Don't like bananas?

[green smoothie junkie]

Not to worry, you're not alone.

For those with banana aversions fear not, you don't have to have them in your green smoothie. Bananas are in many green smoothie recipes because they do a great job at balancing the "bitterness" while adding great texture.

Of course, green smoothies don't need to be sweet at all.
It just so happens that in our sweet addicted culture, most people won't tolerate green smoothies without sweet additions.

For those wanting to keep their smoothies sweet here's a quick list of fruit ideas:

- fresh dates
- pineapple
- blueberries
- mango
- pear
- apple
- peach
- papaya

and the list goes on.

The point is, if you don't like bananas don't not drink green smoothies - there's endless options.

[anniet]

I actually have spent my life despising bananas, but I have to say that since I've been drinking smoothies I have grown to incorporate bananas in my smoothies without any problem.  I would still never, ever eat a banana on its own, but it lends a nice smooth quality to the smoothie/drink that I like.  I just make sure not to add too much that it dominates the flavor.  Good ideas, though--thanks!

[CaliforniaValerie]

I've been drinking green smoothies for a little over a month now. As a type 1 diabetic, I haven't eaten fruit in about 16 years, so even the little bit I use in smoothies is taking some getting used to.

While I like the creaminess that a quarter of a banana adds, I find a quarter or even half an avocado is just as wonderful.

I'm excited to check in with this forum!

Valerie

[John]

I've been drinking green smoothies for a little over a month now. As a type 1 diabetic, I haven't eaten fruit in about 16 years, so even the little bit I use in smoothies is taking some getting used to.

While I like the creaminess that a quarter of a banana adds, I find a quarter or even half an avocado is just as wonderful.

I'm excited to check in with this forum!

Valerie

Indeed!

Avocado does add a very nice creamy consistency. Avocados a fantastic source of good fat and while they are not particularly high in protein they do have more protein than milk. I love avocado in green smoothies.

In general, it's a good idea not to combine fat with your green smoothie as fat has an inhibiting effect on digestive secretions and decreases the effectiveness of pepsin and hydrochloric acid.

The beautiful thing about avocado is that when it is combined with greens they have no inhibiting effect on digestion. Yeah! And of course a much better choice than banana for those who are diabetic.

[CaliforniaValerie]

Thanks John, good info!

[reikifeet]

oops!  brand new to GS's.. thought i read somewhere recently that it's impt to add dietary fat with greens to enable nutrient absorption?  of course, since i've been obsessed w/ reading about them for about a week, i can't possibly remember where i read it now... confused!  have you heard such a thing or maybe know why that would be said?  maybe it was re: whole greens rather than smoothies?

[green smoothie junkie]

oops!  brand new to GS's.. thought i read somewhere recently that it's impt to add dietary fat with greens to enable nutrient absorption?  of course, since i've been obsessed w/ reading about them for about a week, i can't possibly remember where i read it now... confused!  have you heard such a thing or maybe know why that would be said?  maybe it was re: whole greens rather than smoothies?

While fat is important to have in your diet, I have not heard that it's good to add it with greens to enable absorption. If you, or anyone else, comes across this info please do share more.