Green juice has had its praises sung for some time now, and it definitely brings a lot to the table, but wait till you try this super-creamy, just-sweet-enough paleo green smoothie. Avocado and spinach give this smoothie a beautiful shade of chlorophyll-rich green while also delivering plenty of healthy fat and iron. The combination of avocado, flaxseed, and frozen banana keeps the drink thick and silky smooth, which makes it feel like a more satisfying breakfast than a simple juice. Unlike a traditional juice that's missing fiber, this version has satiating protein and fiber to keep you feeling full without the sugar crash a regular juice can give you. Plus, you won't be hungry in an hour!
High in omega-3 fats, flaxseeds are an indispensable source of plant-based fatty acids necessary for those who are vegetarian or don't particularly enjoy eating fish. They also contain very high levels of lignans, which are plant-based compounds showing amazing health benefits in cancer prevention and hormone balance. In fact, flaxseeds are the richest dietary source of lignans in existence, so including them in any way you can in your breakfast routine, like blending them up in your smoothies, will go a long way in not only giving you an energizing meal, but providing your body with numerous health benefits as well.
Note: If you choose to use frozen cauliflower instead of banana here, you may want to use the whole medjool date, as this smoothie is much less naturally sweet than those that are made with berries or stone fruit. Cauliflower has become a popular substitute for banana in smoothies exactly for that reason—keeping the sugar content low. It provides the same hefty texture as a banana, but it also packs a ton of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. If you haven't already, make sure you try a cauliflower-based smoothie—you might just realize you love it.
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
3/4 cup almond milk
1/2 avocado
1/2 cup frozen spinach
1/2 frozen banana, sliced, or 4 florets frozen cauliflower
1/2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 medjool date, optional
How to Make It
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.