Kick-start your day with this healthy and energizing Kale Beet Smoothie, packed with nutritious goodness, natural sweetness, and a vibrant color. This is great way to fuel your body and keep you energized through the morning!
Energy Boosting Ingredients
This kale beet smoothie recipe is filled with energy-boosting ingredients:
Beets are a nutritional powerhouse with lots of energy boosting components that provides a subtle earthy flavor to the smoothie.
- Dietary Nitrates: Beets are naturally high in dietary nitrates, which are converted into nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide helps widen and relax blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, enhancing energy production and reducing fatigue. Beets can also improve your blood pressure.
- Vitamin C: Beets are a good source of vitamin C, which plays a vital role in energy production. Vitamin C helps convert food into energy and also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress that can lead to fatigue.
- I recommend using raw beets for this smoothie. Just make sure to peel and roughly chop them.
Kale
- Fiber: Kale is rich in dietary fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents energy crashes. The gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream helps sustain energy levels and prevents sudden spikes and drops.
Coconut water
- Electrolytes: Coconut water has more electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium which can help replenish minerals lost through sweating during physical activity. This can aid in rehydration which is important for exercise, cognitive function, and more.
Banana
- Quick carbs: Bananas are a great source of natural sugars which can provide a quick source of carbohydrates, which can be beneficial for an energy boost.
Mixed Berries
- Fiber: Berries have dietary fiber which can help regulate blood sugar levels and provide a steady release of energy over time. They also contain natural sugars, such as fructose, which can provide a quick source of energy.
This kale beet smoothie is one of my favorite smoothies of all time, and I think it will be yours too! I love the vibrant color form the red pigments of the beets and a subtle sweetness from the berries and beets. If you love smoothies, check out my Creamy Strawberry Smoothie Bowl!
Substitutions & Variations
- Use frozen blueberries or raspberries instead of mixed berries
- Use a non-dairy milk (like soy milk or almond milk) instead of coconut water.
Add some extra flavor or nutrients...
- Add in maple syrup for a touch of sweetness
- Chia seeds or Hemp seeds
- Fresh ginger for added nutritional benefit and a little spice in the smoothie
- Healthy fats like nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter, etc)
- More protein with Greek yogurt or vanilla protein powder
Equipment
- High speed blender or a regular blender
Instructions
Start by peeling and roughly chopping your beet. Remove the stems off your kale.
Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until creamy and smooth.
FAQ
No, this recipe uses a raw beet. Simply peel and roughly chop your beet before adding to your blender. You can cook it if you would like.
When it comes to choosing kale for a smoothie, the most commonly used variety is Curly kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica). Curly kale has a slightly bitter but pairs well with the sweetness of the smoothie. Its curly leaves blend easily and create a smooth texture in the finished smoothie.
Yes, just use less liquid. I recommend a high speed blender. Start off with just ¼ cup of coconut water and add more as needed for desired texture.
Tips
- Use frozen bananas and mixed berries to create the best texture.
- Thoroughly wash the kale leaves and remove the tough stems (they can leave a grainy, fibrous texture)
- Peel your raw beet with a vegetable peeler and roughly chop so it blends more easily.
Try these other refreshing breakfasts:
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Energizing Kale Beet Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 medium raw beet peeled & chopped
- 3 kale leaves rib & stem removed
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 frozen banana
- ¾ cup coconut water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional for added sweetness)
Optional toppings
- granola
- hemp seeds
- chia seeds
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in high speed blender. You may need to blend for an extra few minutes to ensure kale and beet are fully blended.
- Enjoy by itself or top with granola, chia seeds, or hemp seeds.
Notes
- Use frozen blueberries or raspberries instead of mixed berries
- Use a non-dairy milk (like soy milk or almond milk) instead of coconut water.
- Add in maple syrup for a touch of sweetness
- Chia seeds or Hemp seeds
- Fresh ginger for added nutritional benefit and a little spice in the smoothie
- Healthy fats like nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter, etc)
- More protein with Greek yogurt or vanilla protein powder
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