Mom was right! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it increases your metabolism, helps you management your weight, refuels your blood sugar and replenishes your glycogen stores after an 8-12 hour overnight fast, and kick starts your energy level to make you more alert for the rest of the day.

Start your day refreshed and satisfied by drinking a complete smoothie with a serving of vegetables, fruit, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein. Smoothies are a great grab-n-go breakfast that you can easily prepare in less than 5 minutes and drink on the way to work!

Go Green Breakfast Smoothies

Spinach, a dark leafy green, is filled with beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, folate, iron, and dietary fiber, which can be added and hidden in your basic morning smoothie to count as one of your vegetable servings for the day!

Ingredients:

Yields: 1 (16 ounces)

• • 2 cups of fresh spinach (2 handfuls)
  • ½ medium banana (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup of fruit (fresh or frozen): 1 cup of mixed berries (berry smoothie) OR 1 cup of peaches, pineapple, and/or mango (tropical smoothie)
  • ½ cup of 0% plain greek yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon of ground flax seed
  • ½ cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other low calorie milk/liquid substitute)

Optional Extras: non-nutritive sweetener (stevia), unsweetened cocoa powder, protein powder, and/or chia seeds

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend until the smoothie reaches the consistency desired. Add ice to make the smoothie thicker. Add water to make the smoothie thinner. Pour smoothie into a cup and enjoy your complete smoothie!

Nutrient Information Per Serving:

Berry Smoothie =

• Calories: 232,
• Fat: 2 g,
• Cholesterol: 0 mg,
• Carbohydrate: 40 g,
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g,
• Protein: 16 g,
• Sodium: 181 mg

Tropical Smoothie =

• Calories: 258,
• Fat: 3 g,
• Cholesterol: 0 mg,
• Carbohydrate: 44 g,
• Dietary Fiber: 8 g,
• Protein: 16 g,
• Sodium: 181 mg