Ananda Kaplan It is National Banana Bread Day so let us pay homage to this truly beloved food with our creamy, healthy and tasty Banana Bread Smoothie recipe. If you love the flavors of banana bread but do not have time to bake, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. From the first sip, this smoothie provides all the tastes you expect from banana bread, but in smoothie form. The combination of the bananas, yogurt, oats and spices make for a grab-n-go breakfast or afternoon snack rich in protein, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. This thick and frothy smoothie takes only a few minutes to throw together, but will keep you satisfied for hours!
Banana Bread smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup of oats
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 2 frozen bananas
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened nut butter
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Handful of nuts
- Handful of spinach
Directions
- Pour the milk and spinach in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add all remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Oats: Full of soluble fiber (beta-glucan), which has been shown to slow digestion, increase satiety, and bind to cholesterol to excrete it out of the body. Oats also have plant chemicals that act as antioxidants to reduce the damaging effects of chronic inflammation.
Plant-Based Milk: There are many different plant-based milk alternatives: soy, almond, cashew, oat, pea, hazelnut, etc. All are great non-dairy options whose mono-unsaturated fat supports cardiovascular health. Whichever type you choose, be sure to check for the presence of additives, and select products with no (or less) added sugar, no flavoring or thickeners such as carrageenan, guar gum, or vegetable oil.
Bananas: The riper the banana the more nutrients, so make sure to eat them when they are yellow, not green. High in magnesium and potassium to help with muscle recovery, increased blood circulation and building lean muscle. Bananas have been shown to increase serotonin (“the happy hormone”) production. They reduce bloated feeling and as pre-biotics, they support a strong digestive system by providing food for our “good” bacteria.
Yogurt: The live culture bacteria in yogurt makes this food a probiotic. Diversifying and increasing the good bacteria in our gut can strengthen your immune system, improve your mood, heal digestive disorders and boost overall health. The fermentation of bacteria breaks down the lactose in the milk into lactic acid making it easier to digest especially for people who are lactose intolerant.
Cinnamon: Shown to enhance motor function and normalize neurotransmitter levels. It can help improve insulin sensitivity and maintain stable blood sugar by interfering with numerous digestive enzymes that slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the GI tract.
Nutmeg: Shown to boost our mood by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine to decrease stress. It has also been shown to help relieve pain and relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
Nut butter and nuts: Packed full of heart-healthy fats that help raise the level of our good cholesterol. Also packed full of plant-based protein, fiber and antioxidants. They are rich in magnesium, a mineral that helps support the integrity of our nerves, muscles and bones; while balancing our blood sugar and blood pressure.
Maple Syrup: A sweetener that is an unexpected source of essential minerals for bone health, metabolism and brain functioning with more nutrient value than regular table sugar. This means that it will raise blood sugar slower than regular sugar. Also contains polyphenols to reduce inflammation and support a healthy immune system. The darker the maple syrup the more antioxidants it has. Note: Be sure to carefully read the food label when shopping for maple syrup. Many stores sell “maple-flavored syrups”, which are artificial products, high in refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup.
Spinach: Greens such as kale, spinach, collards, mustard greens, arugula, and chard have been shown to protect bones from osteoporosis, reduce inflammation, support a healthy gut, strengthen the immune system, protect cognition and supply a high amount of antioxidants. Leafy greens are considered to be among the best cancer-preventing foods.
