My Go-To Fruit-Free Mint Chip Smoothie

This smoothie was the first successful fruit-free / sugar-free smoothie I ever made, and I’m still as obsessed with it as I was on day one, and have it for breakfast on the reg. It’s a fantastic way to pack your morning with greens, while keeping you satiated well into the afternoon.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

• It tastes like mint chip ice cream (this should really be reason enough)
• It’s paleo and keto-friendly, and can be easily adapted to be vegan
• It will actually keep you FULL (especially when compared a fruit-based smoothie that will leave you hungry in a couple hours)

WHY IT’S GOOD FOR YOU

• MICRONURTRIENTS & PHYTOCHEMICALS (from spinach, chia and cocoa nibs) kick start your day with a boost of antioxidants which help prevent cell damage from free radicals
• COLLAGEN PROTEIN directly supports skin and healthy digestion
• FIBER (from chia seeds) keeps you feeling fuller for longer; supports the good bacteria in your gut; slows release of blood sugar
• HEALTHY FAT (from the sunflower seed butter and shredded coconut) keeps you satiated for longer; slows down digestion so you stay fuller for longer

NUTRIENT STAND OUTS

• Spinach – a serving a raw spinach contains almost double your daily need for Vitamin K, and an essential nutrient that supports blood clotting, but also helps your body use calcium to support bone health
• Sunflower Seed Butter – for anyone with nut allergies, IBS, or SIBO, sunflower seed butter is a great low-FODMAP option. High in fiber, sunflower seed butter is very low in net-carbs, and also contains high-levels of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) making it an antioxidant power-house. The healthy fat in the sunflower butter is also a critical component to make sure your body can actually use the fat-soluble vitamins (such as the vitamin K mentioned above) in the smoothie

WHAT YOU NEED

• 1 cup steamed then frozen zucchini – I promise you can’t even taste it (Steaming or blanching the zucchini first really helps digestion, and removing skins helps remove the lectins in zucchini which can also irritate the gut lining)
• 2-3 cups raw spinach 
• 2 scoops unflavored collagen peptides (vanilla collagen also works great, or sub for a plant-based protein if vegan)
• 1 (heaping) tbsp sunflower seed butter (almond butter also works)
• ½ cup gelled chia seeds (2 tbsp chia seeds soaked overnight in ½ cup almond milk)
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs
• Couple twists of pink Himalayan sea salt
• 1 dropper of stevia (or to taste)

HOW TO DO IT

• Blend spinach and chia pudding first, making sure the greens are fully blended, then add in everything else and blend
• Top with hemp seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes and more cacao nibs

*Modifications: If you forgot to soak your chia seeds overnight, try to soak them at least 30 minutes or sub acacia fiber. I’m not a fan of unsoaked chia seeds because they’re harder to digest 

Are you a fan of fruit-smoothies? Let me know your favorites!