Smoothies are an easy and delicious way to spice up your breakfast routine and pack in essential nutrients to keep you healthy. We whipped up this tropical “teal” smoothie in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – but anyone can enjoy the benefits of bananas, mangos, and spinach. The best part? You can eat this one with a spoon!
Ingredients
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup frozen mango slices
2 tsp. spirulina powder
1 cup spinach
Instructions
Blend all ingredients together. Pour into a bowl and cover with your favorite toppings! (We used mango, kiwi, blueberries, chia seeds, walnuts, and coconut. YUM!)
Benefits of this Power Smoothie
Banana – These fruits are high in potassium, a good source of vitamin C, very easy to digest, and are a good source of carbohydrates.
Mango– This tropical fruit is low in calories, a great source of folic acid, and good sources of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.
Spinach – This leafy green is nutrient dense, low in calories, a great source of iron, Vitamin K & A, manganese, and folate. Also, some studies have linked spinach to anti-cancer effects.
Spirulina Powder – high in nutrients like calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, and iron, spirulina packs a nutrient punch. It is also a good source of protein and contains all essential amino acids. Despite many health claims about spirulina, there isn’t enough evidence to support its supposed health benefits. People with autoimmune conditions should avoid spirulina, as it may worsen symptoms of MS, lupus, and other conditions. Also, pregnant women should avoid due to lack of safety studies. If nothing else, it was approved as a natural option to use in place of blue food dye – which is great for anyone allergic to artificial food coloring.
Almond Milk – This milk alternative helps promote better vision, weight loss, stronger bones, and heart health. Almond milk also helps to build strong muscles, assists in maintaining healthy blood pressure, and improved kidney function, but it lacks protein and fiber unless it is fortified. Almond milk also contains many vitamins, including:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
