This delicious carrot banana smoothie is an easy, whole-foods smoothie filled with flavor, nutrition and only 6 key ingredients. Great any time of year, it has the perfect hint of creaminess and spice.
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We drink a lot of smoothies in our house – for many reasons!
Whether we need more fiber (check this high fiber banana pear smoothie) or just an easy on-the-go snack in our favorite kids smoothie cups, smoothies are always a win.
As a dietitian, they are one of my favorite ways to increase fruit and veggies, especially in kids. For that reason, they can be a great recipe for picky eater kids.
They are also refreshing, flavorful, easy to make (love my Ninja!) and easy to clean up.
We always have a frozen fruit blend in the freezer (grab my pantry staples list here), so that’s usually the base.
This turmeric banana smoothie rivals our favorite 5 ingredient cantaloupe mango smoothie because it’s so easy, produces a refreshing flavor, and it’s a Vitamin C and vitamin A booster!
My son absolutely loves smoothies, and they are usually part of his 18 month old meal ideas.
Why We Love an Easy Carrot Banana Smoothie
Great for kids – This banana and carrot smoothie is easy for kiddos to help make, and it’s full of nutrients. I prefer the touch of vanilla and sweetness from the vanilla greek yogurt but you can stick with plain. Plus, the vibrant color helps!
Great for post-workout – Carbs, fat and protein, plus important antioxidants from the variety of fruits and veggies. Greek yogurt smoothies are great because they are high in protein!
Easy meal prep smoothie – This is easy to make in bulk and portion out for the week. I love these smoothie cups for doing so.
Great way to get fruits and veggies in – As mentioned above, smoothies are a secret weapon for getting fruits, veggies and nutrients into kids. This banana peach smoothie is fun, colorful and tasty, especially on a hot summer day. You wouldn’t even know there are carrots mixed in there.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe – just a few simple ingredients!
banana, fresh or frozen
coconut milk – I prefer full-fat canned coconut milk, but your favorite choice of milk works too!
vanilla greek yogurt – You could also use plain greek yogurt.
frozen peaches – Any tropical fruit will do. See below for other options.
shredded carrots – You can shred your own fresh carrots or just buy pre-shredded. Carrots have a natural sweetness to them and are a great antioxidant-rich addition! Baby carrots don’t work great for this recipe, I’d stick to pre-shredded or shred your own large carrots.
flax seeds – These add healthy fats and help thicken the turmeric banana smoothie up slightly!
ground cinnamon
turmeric
Smoothie Modifications and Nutrition Boosters
This banana turmeric smoothie is already a healthy recipe, but here are some changes and additions you may choose to make.
A frozen banana works great if you don’t have fresh, and they also add a coolness to the smoothie if you like it icy. Note that ripe bananas are sweeter if you want more natural sugars vs. added sugars.
If you don’t have frozen peaches, you can use fresh. You could also substitute in frozen pineapple or mango chunks.
Plain yogurt – I always add greek yogurt to my smoothies for creaminess and protein! You can swap out vanilla for plain greek yogurt to reduce the sugar content and sweetness. I like to use plain when serving to kids under age 2. I used a 5.3 ounce container of Chobani vanilla yogurt and it has 9 grams of added sugars. When you split this into multiple servings, that number decreases even more, and honestly, I think some sweetness helps balance the turmeric. For a completely plant-based smoothie, try coconut or soy yogurt, or substitute it with mashed avocado or nut butter.
Other sweetener options – If you want to stick with plain yogurt, you have other sweetener options. You could use pitted dates, maple syrup, honey, vanilla almond milk, or vanilla soy milk to sweeten up your smoothie.
Dairy milk or soy milk – I chose to use full-fat coconut milk to make it creamier, but you could also use dairy milk or soy milk to add more protein. One cup of dairy milk adds 8 grams of protein.
To add more healthy fat and nutrition, you could add fresh or frozen avocado chunks. It won’t change the flavor of the smoothie at all, but will make a creamy texture, which I love. You could also add almond butter or peanut butter for some more staying power.
Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory spice and I like to add a 1/4 tsp fresh ginger or ginger powder to smoothies sometimes.
Here are some of the carrot and banana smoothie benefits, and more reasons to make this refreshing smoothie.
High in antioxidants – Fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants, which are helpful for optimal wellness. You’re getting antioxidants through flax seeds, carrots, peaches, banana and the spices! Carrots also provide beta carotene, which the body can convert into Vitamin A.
Great source of Vitamin C – Vitamin C is a natural dietary antioxidant as well. It’s important for skin health, immunity, healing and more, plus it helps with iron absorption.
Potassium – You can find potassium in fruits and veggies, as well as in dairy products, like milk and yogurt. To increase the potassium even more, you could use whole milk instead of coconut milk, or add in some coconut water. This electrolyte is important for promoting heart health, blood pressure and so many reactions in the body!
Fiber – Most Americans fall short on the daily dietary fiber recommendations, which fall between 25-38 grams/day. Eating (or drinking) more fruits and veggies definitely helps.
How to Make a Banana Carrot Smoothie
Making this banana turmeric carrot smoothie is so simple and takes minutes!
If you don’t have pre-shredded carrots, you’ll need to shred your carrots first.
If you want the carrots to be completely shredded and meshed into the smoothie, make sure to use a high-speed blender or food processor.
FAQ
How to store extra smoothie batter
If you make extra of this banana and carrot smoothie for meal prep or to freeze for later, you have a few options for storage. I love to store them in my favorite kids smoothie cups with a sealable lid for later in the week, or in freezer smoothie bags.
How much protein is in this banana carrot smoothie recipe?
This smoothie recipe makes about 2 smoothies. One serving has about 12 grams of protein. To increase the protein, you could swap the coconut milk for soy or cow’s milk, and/or add in protein powder.
Can you do anything with leftover smoothie?
If I ever have leftover smoothie batter, I will keep it and add it to my next smoothie. Or, I’ll pour it into a bowl, add cereal or granola, and eat it like a snack. Another thing you can do with leftover smoothie is freeze it in ice cubes, and use it for future drinks to add flavor.
This carrot banana smoothie is an easy, whole-foods smoothie filled with flavor, nutrition and only 6 key ingredients. Great any time of year, it has the perfect hint of creaminess and spice.
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Sarah Schlichter is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition. As a mom of 3, she specializes in family nutrition, sports nutrition and intuitive eating. She also co-hosts the podcast, Managing Mealtime Madness. Learn More About Sarah
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