I would have called this a four-veggie smoothie, but after a quick "avocado fruit or vegetable" Google search, I confirmed that avocado is indeed a fruit.
I mean, duh. I should know these things by now. It's not like I just graduated with a Master's in nutrition or anything. But do you die of the creaminess??
I've been wanting to vary the greens in my smoothies for a while now, but I just can't part from my love affair with spinach. There's a very fine line between a palatable amount of kale and a smoothie that tastes like dirt; so I've been sticking to kale in forms other than in my smoothie.
When I saw the beautiful bunch of organic swiss chard at the store last week, I thought why the heck not? I threw a couple leaves in and it tasted no different. Win! Note: this WILL taste like the earth if you don't remove those beautiful, colorful stems from the chard. If you're okay with that, go for it. I made one version with the stems and I had to add a boatload more banana to convince myself I wasn't eating dirt.
I saw this beautifully creamy smoothie on Instagram the other day where the girl had added zucchini, so that's where the random zucchini addition comes from. If I can add yet another veggie to my morning cocktail of nutrition, why the hell not?! The zucchini not only adds phytochemicals and fiber, but it also boosts the creaminess and lends a good amount of water. That's why I only use ½ cup of milk in this bad boy. I like my smoothies thick and creammaaayyyy! (I give the majority of credit to the avocado for the luxurious texture of this smoothie.)
More often than not, I add a few drops of stevia to my smoothie to give it a touch more sweetness without having to spike my blood sugar with more dates and banana. A little goes a long way--you literally only need a few drops! I usually buy the liquid stevia from Trader Joe's, but when NuNtaurals sent me a fantabulous package of about a gajilion flavors of stevia, I was hooked.
NuNaturals stevia a natural sugar-free sweetener that's also free of gluten, artificial sweeteners, flavors and preservatives. It's also safe for diabetics since it doesn't raise your blood sugar. I personally only like stevia in baking recipes and smoothies because I find the sweetness overwhelming and a tad bitter in things like coffee and tea. However, it's definitely useful when you want to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the extra sugar and calories! As with any sweetener, be smart and use it in moderation.
Want to try some NuNaturals stevia yourself? Of course you do!
GIVEAWAY: NuNaturals is awarding four of my readers with one bottle EACH of the Lemon, Cherry Vanilla and Peppermint Flavored Stevia Liquids PLUS a 50 packet box of NuStevia White Stevia Powder packets, a retail value of $48.00! Each of the four winners will also receive a free bonus product!
You can enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter below. If you want to go ahead and order some for yourself, you can use the discount code BLG0614 to receive 15% off your entire order from NuNaturals! The products can be shipped worldwide; however, NuNaturals cannot ship to PO Boxes. The giveaway ends May 8th at midnight. I'll announce the winners on Twitter and Facebook, so make sure to follow/like so you'll know if you won! GOOD LUCK!
PrintThree Veggie Banana Berry Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Smoothie
Description
A delicious banana berry smoothie packed with fiber and antioxidants from chia seeds, swiss chard, spinach, zucchini and avocado!
Ingredients
- 1 overripe frozen banana, sliced
- ¾ cup frozen blueberries or mixed berries
- ⅓ of a small-medium zucchini, diced
- 2 swiss chard leaves, de-stemmed
- 1 cup spinach (a handful)
- 1 tbsp avocado
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tbsp cacao power (optional)
- Dash of cinnamon
- 5 drops of NuNaturals vanilla stevia (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender (I used my nutribullet) and blend until completely smooth. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, add more almond milk.
NuNaturals sent me a package of their products. I was not compensated nor was I required to review the products. As always, all opinions are my own.
Shelby says
Ever since I read this recipe a couple weeks ago, I seriously have been putting zucchini in every smoothie I make! I love the texture and the extra vitamins. My other personal favorite smoothie addition is frozen peas! Even more vitamins all up in there and some extra vegan protein to boot.
★★★★★
Shelby says
Ever since I read this recipe a couple weeks ago, I seriously have been putting zucchini in every smoothie I make! I love the texture and the extra vitamins. My other personal favorite smoothie addition is frozen peas! Even more vitamins all up in there and some extra vegan protein to boot.
★★★★★
Beaty says
Oh, vanilla stevia sounds great!
Beaty says
Oh, vanilla stevia sounds great!
kellyjo walters says
the vanilla so I can try in my energy coconut balls
kellyjo walters says
the vanilla so I can try in my energy coconut balls
Julia says
I didn't know flavored stevia existed! This is a glorious discovery. Can't wait to try it in all my smoothies!
★★★★★
Julia says
I didn't know flavored stevia existed! This is a glorious discovery. Can't wait to try it in all my smoothies!
★★★★★
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
I tried swiss chard in a smoothie once and hated it... probably because I left too much of the stem on. Oops!
Alexis says
Take those stemmies off girl!!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
I tried swiss chard in a smoothie once and hated it... probably because I left too much of the stem on. Oops!
Alexis says
Take those stemmies off girl!!
Emily says
Lovelovelove your blog, first of all.
Second, this smoothie recipe looks absolutely delicious. I've been on a huge (I mean, ridiculously huge) smoothie kick recently and I'm constantly on the hunt for new combinations to try. I can't wait to give this one a whirl! xoxo
Alexis says
Awwww thanks, Emily! Hope you love it as much as I do!!
Emily says
Lovelovelove your blog, first of all.
Second, this smoothie recipe looks absolutely delicious. I've been on a huge (I mean, ridiculously huge) smoothie kick recently and I'm constantly on the hunt for new combinations to try. I can't wait to give this one a whirl! xoxo
Alexis says
Awwww thanks, Emily! Hope you love it as much as I do!!
Shashi @runninsrilankan says
My mom is a diabetic and I was thinking of making a cake for her for mothers day and think I will be adding some stevia to it - I usually make it with no sugar so it ends up more like a savory cake than a sweet one...thank you Alexis!
This smoothie sounds amazing btw!
Shashi @runninsrilankan says
My mom is a diabetic and I was thinking of making a cake for her for mothers day and think I will be adding some stevia to it - I usually make it with no sugar so it ends up more like a savory cake than a sweet one...thank you Alexis!
This smoothie sounds amazing btw!
cheri says
Never had zucchini in a smoothie before, I bet it's good, great looking drink!
Alexis says
You'll be addicted! It's such a great way to sneak in more veggies.
cheri says
Never had zucchini in a smoothie before, I bet it's good, great looking drink!
Alexis says
You'll be addicted! It's such a great way to sneak in more veggies.
Catherine says
Lololol I was dying when you said this WILL taste like the earth if you don't remove the stems. I'm not about that dirt taste, either.
Alexis says
Gotta be real, right?!! π
Catherine says
Lololol I was dying when you said this WILL taste like the earth if you don't remove the stems. I'm not about that dirt taste, either.
Alexis says
Gotta be real, right?!! π
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
I love the mix of zucchini, spinach and swiss chard in this along with the avocado, banana and berries. I would never had expected this combination! I like it when I am surprised.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
I love the mix of zucchini, spinach and swiss chard in this along with the avocado, banana and berries. I would never had expected this combination! I like it when I am surprised.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I love that we both have the smoothie thing going on today!! π
Alexis says
I'm totally adding pees next time!!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I love that we both have the smoothie thing going on today!! π
Alexis says
I'm totally adding pees next time!!
Brittany says
Loooove smoothies lately, but I haven't tried avocado in mine! Such a great idea!
Brittany says
Loooove smoothies lately, but I haven't tried avocado in mine! Such a great idea!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I won my friend cassie's giveaway and nunaturals legit sent me 80000 bottles of their goodness. I have ZERO space for it all, but I'm obsessed. I love adding the lemon to my blueberry superfood smoothie. Also the zucchini in there is straight genius. Will you make a hummus smoothie?
Alexis says
Mmmmm totally adding the lemon one to my next blueb concoction! I'll totally give you all the credit when I make a hummus smoothie, by the way.
Cassie says
THAT IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA! I've had no idea how to use the lemon... also agreed with zucchini = genius and a chickpea based smoothie please!
Alexis says
Hahah A chickpea smoothie?? Okay now the wheels are turning....
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Cass add it with blueberry, it's amazing!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I won my friend cassie's giveaway and nunaturals legit sent me 80000 bottles of their goodness. I have ZERO space for it all, but I'm obsessed. I love adding the lemon to my blueberry superfood smoothie. Also the zucchini in there is straight genius. Will you make a hummus smoothie?
Alexis says
Mmmmm totally adding the lemon one to my next blueb concoction! I'll totally give you all the credit when I make a hummus smoothie, by the way.
Cassie says
THAT IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA! I've had no idea how to use the lemon... also agreed with zucchini = genius and a chickpea based smoothie please!
Alexis says
Hahah A chickpea smoothie?? Okay now the wheels are turning....
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Cass add it with blueberry, it's amazing!
She Rocks Fitness says
That smoothie looks awesome and never thought you could put swiss chard and zucchini into a smoothie...very very very interesting! π
Alexis says
You're gonna be obsessed! As long as you have a really ripe banana, you can pretty much throw anything in there!!
She Rocks Fitness says
That smoothie looks awesome and never thought you could put swiss chard and zucchini into a smoothie...very very very interesting! π
Alexis says
You're gonna be obsessed! As long as you have a really ripe banana, you can pretty much throw anything in there!!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
geebuz open to australians too? Fi-nally.
If I eat that smoothie, does that fill my veggie quota for the day?
Alexis says
I totally thought of you when I said open everywhere. And yes, you're set for life after this smoothie.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
geebuz open to australians too? Fi-nally.
If I eat that smoothie, does that fill my veggie quota for the day?
Alexis says
I totally thought of you when I said open everywhere. And yes, you're set for life after this smoothie.
Lauren says
Smoothies are such a great way to get in a load of veggies - I have never added Courgette (UK way of saying Zucchini π to a smoothie! It is definitely trial and error adding veggies to smoothies - like you said they can end up tasting like diirrrrt! I really need to try some liquid stevia!
Alexis says
I'm learning so many new words!!!
Lauren says
Smoothies are such a great way to get in a load of veggies - I have never added Courgette (UK way of saying Zucchini π to a smoothie! It is definitely trial and error adding veggies to smoothies - like you said they can end up tasting like diirrrrt! I really need to try some liquid stevia!
Alexis says
I'm learning so many new words!!!