Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe - Kale, Mango, Strawberry (2024)

FAQs

What does the island green smoothie from Tropical smoothie have in it? ›

The inspiration for this smoothie comes from my favorite smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Café: the Detox Island Green Smoothie. Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Spinach, Kale, Fresh Ginger, that's it! It has the lowest calorie and sugar count on their smoothie menu.

Spinach is one of the best options, since it has a mild taste. Kale, chard, and collard greens can also be used in smoothies, but they should be paired with sweet fruits and other flavor boosters that disguise their bitter taste. Both raw and frozen leafy greens can be added to smoothies.

A green smoothie is definitely nutritious, but a diet consisting of only green smoothies (or any single food) isn't healthful. It has to be balanced out with whole grains, heart-healthy fats, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables. So go forth and rock that green smoothie!

How does tropical smoothie make their smoothies? They tend to use ice and a little bit of water to make the smoothies thick, but they add juice concentrate rather than normal juice so that it can balance with the ice. The concentrate is thicker than normal juice and is not as diluted as normal juice.

Generally, a tropical smoothie may contain added sugar from sources like: Sweetened Fruit Juices: Some recipes use fruit juices that contain added sugars for sweetness. Sweetened Yogurt or Frozen Yogurt: If the smoothie includes yogurt or frozen yogurt, it may contain added sugars unless it's speci.

Most Nutritious Option

The most nutrient-packed and healthy option at Tropical Smoothie Cafe is the popular Detox Island Green smoothie, thanks to its fresh vegetable and fruit ingredients.

(Per The Wall Street Journal, Stewart uses one from Breville. But a Vitamix or any other blender would also work). From there, she simply puts a few stalks of celery ("Don't cut the leaves off!"), some fresh spinach leaves, an entire cucumber, fresh ginger, and an orange (with peel) directly into the juicer.

Cruciferous vegetables—common ingredients in green smoothies—contain compounds called glucosinolates, which inhibit iodine uptake by the thyroid. This may result in a reduced ability of the thyroid gland to produce hormones, leading to reduced function and, potentially, thyroid disorder.

The answer is yes, absolutely. Green smoothies are still a great way to get the nutrients your body craves. But, as with anything else, be mindful of your choices — rotate your ingredients, wash produce thoroughly and allow yourself a few “smoothie-free” days every week so you can try other nutrient-dense foods.

Is it OK to put raw kale in a smoothie? ›

It's also a good source of vitamin C and iron. One cup of raw kale contains even more vitamin C than an orange! You can eat kale raw in a smoothie (no need to cook it first). The raw kale flavor is strong on its own, but the other ingredients mellow it.

The truth is that both spinach and kale are heart-healthy and are great choices. “Leafy greens are so good for you that you really can't eat too many,” says Patton. “In fact, they're considered heart-healthy superfoods.”

The best green vegetables to add to smoothies in terms of flavor profile and nutritional value include spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, zucchini, cucumber, and avocado (which is technically a fruit but is more commonly used as a vegetable).

Protein Powder. Protein smoothie recipes often contain protein powder, and Spivak says protein is an important part of a nutritious smoothie. “Protein builds and maintains muscle mass, and can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied,” she says.

Popular leafy greens for smoothies are spinach and kale. They include a lot of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Adding a range of greens to your smoothies, including collard or Swiss chard, can help diversify their nutritional profile.