This Tropical Microgreens Smoothie Recipe is inspired by my latest obsession with these tiny seedlings. Microgreens are packed with nutrients that support healthy aging!
Sunflower shoots are added to this recipe because of their mild, nutty flavor. This makes them great to add to a smoothie!
This Recipe for Healthy Aging fights inflammation and contains the anti-aging benefits of collagen. Add a tiny umbrella to this yummy concoction for some island vibes!
Check out my previous post on Best Microgreens for Healthy Aging to learn more about these nutrition rock stars!
Smoothie Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 serving of collagen peptides protein powder
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 ounce sunflower microgreens (a small handful)
- 1 cup tropical frozen fruit mix
- Heavy duty blender
How to Make
- Add almond milk and protein powder to your blender. Blend well.
- Add avocado and microgreens. Blend well.
- Add tropical fruit and blend to your desired consistency.
- Enjoy!
Health Benefits
The ingredients in this smoothie will supercharge your diet!
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a non-dairy alternative to milk. I like it in smoothies because of its’ low calorie and carbohydrate content.
This plant-based milk is fortified with calcium. This important mineral plays a large role in maintaining bone mass as you age, along with the prevention of Osteoporosis.
Almond milk also contains vitamin E. Studies have shown a link between vitamin E and brain health.
Adequate vitamin E may play a role in the prevention of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Collagen Peptides Protein Powder
Aging causes collagen breakdown. Evidence of collagen breakdown can be seen in our wrinkles and fine lines. These hallmarks of aging also demonstrate our inability to replenish collagen.
Collagen supplements still require some research. However, there is promising data to support collagen’s role in skin elasticity. Here is a link to my preferred collagen supplement.
Powders like collagen peptides are a quick and easy way to add additional nutrients to your smoothies.
Check out this Age-Defying Dietitian blog post “Simple Smoothie Add-Ins That Will Supercharge Your Diet” for more ideas for smoothie add-ins!
Avocado
Avocados create a creamy texture that makes for a fantastic green smoothie! Avocados are rich in nutrients like fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
In addition, a 2017 study suggests that daily oral avocado consumption may lead to enhanced elasticity and firmness of the facial skin.
Sunflower Shoots
Sunflower shoots are a good source of vitamins A, B, C, and E. They also contain protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
They have a mild, nutty flavor making them one of the best microgreens for smoothies.
They’re so tasty, you might enjoy sunflower shoots right out of the container!
Tropical Fruit
The tropical fruit mix I use contains pineapple, peaches, mango, and strawberries.
Many nutritional studies support an association between fruit consumption and a lower incidence of chronic diseases.
Fruit is naturally high in antioxidants which reduce chronic inflammation, a contributor to disease.
Nutrition Information
1 serving contains 326 calories, 20 grams of protein, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of fiber, & 17 grams of fat*.
*Note ~80% of the Fat in this recipe comes from the Avocado which contains “good fats”; Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Fats.
Alternative Ingredients
Smoothies are a great place to experiment! Below are some ways to vary this recipe:
- Use your preferred milk in place of the unsweetened almond milk.
- Broccoli microgreens are mild in flavor and make a nice addition to smoothies.
- Frozen spinach can be used in place of microgreens.
- Try out additional fruits for variety. Frozen fruits work best!
Where to Find
You can typically find microgreens at health food stores. The freshest microgreens can be found at your local farmers’ market.
Microgreen growers like First Leaves LLC offer subscriptions to have microgreens delivered right to your front door!
These growers typically deliver within a 20-25 mile radius to ensure the freshness of their greens.
First Leaves LLC is located in Edwardsville, Illinois. A quick Google search should lead you to a microgreen grower in your area!
Microgreens Price
Microgreens are labor-intensive to grow, therefore they can be expensive. There is some variation in price based on the type of microgreen and ranges from $3 to $6 per ounce.
I typically purchase about 3-4 ounces of microgreens for my husband and I to eat throughout the week. Below is a visual of a one-ounce package of Sunflower Microgreens.
Another Smoothie You’ll Love
If you love glowing skin, peanut butter, and bananas, this next smoothie is for you!
Check out The Age-Defying Dietitian’s recipe for this Anti-Aging Drink with Peanut Butter and Bananas.
Tropical Microgreens Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 serving Collagen Peptides Protein Powder
- 2.5 ounces Avocado ~1/2 of an average size Avocado
- 1/4 ounce Sunflower Microgreens A small handful
- 1 cup Tropical Frozen Fruit
Instructions
- Add Almond Milk and Protein Powder to your blender. Blend well.
- Add Avocado and Microgreens. Blend well.
- Add Tropical fruit and blend to your desired consistency.
- Enjoy!
Notes
*We may earn a small commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website.
Kathryn is a Registered Dietitian and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is also Certified through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Weight Management. She has 20+ years of nutrition experience working in a variety of healthcare settings. Her passion is to provide evidence-based nutrition information that supports vitality and longevity!