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I definitely can’t complain, my girls are really good eaters.
They have always just eaten whatever we’re having for dinner. If grilled chicken and steamed broccoli is on the menu… it’s on their plates too. It makes my job much simpler, and their palate much more expansive!
That being said, we all can stand to eat a few more veggies on a daily basis.
Whenever I feel like I’m a little low on all of the micronutrients that are abundant in fruits and vegetables, I always do the same thing.
I started making this for my girls too, and they love it.
It feels like a treat for them, but really they’re getting a ton of really great nutrition!
What is my secret weapon to get my toddlers and babies to eat more fruits and veggies?
Smoothies.
I love to eat a smoothie for my lunch whenever the girls go down a for their afternoon nap.
It’s something that I can easily whip up and eat while I’m doing something else. Nap time is my work time every day. I’m either putting together content for The Cypress Table, cleaning the house, preparing dinner, or working out in the yard. I get everything that can’t be easily done with babies and toddlers underfoot done in those 2 hours.
Smoothies are the perfect answer to quick and convenient nutrition.
Here is my favorite smoothie to whip up for the afternoon.
- Half a cup of frozen mango
- Half a cup of frozen blueberries
- A cup (or 2) of fresh spinach
- Almond Milk (enough to make it a milkshake consistency)
- Half a Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder
I throw it all into a cup that comes with our small ninja blender. Blend it up and I’m ready to go.
We’ve had
I throw the cup and blades into the dishwasher when I’m finished and it’s ready for the next day.
The options are endless when it comes to making a smoothie.
Here is the girls favorite recipe. They always finish their cups and ask for more!
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup of strawberries
- 2 cups of spinach
- Almond Milk (enough to make it the consistency you want)
- 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter
I always serve it to them in 
You can use smoothies to help fill the nutritional gaps you child has in their diet.
Here are some of our options to put into smoothies.
Vegetables
- Spinach
- Cauliflower (you really don’t taste it!)
- Avocado
- Kale
- Zucchini
- Carrots
- Squash
Fruit
- Berries
- Apples
- Mango
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Melon
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Avocado
- Dates
Protein
- Protein Powder
- Peanut Butter
- Egg Whites
- Chia Seeds
- Yogurt
- Almond Butter
There are SO many options for an afternoon (or morning) smoothie!
If I make one that’s not my favorite, I just drink it and don’t repeat it! But, honestly that rarely happens! I almost always like whatever I throw together, and I feel like I’m doing something good for my body too!
When can my baby eat a smoothie?
As soon as my babies have been comfortably eating solids, I’ll give them smoothies! I’ll let them try some of my smoothie first and after that’s built interest, I’ll give them their own cup.
My toddler doesn’t like smoothies, what do I do?
For me, I have to keep giving my kids different foods before they try it and like it! They may not like smoothies with mango initially, but love strawberry. After a little while, I find that my kids will try more and more flavors (and like them!)
Are smoothies meals or snacks for toddlers?
I personally drink my smoothies as a meal (usually lunch). I don’t give my girls smoothies as meals though, they’re definitely a post nap snack in the afternoon. They totally could be a meal though! Do whatever works for you and your kids!
I hope you’ll try incorporating smoothies into your daily life!
Me and my girls love them, and I bet you will too!