1. Broccoli

I know broccoli is the last thing you'd think of adding to a smoothie, but it's actually one of the best vegetables for green smoothies you can try. Use frozen broccoli, which is milder in taste than fresh and much easier to store for a longer period of time. It's a great source of Vitamin C, fiber, protein, Vitamin B6, and no- I promise you won't taste it so long as you combine it with some frozen fruit or some stevia. Just 4-5 florets are all you need!

2. Arugula

Arugula is a leafy green, slightly peppery in taste. Shockingly enough, it tastes great in a smoothie with some blueberries, cacao powder, Sambazon acai puree, ice, and almond milk. Arugula is high in Vitamin C, fiber, and it's also especially cleansing, making it beneficial for digestion, as most leafy greens are.

3. Cauliflower

You can use frozen cauliflower just as you would frozen broccoli in a smoothie. Like broccoli, the frozen form is much milder than fresh and a bit easier to digest. Cauliflower is full of Vitamin C and fiber and it's a great way to make a thick smoothie in just seconds.

4. Carrots

Carrots are a great alternative to fruit in a smoothie since they contain natural sugars but have more fiber. You can use fresh or frozen carrots and just 1/2 cup to 1 cup is all you need. Plus, it gives you a great dose of Vitamin A to keep your skin pretty and plenty of Vitamin C to keep your immune system in tip top shape!

5. Squash

Whether you use yellow, green, or winter squash like butternut, it's amazing in a smoothie. It lends this unbelievably thick, creamy texture that you'd never guess was created from a vegetable. You can use fresh or frozen and both work very well. Squash is a great source of fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6

6. Sweet Potatoes

Pureed sweet potatoes or frozen sweet potato cubes are another great veggie to throw in your blender when you want a thick, creamy shake. They lend a pudding-like texture, much like avocados or yogurt do. Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of nutrition, with vitamins like B6 and C, along with minerals like magnesium and potassium.

7. Pumpkin

My go-to veggie to throw in a smoothie is canned pumpkin. I like the BPA-free canned variety by Farmer's Market brand but you can use fresh pumpkin too. Pumpkin lends a slightly sweet taste with a nice, thick texture. It pairs great with flax, chia, cacao, and vanilla, along with some type of leafy green of your choice. Pumpkin is high in fiber, water, potassium, low in sugar, and it's a great source of the amino acid tryptophan, which improves your mood.

I love throwing crazy concoctions of fruits and veggies into my blender to see what I can come up with. You'd be surprised how good some actually taste! What's your favorite veggie to use in a green smoothie?