A Fruity Carrier of Vitamins and Minerals
If you have a child who happily gobbles up plates of greens, consider yourself lucky! The rest of us can feel good feeding this Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie to our little ones, knowing that it’s loaded with iron-rich leafy greens, and plenty of vitamin C to help absorb essential nutrients.
Easy to pack in a sippy cup, green smoothies are also a great carrier for vitamins like vitamin D drops or iron that your pediatrician might recommend at some point.
Why Eat More Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are loaded with minerals like iron and magnesium, as well as vitamins including vitamin C, vitamin K, and B vitamins. They are a great way to increase the nutritional content of your children’s diet, something that is especially important if they are picky eaters.
And the best thing about green smoothies for children is that you really can’t tell they’re jam-packed with vegetables.
Is This Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie Healthy for Toddlers?
If you’re wondering if green smoothies are good for toddlers, the answer is yes. They’re great for any child who has started on solids, and for adults too! They are infinitely better than boxed apple juice and other coloring-loaded drinks. Some of the best green smoothies for toddlers contain just a few ingredients so you can see how your little ones react to them. Even just banana and spinach can be a winning combination!
A Winning Combination of Delicious Ingredients
In this Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie recipe, I am using a minimal amount of water, using whole oranges instead of extra fiber. If you don’t have any, feel free to use a cup of orange juice instead, or any kind of juice for that matter. Coconut water is also a great substitute for water. You can use regular packed coconut water, or go the extra mile and crack open a fresh coconut.
Then, I am adding strawberries, cherries, and blueberries. Not only do they provide flavors children often love, but they are all rich in antioxidants, vitamins including vitamins C and K, and minerals like manganese and copper. They have also been shown to protect against a multitude of illnesses.
The banana adds potassium and extra sweetness and helps thicken the smoothie a little. Because all these fruits are sweet and delicious, they completely overpower the leafy greens we’re adding next.
What Greens Should You Use in Green Smoothies?
You can use any greens you like, but for picky eaters, I recommend starting with baby spinach as it has a very milk flavor, and no one will know it is there thanks to the beautiful purple color of the drink. It’s also very easy to find pre-washed, making this Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie a snap to make.
If you’re feeling adventurous, Swiss chard goes great in green smoothies as well. When you’re done, give the blender container a good rinse, and you’re done!
This Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie blends up creamy and smooth, with a little tang from the oranges, sweetness from the berries, and a rainbow of nutrients that will leave your kids happy and nourished. It is a great recipe to sip while coloring the A Spider That Spit Fire coloring book!
If your children don’t happen to be big fans of smoothies, you can always freeze the mixture into delicious ice pops! You can also prep all the ingredients in advance and keep them in the fridge overnight to blend them in the morning before going to school or a fun outing.
If your kids like green smoothies, feel free to switch up the ingredients! Other great additions include peaches, mango, pineapple, coconut water, and more.
Vitamin C Rich Spinach Green Smoothie
Ingredients
2 oranges, peeled
1 1/2 cups strawberries, fresh
1 cup dark cherries, frozen
1 banana, fresh
1/2 cup blueberries, frozen
3 cups leafy greens, such as baby spinach
¾ cup water
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour into 4 8-oz glasses and enjoy.
