Let's talk about how to get clear skin... because the struggle is real! I've had my own issues with teen acne and then adult acne — it seemed like I couldn't escape it! Yet once I tweaked a few things in my life, it made such a difference (as you can see in he photos below). If you have sensitive skin, eczema, acne or psoriasis, I hope you read on to learn what the clear skin diet is all about.
I asked my friend and Rawkstar Supply Co. shop manager, Erin Mottayaw, to write this post and share her journey with finding the best foods for clear skin. I think you'll be inspired and learn some great tips to get your skin looking amazing.
Erin's journey to get clear skin
Most of my life I was a "makeup kind of gal" because I didn't have good skin. It was sensitive, prone to breakouts, and splotchy. I tried every cleanser, soap, mask, and more to try and tame my face, shoulders, and arms, yet nothing worked.
After trying one of Jen's green smoothie recipes, I was intrigued, but a total newbie. Yet it's amazing how quickly I changed:
- I swore I'd never drink a green smoothie without dairy—now I use water or almond milk as the base.
- Then I said I'd never blend (or eat) kale— now I literally have a 4x4 ft container garden of kale. That's 18 kale plants that I treat like my own offspring!!!
- Finally, I said I'd never leave the house without makeup. These days, you'll only find me in makeup on date night. Why? Because I discovered the secret of the clear skin diet, and I'm never going back.
Clear skin diet: where to start?
Jen talked about the glowing, clear skin she experienced with green smoothies, yet I was skeptical. I always had a kitchen full of fresh fruit growing up, yet I still had bad skin.
I agreed to try Seasonal Cleanse, when Jen was asking friends to test it out and share feedback. For 21 days, I ate a TON of plants, drank a bunch of water and avoided these food groups entirely:
- dairy
- meat
- alcohol
- processed sugar
- gluten
We replaced all these things with plants: fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains.
As hard as it was to do, that cleanse made me see the light. My skin started to clear up around day 5. By day 15, I was acne free... for REAL!
The results of a clear skin diet
I never realized just how much food played into my skin issues, until I gave up dairy and sugar on this cleanse. I saw that certain foods were causing my acne and others were promoting overall health like...
- Better skin- All my life I had these red bumps on the backs of my upper arms. Embarrassing and annoying. When I fueled my body with whole foods for clear skin, these bumps vanished. Food did what medication hadn't accomplished.
- Healthier nails- My nails were easily broken and thin, yet now are super strong, healthy, and beautiful.
- Less acne- I thought acne was just for teenagers until mine never left, even after college. A few months of daily smoothies + a cleanse changed all of that. I notice that when I stop drinking smoothies daily, my skin is all too eager to let me know.
- Better sleep- Cleansing forced me to listen to the sleep needs my body had, and led me to better sleep habits over all.
- New passions- Through eating whole food, I gained a new found love for baking, cooking, and gardening. I even started a small pallet garden in my townhouse, so that we could use the herbs for smoothies/future cleanses. Now I'm growing a large garden thanks to amazing #floridagrowingseasons, and I'm growing food my college-self didn't even know existed.
I included numbers 4 + 5 because believe it or not, stress can show in our skin. Lack of sleep leads to bad eating habits, greater stress, and premature aging. I find my stress levels go down when I sleep better, as well as when I work on projects that fuel my passion. Both of those have the space to take place in my life when I'm eating foods that give me strength and longevity, not foods that work against me.
Now: after the cleanse, my family still eats meat and the occasional dairy. Yet now we also make sure to include plenty of plant based meals to our week as well.
Best foods for clear skin
So what kinds of food can one expect in a whole food, clear skin diet? A lot of beautiful + delicious plants! Here are some incredible whole food, plant based ingredients that will help your skin look great both now and in the future:
- Avocado- Personally, dairy makes my skin worse. Avocados are not only a great creamy sub food for my clear skin diet, they also fight adverse effects from UVA/UVB rays, according to this study by the National Library of Medicine.
- Walnuts- rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, walnuts are a powerhouse in fighting inflammation.
- Sweet potatoes (and other orange veggies)- beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, and acts as a natural sunblock.
- Red/yellow bell peppers- also full of beta carotene, these specific bell peppers contain tons of vitamin C, which promotes the collagen that keeps skin firm.
- Broccoli- the sulforaphane found in broccoli protects against skin cancer, according to this study.
- Berries- low in sugar, high in flavor and antioxidants, berries will help generate glowing skin.
Looking for a clean, organic way to up the protein in our Clean Skin Diet Smoothie?
My plant based Protein Smoothie Boost is a perfect one to use. It blends smoothly into any smoothie and increases protein by 10 g per serving. That would make the recipe below a whopping 24.5 g of protein per serving!
Foods to avoid when eating for clear skin
Here are foods/ingredients to steer clear of when figuring out how to get clear skin:
- Processed sugar: refined sugar causes acne due to increasing blood sugar in the body, creating inflammation.
- Dairy: though you may not have a dairy intolerance, consuming it can disrupt your hormones, creating acne and eczema.
- Complex carbohydrates: processed foods of any kind can interrupt the body's natural processes, clog pores, and create reactions that are seen in the skin. Reading labels and limiting overall intake of processed food can lead to healthier, clearer skin (and keep your other organs thriving as well!).
- Alcohol: can affect our hormones and influence acne development.
6 Recipes to help clear your skin
- Vegetable Barley Soup: This soup is packed with fiber, which helps your digestive system get moving. The more toxins and waste you can excrete through your digestive system, the less chance your skin has to do it.
- Carrot Ginger Soup: This warm and cozy soup contains fresh ginger root which is a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Sleep Well Smoothie: This bedtime smoothie encourages sleep, which in turns helps your skin out.
- Apple Celery Smoothie: This smoothie is low in sugar and high in fiber.
- Alkaline Smoothie: Ingredients shown to hydrate your skin leaving it happier and clearer.
- Pineapple Clear Skin Smoothie: The smoothie recipe below originated from the Seasonal Cleanse-day cleanse and contains avocado, the ultimate beauty skin food.
Drop a comment letting me know some of your fav foods for glowing skin, and let me know if you try this smoothie!
Clear Skin Diet Smoothie
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 ½ cups spinach
- 1 cup coconut water (unsweetened)
- 1 cup pineapple (frozen)
- ¼ avocado
- 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)
Instructions
- Blend spinach and coconut water until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.
Malika Beedassee
Hello.
Really impressed by this article.
I will surely try to download the recipes and start over diet for acne and share my feedback.
Thank you for supporting people like me who is fighting with acne since a teenager.
Veera
Very good article for good health.
Simple Green Smoothies
Thanks so much, Veera! Hope you enjoy blending up the smoothie and enjoying some skin benefits! 🙂
RaeAnne
Just got some avocados in my produce box so pulled up this recipe. I forget how creamy avocados make a smoothie! I've been having some hormonal acne recently, and love knowing I'm drinking something that helps my skin.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi RaeAnne - Avocados are an awesome way to make any smoothie creamy - we agree! So glad you're able to use them to help balance things out and get that skin glowing!
Donna Herrero
I just started the 7 day detox. Woo woo!!! My green smoothie is absolutely Delicious. With food this good I know I can follow through. Thanks.
Simple Green Smoothies
Awesome job, Donna! You're a detox rawkstar!!!
Liv
very good smoothie and my skin actually began clearing!!
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad you're blending up this antioxidant rich smoothie to your skin's benefit, Liv!
Anastasia Feldman
How would I be able to use this smoothie on my face, how long do I wait till I wash it off?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey there Anastasia! Interesting question! Actually Jen was saying that tongue and cheek. She just wanted to emphasize that the ingredients are so clean and helpful to the skin. We hope you've been blending and noticing some helpful differences. 🙂
lina lora
Hi! Could I use coconut milk ?
Simple Green Smoothies
You can totally use coconut milk here, although we'd def recommend it be plain and unsweetened if possible.
Rhianna
I’ve tried this smoothie and love it! How often is it advised to drink for clear skin benefits? I wouldn’t say I have severe acne but I get little blemishes here and there which always add to insecurity.. it taste’s so good although I did substitute the coconut water for almond milk as my local shop didn’t have any
Simple Green Smoothies
Any of our smoothies can be blended as often as every day if you'd like when working on a specific condition like acne. However, we'd highly recommend you switch up the greens regularly in that smoothie to avoid an unhealthy build up of alkaloids. For great suggestions on which greens to use, check out our Ultimate Guide to Leafy Greens.
Eva Lemley
Simply delicious! And creamy and so fresh tasting to boot.
ANNA
This smoothie has been helping me. I am looking for a new breakfast/dinner recipe
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Anna - check out our Meal Replacement Smoothies for some great new recipe options!
Rafael
Hi there! i just had a question. I'm starting a new green juice journey lol and I started today with a green smoothie for breakfast, and as most people, I shared it on Instagram, but a friend responded and said to make sure to add protein to all my juices and smoothies, but I haven't seen that as an ingredient for your recipes. Do I need it? My goal is just to lose some weight and also to add more greens to my body.
Simple Green Smoothies
Awesome question! You have a very smart friend, actually! If you're going to be using your green smoothie as a meal replacement, yes - you should def add clean protein (like...um...Protein Smoothie Boost from Simple Green Smoothies for example!) and healthy fat (I'm looking at you avocado or MCT oil). Any of our recipes can be turned into a complete meal that way. If you're smoothie is more of a snack or dessert, then feel free to rawk it as is without those add-ins. Happy blending!
JD
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Simple Green Smoothies
You can absolutely use fresh pineapple! Really, is there anything better? Honestly, it's like candy. We opted to say 'frozen' in our recipe because using at least 1 frozen item in a smoothie helps it to be deliciously cold. Totally up to the one doing the blending though.
Kathy
My skin it’s becoming really bad, I eat everything that is bad for me. I’m 54 I once had great skin . Never had acne as a teenage . Please help I’m addicted to sugar, salt. Can’t leave my home without makeup I’m inspired by your story !!!
Simple Green Smoothies
We hear ya Kathy! Those addictions can be strong ones. We'd suggest you try one of our cleanses to help kick those habits, create healthy new ones and put you on a path to more clear, glowing skin. Check out our Fresh Start 21-Day or Thrive 7-Day Reset cleanses in our Rawkstar Shop.
Candice Govender
Hi there
I am needing major help in getting my metabolism back in gear... so sluggish and acne playing up.
What diet plan can I follow to get on track again, targeting wellness, weightloss and hopefully get my skin clearer too? Please help
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Candice - We've got you! Check out our Metabolism Tea Recipe and our Thrive 7-Day and Fresh Start 21-Day Cleanses in our Rawkstar Shop. Remember that small steps work best for lasting change!
LO
Can you substitute the water? Maybe Alkaline water
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi LO - you can def sub the coconut water with alkaline water, plain water or unsweetened coconut milk for this recipe.
Jessica
This is one of my go-tos. Few ingredients, delicious, and awesome benefits!
Simple Green Smoothies
I couldn't agree more!
Kat
I have this smoothie a lot. Like... a lot, a lot. It's so good I never mind having it over and over!
Simple Green Smoothies
Same, Kat!!
Kim
I love the pineapple in this! Make me feel like I'm on vacation. 😉
Simple Green Smoothies
It's such a great tropical flavor!
Amanda
I love this recipe! I especially love adding herbs like mint, cilantro, or ginger for an added herbal boost!
Simple Green Smoothies
Herbs would a great addition to this smoothie!
Esperanza Chavez
WOW! I can’t wait to see and feel the benefits of this smoothie!
Simple Green Smoothies
Awesome, Esperanza!
April Burnett
Love this smoothie! So sweet and fresh, doesn’t feel like you’re drinking a green smoothie, it feels like a tropical vacation!
Simple Green Smoothies
So true!! I love adding some unsweetened coconut flakes to get a piña colada vibe. 🙂
Olivia
This is such a refreshing smoothie! I love it.
Simple Green Smoothies
Me too! It's part of my regular rotation. 🙂
Bonnie
Just made it and it is DELICIOUS!!! My new go to smoothie.
Simple Green Smoothies
It really is delicious!
Roz
I'm always looking for a smoothie blend that's good for the skin. I'm not a big fan of avocados, though. I will have to swap it for flaxseeds or chia seeds.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Roz,
Swap in a healthy fat that you love. Like you said, flaxseeds or chia seeds can both be great options! Coconut oil is another great choice too!
Sonya
What fruit can I substitute the avocado with? Also can I drink this smoothie everyday for breakfast to help with my skin?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Sonya,
Looking to swap out the avocado, swap in another healthy fat you enjoy! Two of my favorites are coconut oil and flaxseed oil. Learn more about them here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
You can definitely blend this recipe several times a week for glowing skin. Just make sure + switch up your leafy greens to prevent oxalate buildup. You can learn more about the importance of rotating your leafy greens here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
Krista Wooley
Yummmm!! One of my all time favorites. The texture is awesome and the taste is super delicious!
Simple Green Smoothies
I totally agree!!
Fidel
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It's always useful to read articles from other writers and use something from other sites.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Fidel,
Thanks for your support and we're happy we could help you learn more about green smoothies!
Sandy
Can you use pomegrants in smoothies?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sandy,
Pomegranates are a great addition to your green smoothie! In addition to being high in antioxidants, they are also a good source of potassium, folate, vitamins C and K, and fiber, if the full seed is eaten.
Check out one of our favorite recipes here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/pomegranate-smoothie
Nathalie kay
Helloo, anything whats a good replacement for spinach
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Nathalie,
We love switching up our leafy greens! One of our favorite substitutes for spinach is kale. They both have a mild flavor but are packed with nutrients!
Learn more about our favorite leafy greens here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
Katie
This is my favorite!!! I always feel like I'm vacation when I drink it! 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Katie!
Thanks so much for reaching out + for your kind words! We're so happy to have you as part of our community :). This recipe was definitely inspired by some of our own tropical vacations! Sometimes you just need to feel like you're on the beach!
Cheers :).
Mary Mustafa
I cannot eat bananas...what is a good replacement for them in these smoothies?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Mary!
Thanks so much for reaching out! Feel free to swap out the banana for any fruit that you love :). Avocado is my personal favorite banana swap (it helps keep the creamy texture!), but pineapple, mango, and peaches or nectarines are also great substitutes!
Cheers :).
Heather Sell
Hi! Coconut water is expensive and I can't afford it. Are there any cheaper alternatives? Also, while this recipe doesn't call for it, are there dairy free alternatives to Greek yogurt for the recipes that call for Greek yogurt?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Heather,
We've got you covered! Water is the perfect substitute for coconut water, and easy on the wallet. Learn more about our favorite liquid base options here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk
And don't worry, you won't find dairy in our green smoothie recipes. It's all about finding what works for you + your body, but for us we prefer to avoid dairy and reach for alternatives like coconut and almond milk.
Cheers!
Kiki
Hi, do you know how many calories/kj this smoothie is per serve? Thanks
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kiki,
We personally don't count calories, so we don't include them in our recipes at this time. You'll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you'll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.
Bianca
Hi,
I am so excited to start my free 30 day challenge. I was wondering if I can substitute almond butter for peanut butter? I also suffer from constipation and wanted to know if there is anything I should avoid putting in my green smoothies?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Bianca,
We're so excited to have you blending with us! Of course you can swap in peanut butter! Peanut butter + almond butter occupy similar niches in a healthy diet, and can often substitute for the other in most recipes! We love nut butter made from almonds because it contains more vitamin E and iron than peanut butter, but we love both!
Worried about constipation? The leafy greens + fiber in our recipes are perfect for helping you keep regular! Ensuring that you drink plenty of water with your green smoothie will help too!
Cheers!
sheena
Hi
I purchased the smoothie recipes a while ago and I cant find them on my computer or email. Can you please resend them to me.
thanks
Sheena
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sheena,
We want to get those recipes to you right away! Send a quick message to our team at the link below...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/contact
Heather Sell
I have leftover guacamole (it's a little spicy but not too spicy). What would you recommend adding to a smoothie if substituting guacamole for plain avocado?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Heather,
Yum! Adding a little spicy guacamole sounds like a tasty idea. No need to add anything else. If you find your smoothie too spicy, you can always add a little more fruit to help balance the flavors.
Cheers!
Natalie
Hi please can you help me I have been cutting my fruit up & freezing it but then when I take it out of the fridge some of it has turned bad, what is the best way to make the smoothie as I don't have time in the mornings to start cutting fruit
Thanks in advance
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Natalie,
Oh no! We hate hearing that your fruit is turning bad in the freezer. How are you freezing your fruit? We suggest slicing up your fruit, and then placing on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, store in an airtight freezer-safe container or prep your smoothies! Some fruit will experience browning like banana, apple + avocado. But don't worry the taste + health benefits are still there!
Learn more about prepping your green smoothies here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/frozen-smoothie-packs
Shelley
Hello, I have just found your site, and also signed up for the 30 day challenge. I am hoping to start this week after making a trip to Sam's on Wed. I have 2 questions, all your recipes make enough for 2 servings. Do you not recommend halving the recipe to make just 1 serving, or does it matter? Also, I was reading about your 21 day cleanse but it states it is not available right now. Is that a book that I need to order that is just out of stock or how does that work? Thanks so much!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Shelley,
Thanks for reaching out! We're so excited to have you join our 30-Day Challenge! You're right all of our recipes make 2 servings, because we love sharing the green smoothie love with others. Know you only want one serving? Simply halve our recipes!
We're so excited to hear you're interested in our Fresh Start 21 Day Cleanse. We're currently revamping our cleanse to ensure we're providing our community with the best resource possible! We'll be relaunching our cleanse at the end of January, we hope you will join us!
Want to be the first to know when our cleanse is available? Make sure and sign up here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/21-day-cleanse
Cheers 🙂
Shelley
Awesome! Thanks so much for the info and such a timely response.
SGS Rawkstar
You're so welcome, Shelley! Reach out with any questions! 🙂
Isabel
Hi! Does the pineapple have to be frozen or can I use pineapple fresh from the store?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Isabel,
We suggest using at least one frozen fruit in each of our recipes to make your smoothie cold + creamy!
Cheers 🙂
Breanna
Hi!
What can I use instead of avocado? I live in Jamaica and avocado is seasonal so it's not available right now. Can I use coconut oil? What other options can I use to help clear my skin?
Thanks for your tips!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Breanna,
We love using avocado because it's packed with healthy fats! Coconut oil is a great substitute! Learn more about our favorite healthy fat sources here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
Kisha
I have frozen pineapple juice, can I use that instead of the actual fruit? Or does it have to be the fruit?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kisha,
Great question! We love using whole fruits in place of juice so you're receiving health benefits from the whole fruit. When juicing you're missing out on a lot of the fiber we love in our recipes!
Stance
Listen guys, I have a quick question I'm hoping someone on this website can help me with. I'm new to juicing although I've been enjoying store bought smoothies for years! (Tropical Smoothie, Bolthouse Farms and Naked Green Goodness Smoothies) Because of how delicious the Naked Juice Green Goodness smoothies are specifically I was all in on purchasing my own machine.
The recipe's on this site sound delicious and I just signed up for the 30 Day challenge.
Here's my issue. I have a Nutribullet Pro and while I've only used it a handful of times, I'm having great difficulty getting my concoctions to turn out as thoroughly blended as what's shown in the pictures. As a matter of fact, there are always little bits of parsley or spinach floating throughout the mixture which I need to chew in order to get down.
Now, I've been blasting with water only up to this point and plan on introducing almond milk, but wonder what else I need to do in order to insure that my blended vegetable/fruit mixtures come out as smooth and appetizing as the ones in the pictures.
I've tried researching this on the net, but have thus far not come up with anything conclusive.
Any and all help is appreciated.
P.S. I know that I don't have one of the Vitamix blenders, but, at present, that brand is a bit above my price range.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Stance,
Thanks for reaching out, we've got you covered! First, you don't need a pricey blender, you've got a green smoothie rawkin' machine at home! I personally love my NutriBullet and wouldn't trade it for the world!
Our #1 tip for blending creamy smoothies without leafy pieces is to blend your leafy greens + liquid base first. Once your leafy greens + liquid base resemble a juice consistency add your remaining ingredients. Adding at least one frozen fruit will help too!!
Check out more tips here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/perfect-blend
And just a quick FYI for using your NutriBullet. To ensure everything blends perfectly halve our recipes and add a little additional liquid base to create a creamy delicious green smoothie!
Hope these tips help!!
Vonetta
Just made this to kick off my green juicing for the New Year - used cucumber instead of avocado and added ginger. Yum!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Vonetta,
Yum! We love blendin' with cucumber! We hope our recipes are a great addition to your 2016!
Cheers 🙂
Judith
Can I make these smoothies with a slowjuicer also?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Judith,
Of course you can! We love blendin', as you're fueling your body with the whole fruit with no loss of fiber. Learn more about the difference between blending and juicing here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/juicing-vs-blending-whats-the-difference
Monica
Hi,
I was wondering what can i substitute pineapple with? and it's my first time cleansing to lose weight .. do i take the same smoothie same day? how many times?
Thanks a lot 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Monica,
Thank you so much for reaching out! Looking to substitute pineapple? Try orange, grapefruit, or mango. This recipe is part of our cleanse, check out the full cleanse here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/21-day-cleanse
Interested in using your green smoothie for cleansing + weight loss? Try adding herbs to your favorite recipes. Learn more about our favorites detoxing herbs here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/green-smoothie-detox-herbs
You can also replace up to two meals with a Simple Green Smoothie. Our co-founder Jadah lost over 25lbs in three months by replacing one meal. Check out here story here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/about
If you're using your green smoothie as a meal replacement we suggest adding protein + healthy fats to ensure you're fueling your body with a complete meal. Learn about our favorite meal replacement combinations here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Hope this helps! Reach out with any questions!
Christina
Hi
If I don't have coconut water on hand can I just use water or do part coconut water and part water?
Thanks
Christina
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Christina,
We love coconut water in this recipe because it's super-hydrating + packed with electrolytes. Don't have coconut water on hand? No worries! Water is a great substitute!
Cheers 🙂
Lara
Hi, love this site! Can I use kale instead of spinach in this smoothie?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Lara,
Of course! We love switching up our leafy greens. Check out our favorite greens here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/leafy-greens
Cheers 🙂
Karen
Hi! I LOVE your story and this site! I am look forward to beginning the 21 day journey. #rawkon
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Karen,
YAY! We're so excited to have you as part of our SGS Tribe!! Keep us updated throughout your Fresh Start 21 journey!!
Sylvia
Hi! Can this smoothie be "skin cleanser" even if I use soya yogurt instead of avocado and coconut water? Should I change quantities? thank you
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sylvia,
Using yogurt and coconut water in this recipe will create a delicious green smoothie, but we love avocado in this recipe because it's packed with antioxidant carotenoids for healthy skin, vitamin C + E, and moisturizing monounsaturated fatty acids. Looking to improve your skin health? Check out our post on obtaining glowing skin here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-popsicle
sarah
Hi. I love this smoothie. Thanks for all the recipes.
Sarah
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sarah,
YAY! Thank you so much for blendin' with us! 🙂
Jaz
Hi
Can I add Greek yogurt or flavoured yogurt into smoothies?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jaz,
Of course! Adding yogurt is a great way to add protein to any green smoothie recipe! We personally don't add cows-milk yogurt to our recipes, as dairy is the #1 undiagnosed food allergy and can be pretty tough on your digestion. For that reason, we reach for almond milk or coconut milk yogurt! But it's all about finding what's best for you + your body!
Cheers 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jane,
Coconut water is filled with electrolytes and potassium, which are two nutrients your body craves when expending lots of energy. It’s low in calories, fat, and sugar meaning that this is the liquid-base you want when working out to help refuel + rehydrate your body! We call it nature's gatorade!
Kristina
Dear authors, I love this recipe! I added a pear today and I also put tahini butter, rolled oats and a little bit of chia seeds to make it a meal!
This week I have started to drink two smoothies a day and I feel great - very fresh and energized in difference to when I eat something with more carbs. And it saves me a lot of time to take care of my health, which I need! This is the best win-win!
Thank you for supporting this great site!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kristina,
Rawesome!! We love your additions! Pears add a great sweetness + rolled oats will keep you full + satisfied as they maintain your blood-sugar level + they're slow to digest (perfect for preventing a hungry tummy).
Cheers to being a total meal replacement rawkstar!!
Heather
Can I use regular water and substitute coconut water for coconut oil?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Heather,
Great question! Filtered water is a great substitute for coconut water (both are super hydrating and great for your skin), + no need to add coconut oil unless you're looking to add extra healthy fats to our Tropical Skin Cleanser Green Smoothie!
Cheers 🙂
Mona
Wonderful smoothie recipes. Everyday morning I am having kale, banana and berries mixed smoothie. I feel very fresh. Can I add raisins or dates to my green smoothie?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Mona,
Looking to add raisins or dates to your green smoothie? Go for it! They're the perfect way to sweeten up your favorite smoothie recipe!
Louann Snowley
Hi,
I have enjoyed the Beginners Luck Smoothie. I made it, froze half of it, drank the other half. Have you ever put carrots green tops in a smoothie?
Thank you,
Louann
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Louann,
We love carrots greens, have you seen our Beginner's Luck recipe with tops?
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/beginners-luck-with-tops
Learn more about our love for carrots here...
Rochelle
Hi I'm new to the green smoothie movement and was wondering whether using packaged frozen fruit is as beneficial as buying regular fruits and cutting them up myself? I'm really amped to get this July challenge going 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Rochelle,
We love using fresh + frozen fruits, both offer a great nutritional tasty boost to any recipe! We suggest adding at least one frozen fruit to ensure your smoothie is creamy + chilled to perfection!
Cheers!
Kathleen
My whole family drink green smoothies now. They are called Hulk drinks around here. My son(6) gave them the name. we make it with frozen mango, coconut oil, banana, baby spinach, and apple and water and ice as the base ingredients and add extras sometimes of sorrel, mandarin, pear, lemon juice and parsley.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kathleen,
Hulk Drinks, WE LOVE IT, and we especially love sharing our green smoothies with Little Rawkstars! Keep blendin' those leafy greens!
Jennifer
Im super interested in keeping my skin hydrated and healthy. I am allergic to pineapples, is there another fruit that I could subsitute or another shake to try? Thanks so much!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jennifer,
Allergic to pineapple, we've got you covered! Mango, oranges or peaches are all great options! We love to put our best face forward, and that means skin health! Here are a few of our favorite tips for glowing clear skin...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-popsicle
Lori
I'm allergic to coconut, what would you recommend in place of the coconut water? Just plain water?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Lori,
If you're allergic to coconut, swap in another liquid base you love! Water is a great option! Here are some of our other favorites...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk
maru
hi there just wondering my 17 month old can take little sips of these smoothies? she just won't eat vegetables and trying to look for other ways so she can have vegetables in her diet
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Maru,
Thanks for reaching out! We love sharing our green smoothies with little rawkstars! When your child is that young, we suggest checkin' with your pediatrician first! If they give you the go ahead, check out our tips for sharing green smoothies with your little ones here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/smoothie-recipes-for-kids
colleen
Hi, I was just wondering if you can make green smoothies in advance and store them in the fridge for a day or two or do they lose nutritional value if you don't drink them straight away?,
thanks
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Colleen,
Some people say you have to drink it “right away” to get the optimal nutrients from each blend. But if left in the fridge over-night for one to three days, the taste and satisfaction is still there. You also may add a small amount of lemon juice to preserve and keep the smoothie blend as fresh as possible. Your body is still reaping the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables even if it is not consumed right away.
Cortez
I love you all! I started doing nutritious smoothies just 4 days ago as my breakfast. I usually don't like solid foods in the morning. I am so grateful that I had already liked your Instagram page months ago. My first smoothie was the TROPICAL MANGO-RITA.I just substituted the spinach for kale--my favorite veggie!! Thanks sooo much!! I'm going to try this one now. I have eczema, and am going to be getting some shea butter, African Black Soap, and then drink this smoothie. I am sooooo excited!!! y'all are uber-motivating me!! Thanks.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Cortez,
We're so excited to have you blendin' with us! Keep us updated on your skin improvements while enjoying Simple Green Smoothies!
Cheers 🙂
Nima
Hi I am new to your smoothie site will I be able to lose my weight if I go on green smoothies for one meal substitute ?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Nima,
Everyone is different! Our co-founder Jadah lost 25 lbs in 3 months by replacing one meal with a Simple Green Smoothie!
If you want to burn fat, you want to include plant-based smoothie ingredients that have the following weight loss effects:
-Jump start your digestion
-Burn excess fat
-Reduce and expel bad cholesterol
-Provide energy for your cardiovascular system
-Detox and hydrate your body
-Promote healthy bowel movement
-Decrease your appetite for processed foods and sugars
The Kiwi Berry Punch is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense smoothie recipe that combine the best fruits and veggies for an optimal approach to healthy weight loss.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/fat-burning-smoothie
The best part about a green smoothie--you can use a smoothie as a low-calorie meal replacement because they are full of fiber which keeps your body feeling fuller longer.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Alana
I think I'm missing something...is unsweetened coconut water the coconut water w/out flavor? I don't see anything that says unsweetened
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Alana,
Yes, unsweetened coconut water has no added sweeteners or flavors~ All coconut water will contain some sugar because it's naturally occurring in the coconut, but we just want to make sure you're not reaching for anything that has had any additional sugar added to it!
Teresa
Hi girls!
I love your site and I'm in love with the green smoothies since last month. I'm very thankful for your job, you girls are just so sweet!
But I have a problem with my smoothies. I don't know why but their texture isn't smooth (like on your photos). There are always this kind of larger pieces that haven't been blended. The reason could probably be my blender, which is very old, couldn't it? I just wanted to ask, because I can be doing something wrong. I always blend the liquid and leafs first, as the recipes say. Then I add the rest of ingredients, I blend the whole smoothie for about 3 minutes at maximum speed. And it never looks so smooth e.g. as the "Tropical Skin Cleanser" on the picture above...
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Teresa,
If blendin' your leafy greens + liquid base first isn't working for you, it might be that your blender is starting to lose it's strength. Including frozen fruit can help achieve a smoother consistency, and help breakdown any remaining leafy greens. Hope this helps!
Teresa
I've tried adding frozen fruits and it's so much better. Thank you very much! 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
That's great to hear! 🙂
Richa
if spinach is not on hand does kale provide the same benefits?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Richa,
If you like spinach then you will like kale. They are both known for their wide variety of nutrients, mild taste, and availability in your local markets.
prathama
Is there any substitute for coconut water. I reside in Baku, it isn't available here. Thank you
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Prathama,
The key to making Simple Green Smoothies work for you, is finding ingredients that are easily available in your area. Feel free to replace coconut water with one of these great options...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/how-to-make-a-smoothie-without-milk
Izzy
I know you all are great about saying just to substitute what we like, or leave something out of a recipe if we need to, but I was wondering specifically if you had a recommendation for a good avocado substitute. I am allergic to avocado, but I would still like as many of the nutritional benefits as possible. Thanks!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Izzy,
Banana is a great substitution for avocado to achieve that creamy texture! You can also add a healthy fat in place of avocado to receive similar health benefits. Here are a few of our favorites:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
Cheers 🙂
Cheyenne
Love love love you gals and your wonderful smoothie recipes, videos, and being so real... thanks for all of caring, your detox for 21 days was so great too!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Cheyenne,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We're so thankful to have you blendin' with us!