Can I make this without banana?

You can substitute the banana with frozen peach slices, mango or pineapple. For less sugar and additional nutrients and fiber, you could also do half fruit and half frozen cauliflower or zucchini. Check my u003ca href=u0022https://runningonrealfood.com/best-vegetables-to-add-to-smoothies/u0022u003eguide to adding vegetables to smoothiesu003c/au003e for more tips.

What else can I add to this smoothie?

For more volume, fiber and nutrition, try adding up to 1 cup cooked and frozen cauliflower, white sweet potato, squash or zucchini.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNote that, you will need additional liquid to account for the added volume. Other great additions include things like mushroom powders, chlorella, spirulina, hemp seeds, chia, flax or other u0022superfoodu0022 powders. Check out my post on the u003ca href=u0022https://runningonrealfood.com/best-superfoods-to-add-to-smoothies/u0022u003ebest superfoods to add to smoothies u003c/au003efor more ideas.

Do I have to use protein powder?

I would recommend using it but if you'd like to make the smoothie without protein powder, replace it with an additional half a frozen banana, 1/2 cup mango or pineapple, 3-4 dates or cooked and frozen white sweet potato.

How can I make this low calorie?

For less calories, omit the amount butter.

Do I have to remove the kale leaves from the tough stems?

If you have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec, there is no need to remove the stems. They have just as much nutrition and fiber and the leaves! If you don't have a high-speed blender, for easier blending, tear the leaves away from the tough stems and just use the leaves in the smoothie.

Is this smoothie good for weight loss?

There are a lot of factors that play a roll in weight loss but your overall caloric intake and energy expenditure are key. Green smoothies can be helpful as convenient, calorie-controlled meal replacements, if they keep you satisfied and you enjoy them.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis smoothie is nutritionally well-balanced and under 500 calories, so it could be used to replace a meal. However, if you're enjoying it outside of meals and weight loss is a goal, I'd suggest making it into 2 servings or omitting the nut butter to reduce the overall calories.

Does this smoothie taste like kale and spinach?

Not all all. The sweet banana, mango and protein powder mask the taste of kale and spinach.

Delicious Green Kale Spinach Smoothie

Scale

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (300 mL)
1 cup or handful spinach (35 g, raw or frozen)
1 cup or handful kale, leaves and stems (35 g, raw or frozen)
1 medium frozen banana (120 g)
1/2 cup frozen mango or pineapple chunks (70 g)
1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter (15 g)
1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder (30 g)
1 tsp cinnamon, optional

Instructions

Add the milk to your blender container then add the rest of the ingredients.
Turn it on low then slowly increase the speed to high and blend until it’s completely smooth and creamy. If you need more liquid, slowly add additional plant-based milk to adjust the consistency.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe makes 1 large green smoothie or 2 smaller smoothie suitable for a snack or sharing.

For the liquid, use any plant-based milk, water or coconut water.

For a low-calorie smoothie, omit the almond butter. For more calories, increase the nut butter to 2 tbsp.

Smoothie can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in the fridge or you can add everything but the almond milk to a freezer-safe bag or container to speed things up when you’re ready to make it.

This smoothie is best with a high-speed blender. If you don’t have one, chop the banana into small rounds before freezing for easier blender.

If you have kids that aren’t a fan of green foods, add 1/4 cup frozen blueberries to make it purple!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 smoothie
Calories: 470
Fat: 13 g
Carbohydrates: 67 g
Fiber: 10 g
Protein: 29 g

Keywords: easy green smoothie, kale smoothie, spinach smoothie