Smoothie Week: Kid-Approved Green Smoothie

It’s the second day of our smoothie week series! Did you catch the Cacao Banana Superfood Smoothie I shared yesterday? It’s one of my favorites of the bunch.

I’ve actually had this green smoothie recipe tucked away for quite some time now and have been trying to figure out the perfect timing. That being said, there’s no better timing for the debut of my kid-approved green smoothie than having it on smoothie week!

Not only is this green smoothie super delicious, it is literally LOADED with nutrients, healthy fats, and essential vitamins to support a growing, nourished kid.

Important note regarding spinach, calcium absorption, and kids: Spinach contains oxalic acid which can prevent calcium absorption. If you’re going to be feeding this to you or your kiddo regularly (daily), I would recommend first steaming the spinach to neutralize the oxalic acid (source). By neutralizing the oxalic acid through cooking, you’re allowing your body to absorb as much of the calcium found in spinach. In Nourishing Traditions, Sally also mentions that children under 7 can’t absorb the calcium found in spinach regardless if it’s cooked. I personally don’t give Andrew green smoothies regularly so I’m not concerned with it. Please use your own judgement and what you’re comfortable with.

With this recipe, I use an organic Fuji apple with the skin on since the skin is where it’s at. It is recommended to use a high powered blender, though, as the skin may not be blended well enough in a regular blender.

This Kid-Approved Green Smoothie has:

• Kiwi — Nearly 20 vital nutrients, has five times more vitamin C than an orange, and has vitamins A, K, E and B, potassium, copper, folate, and fiber
• Apple — Good source of fiber, vitamin C
• Banana — Potassium, B vitamins, vitamins C and E, plus fiber
• Coconut milk — Rich in healthy fats that are essential for healthy brains. This fat also aids the digestion of the spinach.
• Spinach — Excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E,calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. A very good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein, and choline
• Flax seed — Omega 3 essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium

This recipe makes at least 4-5 servings of smoothie. If your little kiddo can’t eat all of it pour some into popsicle molds and you’ve got yourself a kid-approved green popsicle treat!