Spring Berry Smoothie Recipe

Happy Spring everyone! Check out a delicious berry smoothie recipe below for your picky eater!

Children with ASD often struggle with a rigid and restrictive diet. This yummy Spring smoothie can be a great way to get a serving of fruits and veggies into their diet!

*Before we jump into the recipe, I want to preface this post by saying that I am not a dietitian, and I am sharing a recipe that works for me. If you want to introduce any of the products I mention below, please consider consulting your child's pediatrician or completing your own research. Additionally, I want to note that I follow a vegan diet, but the ingredients I use can be swapped for dairy milk as well!

Texture

A smoothie can be a great way to introduce vegetables and fruits because they are blended into one smooth texture. Children with ASD often have aversions to sensory aspects of fruits or vegetables, and a smoothie is one way to sneak in some nutrients. Additionally, depending on how much milk is added, the smoothie can be thick enough to eat with a spoon, or smooth enough to drink with a straw.

Consistency

In addition to sensory aversions to certain foods, some children also struggle with the inconsistent taste of some foods such as a ripe blueberry and an overly ripe blueberry. Once you determine the smoothie recipe that works for your family, you can utilize the same measurements each time to ensure a consistent taste.

Hydration

I have observed that my clients often struggle to drink enough water throughout the day. An electrolyte supplement can be added to a smoothie to boost their hydration!

Ingredients:

-1 cup Frozen Mixed Berries

-1/4 cup Spinach

-1 cup Almond Milk (more or less depending on preferred texture)

-1/2 Banana

Optional Additions:

-Spirulina Powder (plant-based protein powder)

-Protein Powder

-Chia or Hemp Seeds

-Electrolyte Supplement

-Peanut Butter

First, I add the mixed berries into my NutriBullet. Next, I add in the spinach, banana, and supplements. Lastly, I add the almond milk and blend the smoothie. It's that simple!

Let me know if you try this recipe or create your own!