We’ve all heard the saying – Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. The idiom simply highlights the importance of breakfast as the most important meal of the day. After a long break of almost 8 hours, it is necessary to supply your body with high-energy foods to kick start your metabolism.

But, in today’s times, we’re in such a hurry to leave home, that there is hardly any time to dish out a nutritious meal. Either we go without it or stop by at a local café for a cheese burger and cappuccino. Cheese burger and coffee is enough to satisfy hunger, but not a food item we would recommend for breakfast. Green smoothies definitely make a healthier substitute. And, the biggest advantage is it finds its place in a crammed schedule without making any fusses.

What are Green Smoothies?

Green smoothies are blend of fresh green-colored vegetables such as kale, Swiss chard, collard greens and spinach. It also includes herbs such as parsley and mint. Green smoothies no longer have the bland – bitter taste they used too. Fruity additions in the form of juice and fruit chunks give them a fresh, tangy and delicious taste.

Benefits of Green Smoothies for Breakfast

1. A small glass packs a nutritional punch. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamins (A, E, C and D) and minerals (zinc, potassium, phosphate, iron and magnesium), fiber and antioxidants needed to sustain health, growth and development. Drinking a smoothie is as good as eating fruits and vegetables in their unprocessed forms unlike juices that discard the indigestible residue.

2. Green smoothies help lose weight. They are nutrient-rich but not calorie dense. Thus, they control-calorie intake while satisfying your taste buds.

3. Smoothies made by blending vegetables can be tasty too. You can add fruits of your choice to give it a better taste.

4. Fruits and vegetables in their blended form provide enough energy to sustain daily functions. If you drink a glass of green smoothie for breakfast, you will notice you are more alter and active. It builds immune strength and improves the quality of your life as it eliminates junk and empty calories.

5. Another benefit of drinking a green smoothie for breakfast is it only takes a few minutes to prepare. Besides, blenders have made easier to prepare smoothies. Additionally, if you don’t have time to drink it before you head for office, you can bottle it and drink it on the way.

Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

• Kale – Pineapple- Almond Milk Smoothies:

This recipe requires 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup finely chopped kale, ½ cup of pineapple juice, ½ cup of diced pineapple pieces and 1 banana. Blend all the ingredients and serve chilled.

• Spinach Smoothie:

Blend 2 cups of spinach leaves, 1 peeled pear, 10-15 green grapes, 2 tablespoons chopped avocado, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice and 150 grams fat-free yoghurt in a blender. The fruits will dissipate the bland taste of spinach.

• Kale-Romaine Smoothie:

It is better known as the green machine smoothie as it includes not one but two types of green vegetables kale and romaine. Take 4 leaves of chopped kale. 6 leaves of chopped romaine, ½ cup diced pineapple, ½ cup diced mango, an inches of freshly chopped ginger and parsley and blend it to a smooth texture.