It’s a goddess day! I’ve got an energizing Apple Avocado Smoothie that’s filling, nutritious, and a complete “glow” material. It’s made with avocado, apple, banana, ginger, and spinach, and it’s packed with fiber, which makes it a super breakfast smoothie (so filling!) and a detox smoothie (hello, Monday). And it will leave you feeling divine on the inside and out.
I’m starting my day with a nourishing smoothie, because I want to feel good and energized throughout the day, and this drink is sure to do just that. Plus, it tastes delicious! If you’re looking for a new smoothie recipe, then I highly recommend this one. This smoothie also comes in handy for a quick post-workout snack or recovery drink.
I love the idea of using the start of the week as a healthy reset. And while detoxing may not be my style, I do love the idea of using the start of the week as a healthy reset. On Friday nights, I usually host a girls’ dinner party or go to one with some girlfriends, where we all eat way too much. I’m hoping that the start of the week will give us all a chance to recover from all that we ate and drink on Friday night.
What Makes This Cleansing Apple Avocado Smoothie Cleansing?
What makes this smoothie recipe particularly cleansing is the combination of spinach and apples, which are both high in fiber and thus help clear your system. If you are looking for smoothies for weight loss, or if you, like me, have serious hanger issues, fiber is a critical factor to prioritize because it means the smoothie will keep you fuller for longer.
Now listen: Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should only drink green smoothies. Or that you should never eat fruit again. What I am saying, however, is that if you want to experience true weight loss, you have to be in complete control of your food intake… and… a big part of that control is what you put into your body. Another thing I would like to add about fiber is that it has many other health benefits besides just helping you lose weight.
I love apples in a green smoothie; they are full of fiber, plant nutrients, and a delicious sweet taste. They’re also full of pectin, which has been proven to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer. Combining the health benefits of apples, spinach, and avocados with immune boosting properties of lemon, raw honey, and ginger give you the ultimate flue-preventing and flu-fighting green smoothie.
Spinach is also an excellent source of iron which is important for healthy skin and for producing red blood cells that carry oxygen to all your tissues including your sex organs. Iron is vital for a healthy sex life, so don’t be shy about adding more spinach to your diet! The other two ingredients in this recipe are also superfoods for several reasons: Coconut – Rich in potassium, which is essential for muscle and nerve function, and bone health.
Ginger is an amazing energy booster. It adds a delicious, energizing pop! to the flavor of your smoothies. Not only does fresh ginger aid in digestion, it also helps to stimulate circulation and keeps your immune system strong.
Now that it’s cold outside and we’re approaching spring, we’ll use our final star green ingredient: avocado. It makes the smoothie extra creamy, and if you add a little lime it’s downright delicious. Avocado is also great for your skin, so this is an especially good drink for the season.
Another way to enhance the creamy factor is by using frozen banana. It adds much of the sweet taste naturally, and if you prefer it a bit sweeter, you can also add additional honey.
If you’ve been doing a 21-day green smoothie detox or a post-weekend smoothie reset, I hope this green apple banana smoothie is a welcome addition to your regimen. Or if you need a little pick-me-up after a long week, this will do the trick too.
This smoothie is a good source of vitamins B and E, potassium and zinc. And did you know that vitamin C helps your body’s absorption of iron? That’s why I like to drink this smoothie after eating a meal high in iron, like steak.
Avocados make wonderful additions to smoothies, adding a velvety texture and a rich, slightly nutty flavor.
They also add lots of potassium, an important mineral that helps the body maintain normal blood pressure, as well as magnesium and B vitamins. Avocados are also a good source of monounsaturated fats (the “good” kind), which help lower cholesterol levels and may even help prevent heart disease.
Avocado Smoothie Benefits
Avocados are high in fat, but they have very few calories and no cholesterol. They also contain the fat-soluble vitamin E.
Avocados are an excellent source of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer and heart disease.
They’re also high in folate, which is good for your heart, and helps prevent stroke.
Studies show that avocados can lower cholesterol, protect against eye disease, fight oral cancer, and prevent breast cancer.
Adding a tomato and carrot to your smoothie will help maximize your nutrition and promote the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Next, we give you one of the many recipes for this wonderful smoothie:
- 1 cup plain unsweetened almond milk.
- 4 cups loosely packed spinach that’s about 2 large handfuls.
- 1 medium avocado peeled and pitted.
- 2 medium apples any kind you like, peel on, cored and quartered.
- 1 medium banana cut into chunks and frozen
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup plus additional to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1/4-inch knob of fresh ginger.
- Small handful of ice cubes
- Optional additions: chia seeds.
Pro Tips
- Start with the liquid first when blending. Surrounded by water, the blender can move freely. Add your greens, with chunks of fruit and vegetables going in last.
- Start the blender on its lowest setting and work your way to the highest speed. This way the pieces will be smaller and easier to blend into the smoothie.
