Green Smoothies/Drinks?

  • Has anyone else tried this? I watched a documentary on juice fasting, and though I remain unconvinced that juice fasts are right for me, after some googling around I decided I may try supplementing/replacing a few meals here and there with green smoothies (which you make in a blender rather than a juicer and so it retains more bulk/fiber).

    I made my first one last night and my second one this morning. It worked out well because yesterday we had a big lunch and so I wasn't super hungry before bed, but knew I needed something or I'd wake up ravenous. This morning, I just was kind of excited about them, I guess, and so I made a more hearty one as a breakfast replacement. I drank that at 6:30 and it's 11:30 now and I'm just starting to feel ready-ish for lunch. Plus, I like the idea of the excess nutrients!

    Here is what I did for my last two. I'd love to hear any recipes/successes you've had with them.

    Last night: snack smoothie
    1 pear
    2 c spinach
    1/2 c water
    1/2 c frozen raspberries
    1/2" piece ginger
    4 ice cubes

    So...this was maybe 150 cal. It blended up HUGE and was surprisingly filling.

    This morning:
    1 pear
    1 Tbsp cinnamon
    1 Tbsp almond butter
    1/2 c. 2% milk
    2.5 c spinach
    So this was probably more like 300 cal. I think next time I might add just a little splenda to this one, but it was still really good. We got a bunch of pears in a gift basket for Christmas and I was needing to use them so this is great.
  • Those sound delicious! And go you, with all that spinach!

    I make a kefir-blueberry-kale smoothie that I like for getting good foods in. Red russian kale is a bit sweeter than other kales when blended, I've found. And adding lemon juice to most green smoothies is also a nice touch, if you don't put in dairy.
  • I haven't ventured to the kale yet, but I am assuming it is much stronger-tasting than spinach, so I appreciate your suggestion with the red kale! I've been smoothie-ing now for a couple of days and am really liking it. This morning I made one with:
    1 pear (100 cal)
    1 cup of frozen no-sugar-added fruit (a mix of melon, peaches, strawberries) (60 cal)
    a whole lotta spinach (20 cal?)
    1/2 cup 2% milk (70 cal)
    About a Tbsp vanilla (5 cal?)
    So maybe 250 cal-ish? I think tomorrow I'm going to add some ff greek yogurt.

    It was amazing. The vanilla made a HUGE difference. It tasted like ice cream. I super encourage you to try it!

    I think I am going to try and keep up smoothies for breakfast for a couple of weeks. I am digging the vitamin blast and I do feel satiated longer than I thought I would on fewer calories.