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Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

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close-up image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

lactation smoothie being poured into a glass.

As a first-time breastfeeding mom, I’m always looking for ways to increase my milk supply. And after lots and lots of research, I found the best way to increase my supply was through food. Aside from simply making sure I’m eating enough foods, there are certain foods that can actually boost milk production! So I took as many of those foods as possible (oats, greens, flaxseeds, brewer’s yeast) and added them to this lactation smoothie in a way that actually tastes good.

Nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

What You’ll Need to Make a Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

Banana – A whole frozen banana makes this smoothie ultra-creamy, and gives it just a hint of natural sweetness. If you don’t like banana, you can use 1 cup of frozen mango instead!

Spinach – Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, are a great source of iron and calcium, which are essential for boosting your milk supply. Fresh spinach will have the most nutrients, but if you don’t have any, frozen spinach will also do the trick.

Oats – Look up any lactation recipe, and it’ll likely have oats in it. Oats are a go-to ingredient for increasing breast milk production. This is because oats are high in iron, and act as a complex carbohydrate – two vital components to a lactating mama’s diet!

Almond Butter – I add a healthy fat to all my smoothie recipes, which helps slow down the body’s digestion rate of the fruit, allowing us to absorb as many nutrients and hold onto as much protein as possible. Almond butter is a delicious healthy fat option in this lactation smoothie! Though feel free to use any nut butter you’d like – peanut, cashew, pecan, etc.

Brewer’s Yeast – Another lactation essential is brewer’s yeast! Brewer’s yeast is a known glactagogue, and thought by many to help increase milk supply. It’s totally flavorless, and a great addition to this smoothie recipe. Here’s a link to the brewer’s yeast I’ve been using and loving!

Overhead image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with oats and spinach on the side.

Optional Add-Ins

Give your nourishing green lactation smoothie a boost with any of the following…

  • Chia Seeds – more healthy fats, omega-3s, and fiber.
  • Hemp Seeds – extra protein, healthy fats, omega-3s, and omega-6s.
  • Protein Powder – I love this Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder!
  • Honey – for an extra bit of sweetness.
  • Frozen Cauliflower – because why not?! more veggies!
Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie
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Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • small handful fresh spinach

  • 2 tablespoons oats

  • 1 tablespoon almond butter

  • 1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast

  • 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional

  • 1 cup water or milk, I used unsweetened almond milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

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Dairy-Free

Healthy Shamrock Shake

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healthy shamrock shake in a glass with whipped cream, melted chocolate, and a cherry on top

There’s no better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with this healthy shamrock shake! It’s thick, creamy, and perfectly sweet. With frozen banana, non-dairy milk, and a hint of peppermint extract, this shamrock shake is the healthiest of its kind. Swirl a little coconut whipped cream on top and you have yourself a guilt-free festive treat!

close-up image of a healthy shamrock shake with whipped cream and a cherry on top

Every year around this time, I’d head to the McDonald’s drive-through and pick myself up a shamrock shake. It was my favorite Saint Patrick’s Day treat! When I went dairy-free, I cut shamrock shakes out of my diet. Though year after year I had the worst FOMO knowing people were enjoying these deliciously minty drinks without me. Then, in December I started making chocolate mint smoothies for breakfast and quickly realized, if I remove the chocolate and make it green, I’ve got myself a much healthier shamrock shake! So that’s exactly what I did – kept the banana, non-dairy milk, and peppermint extract, then added a little spinach for that classic green color. Voilá, the healthy shamrock shake was born!

close-up of a healthy shamrock shake

What You’ll Need To Make A Healthy Shamrock Shake

Frozen Banana – Frozen bananas are the base of this shake. They offer the perfect amount of sweetness and incredible texture. When blended, they make this shamrock shake both thick and creamy. If you’d like, you can use two cups of non-dairy vanilla ice cream in place of the frozen bananas.

Non-Dairy Milk – I used almond milk, though you can use any kind of non-dairy milk in this recipe. I’d recommend using something with a more mild flavor, as to not take away from the minty taste of this shake. And if you’re not dairy-free, you can use regular milk instead.

Spinach – Both fresh and frozen spinach will work! I’ve tried both and had great results each time. Whichever is easiest to get your hands on, toss it in your healthy shamrock shake.

Peppermint Extract – It wouldn’t be a shamrock shake without a little peppermint. I found 1/4 teaspoon offers a hint of that delicious mint flavor without completely overpowering the shake. Though if you love mint, go ahead and add more – and if mint isn’t totally your thing, cut the amount in this recipe in half.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Vegan: While already vegan, guarantee this healthy shamrock shake is 100% vegan by using vegan milk to blend, and topping with vegan coconut whipped cream.
  • Make it Nut-Free: Use soy, oat, hemp, or coconut milk for a nut-free treat.
  • Make it Paleo: The shake itself is already paleo, so simply leave off the whipped cream and cherry, but be sure to include a melted paleo chocolate drizzle – yum!

Healthy Shamrock Shake

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

There’s no better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with this healthy shamrock shake! It’s thick, creamy, and perfectly sweet. With frozen banana, non-dairy milk, and a hint of peppermint extract, this shamrock shake is the healthiest of its kind. Swirl a little coconut whipped cream on top and you have yourself a guilt-free festive treat!

Ingredients

  • 2 frozen bananas

  • 2 cups non-dairy milk, see Notes

  • 1/4 cup spinach, see Notes

  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.Healthy Shamrock Shake
  • Transfer to two glasses the top with dairy-free whipped cream and a cherry.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Non-Dairy Milk: Almond, cashew, and soy milk work best in this recipe – though any type of milk will work!
  • Spinach: Use either fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe.

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Breakfast

5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes

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all 5 smoothies in cups with ice, blueberries, and almond milk on the side

Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

all 5 smoothies lined up in glasses with toppings on each

How to Make a (Delicious) Smoothie

  • Pick your frozen fruits. Every smoothie recipe starts with a curated selection of frozen fruit. The frozen fruit is what you’ll taste the most of in your smoothie, so make sure it’s a combination you’ll love!
  • Add in some healthy fats. Now that you have your fruit, it’s time to round the nutrition out with a bit of healthy fats. Healthy fats will slow the digestion of the naturally occurring sugar in fruit, which will stabilize your blood sugar and provide you with a long-term source of energy to get you through the morning! My favorite healthy fats for smoothies are unsweetened almond butter, avocado, or hemp seeds.
  • Consider adding fresh or frozen vegetables. Depending on which vegetable you choose to add to your smoothie, you most likely won’t be able to taste it at all! Spinach is always a great addition, yielding very little flavor yet TONS of nutrients. Or, steamed then frozen cauliflower is a perfect way to not only add nutrients to a smoothie, but helps to thicken it up as well.
  • Give it a boost with protein and/or powdered superfoods. I prefer unsweetened, unflavored, and plant-based protein in my smoothie recipes. However, feel free to use whichever protein powder is your favorite! Though in my chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie recipe, I highly recommend the Aloha Chocolate Protein Powder – it’s so darn good.
  • Select a liquid to blend. Any liquid will work! Water or milk will yield the least flavor, allowing the fruit to shine. Or, you can use juice for an even sweeter and fruitier smoothie if you’d like.
all 5 smoothies in cups with ice, blueberries, and almond milk on the side

Blenders 101

I’ve owned many blenders in my day, though these two have stood out the most:

  • Vitamix: I know …she’s expensive, but boy is she incredible! I purchase a refurbished Vitamix a few years ago after saving up for one. And let me tell ya, it was worth EVERY penny. There’s nothing the Vitamix can’t blend, it’s truly the most powerful blender on the market. So if you’re looking to splurge, the Vitamix is definitely the blender for you!
  • Nutribullet: The nutribullet is great for everyday use! It takes up very little counter space, and is super easy to clean. I had my first nutribullet for almost 10 years before it eventually died on me. And that was after daily use in a four-person household! Also, the larger cup is enough to blend up to two serving sizes. I really can’t recommend the nutribullet enough, it’s fairly priced and comes with a one year warranty.

Turn Any Smoothie Into a Smoothie Bowl

Turn any of the below smoothie recipes into a smoothie bowl! It’s seriously so easy, all you’ll need to do is start with half the amount of liquid listed in the recipe. Then, continue to add more liquid as needed or until it’s perfectly thick and smooth. Once smooth, transfer your smoothie to a bowl and top with some fresh fruit, a handful of granola, and maybe even a scoop of almond or peanut butter!

5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes
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5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, Snacks, DrinksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Total time

5

minutes

Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

  • 1 1/2 frozen bananas

  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

  • 1 cup almond milk, or regular milk

  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter, optional

  • 1 cup milk, I used almond milk

  • Glowing Green Smoothie

  • 1 cup frozen mango

  • 1/2 cup frozen peaches

  • 1 cup fresh spinach

  • 1/2 avocado

  • 1 cup water or milk

  • Tropical Smoothie

  • 1 cup frozen mango

  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • Very Berry Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries

  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

  • 1 cup water or milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Recipe Video

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Dairy-Free

Healthy Shamrock Shake (V)

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Shamrock Shake Recipe

There’s no better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with this healthy shamrock shake! It’s thick, creamy, and perfectly sweet. With frozen banana, non-dairy milk, and a hint of peppermint extract, this shamrock shake is the healthiest of its kind. Swirl a little coconut whipped cream on top and you have yourself a guilt-free festive treat!

Shamrock Shake

Every year around this time, I’d head to the McDonald’s drive-through and pick myself up a shamrock shake. It was my favorite Saint Patrick’s Day treat! When I went dairy-free, I cut shamrock shakes out of my diet. Though year after year I had the worst FOMO knowing people were enjoying these deliciously minty drinks without me. Then, in December I started making chocolate mint smoothies for breakfast and quickly realized, if I remove the chocolate and make it green, I’ve got myself a much healthier shamrock shake! So that’s exactly what I did – kept the banana, non-dairy milk, and peppermint extract, then added a little spinach for that classic green color. Voilá, the healthy shamrock shake was born!

Shamrock Shake Ingredients

What You Need To Make This Healthy Shamrock Shake

Frozen Banana – Frozen bananas are the base of this shake. They offer the perfect amount of sweetness and incredible texture. When blended, they make this shamrock shake both thick and creamy. If you’d like, you can use two cups of non-dairy vanilla ice cream in place of the frozen bananas.

Non-Dairy Milk – I used almond milk, though you can use any kind of non-dairy milk in this recipe. I’d recommend using something with a more mild flavor, as to not take away from the minty taste of this shake. And if you’re not dairy-free, you can use cow’s milk instead.

Spinach – Both fresh and frozen spinach will work! I’ve tried both and had great results each time. Whichever is easier for you to get your hands on, toss it in your healthy shamrock shake.

Peppermint Extract – It wouldn’t be a shamrock shake without a little peppermint. I found 1/4 teaspoon offers a hint of that delicious mint flavor without completely overpowering the shake. Though if you love mint, go ahead and add more – and if mint isn’t totally your thing, cut the amount in this recipe in half.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Add Dairy: Use cow’s milk instead of non-dairy milk.
Healthy Shamrock Shake (V)
Print

Healthy Shamrock Shake (V)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: SnacksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

There’s no better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with this healthy shamrock shake! It’s thick, creamy, and perfectly sweet. With frozen banana, non-dairy milk, and a hint of peppermint extract, this shamrock shake is the healthiest of its kind. Swirl a little coconut whipped cream on top and you have yourself a guilt-free festive treat!

Ingredients

  • 2 Frozen Bananas

  • 2 Cups Non-Dairy Milk, see NOTES

  • 1/4 Cup Spinach, see NOTES

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.Healthy Shamrock Shake
  • Transfer to two glasses and top with dairy-free whipped cream – YUM!

Notes

  • Non-Dairy Milk: Almond, cashew, and soy milk work best in this recipe – though any type of milk will work!
  • Spinach: Use either fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

Like this recipe?

Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

More Delicious Healthy Recipes

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