I have to admit that I have never been a huge fan of green smoothies, but recently grew to love them as a delicious way to eat more kelp! This particular smoothie made me a convert. It’s packed with nutrients from all the greens (including seaweed!), has a creamy texture thanks to avocado, and a lovely tartness from apple.
Apples are high in soluble fiber, and bring a healthy dose of antioxidants and flavonoids that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Spinach is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods you can find and is packed with bone-strengthening vitamin K, plus vitamin A and vitamin C, which both support immune function and promote healthy skin.
And then there’s the star ingredient: KELP! The natural fiber “alginate” found in kelp keeps you feeling full, and stops the absorption of fat in the gut. Kelp is also a fantastic source of vitamins and nutrients including iodine, vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
There are lots of different ways you can incorporate kelp into your smoothie. Here, I used Blue Evolution’s Kelp Puree, but I also love Ocean’s Balance’s Kelp Puree (a finalist in the 2021 Good Food Awards), as well as the taste and ease of Atlantic Sea Farms’s new Kelp Cubes.
You can double this recipe if you would like, but I do not recommend increasing it more than that. The smoothie will brown slightly as it sits in the refrigerator and oxidizes, so it’s best enjoyed right away.
- 2 cups spinach, stemmed and chopped
- ½ avocado, chopped
- ¼ cup kelp puree (or cubes)
- 1 apple; unpeeled, cored, and chopped
- 1½ cups apple juice
- Add the spinach, avocado, kelp, apple, and apple juice to a blender.
- Puree until smooth, about 1 minute, adding water to reach the desired consistency.
Looking for more ways to eat kelp? Try this Kelp Guacamole with Poached Shrimp & Kelp Chips, or these Chocolate Chip Mousse Kelp Brownies!