Summer is the perfect time for smoothies! With hot weather, you often don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen and might have a slightly reduced appetite. However, with a refreshing smoothie packed with healthy summer vegetables, you can still get your vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Explore here some surprising combinations of summer vegetables and fruits for your smoothies!
Smoothies have been popular for a while now, and it’s no wonder because they can be both delicious and healthy. If you’re interested in making your own smoothies, take a look at our blog about healthy smoothies, so you can make sure you’re reaping all the health benefits they offer. Are you already an avid smoothie maker and just looking for inspiration for the upcoming summer? Keep reading and find out which summer vegetables you absolutely have to introduce to your blender!
Combine fennel with banana
Are you in the mood for a delightful smoothie with a sweet flavour? Combine fennel with banana! Fennel is a summer vegetable that you can also grow in your own garden. During the summer months, it is readily available in stores and markets. Fennel is known for its distinct sweet taste, reminiscent of licorice. The compound anethole is responsible for that unique aroma. Besides being delicious, fennel is also very healthy. It is no wonder that fennel is featured in various juices, such as Fuel and Boost. Fennel is a good source of vitamin B1, which is important for your energy metabolism. It is also rich in vitamin B11, also known as folate, which has a positive impact on your immune system and contributes to your mental resilience. Additionally, vitamin B11 can help reduce fatigue. Finally, fennel contains a decent amount of potassium, which contributes to the normal functioning of your muscles and nervous system. Banana, with its soft, sweet flavour and creamy texture, is a beloved ingredient in smoothies. We use it in our Protein smoothie and Breakfast smoothie, among others.
Spinach is the perfect addition to your smoothie
Spinach is a summer vegetable that you can find on the ingredient list of almost every green smoothie. We also enjoy using spinach, both in juices like Detox and Recharge, as well as in our own green smoothie. Despite being a leafy green, spinach has a mild flavour and is easy to incorporate, while offering numerous health benefits. It’s no wonder that spinach made it onto our list of the top 10 healthiest vegetables. Spinach is a good source of vitamins A, K, and B1, as well as the mineral potassium. Vitamin A is beneficial for vision and important for your skin. Additionally, it contributes to the normal functioning of your immune system. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) supports energy levels, promotes mental well-being, and is crucial for your nervous system. Vitamin K helps maintain strong bones and supports blood clotting. Potassium is beneficial for your muscles and nervous system, and it also helps maintain normal blood pressure. For a creamier result, combine spinach with avocado and benefit from the addition of vitamin E found in avocados. This antioxidant protects your cells against oxidative damage from factors like UV light, which is especially helpful during summer. You can also add banana for a sweeter taste or go tropical with ingredients like pineapple for a significant dose of vitamin C and coconut water for additional potassium.
Celery is a summer vegetable that can add a lot of vitamins to your smoothie
Celery is a summer vegetable that is perfect for supporting your immune system. It is a source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium. Celery also contains vitamins B6 and folate, as well as antioxidants like copper, vitamin B2, and manganese. It’s no wonder that celery shines on our list of the top 10 healthiest vegetables and that celery juice is popular for supporting health. Additionally, celery is strongly alkaline, making it suitable for balancing the acidity caused by consuming acidic foods. Learn more about the benefits of celery juice for your health and try this recipe to make it yourself. In your summer smoothie, celery is an excellent addition. The slightly bitter and salty taste of celery pairs well with sweet and tangy flavours. Apple and celery make a golden combination for this reason. Adding a bit of fresh ginger (found in our ginger shot) provides a warming, spicy finish and some extra potassium and copper. If you prefer a thicker and creamier smoothie, banana is also a good addition.
Courgette can add a lot of antioxidants to your smoothie
Every summer, courgettes shine in countless Dutch gardens. This summer vegetable is easy to grow, delicious to eat, and incredibly healthy. You might not expect it, but courgettes are particularly rich in iron. This mineral contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body and helps release energy from food. Iron is also important for maintaining mental clarity and supporting the normal functioning of the immune system. The same goes for vitamin C, which courgettes are also a good source of. With 100 grams of courgette, you get approximately 20% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C plays numerous essential roles in your body. It contributes to the formation of collagen, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin, teeth, and gums. It also supports the maintenance of strong bones and the production of cartilage in your joints. As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects your cells against oxidative damage from UV radiation and air pollution. Additionally, it’s interesting to note that vitamin C enhances iron absorption. With all these benefits, there’s every reason to add courgette to your smoothie! Combine courgette with spinach, avocado, and cucumber for a super green smoothie, or add apple and/or banana for a sweeter taste. The neutral flavour of courgette blends easily, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!
Try our ready-to-drink healthy smoothies packed with summer vegetables
Do you have little time to make your own smoothies or would you rather enjoy the beautiful weather? Then why not try our ready-to-drink smoothies, which also include various healthy summer vegetables. Our Green Smoothie owes its impressive list of vitamins and minerals to ingredients like spinach, as well as other green leafy vegetables such as endive, purslane, and kale. For a refreshing twist and added vitamins, we’ve also added some fruits like pineapple and passion fruit. Healthy and tropical at the same time! All the ingredients are organic and sourced locally whenever possible. After preparation, the smoothies go straight into the shock freezer to keep them fresh. This way, the taste, colour, aroma, and most importantly, the nutritious content, are optimally preserved without the need for preservatives. You can easily order them online and choose when you want them delivered. Then, all you have to do is thaw them briefly to enjoy a delicious, fresh smoothie. Are you also a fan of creamy smoothies with a sweet flavour, packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals? Then you should also try our Protein Smoothie and Breakfast Smoothie. On hot days, you can enjoy them extra chilled. Healthier than a milkshake or an ice cream, and just as delicious!
