. Sometimes a couple of strawberries too.
Hi Vicky. You can freeze plain yogurt, too. ~Amy
This recipe is even better if you peel and freeze the bananas ahead of time. We’ve been doing that for years. We also make chocolate “milkshakes” by adding a little powdered cocoa (unsweetened) instead of berries. My husband and son also add a raw egg (from our friend–free-range, organic) but I just can’t get beyond the yuck factor and the fear of salmonella. :-/ Somehow my son has made it to 11 years old with no salmonella, though!
fyi – the week 1 menu plan includes this smoothie but doesn’t have spinach on the shopping list.
thank you :)
I love your site and have found so many recipes to be helpful in making a healthy lifestyle change. I am wondering if you have done any research and or have any recommendations on whey protein? We make all sorts of smoothies and add whey protein but I read so many different reviews on this that it has me ultimately more confused than when I first started… Thank you!!
Hi Jessica. The Leakes don’t use protein supplements. They believe their family gets everything they need by consuming a wide variety of whole foods. The Food Babe has done some research on the subject: http://www.theminimalistmom.com/2012/11/clutterfreeadventcalendar/. ~Amy
Thank you SO much for this recipe and the idea to put it in the silicone ice pop makers to send for lunches! I 1/2 the recipe since I only have 1 kiddo and that filled up 4 of the ice pop containers plus left a tad leftover. I tried a little and would never believe there was spinach in it if I hadn’t put it in myself! Amazing! I used raspberries and blueberries for the berries and it’s great. I know my 12 year old is going to love having something new for lunch this week. You’re awesome and thank you so much for sharing your healthy finds! A very excited mom!
Hi Anne. We use plain yogurt because flavored yogurts tend to be loaded with sugar and other added ingredients. I add pure vanilla extract to my smoothies all the time. :) ~Amy
HI! HAPPY SUNDAY!! =) Has anyone tried using Vanilla flavored yogurt instead of plain? Just wondering if would taste gross.
Thanks!
Hi Anne. We use plain yogurt because flavored yogurts tend to be loaded with sugar and other added ingredients. I add pure vanilla extract to my smoothies all the time. :) ~Amy
My smoothies were a very strange texture when they thawed. Sort of a gelatinous, fibrous, gross lump. And all the liquid leaked all over Any one else have this problem? I don’t recall exactly what I put in them, but now I’m afraid to try again-
I just found your website today thanks to friends who knew I needed lunch suggestions. Thanks so much. I just wanted to share a smoothie recipe we make a lot that my daughter (4) loves. It’s equal parts frozen organic blueberries, frozen organic mango chunks (I get both at Trader Joes’), and plain, whole-milk yogurt (Greek or European style). Then I put in a bunch of kale (I get the organic, washed, chopped mix at Trader Joe’s). I add a little milk depending on how thawed the fruit is or how thick the yogurt is. Then add a good squeeze of lime and some honey. It’s delicious, and it’s definitely the only way I get my daughter to eat kale!
I also add flax seed meal to this and it will kick it up another notch. And if you can get Greek Organic kick up the protein too : )
Loved this recipe!! We used Kale instead of the Spinach and my super picky daughter just drank a huge glass!! Thanks so much for all of the great recipes and lunch inspirations!!
Made this today…is the recipe above for 1 serving? It seems like A LOT!
Hi Melissa. No, this makes approximately 4 servings. ~Amy
Do you think we could substitute peaches for the berries? We have tons right now!
Hi Jennifer. Yes, sounds delicious! ~Amy
What brand of organic yogurt do you use>>??
Hi Viviana. We look for organic full fat yogurts of various brands. ~Amy
I actually started making smoothies a few weeks ago when i had one from Panera. It was free, and when I saw how easy it was I was surprised. Granted, I did pay $4 for one later when I was pressed for time, but after that, no way! I’ll make my own!
We picked and cleaned over 50 lbs of strawberries from a local u=pick place for making jam and SMOOTHIES! I keep meaning to add chia seed, but haven’t most of the time. I usually use strawberry, but have done blueberry or peach. I’ve started making my own yogurt as well.
I think the kid’s favorite, though, was the time I tossed a handful of chocolate chip in with the strawberries and made a chocolate-covered strawberry smoothie. And I keep a pack of those little 3oz plastic cups (like they use in bathroom dispensers) and if (when!) I have a little extra after filling everyone’s cups, I pour it into one or more of those and put them in the freezer. The kids love them as a cool-down treat after playing outside.