I originally shared this recipe for what I cheesily dubbed a “power smoothie” back in 2012 when I was pregnant with my youngest. I still love it, but the pictures needed a makeover and the recipe needed some slight tweaking (I cut down on the sugar and upped the fat a little to balance out the macros). If it’s too tart for you, feel free to add a little drizzle of honey or agave! This smoothie is packed with nutrition and has real staying power that won’t leave you with a sugar crash and starving two hours later. It’s a great way to start the day!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Orange juice – Use a good-quality not-from-concentrate variety for best results. I’d avoid shelf-stable bottles or frozen concentrate for this one.
- Steel cut oats – Or oatmeal. Steel cut oats are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and help stabilize your blood sugar. They help keep you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, you don’t have to cook them, which is always a bonus in the morning. You don’t have to use them, and they will add a grainy texture to your smoothie, but I don’t mind it–the oats are sweet and they make me feel like I’m tangibly doing something good for myself. If you like, you can combine the orange juice and oats the night before and store them in the fridge to soften.
- Greek yogurt – Full fat or 2%, plain and unsweetened. Make sure it’s true Greek yogurt that’s twice the protein of traditional yogurt, not just Greek-style which just has added thickeners.
- Frozen blueberries
- Baby spinach leaves – You won’t even taste the spinach at the end but it adds important nutrients!
- Crushed ice
How to Make Kate’s Power Smoothie
- Simply combine everything in a high powered blender and blend. I use the smoothie setting on my Blendtec, which handles it well, but you may need to run it through twice.
Storing and Other Tips
- This smoothie is best enjoyed right away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Not really. You could measure out your orange juice and oats the night before and leave them in your blender pitcher in the fridge overnight, but everything else should be added and blended when you’re ready to enjoy your smoothie!
Definitely! As written this recipe makes two servings. Feel free to cut it in half for one or scale up, as long as the ingredients fit in your blender!
Kate’s Power Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup orange juice preferably the good stuff, like the not-from-concentrate orange juice
- 2 tablespoons steel cut oats or oatmeal
- ¾ cup 2% or full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cups frozen blueberries
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 ½ cups crushed ice
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in the jar of your blender and blend. You will probably need to run it through twice. Serve immediately.
- Makes 1 giant smoothie, 2 smaller smoothies, or 3 snack-sized smoothies.
Questions & Reviews
I just testing positive on the pregnancy test – so this is PERFECT! Must find Oat Grots.. 🙂 LOVE IT (I haven’t told many people so forgive me for the name)
I like blueberries okay, but I really prefer Strawberry Banana smoothies. Any idea if adding those two would radically change the benefits of the smoothie?
Haha! See, I don’t like strawberry banana smoothies. It would still be really good for you, but blueberries carry a bigger nutritional punch and bananas are often on the naughty list when it comes to fruits, so it just kind of depends on what you’re after. If that’s what you prefer, go for it! 🙂
Any idea what the calorie count is for the full sized smoothie? Thank you for the fantastic recipes. Everyone I tell about your blog absolutely loves it!
It’s in the 400-450 range. It’s a lot less if you leave out the oats, but when I do, I feel that crash coming an hour later…
I love smoothies and you are right you can’t taste the spinach at all. Thanks for this one! Makes me want to make it right now!
looks and sounds delicious!
Yum! I can’t wait to try this…I am have just found my new favorite breakfast! Thanks for another great recipe.
yes, I could use one of those smoothies right now to jump start my brain! that should have read- I may have just found…
I have been kind of addicted to morning smoothies lately, too, and I am not pregnant. I cannot wait to try this one.
I love reading about your pregnancy. And, your food. 🙂
Spinach in a smoothie is the best invention ever. I have NO problem eating my wieght in fruit everyday but veggies can be a challenge…
And I also love how versatile smoothies are, seriously they are the perfect snack (or usually even a meal for me)
I’m so excited about this!! My boyfriend and I have been talking about doing smoothies for breakfast since he started school last week so this is perfect timing! Plus it gives me an excuse to go to Whole Foods, yay! 🙂
I make my smoothie pretty much the same, except who knew about the oat groats? Not me. They aren’t gross groats, are they? It’s true you can’t taste the spinach. I can testify to that. I’m going to have to hunt down some groats.