An easy-to-digest blended green smoothie is the perfect choice for a healthy transitional food from formula or milk to solid foods. The benefits of giving your baby green smoothies include the following:
They're easy to digest in a blended form.
They offer valuable nutrients from the fruits and leafy greens.
They help relieve constipation, a condition that often occurs as babies transition to solid foods.
They're more affordable than store-bought baby food.
They're fresher and more natural than canned baby food (no added refined sugar or preservatives).
Pear and Spinach Baby Green Smile
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Blending time: 1 minute
Yield: 2 servings
1 ripe pear
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 cup water
1 cup baby spinach, loosely packed
Cut the pear and remove the core, keeping the skin intact. Cut the flesh into quarters.
Combine the pear, banana, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 15 to 20 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the spinach and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 10 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour half the smoothie into a bowl or sippy cup and serve. Drink the remaining smoothie yourself or refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 24 hours.
Per serving: Calories 103 (From Fat 4); Fat 0.5g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 16mg; Carbohydrate 27g (Dietary Fiber 4g); Protein 1g.
Try adding 1 ripe peach instead of pear.
Apple, Avocado, and Baby Kale Love
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Blending time: 1 minute
Yield: 2 servings
1 red delicious or gala apple
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 cup water
2 baby kale leaves
Cut the apple and remove the core, keeping the skin intact. Cut the flesh into quarters.
Combine the apple, avocado, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 15 to 20 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the kale and blend again at medium speed for 15 to 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 10 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour half the smoothie into a bowl or sippy cup and serve. Drink the remaining smoothie yourself or refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 24 hours.
Per serving: Calories 120 (From Fat 54); Fat 6g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 20mg; Carbohydrate 18g (Dietary Fiber 5g); Protein 2g.
If you can't find baby kale, use 1 cup of baby spinach instead.
Mango and Peach Sunshine
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1 ripe mango
1 ripe peach
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup baby spinach, loosely packed
Peel the mango and cut the flesh away from the stone. Cut the peach and remove the stone, keeping the skin intact. Cut the flesh of both fruits into quarters.
Combine the mango, peach, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 15 to 30 seconds or until smooth.
Add the spinach and blend again at medium speed for 30 to 45 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high.
Pour half the smoothie into a bowl or sippy cup and serve. Drink the remaining smoothie yourself or refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 24 hours.
Per serving: Calories 97 (From Fat 4); Fat 0.5g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 27mg; Carbohydrate 24g (Dietary Fiber 3g); Protein 2g.