In my house, we love to drink smoothies. We drink them for lunch. We drink them as a snack. We basically drink them all year-round, any time of day. It is my go-to when looking for something simple and easy to make. It is my go-to when the picky eater makes an appearance. It is my go-to when I want to get the daily servings of fruit and vegetables in. It is also my go-to when I am craving a sweet snack. Therefore, I decided to share three popular smoothies that my entire family loves.

Please note, all smoothies listed contain milk but you can use a dairy-free alternative. I know some smoothies call for juice or coconut water. However, milk is my preferred liquid base because it adds a little extra protein for my growing toddlers.

Before listing some of the smoothie options I often make, I wanted to point out some tips that work well for me.

Smoothie Tip #1 – Substitute the ice for frozen fruits.

You can purchase frozen fruit or freeze your own. I often do this with ripe bananas so they don’t go to waste. Another option for skipping the ice is to freeze your leafy greens. You can put kale or spinach in a freezer-safe bag and then add them straight to the blender when you are ready. Of course you want to make sure your leafy greens are washed and ready to eat before freezing.

Smoothie Tip #2 – Add oatmeal for a nutritional boost.

The first time I tried a smoothie with oats was on vacation. It contained a thicker texture but was tasty and filling. My husband and I started adding it to our smoothies when we got home and that was it. The nutritional bonus to including oatmeal is more fiber, protein and iron for the day. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Smoothie Tip #3 – Save what you don’t drink.

One final bonus to making smoothies is that they can be frozen into ice pops. I know sometimes I have more liquid than I can fit into my cup. So the leftover becomes a great frozen treat for all.

Berry and Spinach Smoothie

Banana, Blueberry & Spinach Smoothie

Berry, Kale & Oatmeal Smoothie

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, with most of the smoothies listed the yogurt and oats are optional. I often swap them in and out based on the time of day we are drinking them. If I am using this as a meal replacement for my picky eater, I definitely include both. Just have fun and try different combos until you find what the family loves.