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Boost Your HB Levels (and Iron) with Blueberry Avocado Spinach Smoothie: Nourish You & Your Growing Baby

ByRobby

Let me tell you about my friend Alberta. We work together in the hospital lab, and she’s expecting her first baby.

Every day, amidst the usual bustle of the lab, Alberta has this little ritual during her lunch time.

She brings along her thermos filled with a vibrant green smoothie—her Blueberry Avocado Spinach Smoothie. I’ll admit, the first time I saw it, I was curious.

A bright green drink? But the way she lit up every time she sipped it, I had to ask her about it.

“This smoothie is my lifesaver,” she said with a smile. “It keeps me energized, nourishes my baby, and helps me stay on top of everything during the day.”

Why This Smoothie Works Wonders for Pregnant Moms

Pregnancy takes a lot out of you, and keeping your hemoglobin (HB) and iron levels up is important.

Alberta explained that this smoothie has everything she needs to feel good and support her growing baby. Here’s why:

1. Boosts Iron Levels: Spinach in the smoothie is loaded with non-heme iron, which is great for preventing low energy and anemia. And the blueberries? They’re rich in vitamin C, which helps your body absorb that iron better.

2. Supports Baby’s Growth: Avocado is packed with healthy fats and folate, which are key for your baby’s brain and body development. Alberta says it’s her favorite part of the smoothie because it makes it so creamy and satisfying.

3. Keeps You Energized: With all the antioxidants from the blueberries and the natural sweetness of a little honey, this smoothie gives a clean energy boost without any crashes.

4. Helps with Digestion: Let’s face it, pregnancy can slow things down in the digestive system. The fiber in the spinach, blueberries, and even chia seeds (if you add them) helps keep everything moving smoothly.

How to Make Alberta’s Favorite Smoothie

Want to try it for yourself? Here are the ingredients she used to make her favorite smoothie:

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 ripe avocado (peeled and pitted)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (washed)
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Forever Bee Honey

Here’s the nutritional breakdown for each individual ingredient used in the smoothie based on their specified serving sizes:

1. 1 Cup Fresh Blueberries (148g):

  • Calories: 85 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Fat: 0.5g
  • Fiber: 3.6g
  • Sugar: 15g

2. 1/2 Ripe Avocado (75g):

  • Calories: 120 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Fat: 11g
  • Fiber: 4.9g
  • Sugar: 0.2g

3. 1 Cup Fresh Spinach Leaves (30g):

  • Calories: 7 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 1.1g
  • Protein: 0.9g
  • Fat: 0.1g
  • Fiber: 0.7g
  • Sugar: 0.1g

4. 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (240ml):

  • Calories: 30 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Fat: 2.5g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 0g

5. 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds (12g):

  • Calories: 58 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Fat: 4g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 0g

6. 2 Teaspoons Forever Bee Honey (14g):

  • Calories: 60 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Protein: 0.1g
  • Fat: 0g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 17g

Total Nutrition for the Smoothie:

  • Calories: 360 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 51.1g
  • Protein: 6.5g
  • Fat: 18.1g
  • Fiber: 13.2g
  • Sugar: 32.3g

After tasting the smoothie myself, I asked Alberta how she makes her Blueberry Avocado Spinach Smoothie. Here’s how she does it:

  1. Alberta starts by washing the spinach and blueberries thoroughly. Then, she scoops out the avocado—just slice it in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh out with a spoon.
  2. She pours the almond milk in first because it helps the blending process go smoothly. Then, in go the spinach, blueberries, avocado, chia seeds (if she’s adding them), and forever bee honey.
  3. Alberta blends everything until it’s silky smooth. If it seems a little too thick, she adds a splash more almond milk or water to get the perfect consistency.
  4. She always takes a quick taste to see if it needs a bit more honey for sweetness.
  5. Finally, she pours it into her favorite thermos or a glass and enjoys it right away—fresh and packed with flavor.

That’s it! Alberta makes it look so easy, and honestly, once you try it, you’ll see why she’s such a fan.

Alberta always makes hers fresh in the morning and keeps it in her thermos until lunchtime. She says it’s like giving herself and her baby a hug in the middle of a hectic day.

A Little Story About This Smoothie

I remember one day in the staff room, a few of us watched Alberta take out her thermos.

Someone asked, “What’s that green drink you always have?” Alberta laughed and said, “It’s my secret weapon! Want to try it?”

At first, we were skeptical. Green drinks aren’t exactly the first thing you think of when you’re craving something delicious.

But when we finally took a sip, we were hooked! The sweetness of blueberries, the creaminess of the avocado, and that hint of honey—it’s honestly so good.

Now, some of us have started bringing our own versions of the smoothie to work. Alberta has inspired the whole lab to think more about how we fuel our bodies.

Want to try other smoothies? Here’s a list of them:

Why You Should Try It

If you’re pregnant—or even if you’re not—this smoothie is an easy and delicious way to take care of yourself. It’s quick to make, packed with nutrients, and tastes amazing.

Alberta loves how it keeps her energy up and helps her stay healthy for her baby, even on the busiest days.

So, why not give it a try? I’d love to hear how you like it or if you make any tweaks to the recipe.

Let me know in the comments—Alberta and I are always up for sharing tips!

Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

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