Food Network personality Giada De Laurentiis’ smoothie recipes are filling and delicious. Great as a snack or light post-workout meal, here are just a few of the celebrity chef’s nutritious and downright tasty smoothies.
De Laurentiis turns to smoothies to ‘get back on track’
On her food and lifestyle blog Giadzy, De Laurentiis shared that smoothies are her favorite when life gets livelier. Their all-in-one convenience makes them the perfect snack or mini-meal.
“Sometimes it was when I was really busy traveling, filming, booking books, or just… being mom at home; other times I just don’t feel like myself — whether it’s from inflammation, bloating, or general sluggishness,” she writes. “Anyway, I turn to juices and smoothies. They help me detox and get back on track.” on track, filling me up with the essential nutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables that are good for my body.”
She added that smoothies are also a tool to say no to less nutritious foods: “I like a juice in the morning, to get a delicious, healthy start to the day. But they are also restorative and energizing after a workout or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up Bonus: the water and fiber in the ingredients help keep you full and can help you ward off the temptation of other, less virtuous snacks.”
Chef’s Banana Walnut Smoothie
With ice, unsweetened almond milk, coconut water, walnut pieces, coarsely chopped dried dates and half a peeled banana, the De Laurentiis smoothie comes together easily.
All ingredients are combined in a blender on high speed until smooth.
The recipe received dozens of five-star reviews on the Food Network website, with one home cook writing, “The first of Giada’s recipes I’ve tried. Smoothie was very refreshing and delicious. Definitely going to make this again!”
Find this recipe on the Food Network site†
Her herby Sweet Basil Smoothie
This smoothie from the Just Giada star contains yogurt, fresh basil leaves and a simple syrup of water, sugar and lemon zest.
Reviewers were impressed by the sweet and savory flavors in this refreshing smoothie, with one person writing, “Super yummy! It’s fresh and bright and perfect for summer. The… combination of basil and lemon zest is genius – you have to try it to to believe it.”
Get the full recipe on the Food Network site†
Veggie Berry Breakfast Smoothie from De Laurentiis
For De Laurentiis’ berry-licious blended drink, the chef recommends using, ideally, homemade almond milk. If that’s not an option, she writes in her recent book: Eat better, feel better: My recipes for wellness and healing, inside and out“Make sure your brand only contains almonds, water, and salt; many commercial brands contain flavors, sweeteners, and thickeners like carrageenan.”
She added that her favorite time to enjoy this smoothie is “on the weekend when I want some nutrition before going for a walk or going to a yoga class but don’t want to feel too full.”
This smoothie contains frozen blueberries, chopped celery, chopped English cucumber, chopped and peeled fresh ginger, baby arugula, avocado, the almond milk, a pinch of kosher salt, ice, and coconut oil, which “gives it real staying power,” says Laurentius.
Find this smoothie recipe in Eat better, feel better.
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Her coffee and spinach smoothie is the perfect morning pick-me-up
Just the punch you need to get you going in the morning, or for that afternoon dip, this De Laurentiis smoothie gets its bright vibe from banana, unsweetened almond milk, baby spinach, ice cream, pure vanilla extract, a pinch of kosher salt, ripe avocado, finely ground espresso or coffee and coffee beans.
“When I serve this smoothie for brunch, it amazes people every time,” the chef wrote. “You barely taste the spinach, but you get a little jolt from the coffee. The cocoa nibs are my favorite part! I like to mix all the ingredients except the ice cream the night before, so in the morning all I have to do is whip it with ice just before serving.”
Find this recipe in Eat better, feel better†
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The Chef’s Citrus Cream Smoothie resembles a vanilla cream ice cream
Delicious and refreshing, the chef’s smoothie contains water, sugar, Greek yogurt, orange juice, bananas, grated orange zest, pure vanilla extract and ice.
One of the many five-star reviews of the recipe read: “This smoothie was DELICIOUS! It really does taste like a creamsicle. …”
Get this recipe on the Food Network site†
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