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This cold buster green smoothie recipe is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system, hydrate your body and send those winter colds packing!
Table of Contents
- What Makes a Green Smoothie?
- Ingredients in a Cold Buster Green Smoothie
- How to Make a Cold Buster Green Smoothie
- Variations and Substitutes
- Can You Use Frozen Fruits in Green Smoothies?
- Can Green Smoothies Replace Vegetables?
- Can You Taste Spinach in Green Smoothies?
- Is a Green Smoothie Good for You?
- Will Cold Buster Green Smoothies Give Me Energy?
- Can Cold Buster Green Smoothies Be Frozen?
- Will a Green Smoothie Keep Overnight?
- How to Fight a Cold
- More Smoothie Recipes
- Cold Buster Green Smoothie (How to Fight a Cold) Recipe
- Cold Buster Fruit Leathers
- Green Smoothie Pancakes
Green smoothies were all the rage a while ago and still are, but I never really thought they were that big of a deal. And then I realized that with all of those vitamins packed into a smoothie we would actually be giving ourselves the proper nutrition that we are recommended in getting. So, we started keeping a full supply of spinach and fruits and sure enough, not only did we start feeling better but we weren’t getting sick.
I hate winter. I know, lots of people love it and cannot wait to get outside and enjoy all that the snow has to offer, but I hate it. Strong word? I seriously dislike it I guess. I am learning to really enjoy skiing, but I still freeze to death and cannot last very long out there. But the major reason I don’t like winter is because we all get sick and pass it around over and over again all winter long. I freeze all winter which I’m sure keeps me sick.
You don’t have to pass a cold around all winter. Last year we cracked down and learned how to fight a cold and this cold buster green smoothie was a huge help! Keep scrolling to the end to see other products we love to help us survive winter colds.
What Makes a Green Smoothie?
The definition of a “green smoothie” can be quite ambiguous but the basics of a green smoothie are:
Leafy Greens + Liquid + Fruit
Then, of course, you can add other ingredient to add protein and more nutrients. Keep scrolling below to see suggestions for the best types of leafy greens, liquids and fruits. We also want to highlight what makes this recipe specifically a cold buster green smoothie.
Ingredients in a Cold Buster Green Smoothie
This smoothie is unique in that we chose specific items to kick the cold right where it hurts:
- Spinach: adds great fiber, vitamins and nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K as well as iron, folate and potassium
- Orange Juice: isn’t just about the vitamin C it’s also about staying hydrated
- Orange with Peel: really slam dunk the vitamin C and the peel contains 4 times more fiber than the fruit itself, it has anti-inflammatory properties and may even help reduce harmful LDL’s
- Baby Carrots: great for killing germs in the mouth and helping with digestion
- Banana: gives the body natural energy which is something you are lacking when sick, and it helps the smoothie be extra creamy
- Frozen Pineapple: adds flavor and helps thicken the smoothie when it’s frozen
- Apple: adds flavor and natural sweetness
- Ice: helps thicken the smoothie without adding sugar or extra calories
- Optional: add a scoop of protein so our body has the nutrition needed for energy
NOTE: We avoid dairy completely as it encourages mucus production. In fact, we skip the dairy entirely while sick.
The measurements for all of these ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make a Cold Buster Green Smoothie
Making the best green smoothie recipe couldn’t be easier! Just toss everything in the blender and blend until smooth. We are 100% loyal to our Blendtec blender. I’ve tried them all, and there just nothing that gets the job done better than Blendtec. Use our discount code (Ohsweetbasil10) for 10% off!
I’ve read other people say do blend the greens and liquid together first before adding the fruit, but I honestly haven’t noticed a difference so I just add evereything at once.
Variations and Substitutes
For a true cold buster smoothie follow the recipe as written, but you can totally switch things up to find your favorite blend. Here are some ideas:
Leafy Greens to Use
- Spinach
- Kale
- Swiss Chard
- Collard Greens
- Beet Greens
Liquids to Use
- Almond Milk
- Coconut Milk or Coconut Water
- Oat Milk
- Dairy Milk
- Water
- Fruit Juices
- Cashew Milk
- Soy Milk
- Greek Yogurt
Fruits to Use
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Avocado
- Banana
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Blueberries
- Apple
Add-Ins
- Protein Powders
- Chia Seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Almonds
- Collagen Powder
- Almond Butter
- Peanut Butter
Can You Use Frozen Fruits in Green Smoothies?
Yes, and you absolutely should! In fact, almost all my fruit for smoothies and my greens are frozen when I add them to my smoothie. Check out my post on how to meal prep smoothies. It not only saves time but it also helps my mornings be more stress free!
Can Green Smoothies Replace Vegetables?
Smoothies are a great way to get the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables but they shouldn’t replace whole fruits and vegetables. Blending vegetables actually starts to break them down and you lose some of the nutrients that you would get if you ate them whole. Bottom line…don’t skip the whole veggies!
Can You Taste Spinach in Green Smoothies?
If you have the proper ratio of leafy greens to other ingredients, you will not be able to taste the spinach at all! Follow this recipe for the best flavor!
Is a Green Smoothie Good for You?
Drinking Cold Buster Green Smoothies is a good way to get nutrients and stay hydrated. Consuming Cold Buster Green Smoothies is a good way to get vegetables in your diet.
But, there’s a catch…you have to watch your fruit intake as they still have sugar and carbs so people can take something healthy to not so healthy. Making a healthy smoothie takes some attention and conscientiousness.
Will Cold Buster Green Smoothies Give Me Energy?
Cold Buster Green Smoothies can provide you with lots of healthy calories, that your body can convert to energy.
Can Cold Buster Green Smoothies Be Frozen?
Yes, Cold Buster Green Smoothies can be easily frozen. I recommend taking it out of the freezer to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Most likely, it will still be frozen in the morning. Set the jar on the counter and it will thaw in about an hour or so.
Will a Green Smoothie Keep Overnight?
Yes! You can blend your cold buster green smoothies ahead of time and store your cold buster green smoothies in a sealed container for 1 to 3 days in the fridge. … Fresh is always best, but a 2-day old cold buster green smoothie is still way better than a bag of the Cheetos.
How to Fight a Cold
Air Purifier
We went ahead and got a Honeywell Air Purifier. One is upstairs and the other downstairs. They run day and night all year round and I swear it’s been helping to keep out the nasty.
Simply Saline
Cade cannot handle a Netty Pot but many people love it. Instead we use Simply Saline. As soon as you feel the sniffle get out your saline and keep things cleaned out. You’d be shocked how much it will help. We even use the Little Remedies one for kids and it has blown our minds with how much better they get with it.
Zicam Nasal Spray
I hate nasal spray. I also hate taking those nasty vitamin c or zinc tablets to fight a cold. And do they even work? I wasn’t feeling like they were. Until I found Zicam Nasal Spray. Immediately when I get the tickle I take it and Cade is quickly following suit as he sees how well it works. I even travel with it now. It’s the only clinically proven nasal spray to shorten a cold.
Aquafor
Blowing your nose and a stuffed up nose that requires you to breath from your mouth all day can lead to chapped noses and lips. I love this little Aquafor tube. It’s all I use for chapstick now, but it’s great on noses that are being blown too much too.
All of this just comes from Amazon to my house and most is around $4. I’m lazy like that, but you can always watch a store for sales too.
And that’s it! What little tricks do you have to beating the winter colds? Green smoothies are a great way to start your day in a healthy way, and if you are trudging through bleak winter days trying to fight the latest cold bug, give this cold buster green smoothie a try!
More Smoothie Recipes
- Freezer Prep for Green Smoothies
- Chia Peach Berry Protein Smoothie
- Raspberry Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
- Orange Berry Protein Smoothie
- Pineapple Orange Banana Green Smoothie
- Protein Green Smoothie with Protein
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie Bowl
Cold Buster Green Smoothie (How to Fight a Cold)
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Orange Juice
- 2 Cups Spinach
- 1/2 Orange, with peel
- 3-5 Baby Carrots
- 1 Cup Frozen Bananas
- 1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapple
- 1/2 Small Apple
- 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, Optional
Instructions
- Place the juice, spinach and remaining ingredients in a blender. If you use a fresh banana, add 1/2-1 cup ice to help thicken the smoothie.2 Cups Spinach, 1 Cup Orange Juice, 1/2 Orange, 3-5 Baby Carrots, 1 Cup Frozen Bananas, 1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapple, 1/2 Small Apple, 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
- Blend until smooth and drink up!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Cold Buster Fruit Leathers
A snack is a great way to get the kids healthy again!
Green Smoothie Pancakes
Pack all the good stuff into a pancake!
I’m allergic to oranges and pineapple what can I replace? Love your website.
Thank you, Denise! Well shoot! Those two things are what make it a cold buster because of the vitamins in them. You can use any juice and frozen fruit combo you want!
I just made it cause I have a cold and it was delicious orange peel and all but I did get all organic and not oranges in a bag on I never thought it would taste so good now I also did get a new smoothly maker very powerful so there was no chuncks of anything hope this works ..Thank You
Thank you for the comment!
I’m asthmatic, have been for 40 years. And as I get older, it’s getting worse. Such is life. But ANY cold, flu, whatever I pick up in the winter has to be stopped quickly cuz EVERYTHING moves to my lungs. Heck, when raising puppies years ago, I even gave myself kennel cough from their nasal vaccine (lol! Dr in hospital thought it was some exotic disease, had never heard of it!)
I take 1000 mg if vitamin C 2x a day, 5000 iu vitamin D 1-2x a day, use a generic form of Airborne every time before I go to stores. But the best thing after I start to feel those first symptoms, scratchy throat, something behind my nose, unexplained aches, is taking these beyond-the-norm Enhanced Zinc Lozenges from Life Extension, where I get most of my supplements. They’re monsters, 1/2″ thick and 3/4″ tall, take quite a while to dissolve, 18.75 mg zinc acetate in each, can be taken every 2 hrs (up to 8) until the symptoms leave. Usually 2-3 kills the infection. Most effective thing I’ve found if used as soon as you suspect a cold. They do seem to numb my ability to taste flavors for a while after sucking on them!
But all the other suggestions are helpful too. Plan to add the smoothie to my therapy!
Friendly pharmacist here. It’s true that zinc is the only proven therapy to reduce the length of a cold (by a day), but if you can tolerate the lozenges, it’s safer than the spray. The nasal spray has the potential to make you permanently lose sense of smell which means nothing will ever taste right either.
Hot tea is a great way to make you feel better.
well I definitely don’t want that to happen, but man, those lozenges are awful, aren’t they!
I am so glad I found your website. Love all the recipes and will eventually try them all.
My question is I am a diabetic and wondered if you have some diabetic recipes you have tested.
I try to substitute Splenda or the like but sometimes I just use regular sugar.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy the personal touch and blog almost as much as the recipes. Thank you. Beth.
Thank you so much, we definitely need to find some diabetic recipes to share.
BETH
The peel was a bit too bitter in the smoothie; my life is ruined.
Emily, you may have had a bit thick of a peel or extra pithy. I’ve had one like that too. You can skip the peel any time. 🙂
Ya, me to I blended everything, tasted it, and it was amazing! It tasted like either orange with vanilla ice cream, or orange sherbet. But then I realized I had forgotten the peal, I added a small amount in and boom, gross! It was soooooo bitter! I am sick with a cold, so I wanted to find something to help make me feel better faster. I absolutely love this smoothie, so I will probably make it again without the peal even if I’m not sick!!! I will also check out other recipes on this website! Thank You!
super tasty i love it!!! 🙂 tank you
Hi very tasty smoothie! I have a question do I zest my orange or put it in whole half?
You put the whole half in. Crazy huh?!
I drink a lot of green smoothies but I never thought to add carrot; that’s a great idea. Also I like that you include the citrus peel, I’m sure that really bumps up the flavor in addition to adding nutrition. Thanks for all the great tips; and wishing you good health this winter!