Banana Smoothie Recipes and Nutrition

Bananas make an excellent base to your smoothie, providing a rich, creamy texture.

Banana Nutrition and Health Benefits

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and fiber. They are good sources of vitamins B6, C and antioxidants. Studies suggest that bananas may prevent high blood pressure and decrease risk of kidney cancer. Bananas promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Bananas have a natural antacid effect, so a banana smoothie might just be the thing to ease heartburn.

Smoothie Recipes

Simple Banana Green Smoothie
2 whole bananas
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 cup water

Calories: 252 | Fat: 0.8g (grams) | Protein: 5g | Carbs: 65.2g | Calcium: 10% | Vitamin A: 84% | Vitamin C: 80%

Banana-Nut Smoothie
1 banana
2 tbs natural creamy peanut butter
½ cup blueberries or 3-4 strawberries
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
½ cup water
(OPTIONAL) 1 scoop protein powder*

Calories: 384 | Fat: 17.6g (grams) | Protein: 11g | Carbs: 52g | Calcium: 11% | Vitamin A: 83% | Vitamin C: 72% | * Protein powder adds additional calories and grams of protein.

Banana-Strawberry Smoothie
1 banana
1 cup whole strawberries
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 small vine tomato
1/2 – 1 cup water

Calories: 205 | Fat: 1g (gram) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 51.5g | Calcium: 13% | Vitamin A: 98% | Vitamin C: 249%

Banana-Coconut Smoothie
1 banana
water and meat from 1 young coconut
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1-2 slices of fresh pineapple

Calories: 345 | Fat: 3.6g (grams) | Protein: 6.3g | Carbs: 81.7g | Calcium: 29% | Vitamin A: 84% | Vitamin C: 154%

Banana-Pineapple Smoothie
1 banana
1 cup pineapple
1-2 celery stalks
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 cup water

Calories: 217 | Fat: 0.8g (grams) | Protein: 4.4g | Carbs: 54.9g | Calcium: 15% | Vitamin A: 92% | Vitamin C: 158%

Banana-Papaya Smoothie
1 banana
1 papaya
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 small vine tomato
1/2 – 1 cup water

Calories: 278 | Fat: 1g (gram) | Protein: 6.9g | Carbs: 70.2g | Calcium: 18% | Vitamin A: 165% | Vitamin C: 421%

Banana-Blueberry Smoothie
1 banana
1 cup blueberries
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 whole carrot
1/2 cup of water

Calories: 244 | Fat: 1.1g (grams) | Protein: 5.3g | Carbs: 62g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 257% | Vitamin C: 90%

Banana-Apple-Pear Smoothie
1 banana
1 apple
1 pear
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 stalk of celery
1/2 – 1 cup water

Calories: 305 | Fat: 0.9g (grams) | Protein: 4.8g | Carbs: 79.1g | Calcium: 13% | Vitamin A: 88% | Vitamin C: 85%

Banana-Berry Smoothie
1 banana
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 cup of water

Calories: 204 | Fat: 1g (gram) | Protein: 4.3g | Carbs: 51.9g | Calcium: 11% | Vitamin A: 83% | Vitamin C: 98%

Banana and Greens Smoothie
2 large bananas
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1 cup kale
1 tbs parsley
1-2 celery stalks (to taste)
1/2 – 1 cup water

Banana-Pear Smoothie
1 banana
1 pear
1/2 cup raspberries (or blueberries, strawberries)
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
¼ avocado
1/2 – 1 cup water

Calories: 339 | Fat: 8g (grams) | Protein: 4.8g | Carbs: 72g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 85% | Vitamin C: 107%

Banana-Mint Smoothie
2 whole bananas
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 tbs mint
1/2 cup water

Calories: 256 | Fat: 0.8g (grams) | Protein: 5g | Carbs: 65.2g | Calcium: 10% | Vitamin A: 84% | Vitamin C: 80%

Browse even more banana smoothie recipes!

How To Select Bananas

Purchase bananas that are firm and yellowing. Green bananas are not yet ripe and unsuitable for making smoothies with. Also avoid using plantains for as they are not suitable for smoothies. Allow green bananas to ripen at room temperature. Ripe bananas with brown speckles on the peel are the most flavorful for a smoothie. You can also peel and freeze bananas.

Bananas rank 34 out of 100 for pesticide residue according to research conducted by the Environmental Working Group. Organic bananas do not usually cost much more than conventionally grown ones, so my recommendation is to go organic with these.

See Also: Mango Smoothies, Coconut Smoothies.

Tags: banana, food nutrition, tropical