Carrot Banana Smoothie

This carrot banana smoothie is refreshing and naturally sweet with a vibrant orange hue. It's only 5 ingredients and it's packed with fiber, healthy fats, protein, and vitamin C.

Carrots in Smoothies:

Carrots are a surprisingly great addition to smoothies! They're naturally sweet and loaded with beta-carotene, a nutrient that your body turns into vitamin A.

Throwing raw carrots in a blender may seem a bit crazy, but if you own a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, they blend right in.

They're low in calories and nutrient-dense, plus they complement almost any fruit.

This carrot banana smoothie is super simple and delicious!

Key Ingredients:

• Banana - I'm a big fan of bananas in smoothies. A banana makes a huge difference in the creaminess and texture of the smoothie. Plus it adds natural sweetness.
• Baby carrots - I buy organic baby carrots from Costco. You can get two huge bags for a steal. And they always taste sweet! You don't need to cook the carrots.
• Mango chunks - Mango is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Again, I buy a huge bag of frozen mango chunks at Costco. You need frozen mango to achieve the right texture.
• Orange juice - I used orange juice because it's what I had on hand AND it complements the mango/carrots.
• Hemp hearts - I LOVE hemp hearts. Why do I love them so? Because they add a boost of nutrients and you can't even taste them.

How to Make a Carrot Banana Smoothie:

A carrot smoothie is surprisingly simple to make! The key is a high-powered blender.

I highly recommend a Vitamix. It can pulverize anything into a smooth texture - including raw carrots. If you don't have a high-speed blender, you can try steaming the carrots first.

• Throw everything into your blender. I always start with the soft, blend-able ingredients - in this case, the banana. It helps reduce stalling.

• Start your blender on low speed. If you crank it too high immediately, it's likely to stall. Gradually increase the speed.
• Blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick or won't blend, add a little bit more liquid until you reach the right consistency.

Do I need a high-speed blender?

If you plan to use raw carrots, it's best to use a high-speed blender. They are built to pulverize raw fruits and vegetables.

If you have a regular blender, consider steaming the carrots first. Just be sure to let them cool before you add them to your smoothie.

Can you taste carrots in a smoothie?

Yes, but in a good way! Carrots are naturally sweet and taste great with other sweet fruits like mango, oranges, strawberries, bananas, and pineapple.

The flavor is delicious! It's the texture you have to watch out for. If you try to blend carrots in a low-speed blender, the smoothie will have a fibrous texture.

Variations:

• Protein - Add a boost of protein with a scoop of mango Greek yogurt or vanilla protein powder.
• Ginger - Add a teaspoon of ginger paste to help digestion and reduce inflammation. Start with less, then add more as desired.
• Greens - Baby spinach will turn this smoothie brown, but it adds a ton of micronutrients!
• Sweetness - If you like a sweeter smoothie, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup!

Smoothie Recipes:

• Panera's Green Passion Smoothie
• Watermelon Banana Smoothie
• Tropical Iron Rich Smoothie
• Berry Almond Milk Smoothie
• Protein Acai Bowl
• Chocolate Coffee Smoothie