Make Your Smoothie Do A Little More
A green smoothie is already an easy way to work more fruits and vegetables into your day, but the right add-ins can bring even more fiber to the glass. Fruits, seeds, grains, and other plant-based ingredients can add interesting flavors and textures while making your smoothie more satisfying. You don't need to throw everything into the blender at once, either, because choosing just a few ingredients can give your usual recipe a worthwhile upgrade.
1. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds pack a lot of fiber into a tiny package. They're easy to blend into a smoothie and absorb some of the liquid, thickening your drink slightly. Their mild flavor means you can add them without changing the overall taste very much.
2. Raspberries
Raspberries add lots of flavor and a good amount of fiber, too. They're especially delicious paired with spinach, banana, and other naturally sweet flavors. Frozen or fresh berries work well.
3. Ground Flaxseed
Ground flaxseed is an easy way to add fiber without dramatically changing your smoothie. It has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs well with fruit and leafy greens. Ground flaxseed is generally easier to incorporate into a smoothie than whole flaxseeds.
4. Pear
Throw in a ripe pear when you're looking to make your green smoothie naturally sweet. A pear also contains a good amount of fiber. You can even leave the skin on for added fiber (just make sure to wash it well first). Pair pears with spinach, ginger, and a squeeze of lemon for a delicious combination.
5. Apple
Adding an apple is yet another easy way to make your smoothie sweet and fibrous. Leave the skin on for maximum fiber and texture-related benefits. Apples go great with spinach, plus a sprinkle of cinnamon and a bit of ginger.
6. Avocado
Avocado adds healthy fats and fiber to your smoothie. Like most of these foods on this list, avocado has a mild flavor that can blend with just about anything. Add some to your green smoothie when you want an extra creamy texture that doesn't rely solely on dairy.
7. Blackberries
Blackberries will add big berry flavor and lots of fiber. Don't be surprised if your green smoothie turns purple. Blackberries go great with bananas, leafy greens, and Greek yogurt.
8. Oats
Add rolled oats to thicken up your smoothie and give it a fiber boost from whole grains. Oats go great with banana, cinnamon, apples, and other flavors you'd typically find in breakfast foods. Be sure to blend your oats well so you don't end up with an extra-chunky smoothie.
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9. Kiwi
Kiwi provides a bright, tangy flavor that can keep a green smoothie from tasting too heavy. The fruit also contributes dietary fiber and works beautifully with spinach and other mild greens. If you're looking for something that makes a smoothie taste fresher, kiwi is an easy choice.
10. Mango
Mango is a great way to add natural sweetness and a silky texture to your green smoothie. It also has fiber and works well at countering bitter flavors from leafy greens. Frozen mango is a great option because it eliminates the need for ice and will frost-ify your smoothie.
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11. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds add fiber and a nutty flavor. For a less chunky smoothie, you can blend or grind your pumpkin seeds first. Pair pumpkin seeds with banana, cinnamon, and pumpkin or apple flavors.
12. Black Chia Pudding
Stir in a spoonful of chia pudding to make your smoothie thicker and more filling. Keep in mind that chia seeds absorb liquid, so you may need to increase the amount of other ingredients if your smoothie is too thick. Try blending chia seed pudding with berries, bananas, and mild greens.
13. Prunes
Since prunes are naturally sweet, they're great for sweetening up a smoothie without using sugar. Prunes also have fiber and pair well with bananas, cinnamon, and nuts or seeds. Start with a small amount of prune since they're so sweet.
14. Peaches
Add peaches to your smoothie for natural sweetness and a fruity flavor. Peaches also contain fiber and pair well with spinach, kale, berries, and yogurt. Frozen peach slices work great when peaches are out of season.
15. Pearled Barley
Yes, you can add cooked pearled barley to your smoothie. Barley has fiber and a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It's important to blend your barley well so your smoothie doesn't have a gritty texture. Pearled barley works well in breakfast-style smoothies with fruit, cinnamon, and dairy or dairy alternatives.
16. Coconut
Add some unsweetened shredded coconut to your smoothie for a fiber boost and tropical flavor. Coconut goes great with pineapple, mango, banana, and other fruity flavors. Be sure to blend your coconut super well so you don't end up with weird chunks of coconut skin in your smoothie.
17. Guava
Guava will give your smoothie a tropical flavor and add fiber. Guava has a sweet fragrance that can take your basic green smoothie to the next level. Try pairing guava with pineapple, lime, spinach, or cucumber.
18. Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate seeds add fiber along with a sweet-tart flavor that works surprisingly well with leafy greens. Blending them thoroughly can help distribute the fruit throughout the smoothie, although some texture from the seeds may remain. They can be especially good with berries and citrus.
19. Peas
Add frozen peas to your smoothie for an extra boost of fiber. If blended long enough, peas will take on the flavor of other foods in your smoothie. Spinach, banana, pineapple, and lime make a great flavor combo with peas.
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20. Whole-Grain Cereal
Add half of a serving of plain whole-grain cereal to your smoothie. Not only will you get some extra fiber, but your smoothie will also have a breakfast-y vibe. Just be sure to pick a cereal that isn't loaded with sugar.
