Energize your morning with this Vegan Ginger Mango Green Smoothie! It’s a refreshing morning beverage full of brain healthy foods and spices like hemp seeds, mango, spinach, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. Plus, it’s ready in just 5 minutes and easily adaptable to individual tastes.
This Ginger Mango Green Smoothie is not your mother’s green smoothie. This one is memorable, or rather, it will help you remember! I call this my “Oh Happy Day!” smoothie because it’s chock full of foods that support brain function and mood to help keep you at the top of your brain game. Try it and see. You may just find yourself whistling that happy tune!
Why You’ll Love this Vegan Ginger Mango Green Smoothie
Refreshing – the addition of spices like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon gives this smoothie a fresh, sweet and slightly zingy flavor. A perfect pick-me-up for busy mornings!
Fast – just place the ingredients in the carafe and let the blender do all the hard work.
Easy to Customize – make it work for you. Use fresh or powdered ginger or turmeric, replace kale for the spinach, plant milk instead of tofu, make it sweeter or add a protein powder. You’re in charge here.
How this Green Smoothie Will Love You Back!
There are so many health promoting properties in the ingredients for this green smoothie, but let’s look specifically at how they work to promote brain health.
Spices for Life: Ginger, Cinnamon & Turmeric
Ginger – Gingerol, the main bioactive compound found in ginger, may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Cinnamon – one of the best spices for brain health, cinnamon has neuroprotective properties that can improve learning and memory as well as protect against developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Turmeric – Studies have shown that people who take curcumin, which is found abundantly in turmeric, have significantly improved memory and attention abilities as well as mild improvements in mood.
Mango, Bananas and Greens, Oh My!
Spinach – contains high levels of the antioxidants folate and phylloquinone (a form of vitamin k that’s found in leafy greens) that have been shown to protect brain cells and may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Mango – crowned the “king of fruits” for its generous contribution of antioxidants, mangoes offer generous levels of vitamin B6, which may help boost your mood and reduce symptoms of depression. An added bonus: consuming mangoes can relieve constipation. Now that makes for a happy day!
Bananas – as a rich source of tryptophan, bananas may play a role in mood regulation, memory and the ability to learn new things. Studies have shown that students who eat bananas before exams show improved concentration and test scores.
Medjool Dates – dates have been found to lower inflammatory markers in the brain and decrease the formation of plaques, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. They may also boost memory and learning ability.
Lime Juice – brightens flavors and compliments the ginger and mango oh, so perfectly! Not to be left out, limes have brain benefits, too! Bioactive compounds in citrus have been shown to improve cognition in both healthy people as well as those experiencing age-related cognitive decline.
(Plant) Powered Smoothie
Hemp – heavy in Omega-3’s and vitamin E, which have been linked to improved cognitive function and reduced cognitive decline. Additionally, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, both found abundantly in hemp seeds, are involved in the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are important neurotransmitters for mood regulation.
Silken Tofu –soy products, including tofu, are good sources of choline, a powerful nutrient known for its brain benefits. Choline is needed to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays an important role in mood regulation, memory and intelligence.
How to Make this Ginger Mango Green Smoothie
If you have a good blender, making this smoothie is a breeze. For best results, place the ingredients in the blender in the order listed.
In the carafe of a (preferably a high powered) blender, add the ingredients in the following order:
- Water. Start with ¼ cup. (Omit if using plant milk instead of silken tofu)
- Tofu (or plant milk)
- Lime juice
- Dates – pits and stems removed
- Spinach & optional Microgreens
- Spices – turmeric and ginger can be fresh (for best flavor) or ground (for convenience)
- Hemp Seeds
- Mango Chunks & Peeled Banana
- Ice cubes
Begin blending on low speed, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blade. Slowly increase the speed until a smooth consistency is achieved. Transfer smoothie to a large glass and enjoy!
Ginger Mango Smoothie Substitutions
Everyone has their own flavor preferences, so feel free to make substitutions as desired.
Silken Tofu – substitute with 1 cup of your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk. I love soymilk, but most any will work. Omit water if choosing this option.
Dates – add more, or less, dates or sub with maple syrup or agave to taste (start with ½ TBSP). If you’re adding a flavored protein powder you may not need any additional sweetener.
Spinach – use kale, baby or full grown, or a mix of baby greens.
Microgreens – totally optional but a great nutrition booster. Sunflower micros are mild and a nice source of protein, iron calcium and antioxidants. Or try broccoli microgreens. They’re a super way to get cancer fighting sulforaphane into your body.
Protein Powder – if you’re looking for a higher protein breakfast or post workout smoothie, add one scoop of your favorite protein powder here. I recommend either plain or vanilla flavor. You may need to cut back on the dates if your protein powder is sweetened.
Turmeric – fresh or powdered, whatever you choose will work. Start with a ½ inch piece of fresh turmeric and roughly chop if choosing that option.
Ginger – same as above. I love the flavor that fresh ginger brings to this smoothie but use what you prefer.
Ginger Mango Green Smoothie
Energize your morning with this Vegan Ginger Mango Green Smoothie! It’s a refreshing morning beverage full of brain healthy foods and spices like hemp seeds, mango, spinach, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. Plus, it’s ready in just 5 minutes and easily adaptable to individual tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
1/4 cup silken tofu or 1 cup plant milk, such as almond, oat, flax or soymilk
2 cups spinach, kale or mixed baby greens
1/4 sunflower or broccoli microgreens (optional)
1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 large banana, peeled
2 medjool dates, pits and stems removed
2 TB hemp seeds
1/2 inch piece of fresh turmeric, peeled and roughly chopped or 1/4 tsp ground
3/4 – 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped, or 1/2 tsp ground
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
4 ice cubes
water as needed
Instructions
In the carafe of a blender (preferably high powered), add the ingredients in the following order:
- Water. Start with ¼ cup. (Omit if using plant milk instead of silken tofu)
- Tofu (or plant milk)
- Lime juice
- Pitted dates
- Spinach or greens of choice
- Microgreens
- Spices – turmeric, ginger and cinnamon
- Hemp Seeds
- Frozen Mango
- Banana
- Ice cubes
Begin blending on low speed, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blade. Slowly increase the speed until a smooth consistency is achieved. Transfer smoothie to a large glass and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 1 servings
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 12.3
- Carbohydrates: 69.9
- Fiber: 9.3
- Protein: 15.1
- Cholesterol: 0
