Recipe of the Month: Nutrition Powerhouse Smoothies for Parents and Kids
Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into something that tastes like a treat. They can be part of a meal or a post-workout snack. These recipes include four of the five components of The Healthy Plate Model: protein (yogurt), calcium (yogurt), fruits, and vegetables. All of these smoothies promote healthy digestion since they contain fiber (fruits and spinach) and probiotics (yogurt). Kids love drinking something that is colorful and comes with a straw. Plus these are so tasty, they won’t believe how healthy they are! Smoothies are also a healthy option to eat while on the go. Hope you enjoy these!
Berry Blast
1 cup frozen mixed berries
½ banana
¾ cup plain, organic, whole milk yogurt
1 cup loose baby spinach leaves
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, allow berries to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes for easier blending.
Recipe makes 1 serving. Provides approx 245 calories, 8 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, 277 mg calcium.
Green Monster
1 cup frozen mangoes
½ banana
¾ cup plain, organic, whole milk yogurt
1 cup loose baby spinach leaves
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, allow mangoes to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes for easier blending. This smoothie will be green, and giving it a fun name like “Green Monster Smoothie” makes kids more likely to want to try it (it worked with my kid!).
Recipe makes 1 serving. Provides approx 285 calories, 8 grams protein, 4.7 grams fiber, 277 mg calcium.
Immune Booster Digestive Aid
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
1 clementine orange, broken into individual pieces
¾ cup plain, organic, whole milk yogurt
1 cup loose baby spinach leaves
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, allow pineapple chunks to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes for easier blending. Pineapples and oranges both provide vitamin C. Pineapple also contains a natural enzyme called bromelain that aids in digestion.
Recipe makes 1 serving. Provides approx 242 calories, 9 grams protein, 4.7 grams fiber, 274 mg calcium, 116 mg vitamin C.