From avocado to kale and spinach, use these top tips to whip up deliciously healthy smoothies

<p>Move over green juice, healthy green smoothie recipes using whole avocados, spinach leaves, kale, kiwi and more are here to offer a more nutritious twist on the wellbeing trend.</p><p>From what to put in your smoothie recipes to getting the taste just right, here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about mixing up a delicious glass of greens.</p><h2>HEALTHY GREEN SMOOTHIE BENEFITS</h2><p>Why are green smoothies such a hit? Not only are they a quick and easy way to make sure you&rsquo;re getting more healthy green vegetables into your diet, but they tend to be lower in sugar that fruit smoothies too, and because most veggies are blended while raw, you get to enjoy nutrients that can sometimes be lost during cooking.</p><h2>BEST VEGGIES FOR GREEN SMOOTHIES</h2><p>Leafy greens like <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/kale" target="_blank">kale</a> and <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/spinach" target="_blank">spinach</a> are great for adding to green smoothie recipes, as they&rsquo;re packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/avocado" target="_blank">Avocados</a> are another source of brilliant nutrients and also contain ‘good fat&rsquo; which can be healthy for your heart. <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/Broccoli" target="_blank">Broccoli</a> and <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/Romaine%20Lettuce" target="_blank">Romaine lettuce</a> are also great additions, while a little <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/parsley/1/relevance-desc/so-false/Category%3A103099%3AFresh%20%26%20Chilled%3A%3ADepartment%3A103214%3AFruit%2C%20Vegetables%20%26%20Flowers" target="_blank">parsley</a> can be used to add a fresh herby taste. It&rsquo;s a good idea to vary the veggies you use, so that your body gets to enjoy a variety of nutrients from different sources.</p><h2>ADD FRUIT TO SMOOTHIE RECIPES FOR TASTE</h2><p>Some green veg like broccoli and spinach can be overpowering in smoothies, so it&rsquo;s a good idea to sweeten the taste by adding fresh or frozen fruits. Try kiwi, apple, pears, banana, pineapple or mango to enhance both the taste and texture, while using <a href="http://groceries.asda.com/search/Frozen%20fruit" target="_blank">frozen fruit</a> will mean your smoothie is instantly cold and refreshing.</p><h2>GET THE TEXTURE RIGHT</h2><p>The art of good smoothie making is all in the creamy texture. To make sure your smoothie isn&rsquo;t lumpy, start with a ‘base liquid&rsquo; like water, freshly squeezed fruit juice or coconut water (most green smoothie recipes will include suggestions for this in the ingredients list), and then add a creamy fruit like banana, avocado or mango, to make sure your leafy greens blend well when you blitz it all.</p><h2>WATCH OUT FOR SUGAR LEVELS</h2><p>When adding fruit and juices to your smoothie recipes, keep an eye on the sugar level. Most green veggies are very low in sugar, but some fruits can contain a lot of natural sugar which though healthy when consumed in small amounts, can be bad for teeth. If you&rsquo;re adding shop-bought juice rather than freshly squeezed, make sure you check the amount of added sugar in the ingredients list - it&rsquo;d be a shame to spoil your healthy green smoothie with hidden sugar!</p><h2>ENJOY AS A HEALTHY SNACK</h2><p>Green smoothies can be more filling than fruity ones, as they&rsquo;re packed with whole veggies and plenty of goodness. Enjoy yours as part of a healthy breakfast or lunch, or as a nutritious snack between meals. Most green smoothies can be stored in the fridge for up to two days in an air-tight container.</p>

Your ultimate guide to making tasty green smoothies

By Asda Good Living,16th November 2015

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