Providing 1 serving of leafy greens and 2 servings of fruit, this healthy spinach and cherry smoothie is the perfect start to your day!
Let’s get one thing out of the way: this smoothie is ugly.
What starts out as layers of bright green spinach and juicy red cherries turns into a reddish brown beverage.
But beauty is more than skin deep, and this smoothie is beautiful: creamy, naturally sweet and PACKED with nutrition.
Benefits of green smoothies
As a dietitian, I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I don’t eat a lot of leafy greens. Yes, I know how important they are, but there’s something about the texture that I just don’t like.
So instead of eating salads and adding greens to sandwiches, I have to get a little more creative.
Green smoothies are the perfect vessel for getting a serving or two of leafy greens in each day. No prepping or cooking required. Just add raw baby spinach to your blender, add about a cup of fruit and half cup of milk and blend away.
This smoothie in particular has some heavy hitters for nutrition:
Spinach: high in fiber, vitamins A, C, K and B9, iron, and antioxidants important for eye and heart health.
Cherries: also high in fiber and vitamin C, cherries also contribute potassium, phytochemicals (protect against inflammation), and are rich in powerful antioxidants.
Banana slices: a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamins B6 and C, and antioxidants. Plus they add a great natural sweetness and creaminess to smoothies.
Greek Yogurt: a good source of calcium, probiotics, and lean protein. Be sure to go with plain yogurt to avoid excess added sugars.
What You’ll Need to Make this Healthy Spinach and Cherry Smoothie
Raw baby spinach
Fresh cherries, pitted (or frozen)
Frozen banana (half)
Plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole)
Unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
Almond extract
Optional add-ins:
Protein powder
Almond butter
How to add more protein to this healthy spinach and cherry smoothie
While one serving of this spinach and cherry smoothie has 8 grams of protein thanks to the Greek yogurt, if you’re looking to make this more of a meal than snack, there are a few ways to bulk up the protein:
1-2 tablespoons natural almond butter
1 scoop protein powder
1-2 tablespoons hemp seeds
Use soy milk instead of a nut-based one
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Measure out your ingredients and layer them in a blender. The key to layering to make sure the spinach is close to the blade – no one wants a smoothie with spinach bits in it.
Step 2: Blend on high, taste and adjust as needed.
Enjoy fresh seasonal produce with this Spinach and Cherry Smoothie. Containing 1 serving of leafy greens and 2 servings of fruit, it’s a perfect start to your day!
Prep Time10mins
Course: Breakfast, Smoothie, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Green Smoothie, Healthy Smoothie
Servings: 1smoothie
Calories: 156kcal
Ingredients
1cupbaby spinach
½cupunsweetened vanilla almond milkor milk of choice
¼cup2% or whole milk plain Greek yogurt
¼teaspoonalmond extract
½frozen banana
½cuppitted cherries
Optional: 1 scoop protein powder1 tablespoon almond butter, or 1-2 tablespoons hemp seeds
Instructions
Place smoothie ingredients in blender in the order they’re listed above, with spinach closest to the blade.
Blend on high until smooth and no spinach pieces remain.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition for 1 smoothie (without optional add-ins): 156 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated), 442 mg potassium, 27 g carb, 4 g fiber, 17 g natural sugar, 8 g protein
I’m Kelli MS, RD, and my mission is to prove that eating healthier doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive. Follow along to learn more about food and cooking, with an emphasis on breakfast and sweet treats!
Welcome to The Healthy Toast!
Here you’ll find realistic healthy recipes designed by a registered dietitian with your busy lifestyle in mind.
Whether you’re a busy professional or new mom, the goal of The Healthy Toast is to provide you with the recipes and nutrition info you need to live your healthiest life, even when life gets crazy. As I’m a firm believer in a whole-foods, non-diet approach, I hope my website shows that good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive.