Avocado Smoothie Recipes and Health Benefits
Avocados can make a great base for a high-energy smoothie that will satisfy you and keep you going for hours. If you would rather have a smoothie with less fat (or thickness), simply add ¼ to ½ of an avocado to the smoothie and mix with another base such as pear, mango or banana.
Avocado Nutrition and Health Benefits
Avocados are high in fat (the good kind) and contain the fat-soluble vitamin E. Avocados are an excellent source of certain antioxidants that help slow aging and prevent certain cancers and heart disease. They are high in folate which also helps protect your heart and guard against stroke. Studies have shown that avocados can lower cholesterol, guard against eye disease, help fight oral cancer, prevent breast cancer and has been shown to inhibit prostate cancer.
Avocados promote the absorption of certain nutrients such as lycopene and beta carotene, so add a tomato and carrot to your avocado smoothies to help maximize your nutrition.
Smoothie Recipes
Avocado-Apple Smoothie
1 green apple
1/2 avocado
1 tbls lime juice
1/2 – 1 cup water
Calories: 233 | Fat: 15g (grams) | Protein: 2.4g | Carbs: 27.6g | Calcium: 2% | Vitamin A: 4% | Vitamin C: 28%
Avocado-Banana Smoothie
1/2 avocado
1 banana
1 apple
1 stock of celery
1-2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 – 1 cup water
Calories: 365 | Fat: 15.7g (grams) | Protein: 5.2g | Carbs: 61.4g | Calcium: 9% | Vitamin A: 50% | Vitamin C: 69%
Avocado-Kiwi Smoothie
½ avocado
2 kiwis
1 banana
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 – 1 cup water
Calories: 379 | Fat: 15.8g (grams) | Protein: 6.3g | Carbs: 63.3g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 47% | Vitamin C: 290%
Avocado-Berry Fruit Smoothie
¼ avocado
½ cup of red raspberries
½ cup of blackberries
1 whole banana
1/2 cup water
Calories: 275 | Fat: 8.2g (grams) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 53.5g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 84% | Vitamin C: 148%
Browse even more avocado smoothie recipes!
How To Select Avocados
Ripe avocados give slightly to pressure, but bruise very easily. Hard, unripe avocados ripen nicely at room temperature in a couple days. Simply remove the peel and discard the large pit in the center. The outer flesh should be light green, becoming yellow towards the center and cut easily with a knife.
Avocados have the lowest risk of pesticide residue (1 out of 100) according to the Environmental Working Group, so it is not necessary to purchase organic avocados if you are trying to save money on your grocery bill.
