You must have frowned now! Hahaha… don’t get me wrong! I realize broccoli is an acquired taste. It is one of those vegetables that many people dislike. This may be because the vegetables were often forced to us by our parents or we dislike its taste and texture.
However, if there is one thing to convince you to eat your broccoli, it is the health benefits. Fortunately, you can always blend it and make broccoli smoothie that you can mix with any ingredients you want. You now have a drink that tastes fruity but has all the nutrients and vitamins broccoli has 🙂
In this article, I will discuss why you should add broccoli to your smoothies and how to make a delicious one.
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Broccoli Nutrient Facts and Benefits
To save you from reading a boring nutrition information guide, I have compiled the health benefits of broccoli.
First, this vegetable is an excellent digestive supplement. If you are suffering from loose or constipated bowel movements, a regular serving of broccoli may be better than synthetic supplements.
Second, broccoli is brain food. It is rich in Vitamin K and choline. The former is proven to be beneficial in brain growth and cognitive development as well.
Third, it packs anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This means that it protects your cells to age poorly. Your tissues, due to wear-and-tear over time, get weaker as you grow old. So, it may be time to start eating a healthy breakfast with broccoli.
Finally, this cruciferous vegetable also keeps your hair healthy, makes metabolism faster, removes the toxins out of your body, and many more. Also, a cup of fresh broccoli only has 0.04 grams of saturated fat.
How to Include Broccoli In Your Green Smoothie
Chia seeds, oatmeal, and yogurt are examples of ingredients which you can add to your smoothie without significantly affecting its taste. This goes the same with broccoli.
In fact, when you use fruits in your smoothie, the broccoli taste is covered by the fruits due to its neutral flavor. Therefore, you can add more broccoli to your drink than what you can usually eat and still enjoy your drink. This is what high broccoli-to-drink ratio means.
Let us say you suddenly crave a banana kale smoothie but want to use all the leftover broccoli in your pantry. Your first move should be to run it through water before steaming or blanching it, which makes it tender.
Unless you are using a high-powered blender, you should get first steam or blanch the broccoli or if necessary, remove the stems when you add it to your drink since it can add a chalky texture.
Also, since it is blended and not juiced, all of the broccoli is included in your smoothie. When you juice a vegetable, the fiber-rich pulp gets discarded. All the nutrients will be absorbed faster by your body due to its now liquid form.
Broccoli Green Smoothie Recipes
A healthy green smoothie consists of plenty of mix of vegetables, fruits, and other organic ingredients. Whether its kale or spinach, all of the vegetables in your nearby market can be made into a power drink.
Here are three broccoli smoothie recipes that I use to make at home. The recipes use other vegetables like kale leaves, which belongs to the cabbage family like broccoli.
Super Fresh Broccoli Smoothie Recipe
Start your day feeling energized with this green smoothie recipe. This smoothie will be your perfect companion in the morning.
- 1 regular size apple
- 1 cup of steamed broccoli
- ½ cup blueberry
- 1 cup almond milk
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- 1 cup ice
Just blend all the ingredients thoroughly. Make sure you add the ice before the other ingredients so your blender can crush it once you start it.
I sometimes add a couple of fresh mint leaves if I have it, that will add the freshness feelings.
Pineapple Kale Smoothie with Broccoli
If you are feeling under the weather or have a constipated gut, this drink is for you. This broccoli pineapple kale smoothies recipe will make you feel cleansed. Taste the kale in a moderate amount, and you’ll also have proper digestion for the day.
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- ½ cup chopped pineapple
- 1 ½ cups chopped kale leaves
- ½ cup almond milk
- ½ cup ice
That is all. After all, the best kale smoothie recipe is the simplest one.
Broccoli Smoothie Bowl Recipe
There are nights where you suddenly crave a hearty bowl of ice cream. A smoothie bowl has the same texture with a unique taste. Why not replace the ice cream? Eat with no guilt with this smoothie recipe.
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1 cup apple
- 1 cup kiwis
- ½ cup mango
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cup pre-soaked chia seeds
- 1 cup mixed fruits and nuts as toping
Winding it Up
If you dislike broccoli but want its health benefits, the best way of intake is to blend it into your smoothie. Think of it like this: in just one sitting, you have consumed days’ worth of fruits and vegetables.
We hope this guide convinced you to add broccoli to your diet. All of us want to live the best life we can have. Eating good is an easy way to do it.
