Matcha Avocado Mint Chip Smoothie

This matcha avocado mint chip smoothie consists of a healthy blend of avocado, frozen banana, matcha, mint, non-dairy milk, and cacao nibs. You’ll fall head over heels for this drink with a consistency resembling a milkshake!

I tend to go through spells with smoothies. Either I’m chugging them like they’re going out of style, or I’m completely disinterested. But I think a lot of this has to do with falling into the trap of drinking the same old smoothie day after day.

In an attempt to vary my snacking habits, I decided to create this matcha avocado mint chip smoothie. In hopes that it would come out with more of a milkshake consistency, I threw in a whole half of an avocado, plus a large frozen banana, a handful of mint, a teaspoon of matcha (am I ever looking for an excuse NOT to consume caffeine lol?) and just enough almond milk to get it to blend. After blending, I added a spoonful of cacao nibs… because what’s a mint chip smoothie without the chips?… and then blended once more to break them up a bit.

This smoothie makes one generous serving or two small servings. If you’d like to give it a protein boost, add a scoop of your favourite protein powder (I enjoy Genuine Health, Botanica, and Garden of Life brands). Or, if you’re a purist, add a couple spoonfuls of hemp hearts!

A note on avocado: There has been a fair amount of discussion lately on the role that avocado plays in fueling water shortages and conflict in Mexico. For this reason, when buying avocado, always try to buy fair trade and organic! They are worth the extra cost. And perhaps just don’t eat them every single day? Like anything that comes from far away, it is important to consider the ethical and environmental implications that come along with it.

Another note on avocado: Some people are still concerned about the high fat content of avocado. We’ve come along way over the past decade or so as far as our recognition of the importance of dietary fats goes, but they are still those who avoid high fat foods. Half of an avocado is a typical serving size. It contains 15 grams of fat, most of which is the heart-healthy monounsaturated variety. It’s also packed with vitamin E, an important nutrient for healthy eyes, skin, and hair, as well as vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 plays a role in everything from liver detoxification, red blood cell production, nutrient metabolism, and, most interestingly, mood regulation. Three mood-regulating neurotransmitters–dopamine, serotonin, and GABA–all require adequate levels of B6 for synthesis. Researchers have found that the risk of depression is higher in people with lower levels of B6 in their diets.

Bananas and avocados are both packed with B6, and they are two foods where I notice an almost immediate boost in my mood after eating them! Coincidence? I think not!

This smoothie has a lot going for it both from a taste and a nutritional standpoint. It’s:

-Fresh-tasting
-Energizing (thanks to the caffeine boost provided by the matcha)
-Packed with healthy fat
-Mood boosting
-Filling (especially if you add some protein powder or hemp!)

I hope you love it!

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If you make this Matcha Avocado Mint Chip Smoothie, leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out, and tag your photo #upbeetkitchen on Instagram!