It is no surprise that eating fruits and vegetables is good for you.  I am sure it is also no surprise that most of us are not getting enough of these valuable fruits and vegetables daily.  Even I, a dietitian in love with healthy foods, occasionally have a hard time incorporating enough of these healing and nurturing foods into my diet.  So what do I do?  Blend them up and gulp them down.

Smoothies are my ultimate secret weapon I use to increase my intake of fruits and veggies.  This particular smoothie provides a generous 2.5 servings of fruits and veggies with plenty of fiber to help keep you full and energized. This smoothie also works wonders if don’t particularly like the taste of fruits and vegetables or aren’t in a fruit and veggie mood. My sister in law, Kelsey, recently told me that she drank this smoothie religiously during her first trimester of pregnancy when fruits and veggies were the last thing she felt like eating but knew they were vital during such an important time for her and her baby.

BALANCE IT OUT: Drink this smoothie by itself for a nutritious and energizing snack.  It is the perfect pre or post workout snack.  Or pair this smoothie with a light breakfast such as whole grain toast, a whole grain cereal bar, or eggs for a well-balanced breakfast.

Smoothie Add-Ins:

Smoothies are the perfect place to throw in some additional nutritional add-ins.  Some of my personal favorite are omega-3 dense ground flaxseeds or chia seeds, antioxidant rich cocoa powder, or protein-packed spirulina.  Spirulina is the addition I probably include most often.  It comes in a powdered form and you can find it at any health food store or whole foods.  Spirulina is loaded with an array of nutrients, including chlorophyll, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.