This delicious matcha green tea smoothie bowl is the perfect start to your day. It is refreshing, full of energy and the matcha powder provides a little bit of caffeine to help get you going. Top with our recommendations or your own favourites and get your day off to a great start.
CLICK HERE to watch the YouTube video about the Matcha Green Tea Smoothie Bowl.
Matcha powder is made from ground green tea leaves and therefore offers the health benefits of green tea. Green tea is made from the same leaves as black tea (Camellia sinensis), but the leaves are less processed and therefore retain more nutrients than black tea leaves. Green tea is caffeinated, but less so than coffee, about one-third to one-half the amount found in coffee.
Many people also find the energy they get from green tea to be a “cleaner” energy than the energy from coffee, with less shakiness, irritability or energy crashes. Green tea contains small amounts of nutrients and antioxidants, but its main health benefit comes from compounds found in plant foods called polyphenols. These plant ingredients have been shown to protect against heart disease and cancer, help regulate blood glucose and decrease blood pressure. Green tea has also been linked to reduced mortality, reduction in LDL levels (the “bad” cholesterol), and increased working memory (short-term memory).
Their high potassium levels, an important mineral and electrolyte involved in muscle and heart contraction, make bananas most well-known. Also, bananas are also a source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese. Bananas also contain fiber, which is important for gut health, digestion and helps you feel full longer.
Strawberries also contain vitamin C, manganese and potassium, as well as folate. Similar to matcha powder, fruit contains polyphenols linked to heart health and blood sugar control. Dates are a great way to sweeten your food without using refined sugar. Dates contain a significant amount of fiber and have other vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and vitamin B6. You only need a couple to add a nice sweetness to your recipes. Kiwis contain a large amount of vitamin C- even more than lemons and oranges! They are also a good source of fiber, contain many vitamins and minerals and help with digestion.
We all know we should eat more greens, but why is spinach so good for us? To begin with, antioxidants packed in spinach help neutralize damaging free radicals in our body. Most of the calories in spinach come from fiber, which as mentioned above is key for digestive health and feeling full after eating. Spinach contains many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C and K, folate and calcium. One surprising thing about spinach is that it contains iron. Many women are low in this mineral, and it is especially challenging for vegetarians and vegans to get in their diet.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 banana, frozen
- 4 strawberries, frozen
- 2 dates, pitted
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 kiwi
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
Toppings
- Banana slices
- Dates, chopped
- Chia seeds
- Shredded coconut
DIRECTIONS
- In a blender, blend all the ingredients until smooth.
- Top with banana slices, chopped dates, chia seeds and shredded coconut.
SERVES: 1-2
Total time: 10 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Calories: 305 Fat: 1g Carbs: 63g Protein: 7g
We hope you try out this tasty and nutritious recipe and enjoy!
Need more smoothie inspiration? Make sure to get your free summer smoothie cookbook, here!
