Craving something cool, tart, and sweet? This healthy easy-to-make lemon smoothie is the answer. It's a bright blend of creamy yogurt, tangy lemon juice, milk, banana, and a little honey to sweeten things up. Plus it's packed with protein, calcium, and Vitamin C, to give you a refreshing start to your day.
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Table of Contents
Healthy Citrus Smoothies
Smoothies are a quick, delicious, and nutritious way to start your day. If you're looking to add a bit of extra zing to your morning routine, citrus smoothies of any kind are not only easy to make and filled with refreshing fruit flavors but packed with immune-boosting vitamin C too.
And, like this lemon banana smoothie, they're not only for breakfast either. They make an amazing drink as an energizer pre or post-workout and they're delicious enough for dessert too. Try a Key Lime Smoothie or Orange Creamsicle Smoothie as is or in popsicle form.
Why You'll Love This Smoothie with Lemon
It's packed with simple yet healthy ingredients.
It's tart, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
Easy to make - just throw everything in a blender, blend, and go.
Benefits of Lemons in Smoothies
- Rich in Vitamin C: Lemons are a fantastic source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient and powerful antioxidant.
- Improved Digestion: The citric acid in lemons can help break down food in your stomach, improving overall digestion and leading to less bloating and discomfort after meals.
- Hydration: Lemons have a high water content, which can help to keep you hydrated, especially after workouts and during hot weather.
- Detoxification: The natural acidity of lemons can help to cleanse your system by flushing out toxins from your body.
- Weight Management: The pectin fiber in lemons can help you feel full for longer, which can aid in managing weight by reducing cravings and overeating.
- Promote Skin Health: Vitamin C in lemons promotes collagen production, which is essential for smooth, healthy skin. Additionally, its antioxidant properties can help combat skin damage caused by free radicals.
- Increased Alkalinity: Despite their acidic taste, lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. This can help balance your body's pH, as most people's diets tend to be more acidic.
- Heart Health: Lemons are a good source of heart-healthy potassium and vitamin C, which are linked to lower risks of heart disease and stroke.
- Improved Absorption of Nutrients: Vitamin C in lemons can enhance the absorption of nutrients from food.
Also, try lemon water to reap all the benefits of adding lemon to your morning routine.
Benefits of Banana and Yogurt in Smoothies
Banana adds much-needed potassium to maintain normal blood pressure and fiber to help decrease the risk of heart disease and block the absorption of cholesterol.
Greek yogurt has almost twice the protein, half the sodium, and half the carbohydrates as non-Greek yogurt. It has plenty of calcium, helps maintain a healthy digestive system. and boosts the immune system.
The yogurt counts as one of the 3 suggested servings of the low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese component of a healthy diet.
Ingredients
- Lemon for the juice and zest
- Lemon Greek Yogurt
- Banana
- Milk
- Honey
- Ice Cubes (optional) for thickness
How to Make a Lemon Smoothie
So what are you waiting for? You can make this lemon banana smoothie right away or make it the day before and have it ready for breakfast tomorrow.
- Place the milk, yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and frozen banana in a blender. Add honey. If you prefer to prepare it for tomorrow's breakfast, leave the frozen banana out until then and place the blender jar in the refrigerator until morning.
- That's it! Ready to blend. Simple and easy!
- Blend away and enjoy this refreshing, healthy, and immune-boosting summer treat!
Recipe Variations
You can make this smoothie with more flavors or added protein. Here are some ideas:
- Lemon Avocado Smoothie - Add ½ of an avocado.
- Lemon Berry Smoothie - Make it a lemon blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry smoothie by adding ½ cup of fresh or frozen berries.
- Lemon Citrus Smoothie - Make it a citrus combo by substituting half of the lemon with lime or orange. Do not use grapefruit because it will curdle the milk.
- Lemon Fruit Smoothie - Make it an apple, cherry, mango, peach, pineapple, or watermelon lemon smoothie by adding ½ cup of fresh or frozen fruit.
- Lemon Ginger Smoothie - Add a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger or ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder.
- Lemon Green Smoothie - Add a handful of kale or spinach.
- Lemon Mint Smoothie - Add a few fresh mint leaves.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Smoothie - Add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds.
- Lemon Protein Smoothie - Add a scoop of lemon protein powder.
- Lemon Smoothie without Yogurt - Substitute the yogurt with coconut cream or ½ of an avocado.
- Whole Lemon Smoothie - Cut a whole lemon into wedges or slices and blend them in a blender until smooth. Use 2 tablespoons of the pureed lemon to make the smoothie.
How to Freeze Lemons for Smoothies
Here's what to do if you want to make smoothies with frozen lemons:
- Cut lemons into quarters or thick slices and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer.
- Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag.
How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies
Cut a ripe banana into ½-inch slices and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it in the freezer until the banana slices are frozen solid. Move them to a plastic freezer bag until ready to use.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Apple Pie Smoothie
- Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie
- Coffee Smoothie
- Cinnamon Bun Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie Bowl
- Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
- Pineapple Banana Smoothie
Find lots of healthy smoothie recipes here on 2CM!
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Lemon Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup milk, use your favorite kind
- 5.3 oz lemon-flavored Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon, peeled & seeded, or 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 banana, frozen
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 3-4 ice cubes, for thickness (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
-
- Lemon Fruit Smoothie - Make it an apple, cherry, mango, peach, pineapple, or watermelon lemon smoothie by adding ½ cup of fresh or frozen fruit.
-
- Lemon Ginger Smoothie - Add a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger or ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder.
-
- Lemon Green Smoothie - Add a handful of kale or spinach.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with new photos and more helpful information. It was first published on August 12, 2015.
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