I was looking for a creative way to use a leftover half of an avocado this morning and this is what resulted: Creamy Mixed Berry Smoothie with yogurt, banana, avocado, and frozen mixed berries! It was delicious and smooth (just how you want a smoothie, it's in the name, right?) The avocado added a creaminess that gave the smoothie a great texture. I know it might sound like an odd combo, but don't worry, you can't really taste the avocado, it just takes on the flavor of everything else.
I added ground flaxseed and chia seeds as well to provide lots of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids along with the avocado. They also add some fiber along with the banana, which is rich in potassium and provides great energy for the day. I prefer to use Siggi's Icelandic yogurt as it has 25g of protein per serving and is nice and creamy. This smoothie keeps me satisfied until lunch!
For the best results with blending, layer the yogurt on the bottom, next add the softer ingredients (banana and avocado in this instance), then the frozen berries on top. Sprinkle on the chia and flaxseed, then pour on your milk of choice to fill in the spaces. Pulse in the blender until smooth.
Nutrition Tip:
To get the most out of your flaxseed, remember that it has to be ground. Your digestive system cannot extract the omega-3 fatty acids from whole flaxseeds. You can either grind your own or purchase pre-ground flaxseed, but make sure the company uses cold-processing, as heat will destroy the nutrients. I use Bob's Red Mill.
Happy smoothie making!
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