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What Goes in a Greens Shake?

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Are you hopelessly lost as to how you should go about making a greens shake? Are your attempts at making the ultimate shake falling short of perfection? Have no fear, this guide is here to not only inform you on what yummy ingredients should be going into your green shake, but also how to prepare a delicious concoction with little hassle and a big payoff. We’ll be covering a lot in this article, but here are just a few of the main topics we’ll be touching on:

  • The best ingredients for a greens shake
  • How to make a greens shake + beginner recipes
  • Other ways to integrate greens into your life
green smoothie with pineapple in background
Want the perfect summer greens shake? Add some tropical fruit to your mix like pineapple and mango for a taste that’ll make you feel like you’re on the beach. Image courtesy of TheFoodiePhysician.

Essential Ingredients for a Great Greens Shake

What should make up your greens shake

If you’re considering adventuring out to your local supplement store or browsing online for a terrific green drink powder to start off with, there are a few ingredients you should be looking out for during your search. Here are just a few of the healthiest and most nutrient-packed ingredients to seek out when looking for a green drink powder:

  • Greens

Of course! Greens are essential to a greens shake. That being said, the type of vegetables included in a green powder can make a difference on the potential health benefits of the powder. Daily green powders that are rich in leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens can pack your everyday drink with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without a high calorie or carbohydrate count.

If you look at the ingredients list of any green drink powder you’re considering, dark, leafy greens should be the foundation – and the most abundant – ingredient in the powder. Consuming green drink powders with high greens contents is the best way to ensure that you’re properly supplementing your vegetable intake each day, which is the whole reason to try out green powders in the first place.

One great option to try if you’re new to the greens powder game is the Healthy Skoop Sweet Greens with Adaptogens. It’s made with organic veggies that provide the phytonutrients to promote sustained energy, as well as probiotic blends and adaptogens to aid in digestion and restore inner balance. This powder pairs perfectly with any beverage, including water, plant milk, dairy milk, juice, or in a shake. This is a great starter green drink powder if you’re looking for a well-rounded supplement to begin your green powder journey with.

For even more delicious and effective daily greens powder recommendations, check out this post from Healthy Skoop that covers some of the best greens powders on the market right now.

  • Wheats and grains

Wheats and grains should be a fairly plentiful ingredient on the label of the green drink powder you’re considering. Foundational to most green powders, supplements that contain wheat or grains like barley, oat, and alfalfa grass have antioxidants and vitamins that can help to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions and diseases. Some studies have even shown this family of ingredients contributing to lower cholesterol levels and stronger immune systems with consistent use.

Aside from their long-term benefits, certain wheats and grains can help to provide a boost of energy that’ll last throughout the day. So, if you’re looking for a supplement that can help you to wake up and keep you charged throughout the day, consider a supplement that has a slightly higher than average wheat or grain content.

  • Fruits and fruit blends

Fruit is essential to any healthy diet. They’re full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and adding an extra serving of them to your diet in the form of a green drink powder can give you an additional health boost. Many green drink powders will likely include an amount of fruit blend, but some other great specific fruits to look out for on your green drink powder’s label are blueberries, apples, bananas, oranges, avocado, pomegranate, and blackberries.

  • Other spices and herbs

Our wildcard ingredient to look for one your green drink search are nutrient-rich herbs and spices. Additions like cayenne pepper, ginger, ginseng, turmeric, cumin, and adaptogens can help to diminish inflammation and promote digestion. While these ingredients aren’t an absolute necessity for any great green drink powder, they can be a nice addition to keep an eye out for in your search.

So, where do you go from here? Now that you know the ingredients that should be prevalent in your green shake and green shake powder, how can you start incorporating them into your daily life? We’ve got you covered.

Smoothie being poured into glass cup
Want a creamier taste out of your greens shake? Add some avocado or a frozen banana to make your drink as smooth as a milkshake. Image courtesy of EatingWell.

Recipes to Start Your Green Shake Journey With

Beginner Recipes for Everyone to Try

Before you dive into making your first greens shake, there are a few essential tools and things to keep in mind. You’re going to need a blender to blend the ingredients together for every shake. This doesn’t mean that you have to have a top-of-the-line blender, but one that can readily blend ice would be most suitable for your shake making experience.

Secondly, with each of the recipes listed below, it’s important to keep in mind that any part of the steps can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Don’t like a certain ingredient? Omit it from your shake. Want a smoother, more liquidy drink as opposed to a thick one? Add some more water or milk than the recipe calls for. This applies for anything about the shake that you’re crafting – ultimately, the shake is made by you, for you, so make it something that suits your tastes and preferences.

A No-Hassle Green Shake

The ultimate shake for a true greens beginner

Green smoothie in glass cup
Don’t get caught with spinach stuck in between your teeth after drinking a greens shake. Make sure to finely shop your spinach and blend it well before you drink it. Image courtesy of Gimme Delicious.

This shake is a simple one, but a good one nonetheless. If you’re looking for an easy recipe to start with, this one is the one for you. With just four ingredients, this greens shake manages to pack a punch and delivers a hearty serving of fruits and vegetables.

To add your own twist to this recipe, try it out with other types of fruits or additional ingredients like flax seeds or chia seeds.

To make this shake, simply add your cup of greens to your blend with your liquid and blend. Then gradually add in your fruit and greens powder and blend again until smooth. Voila, you have your greens shake.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1 cup of fresh greens – spinach, kale, or arugula
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 cup of milk or nut milk

Immune System Boost Green Shake

Kick that immune system into high gear with this shake

Three green shakes in mason jars
Greens shakes are an easy drink to prepare ahead of time for any busy mornings you might encounter. Prepare your ingredients ahead of time and store them in a small freezer bag or tupperware container so that you can throw them into the blender in the morning. Image courtesy of Healthnut Nutrition.

This greens shake is chock-full of the antioxidants, vitamins, and greens that you need to maintain a healthy immune system. The recipe for this nutritious drink is simple – add your greens and your liquid to your blender and blend. Then add the rest of your ingredients to the mix and blend the rest of it up until smooth. You’ll be well on your way to staying healthy if you stick with this recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of chopped spinach and kale
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 cup of almond milk
  • 1 cup of frozen mix of mango, pineapple, and kiwi chunks
  • 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

Energy-boosting Greens Shake

Get that extra kick out of your day with this refreshing drink

Green smoothie with ingredients surrounding it
There are no rules to making your perfect greens shake, so explore some fun ingredients and experiment with different techniques! Image courtesy of ILoveVegan.

Need to kick it into high gear to get through your day but don’t want an intensely caffeinated drink? This shake might be right for you. With a blend of fruits and vegetables, as well as a couple of fun other additions, this shake is bursting with flavor.

Like the other recipes, to make this shake, just blend your greens with your liquid of choice, then add the other ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of fresh spinach
  • 1 small frozen banana
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 small green apple, sliced
  • 1 orange
  • 1 tbsp of chia seeds
  • 1 cup of milk or nut milk
Hand putting ingredients into blender
The key to a great greens shake isn’t necessarily all about having fresh fruits and vegetables. Using frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as tasty and healthy as fresh ones.

How to Incorporate Even More Greens Into Your Diet

Easy ways to sneak in some leafy vegetables

Greens shakes are a quick and easy way to add a healthy serving of vegetables to your diet, but depending on your tastes, the time of day, and your available ingredients, a greens shake might not always be a viable option. Regardless of whether you’re just simply not in the mood for a greens shake or not, there are a few other great ways to add some greens into your diet in unexpected ways.

If you’re a huge fan of sandwiches, perhaps as a late night snack or as a quick on-the-go lunch, consider adding a few leaves of kale or spinach to the top of your ingredient pile. This addition likely won’t affect the tastiness of the sandwich too much, but it’ll add a little bit of nutrition. We just wouldn’t recommend using this tip for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

If you make scrambled eggs or an omelet to start your day off, consider adding some spinach to your scramble. If you don’t want to add the taste of spinach to your meal, chop it up finely and sprinkle it in to reap the benefits without changing the taste.

Are you a pasta lover? I mean, how could you not be? If you’re a fan of any type of pasta, spinach is an easy addition to almost any sauce. One of the easiest sauces to add some greens to is pesto. By replacing half of the basil you plan on using with kale or spinach, you’ll be packing those greens in without majorly affecting the taste of your sauce.

Aside from these examples, there are a variety of other ways to add greens to your diet in inconspicuous ways. Finding what works best for you, and ensuring that you’re receiving the proper amount of greens each day, is the best way to succeed at getting the right blend of nutrients and vitamins in your diet.

For more information on how to maintain a diet full of greens, check out this post from the Healthy Skoop blog about maintaining a healthy diet.

Green shake sitting on table
Looking for chocolatey sweetness in your greens shake? For a decadent treat, add a tablespoon or two of a hazelnut spread or peanut butter to add a rich flavor to your drink.

Determining what goes in your greens shake is more complicated than just a few simple ingredients – it involves figuring out what flavors and textures work for you, and also what you hope to get out of your diet. Taking time to experiment and see what you enjoy the most in your greens smoothie is the easiest path to success.

Are you hopelessly lost as to how you should go about making a greens shake? Are your attempts at making the ultimate shake falling short of perfection? Have no fear, this guide is here to not only inform you on what yummy ingredients should be going into your green shake, but also how to prepare a delicious concoction with little hassle and a big payoff. We’ll be covering a lot in this article, but here are just a few of the main topics we’ll be touching on:

  • The best ingredients for a greens shake
  • How to make a greens shake + beginner recipes
  • Other ways to integrate greens into your life
green smoothie with pineapple in background
Want the perfect summer greens shake? Add some tropical fruit to your mix like pineapple and mango for a taste that’ll make you feel like you’re on the beach. Image courtesy of TheFoodiePhysician.

Essential Ingredients for a Great Greens Shake

What should make up your greens shake

If you’re considering adventuring out to your local supplement store or browsing online for a terrific green drink powder to start off with, there are a few ingredients you should be looking out for during your search. Here are just a few of the healthiest and most nutrient-packed ingredients to seek out when looking for a green drink powder:

  • Greens

Of course! Greens are essential to a greens shake. That being said, the type of vegetables included in a green powder can make a difference on the potential health benefits of the powder. Daily green powders that are rich in leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens can pack your everyday drink with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without a high calorie or carbohydrate count.

If you look at the ingredients list of any green drink powder you’re considering, dark, leafy greens should be the foundation – and the most abundant – ingredient in the powder. Consuming green drink powders with high greens contents is the best way to ensure that you’re properly supplementing your vegetable intake each day, which is the whole reason to try out green powders in the first place.

One great option to try if you’re new to the greens powder game is the Healthy Skoop Sweet Greens with Adaptogens. It’s made with organic veggies that provide the phytonutrients to promote sustained energy, as well as probiotic blends and adaptogens to aid in digestion and restore inner balance. This powder pairs perfectly with any beverage, including water, plant milk, dairy milk, juice, or in a shake. This is a great starter green drink powder if you’re looking for a well-rounded supplement to begin your green powder journey with.

For even more delicious and effective daily greens powder recommendations, check out this post from Healthy Skoop that covers some of the best greens powders on the market right now.

  • Wheats and grains

Wheats and grains should be a fairly plentiful ingredient on the label of the green drink powder you’re considering. Foundational to most green powders, supplements that contain wheat or grains like barley, oat, and alfalfa grass have antioxidants and vitamins that can help to reduce the risk of chronic health conditions and diseases. Some studies have even shown this family of ingredients contributing to lower cholesterol levels and stronger immune systems with consistent use.

Aside from their long-term benefits, certain wheats and grains can help to provide a boost of energy that’ll last throughout the day. So, if you’re looking for a supplement that can help you to wake up and keep you charged throughout the day, consider a supplement that has a slightly higher than average wheat or grain content.

  • Fruits and fruit blends

Fruit is essential to any healthy diet. They’re full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and adding an extra serving of them to your diet in the form of a green drink powder can give you an additional health boost. Many green drink powders will likely include an amount of fruit blend, but some other great specific fruits to look out for on your green drink powder’s label are blueberries, apples, bananas, oranges, avocado, pomegranate, and blackberries.

  • Other spices and herbs

Our wildcard ingredient to look for one your green drink search are nutrient-rich herbs and spices. Additions like cayenne pepper, ginger, ginseng, turmeric, cumin, and adaptogens can help to diminish inflammation and promote digestion. While these ingredients aren’t an absolute necessity for any great green drink powder, they can be a nice addition to keep an eye out for in your search.

So, where do you go from here? Now that you know the ingredients that should be prevalent in your green shake and green shake powder, how can you start incorporating them into your daily life? We’ve got you covered.

Smoothie being poured into glass cup
Want a creamier taste out of your greens shake? Add some avocado or a frozen banana to make your drink as smooth as a milkshake. Image courtesy of EatingWell.

Recipes to Start Your Green Shake Journey With

Beginner Recipes for Everyone to Try

Before you dive into making your first greens shake, there are a few essential tools and things to keep in mind. You’re going to need a blender to blend the ingredients together for every shake. This doesn’t mean that you have to have a top-of-the-line blender, but one that can readily blend ice would be most suitable for your shake making experience.

Secondly, with each of the recipes listed below, it’s important to keep in mind that any part of the steps can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Don’t like a certain ingredient? Omit it from your shake. Want a smoother, more liquidy drink as opposed to a thick one? Add some more water or milk than the recipe calls for. This applies for anything about the shake that you’re crafting – ultimately, the shake is made by you, for you, so make it something that suits your tastes and preferences.

A No-Hassle Green Shake

The ultimate shake for a true greens beginner

Green smoothie in glass cup
Don’t get caught with spinach stuck in between your teeth after drinking a greens shake. Make sure to finely shop your spinach and blend it well before you drink it. Image courtesy of Gimme Delicious.

This shake is a simple one, but a good one nonetheless. If you’re looking for an easy recipe to start with, this one is the one for you. With just four ingredients, this greens shake manages to pack a punch and delivers a hearty serving of fruits and vegetables.

To add your own twist to this recipe, try it out with other types of fruits or additional ingredients like flax seeds or chia seeds.

To make this shake, simply add your cup of greens to your blend with your liquid and blend. Then gradually add in your fruit and greens powder and blend again until smooth. Voila, you have your greens shake.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1 cup of fresh greens – spinach, kale, or arugula
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 cup of milk or nut milk

Immune System Boost Green Shake

Kick that immune system into high gear with this shake

Three green shakes in mason jars
Greens shakes are an easy drink to prepare ahead of time for any busy mornings you might encounter. Prepare your ingredients ahead of time and store them in a small freezer bag or tupperware container so that you can throw them into the blender in the morning. Image courtesy of Healthnut Nutrition.

This greens shake is chock-full of the antioxidants, vitamins, and greens that you need to maintain a healthy immune system. The recipe for this nutritious drink is simple – add your greens and your liquid to your blender and blend. Then add the rest of your ingredients to the mix and blend the rest of it up until smooth. You’ll be well on your way to staying healthy if you stick with this recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of chopped spinach and kale
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 cup of almond milk
  • 1 cup of frozen mix of mango, pineapple, and kiwi chunks
  • 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

Energy-boosting Greens Shake

Get that extra kick out of your day with this refreshing drink

Green smoothie with ingredients surrounding it
There are no rules to making your perfect greens shake, so explore some fun ingredients and experiment with different techniques! Image courtesy of ILoveVegan.

Need to kick it into high gear to get through your day but don’t want an intensely caffeinated drink? This shake might be right for you. With a blend of fruits and vegetables, as well as a couple of fun other additions, this shake is bursting with flavor.

Like the other recipes, to make this shake, just blend your greens with your liquid of choice, then add the other ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of fresh spinach
  • 1 small frozen banana
  • 1 serving of greens powder
  • 1 small green apple, sliced
  • 1 orange
  • 1 tbsp of chia seeds
  • 1 cup of milk or nut milk
Hand putting ingredients into blender
The key to a great greens shake isn’t necessarily all about having fresh fruits and vegetables. Using frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as tasty and healthy as fresh ones.

How to Incorporate Even More Greens Into Your Diet

Easy ways to sneak in some leafy vegetables

Greens shakes are a quick and easy way to add a healthy serving of vegetables to your diet, but depending on your tastes, the time of day, and your available ingredients, a greens shake might not always be a viable option. Regardless of whether you’re just simply not in the mood for a greens shake or not, there are a few other great ways to add some greens into your diet in unexpected ways.

If you’re a huge fan of sandwiches, perhaps as a late night snack or as a quick on-the-go lunch, consider adding a few leaves of kale or spinach to the top of your ingredient pile. This addition likely won’t affect the tastiness of the sandwich too much, but it’ll add a little bit of nutrition. We just wouldn’t recommend using this tip for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

If you make scrambled eggs or an omelet to start your day off, consider adding some spinach to your scramble. If you don’t want to add the taste of spinach to your meal, chop it up finely and sprinkle it in to reap the benefits without changing the taste.

Are you a pasta lover? I mean, how could you not be? If you’re a fan of any type of pasta, spinach is an easy addition to almost any sauce. One of the easiest sauces to add some greens to is pesto. By replacing half of the basil you plan on using with kale or spinach, you’ll be packing those greens in without majorly affecting the taste of your sauce.

Aside from these examples, there are a variety of other ways to add greens to your diet in inconspicuous ways. Finding what works best for you, and ensuring that you’re receiving the proper amount of greens each day, is the best way to succeed at getting the right blend of nutrients and vitamins in your diet.

For more information on how to maintain a diet full of greens, check out this post from the Healthy Skoop blog about maintaining a healthy diet.

Green shake sitting on table
Looking for chocolatey sweetness in your greens shake? For a decadent treat, add a tablespoon or two of a hazelnut spread or peanut butter to add a rich flavor to your drink.

Determining what goes in your greens shake is more complicated than just a few simple ingredients – it involves figuring out what flavors and textures work for you, and also what you hope to get out of your diet. Taking time to experiment and see what you enjoy the most in your greens smoothie is the easiest path to success.

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