
Green Smoothie Recipes Without Bananas
When it comes to green smoothies, they are becoming more and more popular year over year. Not only could you get the greens you need, but you could also do it in a tastier fashion by trying different greens' smoothies. Not only does it make the greens taste better, but it becomes fun to try and mix and match different ingredients to make the perfect smoothie.
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You may have realized that a vast majority of green smoothies out there contain bananas. There could be a hundred different reasons why someone may not want to include bananas in their green smoothies. These reasons could include simply not liking the taste, can't have high levels of potassium (specifically people with kidney problems), banana allergy, or if someone is simply following a low-carb diet.
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If you're one of those people or are simply looking to mix it up instead of always having bananas, this post is going to be dedicated to substituting that banana and providing you with some delicious smoothie recipes that don't contain bananas.
Best Substitutes For Bananas Within Your Green Smoothie
Not many things have the sweetness and texture to add a creamy consistency like a banana would. However, there are still some great ingredients that you can add to your smoothie to replace the banana and make it just as delicious. Before we dive into the recipes, we're going to dive into each substitute, along with their pros and cons.
Make sure you read thoroughly to find out if each of these substitutes are good for you and your diet plan.
Avocado
If you haven't realized, avocado has grown in popularity heavily over the last couple of years. From places selling avocado toast to your avocado smoothies, you can't go wrong with adding this green fruit. The reason why it's so good for smoothies as a substitute for bananas is that it adds a creamy texture to the smoothie similar to the texture of a banana. Not only that, but it also has a pretty good flavor itself.
As far as health benefits are concerned, avocados have a great number of nutrients, are good for gut health, are a healthy source of fats, have a good amount of antioxidants, and have many more benefits.
The only downside to adding avocado to your smoothies over bananas is the difference in pricing.
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If you're someone who's looking to avoid carbs and high sugar, then avocados would be a great substitute for bananas. It's also great if you don't like the taste of bananas in your smoothies, or are looking to switch things up.
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However, if your reasoning for wanting a substitute for your banana is because of its high potassium levels, then avocados may not be the best substitute due to their high potassium content.
Peaches (Best For Low Potassium Diet)
Peaches are a sweet and juicy fruit that can add a unique flavor to green smoothies. They also make a great substitute for bananas, as they have 53% fewer calories and 56% fewer carbohydrates. This makes them an excellent choice for people who are watching their calorie or carbohydrate intake.
Peaches don't add the same texture bananas do but they could definitely add a unique flavor to your smoothie.
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If you're looking for something to replace your banana and also have a low-potassium diet, then peaches would be a great substitute. The lack of calories and carbohydrates makes them a great choice as well.
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If you're looking for the same consistency as bananas, peaches may not be the best substitution as they don't have the same consistency.
Mango
Similar to a banana, Mango has a creamy texture that is great for smoothies. Not only does mango have the same texture, but it also has a sweet taste that is beneficial for smoothies. Mango is also a great source of Vitamin C which gives your immune system a boost.
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Mango is an excellent choice for people looking to replace their bananas in smoothies if you're sensitive to potassium or have allergies to bananas. Not only is it a great source of Vitamin C, but its creamy texture and sweet taste make it a great addition to smoothies. Mango is probably the best replacement in terms of texture and taste.
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However, it is important to note that mangoes have a high sugar content, so if you're watching your blood sugar levels then this would not be the best option for you.
Frozen Berries
Whether you're putting in blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries, any type of frozen berry will do a great job in replacing the banana in your smoothies. When you freeze berries, it gives them a different texture that is not completely similar to bananas, but still adds a unique flavor and texture to your smoothie.
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Depending on what your reasoning is for wanting a banana substitute, frozen berries can be a great choice. Just make sure what you choose doesn't go against whatever your diet restrictions are.
Green Smoothie Recipes Without Banana
Now that we went over the best substitutes for bananas in smoothies, here are some great green smoothie recipes without the use of bananas:
Summer Greens Smoothie
This refreshing and energizing Summer Greens Smoothie is one delicious smoothie that doesn't include bananas. The smoothie includes Green Vibrance, an avocado for a creamy texture banana replacement), a green apple and kiwis for a tangy flavor, dates for sweetness, and frozen mango for a tropical twist.
It's called a summer smoothie for a reason, and that's because it's perfect for those hot summer days when you need a refreshing boost.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop Green Vibrance
- 1 avocado
- 1 green apple
- 2 kiwis
- 3-4 dates, pitted
- 2 cups frozen mango
- 2 cups water
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, starting with the liquids and then adding the solid ingredients on top.
- Blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and consistent. If necessary, add more water or adjust the ingredients to achieve the desired consistency and flavor.
- Once the mixture is blended to your satisfaction, transfer it to cups and enjoy!
Refreshing Green Celery Smoothie
The Refreshing Green Celery Smoothie is a plant-based superfood smoothie that's packed with nutrients to support your health and also is extremely refreshing. Made with frozen mango, flax seeds, celery, ginger, spinach, lime juice, almond milk, and Green Vibrance powder, this smoothie is perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 3 tablespoons flax seeds
- 1 cup celery (or 2 ribs)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 1 cup frozen spinach
- 1/2 lime (juice)
- 4 cups almond milk
- 1 scoop Green Vibrance
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender, starting with the liquids and then adding the solid ingredients on top.
- Blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and consistent. If necessary, add more almond milk or adjust the ingredients to achieve the desired consistency and flavor.
- Once the mixture is blended to your satisfaction, pour it into glasses or cups and garnish with a slice of lime and a celery stalk.
- Enjoy your Refreshing Green Celery Smoothie! Let us know in the comments if you love celery in your smoothies.
Very Berry Gooseberry Smoothie
The Very Berry Gooseberry Smoothie is another smoothie that has a lot of nutrients. With the addition of Green Vibrance, this smoothie is not only delicious but also great for promoting healthy digestion.Â
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The combination of frozen blackberries, blueberries, and cherries provide a variety of antioxidants and vitamins, while the vegan vanilla yogurt and almond milk add a creamy texture and hint of sweetness (to act as a replacement for banana).Â
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The gooseberries give this smoothie a unique and tangy flavor, while the bee pollen adds an extra boost of nutrients.You can't go wrong with this smoothie when it comes to taste and its health benefits.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Green Vibrance
- 1 cup frozen blackberries
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1/2 cup vegan vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup almond milk or plant-based milk alternative
- 1/2 cup gooseberries
- 1 teaspoon bee pollen (optional)
Directions:
- Add all ingredients except for the gooseberries to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the smoothie into glasses and garnish with the gooseberries.
- Optionally, sprinkle bee pollen on top for an extra boost of nutrients.
- Enjoy your delicious and nutritious Very Berry Gooseberry Smoothie!
Tips For Making Great Smoothies Without Banana
We went over banana substitutes and we also gave you some delicious smoothies without banana. Last but not least we're going to go over some tips for making great smoothies without bananas.
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Use frozen fruits - Using frozen fruits instead of fresh helps to create a creamier consistency in your smoothie and also makes sure that you don't need to add ice cubes.
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Add Liquid Base First - In order to get good smoothies for a long time, add your liquid base first. This will protect the blade from getting damaged and also helps to evenly blend all the ingredients together.
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Experiment With Different Natural Flavors- Cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cocoa powder, and honey are some of the natural flavors you can add to your smoothies. They all help to give it a unique flavor and can replace the flavor of banana.
Summary
Although Bananas are a very popular ingredient for green smoothies, we proved in this article that they are not everything. If you're someone who can't have bananas for whatever reason, don't let that be the reason you don't have healthy smoothies like the ones we mentioned in this article.
