Honestly, I’ve never been the biggest fan of avocados. They’ve never sat well on my taste buds. At one point in my life, I couldn’t even stand them. This all changed the day I made my first avocado smoothie. Once I paired avocados with other healthy ingredients that I actually like, I was finally able to tap in to the real benefits of this superfood.

Whether you love avocados or not, these recipes will ensure that you don’t miss out on this fruit’s mighty nutritional punch [1].

Some benefits of avocados

According to this nutrient database from the United States Department of Agriculture, avocados contain minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus and zinc [2]. They also have high levels of vitamin A, K, C, E, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.

And if you’re worried about the fruit’s high fat content, have no fear! Avocados contain “good fat,” monounsaturated fats that can improve cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease.

Still not convinced about avocados? These five smoothie recipes may tip the scale.

Plain Ol’ Avocado Smoothie

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of coconut milk
• ½ a medium sized avocado
• A handful of dates. The dates act as a sweetener. Feel free to use another healthy sweetener of your choice.

Blend up all the ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition:

Calories: 270   Sugars: 6.7g   Sodium: 8.5mg   Fat: 15g   Carbohydrates: 33.5g   Fiber: 8g   Protein: 2.68g

Choco Shake

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of coconut milk or any other plant based or nut milk.
• ½ a medium sized avocado
• 2 tablespoons of cacao powder
• A handful of dates

Blend up all the ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition:

Calories: 294   Sugars: 6.9g   Sodium: 10.7mg   Fat: 16.4g   Carbohydrates: 39.7g   Fiber: 11.6g   Protein: 4.68g

Mango Delight smoothie

You’ll need:

• 1 medium sized mango
• ½ a medium sized avocado
• 1 cup of water
• Any natural sweetener (optional)

Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition:

Calories: 140   Sugars: 14.35g   Sodium: 4.5mg   Fat: 16.4g   Carbohydrates: 39.7g   Fiber: 11.6g   Protein: 7.9g

Pineapple avocado smoothie

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of chopped pineapple
• ½ a medium sized avocado

Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition:

Calories: 162   Sugars: 16.35g   Sodium: 5.2mg   Fat: 7.7g   Carbohydrates: 26.5g   Fiber: 5.8g   Protein: 1.9g

Banana Avocado smoothie

You’ll need:

• 1 small banana (the riper, the sweeter)
• ½ medium sized avocado
• ½ cup of coconut milk or any other plant based milk
• 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)

Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

Nutrition:

Calories: 368   Sugars: 49.35g   Sodium: 10.9mg   Fat: 15.8g   Carbohydrates: 61.5g   Fiber: 7.1g   Protein: 2.93g

Tips to make better smoothies

1. To make the smoothie more refreshing, add ice cubes.
2. If you don’t want to add ice to your smoothies, freeze the fruits ahead.
3. Use a high-speed blender for a smoother consistency
4. If you choose dried dates as your sweetener, always soak them in hot water until they get soft so your blender can break them up easily.

Feel free to switch up any of the recipes. I’d love to know about your creations, so share your go-to smoothie recipes below!