Smoothies make for a refreshing and nutritious breakfast or snack. Blending up fruits and vegetables into a cold, creamy drink is one of my favorite ways to get in servings of produce. And making smoothies is so easy – all you need is a blender!
One of my go-to smoothie combinations is watermelon and banana. These two fruits pair perfectly together, creating a sweet smoothie that’s full of nutrients. Keep reading to learn why you should add watermelon banana smoothies into your routine, as well as tips for making them at home.
Why Watermelon and Banana Make the Perfect Smoothie Combo
Watermelon and bananas both contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional benefits of each fruit:
Watermelon
Watermelon is made up of over 90% water, making it naturally hydrating. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, providing about 20% of your daily needs in just one cup. The vibrant red color of watermelon comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage. Watermelon also contains amino acids citrulline and arginine, which help keep your heart healthy by improving circulation.
Banana
Bananas offer a range of important nutrients, including vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. They are rich in pectin, a type of fiber that can improve digestion. Unripe bananas contain resistant starch, which acts as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your gut. Bananas are also high in antioxidants such as dopamine and catechins.
With watermelon and banana, you get a smoothie packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and more. Blending them together creates a tasty, nutritious drink.
Tips for Making Watermelon Banana Smoothies
Whipping up a watermelon banana smoothie is so easy. Here are some tips for making this refreshing drink at home:
1. Use seedless watermelon
I prefer to use seedless watermelon in smoothies to avoid having to pick out all of the seeds. Seedless varieties are just as nutritious. Simply cut the watermelon flesh into chunks, removing the rind.
2. Peel and slice bananas
For the smoothest texture, peel bananas before adding them to your blender. Cut them into rounds. I like using ripe bananas to make the smoothies nice and sweet.
3. Blend with ice
Adding ice helps give your smoothie that thick, creamy texture. Use about 1 cup of ice cubes. You can also freeze the watermelon and banana chunks beforehand if you want an extra cold and frosty drink.
4. Play around with liquids
For the liquid base, you can use juices like orange juice or apple juice. Coconut water and almond milk also work well. I sometimes add a splash of lime juice to brighten up the flavors. Use about 1 cup of liquid.
5. Consider add-ins
In addition to watermelon and banana, you can throw in other fruits, veggies, and superfoods. Some options to try are spinach, kale, mango, pineapple, avocado, chia seeds, flax seeds, and whey protein powder. Get creative!
6. Blend and enjoy
Put all your ingredients into a high-speed blender and puree until smooth. Pour into a glass and top with extras like coconut flakes, chia seeds, or granola if desired. Sip and enjoy your nutrient-packed watermelon banana beverage!
Watermelon Banana Smoothie Recipes to Try
To give you some recipe inspiration, here are a few of my favorite ways to make watermelon banana smoothies:
Simple Watermelon Banana Smoothie
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1/2 cup ice
Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy. This basic version highlights the flavors of the watermelon and banana.
Watermelon Banana Spinach Smoothie
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup ice
Add spinach to pack an extra nutrient punch. The almond milk creates a creamy, dairy-free smoothie.
Watermelon Banana Protein Smoothie
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup ice
Protein powder gives you a nutritious energy boost. Vanilla protein complements the banana nicely.
Tropical Watermelon Banana Smoothie
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup coconut water
- Squeeze of lime juice
- 1/2 cup ice
Pineapple and a splash of lime lend a refreshing tropical vibe. Hydrating coconut water is the liquid base.
FAQs
Q: Do you need to peel watermelon for smoothies?
A: Yes, you’ll want to peel off the green rind before adding watermelon to your blender. The peel is tough to blend. Leaving it on can lead to little bits of rind in your smoothie.
Q: How long do watermelon banana smoothies last?
A: Like most smoothies containing fruit, watermelon banana smoothies last 2-3 days when refrigerated in an airtight container. Make sure to give them a good stir before drinking to incorporate any separation.
Q: Can you freeze watermelon banana smoothies?
A: Definitely! Freezing is a great way to enjoy watermelon banana smoothies for several weeks. Leave some headspace at the top so the liquid can expand as it freezes. Thaw overnight in the fridge before drinking.
Q: Are watermelon banana smoothies good for weight loss?
A: Watermelon and banana are both low-calorie fruits, so these smoothies can be a healthy part of a weight loss diet. They provide fiber and nutrients to help keep you full. Just be mindful of any other ingredients you add like juices, milks, or protein powders.
Q: What kind of blender do you need to make watermelon banana smoothies?
A: A regular blender will work, but a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or Ninja will give you the smoothest consistency. The blades are strong enough to fully break down the watermelon chunks and frozen banana slices.
Enjoy Nutritious Watermelon Banana Smoothies
Thanks for learning all about making refreshing, nutritious watermelon banana smoothies! These two fruits pair so perfectly together. Whether you opt for a simple combo of watermelon, banana, and ice or get creative with additional mix-ins, this smoothie makes for a delicious anytime treat.
Whipping up watermelon banana smoothies is easy and requires minimal ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Make a batch or two each week and enjoy the vibrant flavor and multitude of nutrients. You can feel good knowing these smoothies pack in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and more in each sip. Give watermelon banana smoothies a try today!
