How To Make Any Green Smoothie For Toddlers And Kids

Green leafy vegetables for babies

Spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, lettuce, beet greens…so many varieties! Green leafy vegetables contain a host of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They are particularly rich in vitamin K, folate, and some even contain calcium and iron. So of course, we want our children to eat them. Except that bitter flavors are not those that they naturally gravitate towards, and oftentimes a ton of repeated exposures are needed before toddlers and kids learn to appreciate them. And if you have a baby, research shows that early exposure to bitter flavors may help increase acceptance and shape food preferences that will carry into childhood and beyond. So start early! Since introducing them to young babies can be a bit tricky, I show you exactly when and how to prepare them in my 3 month meal plan program. You will be able to incorporate so many different greens to your baby (and your entire family’s) diet with ease and confidence.

EASY Green Smoothies for babies and kids

Smoothies are a busy, tired mom’s dream because they are so easy to whip up and an awesome way to get a host of nutrients into our growing kids in one sitting. They’re especially great when your child is sick, doesn’t have much of an appetite, or is on-the-go a lot of times. I always aim to add some type of vegetable alongside the fruits. And since greens wilt quickly, adding them to smoothies helps reduce waste. And here are the top 12 veggies for smoothies! You can also freeze them, which is what I always do whenever I purchase a big container of spinach or baby kale. It’s SO convenient to have as you can easily add them to so many foods like, pancakes, muffins, cakes, and of course, these smoothies! I do want to encourage you to continue offering the greens in their natural state. Otherwise, you may find yourself constantly having to “sneak” them into their foods, which can hurt their trust and make things harder for you. And here are top 12 veggies to add to smoothies

Tips for Picky Eaters

If your child is really reluctant when it comes to their greens, start by adding less than the amount listed in the recipe. Gradually add more over time. Start with baby spinach as it’s the mildest in flavor amongst the greens. Freeze leafy greens if you can. This will help reduce the bitterness and cut back on waste. Just add them straight to the blender. There’s no need to defrost as they will thaw quickly. Same goes for fruits. You will end up with a smoother, creamier smoothie. You can certainly purchase from the store, but they are super easy to freeze at home and cheaper too! Don’t waste those ripe fruits, like brown bananas. We all have them ;).

Related Post: How to Freeze vegetables and fruits

Blend in the order listed. Otherwise you may get chunks of greens, and that’s not appealing. If your child won’t eat anything that’s green in color, try adding darker fruits, like blueberries, blackberries, and cherries. Involve your child in the process. The goal is not to hide or sneak veggies into your child’s meals. Allow them to see the ingredients, and interact with them by dumping into the blender. There are so many benefits to getting in the kitchen with your child, including increased willingness to try new/disliked foods. If your child only wants to add 1 measly piece of spinach (or none at all!) that’s ok! Pat yourself on the back for exposing your child to the food and try again next time! Add fat or protein, such as nuts, avocado, and yogurt. These help slow down the absorption of sugar and help keep your child fuller for longer.

Three “Hulk” Smoothie Recipes

I’ve provided a basic formula for whipping up any delicious green smoothie in the recipe card below. I thought I’d share three ideas to help get you started! Be creative and have fun coming up with all kinds of variations with your child!

Pear Green Smoothie

My son loves ginger and gets so proud that he can handle “spicy.” If your child isn’t a fan, feel free to leave out or add cinnamon instead. This one is the thinnest in consistency. If you desire a thicker, sweeter smoothie, add some frozen banana. How to Serve Pear to Babies

Sweet potato spinach smoothie

This is my son’s favorite out of the three. The color is darker than the others because of the sweet potato, so if your child won’t eat anything green, you can add more. But not too much. They probably won’t like a brown smoothie either (oh toddlers!). You can also make this with butternut squash!