We love bananas, and use them often in our green smoothies. These yellow friends act as nature’s sweetener and also contain a boat load of nutrients like potassium, fiber and vitamin C. If your green smoothie tastes a bit like lawn clippings, try adding a banana or two. This will help turn a pulpy smoothie into a creamy and delicious smoothie — just how they should taste!
We often buy a few bunches of bananas if they’re on sale, and peel and toss them into the freezer once they ripen. So, if you need to chill down and sweeten a green smoothie, all you have to do is pull out a frozen banana.
Want to know how to freeze bananas? Check this out:
Step One: Be sure bananas are fully ripe – brown spots are your friend!
Step Two: Peel bananas and chop into 3 – 4 pieces.
Step Three: Place bananas in a single layer on a flat tray and place in freezer until frozen—this step helps prevent a clumpy banana mess.
Step Four: Take frozen bananas off of tray and place into a freezer bag or freezer-safe plastic container and store in freezer for later use.
Not big on bananas… or can’t eat them altogether?
Bananas are not the only natural sweetener out there. For those just not into bananas, try freezing them to reduce their flavor. You can also add other natural sweeteners like dates, figs, apples, peaches, grapes, or mangos to your green smoothies. Tip: Adding more sweet fruits to a recipe will help mask the “green” flavor—especially if you aren’t used to it!
Want the creaminess of a banana without the taste?
Bananas aren’t the only fruit that can make your smoothie thick and creamy. Avocados, mangoes, or even 2 tablespoons of chia seeds (soaked for a few minutes before blending) will help the consistency of your green smoothie and turn it into a creamy concoction.
Can’t I just add sugar?
We usually don’t add extra sweeteners to our green smoothies— fruit is all we use! If you still need a little extra something to enjoy your green smoothie, then try adding just a little real maple syrup or raw honey until you adjust to the green smoothie lifestyle. Please, please, please stay away from zero-calorie or artificial sweeteners—they act like toxins in your body.
Saying “no,” to b’naners altogether? We’ve dedicated this page just for you with our banana-free recipes!
December 6th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I’ve been using and recommending Raw Coconut nectar as a sweetener in smoothies and other recipes. It is currently produced in small amounts so it is GMO free and 100% organic. But the best part is that it is really low in the glycemic index yet sweet enough that only 1 spoonful may be all you need to get that extra sugar kick.
December 9th, 2013 at 9:53 am
How about Stevia , I saw some people recomend it, is it not a natural sweetener?
December 10th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Hi Sharon,
We have seen others use it, too. We would rather use whole foods to sweeten, but don’t really have anything against Stevia.
December 26th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Apart fruits, coconut nectar etc., the only safe sweetener is xylitol which is 100% natural (rather than a chemical). It occurs naturally in certain fruits (including berries) vegetables and mushrooms – and in our bodies. It doesn’t have that awful “artificial sweetener” taste either.
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January 2nd, 2014 at 6:30 am
Can I use stevia? Thanks for this challenge 🙂
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:31 am
Oops just saw the answer to this lol!
January 5th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Can I use driles dates as a sweetener?
January 6th, 2014 at 11:24 am
We love using dates!
March 7th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Can i use 100% agava nectar?!?
March 10th, 2014 at 10:16 am
We don’t recommend it, Tara.
March 11th, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Hi!
my daughter and i are looking forward to the green smoothie challenge! In the meantime we have started making green smoothies to try out different flavors and see which ones we like.
I find that berries and other fruits in winter are rather sour and do not do much to sweeten the smoothie. The bananas do help with sweetening the greens. I am concerned about the calories and sugar (albeit natural) that are in bananas since we want to lose weight too. I only use a half one, that seems to be enough. Should I be concerned about the sugar content in bananas or does the nutritional value outweigh the sugar concern?
Thanks!
Lisa
March 12th, 2014 at 8:00 am
Hi Lisa!
That’s a great question, and it can be answered differently for each person. There definitely is a higher “sugar content” in bananas than in some other fruits… But adding bananas is a way better option than using sweetened liquids, sugar substitutes, etc.
Hope this helps!
March 11th, 2014 at 11:08 pm
One other question….how beneficial are herbs to green smoothies?
Specifically, mint leaves. I found the strawberry mint Popsicle your site and LOVED it. I bought some Popsicle molds and they are a great treat! Better than the frozen fruit popsicles at the grocery store! For my smoothie “meal” I blended up spinach and mint leaves with strawberries- no other sweeteners. YUM! one of my favorites!
Lisa
March 12th, 2014 at 8:00 am
Check out this page for the benefits of herbs!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/detox-with-herbs/
March 25th, 2014 at 5:04 pm
During the challenge can I add vegan protein to my smoothie in the morning?
March 27th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Here’s our favorite ways to add protein, Paula!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/tips/protein
March 27th, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Thanks!!! I have vegan protein powder by SunWarrior.
April 1st, 2014 at 10:19 am
If I use dates to sweeten my smoothies do I need to soak the dates first? Do you chop them first or leave them whole?
Thanks!
April 2nd, 2014 at 10:16 am
We leave them whole, Claudia, though you can probably chop them, too. Not sure about soaking…
April 9th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I’d like to find a receipe to use some organic medjool dates I had bought, but am having a hard time finding one. Could it be possible to have a search box put on your website so we can search using ingredients we have on hand?
April 10th, 2014 at 7:09 am
How does this one sound?
Dan’s Creamy Apple Pie | Serves 2
2 cups spinach, fresh
1 ½ cups almond milk, unsweetened
3 apples
4 medjool dates (pitted)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
May 15th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
can enlighten me more about nutmeg please? do I buy the powder form like ground cinnamon in a bottle? if not, which section of grocery stall can whole nutmeg be found and can I simply put a whole one inside the blender and blend with the other ingredient of the smoothies? thanks. faith, singapore
May 16th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Yep, buy the powdered kind!
May 20th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
I have a question about the use of honey in smoothies since I must admit I love honey and am hoping it will help ease me into green smoothies as I am trying to get into them for health reasons.
How much raw honey do you recommend putting into smoothies? I noticed you said a little but does that mean like a teaspoon or two?
And does it matter what kind? I’ve found at a store nearby they have all kinds of raw honey flavor from orange blossom (my newly discovered fave) to the classic clover taste. Or as long as it’s raw and natural go for it?
May 21st, 2014 at 1:03 pm
If it’s raw and natural, then go for it. Try starting with a couple teaspoons and see how that works!
May 26th, 2014 at 7:03 pm
I am a type II diabetic and would like to know if there are any green smoothies which are recommended, or best, for diabetics.
I have read somewhere that banana should be avoided. Is there any real reason not to enjoy bananas?
May 27th, 2014 at 6:58 am
Hi Don!
Great question! Diabetes looks different for each person… For some, bananas are totally fine, while others should stay away from them. This article may be helpful for low-sugar fruits that would be good in green smoothies:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/low-sugar-fruits
June 6th, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Hi there. I have a function in a months time and I need to Lose around 4kgs. Which smoothies would u recommend
June 9th, 2014 at 8:02 am
This could be a good one, Faith:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/Recipes/kiwi-berry-punch