Fit Foods: Berry Good Green Smoothie

I never thought I’d be one of “those” people who jumped on the green smoothie trend.

In fact, I pretty much discounted smoothies as calorie bombs that would leave me feeling hungry an hour after drinking them.

This one changed my mind! It’s on my go-to list for breakfast, and I’ve been known to enjoy a super-thick version of it post-workout.

It also strikes a great balance between yumminess and nutritiousness, plus it’s super refreshing. If you need a little extra sweetness in your smoothie you always can add a little stevia. Want to beef it up a bit? Add some sliced almonds or walnuts before blending in the protein powder.Berry Good Green Smoothie

Recipe:

1 cup low-fat plain kefir
1 cup kale or spinach juicing greens
1 cup frozen berries
1 scoop protein powder (I like hemp or whey)

In a blender, combine kefir and greens. Blend till smooth, then add frozen berries. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more kefir. Then add protein powder and blend till incorporated. Done!

Nutrition information:
Makes 1 serving. 290 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 5.7 grams fiber, 34 grams carbohydrates, 30 grams protein.

Check it out:

Kefir — even the name means “feel good” (derived from the Turkish word for “good feelings.”) It’s a probiotic, much like yogurt, but in liquid form. I almost don’t want to share info about kefir online because the plain variety of this sells out fast at my local grocery store. When I see it in stock, I buy it!!!

Kale — it’s trendy for a reason: it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals. If you don’t like kale you can use spinach or a mix of the two (that’s my favorite because it blends well).

Frozen berries — high in fiber, loaded with antioxidants and low in sugar, these add delicious flavor to the smoothie while at the same time boosting the nutrition value. I use a frozen fruit blend that also contains cherries.

Protein powder — Getting a boost of protein early in the day can help stave off hunger later, as well as giving you a muscle-maintaining boost. I like hemp protein, which is the only vegetable source of protein that contains all the amino acids necessary to form a complete protein, but whey protein is another great source.

Important note: Do a mirror check after drinking any green smoothie to make sure you aren’t sporting a chunk of kale or spinach between your teeth. 😀

 

 

Wendy Watkins

About Wendy Watkins

Wendy Watkins is a Bangor-based personal trainer, fitness coach, studio owner, and writer/editor. She is the author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Losing 20 Pounds in 2 Months. Visit her website at thrivebangor.com.