I’m obsessed with smoothies- the kind with any and every fruit and vegetable in my fridge all blended up together. I’ll admit, the ones I usually make never actually taste good, but for me it’s the easiest way to get my daily dose of vitamins and minerals all in one simple spot. There are some veggies that I’ll, under no circumstance put in, like onions or garlic, although my brother swears by them.
However, with loads of seasonal foods to choose from, the options of smoothies perfect for spring are endless. There’s no reason not to switch up your boring smoothie with in-season foods that actually taste good. Not only will adding fruits and veggies that are in season be a cheaper option, it’ll also be better for you all around.
1. Kale and Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
First, blend the ice. Then, blend the rest of the ingredients together until smooth. Add more almond milk or water if it’s too chunky for your liking. Stir in the chia seeds last.
Kale is in season just about all year round. I typically only eat it in smoothies so I toss it in the freezer as soon as I buy to keep it from going bad. Kale is loaded with health benefits, so may as well add a handful to any smoothie. Spinach is another leafy green that you’ll be able to find at the grocery store all year round. Throw them together and you’ve got a power green smoothie that not only tastes okay, but also is great for you.
2. Strawberry Grapefruit Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Blend the ice first. Cut the ends off the grapefruit and use as a guide trim away the skin until you have just the flesh of the grapefruit left. Place the grapefruit and all other ingredients in blender and process until smooth.
Grapefruit’s peak season runs from November through May. This vitamin C-rich fruit not only strengthens your immune system but also speeds up your metabolism, so there’s really no reason not to add it to your diet this season.
Strawberry peak season is towards the end of spring and runs through summer. Strawberries are high in antioxidants and can also improve your immune system. This is a super short recipe ideal for any busy schedule.
3. Lemon and Ginger Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Blend the ice first, and then add the rest of the ingredients. Add the water incrementally. Process until smooth.
Pineapple’s peak season runs from March through July. Pineapples are great for your immune system, digestion and healthy bones.
Lemons are high in vitamin C and are full if antioxidants, which can boost health and well being in many ways. Ginger is good for digestion, cold and flu relief, and reducing inflammation. Together, these two foods pack a mean punch when you add them to your smoothie. They’re also excellent for spicing up your tea.
4. Beets and Berries Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.
Beets are in peak season in the spring and summer. Beets are rich in calcium and iron and vitamins A and C. They’re also high in fiber, folic acid and essential minerals like potassium and manganese. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and can also help heart health, bone strength and skin health. These two are a perfect match and can easily sweeten up any smoothie recipe.
5. Peach Carrot Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Blend the ice, then add the rest of the ingredients to the blender. Blend until smooth.
While you can find carrots in the super market all year round, there is a late spring crop and a fall crop. They aren’t just good for your eyes. They’re also high in antioxidants, especially beta carotine, and are also important for maintaining oral health and boosting skin health.
Peaches are more so in season at the end of spring and throughout summer, but you can usually buy them frozen all year round. Peaches are great for skin care, as well as maintaining healthy bones and teeth. This sweet smoothie is quick to make with few ingredients, but loaded with healthy benefits.
6. Spring Greens Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.
This smoothie features arugula and spinach- two classic salad greens. Arugula is high in antioxidants like vitamins A and C, as well as rich in vitamin K, potassium and iron. Arugula helps boost your immune system, and may even work toward cancer prevention. As an added bonus, the natural fiber in leafy greens can help you feel satisfied longer because the nutrients remain in the stomach longer thanks to the fiber.
Radishes are also now in peak season. Radishes are high in vitamin C and fiber, and also great for digestion, especially the digestion of fatty foods. This smoothie tastes just like a drinkable salad, yum!
The Add-Ins
My smoothies are never complete without adding a hearty amount of hemp seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds for a wholesome nutritional boost. There are other powders you can add, like matcha, spirulina or maca powder, but my favorites never do anything to alter the taste of my smoothie.
Hemp seeds are rich in healthy fats and essential fatty acids, but are also extremely high in protein.
Chia seeds are also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants. They could help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. The antioxidants in chia seeds could also play a role in cancer prevention.
Flax seeds are super simple to work into your diet because they have almost no taste at all. They contain a ton of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have heart-healthy effects.
Spring is the best time to turn around any unhealthy eating habits you may have picked up over the long winter, and there’s no better way than picking up some seasonal fruits and veggies from the local market and tossing them into a smoothie to kick-start your day. With plenty of smoothies perfect for spring to choose from, you really can’t go wrong.
Be sure to check out four delicious matcha smoothie recipes perfect for summer or five healthy and pre-made smoothies to smooth out your morning for more tasty smoothie recipe ideas.