7 Family Favorite Smoothie Recipes | kid-approved!
I understand your challenges in getting your kids to eat their veggies and dealing with everyday issues like constipation and picky eating habits.
That is why my #1 go-to for getting my little ones to eat more of these vital nutrients has been smoothies. The smoothie recipes I share below are our favorite ones that we alternate throughout the year. Feel free to customize to your kid's taste buds; most are versatile and can easily be adjusted for your pickiest eaters!
How to Make Healthy Smoothies for Kids
Trying to get your kids to eat healthier foods can become a daily battle. As they get older, they might get pickier, so you have to devise other ways to get them excited about trying nutritious foods. We have always found smoothies an easy way to boost nutrients without much fuss.
Start with the Favorites
When making smoothies, your kids will want to start with some of their favorite foods, such as vanilla yogurt, bananas, and apple juice! These are excellent bases for many smoothie recipes. Let them tell you what they might want to try, use the recipes below as a starting point, and then start to make your own!
Get the kids involved in the kitchen!
An easy way to get them more excited about eating healthier foods is to get them more involved with preparing the meals! Smoothies are a fun way to get them more involved, and they can even be as young as toddler-aged to help you out. Depending on age, they can add things to the blender, wash the fruit, cut up, or peel fruits or vegetables - you get the idea!
Make your own fresh Juice
We love making FRESH fruit and veggie juice for our smoothies. Though this is an extra step, cleaning the juicer is not always the most fun afterward. They are excited to put the veggies in and see the juice come out. My favorite things to juice before making a smoothie are carrots, pineapple, apples, and sometimes spinach, though we try to use whole spinach. It also makes for a great juice base!
REMINDER:
BUDGETS ARE A REAL THING
I understand that if you do not have the extra cash to make your own juice, using bottled juice from the store is perfectly fine. You do not need the products or brands recommended below; I just offer them in case people are looking for some options! I know there are people all over the internet who will tell you that everything has to be organic, homemade, and whatnot. But you have to do what is best for your family, and that includes keeping to a budget that is realistic for your family, causing finanical stress to be able to afford only the best of the best, is not going to help your health! Always be reasonable in your choices, and know you are doing the best with what you have available.
Favorite Smoothie Products & Ingredients
Spinach Colada
A GREAT BEGINNER & KID FRIENDLY SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Spinach (Organic)
1 Cup Coconut Water (If Too Sweet for You Cut With Plain Water)
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
½ Cup Frozen Peaches
½ Tablespoon Coconut Oil
BerryNana
A SIMPLE SMOOTHIE FOR A BREAKFAST, SNACK OR LUNCH
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Coconut Or Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Cup Mixed Or Berry Of Your Choice (Can Use Frozen)
1 Banana
1/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/3 Cup Organic Oats
½ Tablespoon Ground Chia Or Flax Seeds
Dash Cinnamon
Optional: ½ Scoop Plant Based Protein Or Collagen Protein (for mom, not littles)
Apple Pie Smoothie
A PERFECTLY DELICIOUS ABD SWEET BREAKFAST SHAKE!
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (Can Use Vanilla Unsweetened)
1 Frozen Banana
1/4 Cup Vanilla Yogurt
1 Peeled And Chopped Apple
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
¼ Cup Oats
1 Tablespoon Ground Flax
optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (non-alcohol)
Nutty Berry
INGREDIENTS
½ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
½ Cup Filtered Water
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Ground Flax Seed
½ Cup Berries of your choice (Fresh Or Frozen)
½ Banana
1 Handful Spinach
1 Tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder
Cleanzing
AN ENERGIZING & CLEANSING DRINK. A PERFECT BEVERAGE FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS!
INGREDIENTS
1 Pear or apple, peeled and cored (pear recommended)
1 Cup Spinach or Chopped Kale
½ Cup Coconut Water
½ Cup Filtered Water
Juice of 1 Lemon
½ Cup Fresh or Frozen Pineapple
¼ Inch Fresh Ginger, peeled
PB & Cacao Madness
LIKE A PEANUT BUTTER CUP WITH A STRAW. THE PERFECT SWEET TREAT TO SATISFY A CHOCOLATE CRAVING!
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Almond Milk (you can also use chocolate almond milk and not use raw cacao!)
1 Frozen Banana
1 Tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
Optional: ½ Tablespoon Ground Flax
*Toddler Approved* Green Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Spinach
1 Cup Frozen Strawberries (
1 Banana
4 Tablespoons Vanilla Yogurt (You can also use Greek)
1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1/3 Cup Fruit Juice of Choice
1 Tablespoon Flax Meal
I hope these recipes provided you with some inspiration and practical solutions for nourishing your little ones. Remember, in the whirlwind of motherhood, it's okay to seek simple yet effective ways to ensure our children are getting the nutrients they need.
From battling picky eating habits to addressing common childhood issues like constipation, these smoothies offer a tasty solution you and your kids will love. By incorporating more fruits and vegetables disguised as delicious treats into their diets, we're filling their tummies, nurturing their growing bodies, and setting the stage for lifelong healthy habits!!